May 22, 2025 Branford, North Branford & Northford Vol. XXIX Iss. 21
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North Branford Voters Reject $65M Budget By Pam Johnson Senior Staff Writer
For the first time in recent memory, North Branford voters opposed to the Town Council’s proposed annual budget turned out in enough numbers to make their vote count. On May 13, voters rejected the council’s proposed $65 million budget, representing a 5.1% annual increase, as too high. Next, the
Town Council will hold a special budget public meeting on Tuesday, May 27, to make adjustments to the bottom line. According to Town Charter, a minimum turnout of 15% of the electorate is required to make the results of the voting referendum question actionable by the Town Council. Following North Branford’s 2025-’26 budget referendum question vote on May 13, Town
Clerk Lisa Valenti reported a response of 20.1%. North Branford has three voting districts. In all, 1,901 of North Branford’s 9,461 registered voters responded to the budget referendum question, “Shall the Town Council Recommended Budget of $65,044,838, which See North Branford Voters page 11
Celebrating Local Voices Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance Gallery Director Mary Pont, left, and Branford Poet Laureate Judith K. Liebermann, center, welcome a group of about 20 “citizen poets” on May 17 for a community poetry reading. The event brought together writers of all ages—from high school students to retirees—to share original works in a celebration of local voices.
Photo by Laura Matesky/ The Sound
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Bob Janicki will lead this year’s Branford Memorial Day Parade as grand marshal................................2
Holding the Keys The Branford baseball team currently stands with a strong record of 10-7 in hopes of making some postseason noise..........................14
A Show that Has Almost Everything Don’t miss Ragtime at Goodspeed...................................25