Patch Candidate Profile: Frank Twohill For Branford RTM, 1st District

BRANFORD, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name:
Frank Twohill

What office are you seeking?
Representative Town Meeting, First District Representative

What town do you live in?
Branford

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:
Republican

Occupation:
Attorney, 35 years

Family:
I am single, I live with my family

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Elected and Incumbent Branford Representative Town Meeting, First District Representative 34 years

Why are you seeking this office?
I want to continue working for the betterment of Branford. Keeping taxes as low as possible and providing residents with great services. I have enjoyed working towards our many accomplishments on the Jamie Cosgrove team. After 12 years Jamie is not seeking another First Selectman term. Jeff Vailette will hopefully be taking over and will lead our team well!

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
There are always many moving parts going on in governing the Town of Branford. My pressing issue is keeping property taxes down as low as possible without cutting Town services. I study every financial proposal that comes to the RTM. I scrutinize each one every month. Is this really necessary? Is there a less expensive way? The method is working because Branford taxpayers pay the lowest tax mill rate in the area, year after year.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I see things differently. My priority is to limit spending. Other candidates may have other priorities. I also want to grow the grand list each year to raise more tax revenue as costs go up each year. Other candidates may not. These are very important economic differences concerning your property tax bill. My candidacy pushes for consistently, month after month, getting the most bang for our Branford tax bucks.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Government Transparency and Human Services are always important. Jamie Cosgrove made everything transparent during his 12 years in office. Every Town proposal was always well thought, planned well and was effective and successful after RTM approval. Human Services are also important. Branford provides residents a Counseling Center which is not required and our taxpayers subsidize part of its’ costs. We provide psychiatric services as well by a team of specialists. Maintaining outstanding police, ambulance and fire services with quick response times are all important issues that I have always stood for and voted for.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I accomplished, working with others, on introducing and gaining passage for the Blight Ordinance. Surrounding towns have had theirs but Branford never had one. It gained passage in 2021. Then the Town Blight Officer suggested revisions and we worked on it again! The updated and improved Ordinance now includes landscaping issues and the complainant no longer has to give their name. I also was RTM Education Chair for 9 years, RTM Blackstone Library ex-offico trustee liaison for 4 years, Minority Leader for 6 years, Administrative Services Committee member for 12 years. I also served on Rules and Ordinances and Public Services Committees.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Be your own boss.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I have contributed to Branford in other ways, besides being elected to the RTM. I co-founded Branford Community Television, (BCTV,) and was Founding Treasurer for many years. Along with Henry Pond we produce “Around the Town of Branford,” which provides residents with complete parades and other public interest community access television. I was a Branford Land Trust Officer and Trustee for 21 years and Chaired the Property Management Committee for 10 years.