No Tolls: RTM Takes Stand, Says Branford Would Be Hit By Traffic

BRANFORD, CT - The Branford Representative Town Meeting has joined several other town boards in the state in stating their opposition to tolls being constructed on highways in Connecticut.

The RTM's vote, which was far from unanimous, came after a lengthy debate on whether the RTM was the one to make a statement in such a matter or whether taking a stand for or against tolls was better left to state representatives and senators who represent the town.

In the end, those who felt it was within the right of the RTM to take a stand for residents against tolls - and the impact it would have on the town of Branford - won out.

The ordinance said in part, that tolls would cause "a dramatic increase of trucks and vehicles on Branford streets" by vehicles that exit Interstate 95 to avoid the tolls and instead use Branford roads such as Route 1 instead.

The ordinance further stated that would cause increased "traffic congestion and accidents," which would additionally "increase the cost of public safety to the town of safety."

In addition the side effects of having tolls on the highway and the spillover impact on Branford, the ordianance said "would put Branford buisinesses at a competitive disadvantage."

The ordinance, after it passed, will be sent to Gov. Ned Lamont and the state legislature.