Branford Town Council defends proposed raises amid criticism

Danny Federico reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com On Thursday, Sept. 11, the Branford Town Council met to hold its first budget hearing. Several residents were in attendance to speak against and in favor of one specific portion of the hearing: a proposed 15-year inflation adjustment in pay for the Council and Mayor positions. Council President Kevin Knighton opened the meeting with a moment of silence in honor of the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. Once the meeting was officially opened, Knighton announced the proposed millage rate was set at 7.50 mills, which is 2.39 percent above the rollback rate for 2025-26. "The purpose of the increase is to fund increases in town operations,"