Branford Board of Finance approves flood sensor pilot; P&Z greenlights coastal homes and subdivision

The Branford Board of Finance unanimously approved a $19,240 appropriation for a pilot roadway flooding sensor system on June 29, drawing the funds from the town's Coastal Resiliency Fund. The same meeting produced two unanimous budget transfers: $9,600 from contingency to HR wages and accrued payroll, and $8,000 from consulting to overtime for the Tax Collector. All four votes, including approval of the May 18 minutes, were unanimous.

Planning & Zoning: Coastal homes, subdivision approved; hospital continued

The Planning & Zoning Commission held a special meeting June 23 and unanimously approved several land use applications. Three coastal site plans for new single-family homes — at 14 Forest Street, 279 Linden Avenue, and 3 Waverly Park Road — each passed unanimously. The commission also unanimously approved a two-lot subdivision at 850 West Main Street and a special exception for grading tied to a retail building at the same address.

Several higher-profile applications were continued to the commission's July 9 meeting, including a special exception for an 80-bed hospital at 596, 612, and 616 East Main Street, a "Limited Retail" proposal at 1032–1064 Main Street, and a retail store request at 16 Business Park Drive. Two zoning map amendments were approved: one adding uses at 17–29 South Main Street and another for electric car chargers at 22 Leetes Island Road.

Board of Education: Facilities study, substitute contract, Superintendent vote on agenda

The Board of Education met June 24 across multiple agenda items. The board was set to vote on the Superintendent's contract, a transportation contract, and a one-year extension of substitute staffing through Kelly Services valued at approximately $1.25 million for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The district plans to put substitute services out for competitive bid next fall.

The board also reviewed a feasibility study for improvements to three elementary schools — MRT, MTM, and Sliney — with a deadline of October 1, 2026 for priority state grant applications. A separate report on the high school's cogeneration plant recommended Option 3, a boiler/chiller modernization with an emergency generator at $1.1 million, though no board action was required on that item. A communications workshop focused on district messaging was also held.

Board of Selectmen: Tax settlements, contracts, and Nepal Festival on July 1 agenda

The Board of Selectmen met July 1 to consider settlements of pending tax appeals following an executive session, plus a refund of motor vehicle late fees tied to an address-record error. The board was scheduled to waive bids for pavement patch services, awarding the contract to William M. Laydon Construction, and waive bids for Branford High School electrical projects, awarding that contract to McMellon Electric using the Town of Greenwich's pricing. A $128,390 pump contract for the Damascus Road pump station was also on the agenda. The board was asked to approve a permit for the Nepal Festival and Nepal Day Parade on the Town Green on July 18, 2026.

Coastal Vulnerability Working Group reviews flood tools

The Coastal Vulnerability Ad Hoc Working Group met June 23 to review technical tools, including the Sentient Things Flood Alert System and CT DOT approvals, MyCoast App surveillance locations, and a Nuisance Flooding Tide Wall pilot project with DEEP. The group is also coordinating on new zoning regulation tools and a strategic plan for coastal retreat, along with Branford marshland resilience research updates.

Meetings cancelled

Several meetings were cancelled over the past two weeks: the Public Building Commission (June 22), Board of Fire Commissioners (June 25), Inland Wetlands Commission (June 25), Fair Rent Commission (June 29), Open Space Commission (July 1), and RTM Public Services Committee (July 2). No action was taken at any of these.

Coming up

• **July 8 — Board of Education:** Review of educational specifications for an elementary school construction project.
• **July 8 — RTM:** Votes scheduled on the $19,240 flood sensor appropriation, the $9,600 HR budget transfer, an $8,000 Tax Department transfer, and a proposed rule change moving regular meeting start time from 8:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
• **July 9 — Planning & Zoning Commission:** Public hearings on zoning amendment ZAMD #26-1 to comply with state Public Act 25-1 on middle housing and parking, plus special exception requests for an automotive repair facility at 16 East Industrial Road and an accessory apartment at 42 Orchard Hill Road.
• **July 15 — Harbor Management Commission:** Discussion of consultant solicitation proposals and SHIPP grant progress.

Earlier weeks

• week of 2026-06-29 — Branford Board of Finance Unanimously Approves $19,240 for Pilot Flood Sensor System

Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.