Preservation of Open Space and North

Branford’s 2008 Local Elections

Abigail Rose WalstonEVE 539December 3, 2008

The Value of Open Space

Preserves Natural Resources WildlifeWildlife WetlandsWetlands SoilSoil WaterWater

Provides Local Food Contributes to Aesthetic Beauty of

the Town

Current Open Space in North Branford

Forests Wetlands Agricultural Lands Lands Owned by Regional Water

Authority

History of Open Space Preservation

Rural character of the town Support of town council and

townspeople Value of open space and farmland

reflected in Plan of Conservation and Development

Current and Future Open Space in North Branford

CGS § 12-107

a.k.a. Public Act 490 1963 Allows land to be designated as

“Open Space” Provides tax incentives to preserve

open land, forest, farmland Assesses land based on current use

rather than market value

US House of Representatives3rd District of CT

D- Rosa DeLauro Smart GrowthSmart Growth Preserve Open SpacePreserve Open Space Protect FarmlandsProtect Farmlands Protect National Parks and Protect National Parks and

ForestsForests Stewart B. McKinney Stewart B. McKinney

Wildlife RefugeWildlife Refuge

R- Boaz ItzHaky ““Talk to your local Talk to your local

officials”officials”

State Senate 12th District

D- Edward MeyerD- Edward Meyer Senate Chair of Environment Senate Chair of Environment

CommitteeCommittee Smart GrowthSmart Growth Preserve Open SpacePreserve Open Space Environmental Leadership Environmental Leadership

Award from the Watershed Award from the Watershed PartnershipPartnership

Co-sponsor of “Community Co-sponsor of “Community Investment Act” Investment Act” $510,650 $510,650 grant for Guilford/Killingworthgrant for Guilford/Killingworth

Support Local FarmersSupport Local Farmers

R- Ryan SuerthR- Ryan Suerth Education, Economy, Education, Economy,

and “3 Strikes” law are and “3 Strikes” law are prioritiespriorities

Wants to make our Wants to make our towns more affordable towns more affordable to live in and improve to live in and improve quality of life and safetyquality of life and safety

State Representative86th District

R- Vincent Candelora Co-chair to Regional Efficiency Sub-group Co-chair to Regional Efficiency Sub-group

of the Smart Growth Task Forceof the Smart Growth Task Force From a farming family in NBFrom a farming family in NB ““I have always supported appropriate land I have always supported appropriate land

preservation” for open space and preservation” for open space and agricultural landsagricultural lands

Supports clean-up and use of brownfields Supports clean-up and use of brownfields rather than developing open spacerather than developing open space

The Winners

Open Space and Party Lines?

Democrats DeLauro and Meyer favor preservation of Open Space

Republicans ItzHaky and Suerth find other issues to be more important

Republican Candelora also favors and works to preserve Open Space

NB Republicans and Open Space

Strong Agricultural Ties in NB R- Town Council Members tend to

support Open Space, Agricultural Lands and “Preserving the Rural Character” of NB

Conservation Commission and Agricultural Commission mostly Republican

Influence on People’s Votes?

DeLauro’s Win LandslideLandslide Many issues Many issues

Meyer’s Win Clearly the candidate for the environmentClearly the candidate for the environment

Candelora’s Win Unopposed… townspeople are generally Unopposed… townspeople are generally

happyhappy

Bibliography

“2008 Connecticut Voter’s Guide- Edward Meyer and Ryan Suerth.” Hartford Courant. 11 November 2008. http://courant.com/news/politics/hc-voteguide2008-searchstory,0,2888593.htm/story

“Chapter 203 * Property Tax Assessment.” Connecticut General Assembly. 6 October 2008. http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/pub/Chap203.htm#Sec12-107e.htm

“Environment and Open Space.” Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. 15 May 2008. 14 November 2008. http://delauro.house.gov/release.cfm?id=1239

“Meyer Announces $510,560 in Open Space Grants for Guilford and Killingworth.” Press Release from State Senator Edward Meyer. 11 October 2007. 14 November 2008. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-071012.html

“Photo Log.” Connecticut State Senator Edward Meyer. 2 December 2008. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/sn/gal-sn/meyer-gal/Meyer-photo-080901.html

“Public Act 490- The Basics.” Connecticut Department of Agriculture. 6 October 2008. http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=1366&q=259834

Image Sources

http://www.boforcongress.com http://delauro.house.gov/ http://www.housegop.ct.gov/images/gallery2008/candelorav/

candeloragallery2008.asp http://www.housegop.ct.gov/members/Candelora.asp http://www.sdvlaw.com/ryan.html http://senatedems.ct.gov/Meyer.htm http://www.townofnorthbranfordct.com

Comments or Questions?