Susan Braden

2 weeks ago | ctinsider.com | Susan Braden

GUILFORD - This year's town budget was passed with very little drama, unlike last year's, which required two referendums to get it through. Townspeople "resoundingly" approved the town's more than $122.5 million budget for 2025-2026, which included nearly $74.4 million for the schools and nearly $10.2 million for debt service. The town's operational budget is set at $38 million. This translated to a mill rate increase of 1.07 mills, or 4.02%, up to 27.65 mills, according to town officials.

2 weeks ago | ctinsider.com | Susan Braden

BRANFORD - Maryanela Rubio's second pregnancy was "picture perfect."But when Natalia Rubio was born on Aug. 23 at Yale New Haven Hospital, doctors soon realized that something was very wrong. "And as soon as the baby came out, red flags started popping - emergency code was punched in, everybody rushed to get her," Maryanela's husband Juan Rubio recalled.

3 weeks ago | ctinsider.com | Susan Braden

OLD SAYBROOK - Parents may soon get the amenities of a coffee shop while watching their children play at Peek-a-Brew, a modern play café set to open in early May at 118 Main St.Peek-A-Brew Play Cafe will operate "as a family friendly establishment offering a unique combination of a cafe and an indoor play area for children," according to the sign application presented to the town's Zoning Commission. The business was recently approved.

3 weeks ago | ctinsider.com | Susan Braden

WESTBROOK - Many in town may remember the curious Military Historians Museum at 24 Westbrook Place that was open by appointment only but drew visitors from around the world. Older residents may recall when the old brick building, built in 1940, was the town's post office, a favorite spot where townspeople would run into each other daily and catch up on news.

3 weeks ago | ctinsider.com | Susan Braden

OLD SAYBROOK - The town's grand list took a $20 million hit as a result of the new state law about motor vehicle valuation. But new home construction and home improvements have made up more than half the revenue drop, says First Selectman Carl Fortuna. Article continues below this ad The town's total grand list is down .36 percent from $3.315 billion in 2023 to $3.303 billion in 2024.