January 29, 2026
.com
Branford, North Branford & Northford Vol. XXX Iss. 5
Finch Retiring as Branford Finance Director By Nicholas Checker Special to The Sound
In Frank Capra’s beloved classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life,” George Bailey (played by the immortal Jimmy Stewart) finds the value of his life to be measured not in dollars, but in the many lives his unselfish work on behalf of others has meant to a community he’s long cherished. Such models of human beings like a
George Bailey do exist in the real world, every bit as much as they do in heartwarming cinema, theater, and in literature. And on Wednesday, March 11, at the Woodwinds Restaurant in Branford, such a man will be honored with a retirement dinner: Jim Finch, finance director for the Town of Branford. A good 200 to 300 people are expected to attend. Serving in that position for the past 28
years — having started the job in 1998 — the 64-year-old does share noteworthy similarities with the fictional George Bailey. “In a sense, I’m multiple people,” Jim responds when asked to summarize himself. “I’m a husband, a father with three lovely daughters, a practicing Catholic, and I love the town of Branford.” Jim also expresses a penchant for taking See Finch Retiring page 10
Freezing Time in Branford
Chris Bousquet, a native of Clinton, is having a homecoming with his performance at The Kate...............2
Hundreds of youth soccer players converge in Branford every Saturday......................................11
A Branford town employee operates a sidewalk plow to clear snow around the Branford Green Jan. 25 as a major winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow on the area. Freezing temperatures and wind chills below zero created icy road conditions and bitter cold throughout the day.
Photo by Wesley Bunnell/ The Sound
North Branford girls basketball beats Westbrook easily.........................12
Donations from our readers help ensure we can provide our product FREE of charge each week. We are grateful for your generosity.
DONATE NOW AT ZIP06.COM/VOLUNTARYPAY