Vote on Branford Arts Commission Unlikely

A vote on the the proposal to make an Arts Commission is not likely to happen Wednesday night, as the town attorney has not weighed in on the measure, the Branford Seven reports.

The commission would be a new government entity that would oversee arts events in Branford. For the measure to pass the Representative Town Meeting, it would need 16 of 30 votes. The commission passed the Rules and Ordinance Committee by a 4-1 vote.

The Republican majority on the RTM is against the formation of the new agency, the publication reports. Democrats have 11 seats on the RTM, but it is unlikely that the needed 5 Republicans will support the measure. If the vote comes to a tie then Dennis Flanigan, the moderator, is expected to vote no.

The publication reports that the ordinance was pushed through without being sent to the town attorney first, which is a common practice. If the town attorney is asked to weigh in, his response would be categorized as key documentation that is required to be sent to all RTM members 48 hours in advance.

Republicans say there is no need for the commission to be a government entity, as opposed to a non-profit group. Becoming a government entity would allow the commission to have easier access to funding, but proponents of the commission say that is not their goal.

According to the Branford Seven, the move is being led by Frank Carrano, former chairman of the Board of Education.

“To clarify what the Commission will not be – it will not dictate to other groups or interfere with their events, it will work cooperatively to create and support the growth of the arts in Branford,” Carrano said in a letter to the RTM.

Read the full article at the Branford Seven.

Image via Shutterstock