The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Cosgrove gets GOP nod for fifth term
BRANFORD — Looking to carry on the current administration’s efforts to push environmental issues with a minimal effect on taxes, the town Republican Party has nominated First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove to run for a fifth term.
The Republican Town Committee held its nominating convention for November elections this week. Democrats were slated to hold their convention Thursday.
Democrats are expected to nominate RTM Minority Leader Tom Brockett for first selectman and current Selectman Ray Dunbar for reelection. Both announced their candidacies in the spring.
Cosgrove ran unopposed in 2019.
“We are looking to carry on the Cosgrove administration’s rebuilding of our infrastructure and bring more environmental issues to light,” said RTC Chairman Ray Ingraham. He called the slate a very diverse and dedicated group.
Running with Cosgrove as selectman will be Angela Higgins, who took the seat of her late husband, Joe Higgins, a year ago.
Also on the slate are Town Clerk Lisa Arpin, once again seeking reelection; Robert Imperato for tax collector; and Deborah Conklin for treasurer.
The incumbent tax collector and town treasurer both are Democrats.
Imperato currently is on the Board of Finance and recently was named chairman of the Branford Housing Authority amid a controversy over the redevelopment of the Parkside Village housing complex.
For the Board of Education, incumbent members Peter Berdon and Tim Raynor have been nominated by Republicans to fill six-year seats. Laura Troidle has been nominated to fill a two-year seat and Meaghan DeLucia for a four-year seat.
For the Representative Town Meeting, GOP nominees include, for District 1, Frank Twohill, Lindsay Greenberg, David Wells and Tricia Anderson. In District 2, Chris Hynes and Daly Hynes. In District 3, Peter Black and Ralph Murray. In District 4, James Stepanek, Victoria Vanderame, Charles Witkoswki and Sean Kelly. In District 5, Don Conklin, Carolyn Sires, Dennis Flanigan and Ray Ingraham. In District 6, Ed Prete, Marc Riccio and Anthony Alfone. In District 7, Kevin Healy and Barbara Maresca.
Others nominated include Dennis Nardella to the Board of Assessment Appeals, and for constables, Kyle Nelson, Eugene Popolizio, Dennis Nardella and George Weted.
Ingraham said there still could be others nominated.
In a recent state of the town address, Cosgrove said the town’s economic development remained strong, despite the pandemic.
The building department saw record growth over the past year and Cosgrove said there have been significant upgrades as well as improvements to open space and concerning the environment. He mentioned a new community center, renovated and expanded Walsh Intermediate School and work to create a new animal shelter.