Danny Federico
The Branford Town Council moved several projects forward during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, including the planned Ellianos Coffee location, while also weighing how to handle dogs at public events and deciding to remove donation boxes from the Ivey Park boat ramp.
Before opening the regular meeting, the council first convened as the Branford Planning Commission to consider three ordinances related to the property where the new Ellianos is expected to be built: Ordinance 2026-001 for the annexation of the property into town limits; Ordinance 2026-002 for the comprehensive plan amendment; and Ordinance 2026-003 for the rezoning of the property. No public comment was provided on any of the three ordinances. After recommending approval of each, the planning commission session was closed.
During the regular meeting, the council approved the second readings of all three of the ordinances.
The council then returned to an issue raised during its July regular meeting: the presence of dogs at public events on the Suwannee River Greenway.
During the July meeting, representatives from the Branford River Reunion Committee, which oversees the town’s annual Fourth of July celebration, noted several dog-related problems during the event. Issues included pet waste left near an information tent, concerns about animals walking on hot asphalt, and even two dogs that nearly fought.
“I just think, for events, that’s not the place they need to be,” Councilwoman Alice Childress said.
Another concern raised was liability if a dog were to bite someone during an event. Town Clerk Aleshia Terry, who is also a member of the Branford River Reunion Committee, stated the organization pays for the event’s insurance.
“It’s not fair for us to provide the insurance,” Terry said.
“[If] somebody’s pit bull takes a bite out of somebody and they were there against our ordinance … I think we’d still get sued anyway,” Councilman Jay Hatch said. “But at least we’d have an argument.”
The council also heard public comment from Richard Snyder, who urged caution about adopting a blanket ban, noting the legal distinction between pets and service animals.
“You guys have got to walk a very fine line,” he said, adding that service dogs have become a more common presence in public spaces.
Council members ultimately agreed to explore signs stating that only service animals are permitted during festivals and other town events, rather than installing permanent signs banning dogs from the Greenway.
The signs could be placed at entrances during events and removed afterward, allowing residents to continue using the trail with their dogs during normal times.
Council members said even without aggressive enforcement, signs could serve as a deterrent.
“Most people aren’t going to cross the threshold unless it is [a service animal],” Hatch said.
Council members agreed to revisit the issue if signage does not reduce problems.
The council also decided on Tuesday that the donation boxes at the Ivey Park boat ramp have become more trouble than they are worth.
The voluntary boxes were installed a couple of years ago under a previous administration to collect donations from boat ramp users.
Chairman Kevin Knighton stated the town generated $1,062 the first year the boxes were installed, but only $301 this year.
The decline in donations was only part of the concern.
Knighton explained money inside the boxes often gets soaked when it rains, requiring town employees to bring it back to town hall, spread it out and let it dry before processing it. Additionally, the town must report the revenue to the state. Council members and town staff questioned whether generating income from the property could complicate future grant opportunities.
“The headache involved exceeds the income coming in,” Knighton said while discussing the topic.
Childress explained she had opposed the boxes from the beginning.
“I just never liked the idea of it,” she said.
The council ultimately voted unanimously to remove the donation boxes and associated signs. They will be returned to the individual who made them.
The next regular Branford Town Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall, located at 502 S.W. Suwannee Ave.
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