North Branford, Let's Get Ready to Vote!

There will be a lot of circles to fill in on Tuesday, Nov. 6 for the 2012 presidential elections. Registered voters – 406 new voters registered in town from Oct. 1 through the extended deadline of Nov. 1 – can cast their vote for president and many other offices (see attached sample ballot) including:

• United States Senator
• Representative in Congress
• State Senator
• State Representative
• North Branford Reigstrar of Voters

Charter Revision Questions

The Town of North Branford also presents four questions regarding revisions to the town's charter. The questions are as follows: 

1. Shall the Town Charter be revised to permit the Town Council, by the affirmative vote of no less than six (6)  of its members, to modify the residency requirement for any given Town Manager?

There has been much discussion surrounding the residency of the Town Manager at past Town Council meeting. Former Town Manager Richard Branigan did not move into town despite the clause in the charter requiring residency for the town manager.

2. Shall the Town Charter be revised so that a plurality of votes to accept the budget, or to recommend to the Town Council its rejection, be effective regardless of the number of qualified electors voting.

Currently the Town Charter requires a 15 percent turnout at the budget referendum in order for the decision to be binding. If this change were adopted, the referendum would be binding no matter what the voter turnout is.

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3. Shall the Town Charter be revised to increase the number of Board of Education members from six (6) to seven (7), change term of office of such members to commence on the Tuesday following their election instead of in December, and increase total membership of six (6) to total membership of seven (7) under minority representation?

There are currently six members on the Board of Education and unlike other town offices, those voted in do not take their seats until December.

4. Shall practical revisions be made to the Town Charter to provide a coin toss in the event of a tie for Mayor or Deputy Mayor, remove the position of Constable, allow flexibility in publication of public hearing notices as a cost savings, update titles of some appointed Town officials, amend language in the Registrar of Voters and Justices of the Peace provisions for compliance with state statutes, and add clarifying language in conflict of offices provision?

This question groups the "general housekeeping" issues together. 

The full explanatory text of each question is attached and available on the town website.

Here is more on the Charter Revision process: 

• North Branford Town Council Meeting in a Minute: Sept. 4 (Sept. 5, 2012)
• North Branford Town Council Aug. 7 Meeting in a Minute (Aug. 8, 2012)
• North Branford Charter Revisions Go to Vote on Nov. 6 (July 13, 2012)
• Charter Revision Public Hearing Tonight (July 10, 2012)
• Town Council June 5 Meeting in a Minute (June 6, 2012)
• Charter Revision Commission to Hold Public Hearing (April 10, 2012)
• NB Town Council March 20 Meeting in a Minute (March 21, 2012)
• NB Town Council March 6 Meeting in a Minute (March 7, 2012)

Where to Vote

The Presidential Election is Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 with voting from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Polling places in North Branford and Northford are:

District 1:
Jerome Harrison Elementary School
335 Foxon Road – Route 80

District 2:  
Stanley T. Williams School
1332 Middletown Avenue – Route 17