Everyone has heard of the demographic trend toward an aging population. Apparently, Branford has a plan to modify that statistic.

By blocking visibility at crosswalk entrances with parked cars, people in wheelchairs or mobility carts are at risk for injury or death, and this in spite of a state statute specifying a 25′ parking setbacks. See https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_248.htm#sec_14-251.

As seen below, this is a systemic practice by Branford’s highway supervisor and public works manager.

In a 9/11/2023 meeting of the Branford Board of Police Commissioners Traffic Committee, a request to remedy this oversight was denied. See https://youtu.be/B7cieWnLGik?si=zJkTeA_qd-NVz-q_&t=1436.

I’ve contacted the DOT and plan on an ADA complaint to the other enforcement agencies.

Stay tuned!!

Update – 07/26/2025

After significant remarking of Thimble Islands Road parking spaces, the area just north of the church mid-block ADA crosswalk has not been disallowed, allowing vehicles to block driver-pedestrian eye contact as required by multiple state laws. See my email on the topic.

To:Dan Bullard,Mark Richter,Patty Austin,Peter Hentschel

Cc:Randi O’Brien,John OBrien

Mon, Jul 14 at 3:23 PMPeter, Dan, Mark, and Patty,
No one pays attention to pedestrian ROW rules, not even law enforcement. That’s why Connecticut has such a high pedestrian fatality rate.

Connecticut Pedestrian Deaths Reaching Record Levels | Law Offices of Ma…Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & MorelliPedestrian fatalities in Connecticut are reaching record highs, and many of these tragedies are preventable. At …

How can  drivers comply with the 2021 state pedestrian law with a car backed up to the crosswalk, even legally, blocking a driver’s view of a child or someone in a wheel chair at curbside trying to cross?

Connecticut has new pedestrian laws, effective October 1, 2021, requiring drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and when they signal intent to cross. Specifically, drivers must slow or stop for pedestrians in any part of a crosswalk, or when a pedestrian steps to the curb and raises a hand to signal crossing. Additionally, a new law prohibits “dooring,” the act of opening a car door into the path of traffic. [1, 2, 3]

Key points of the new laws:

• Yielding at Crosswalks: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in any part of a crosswalk, or when a pedestrian signals intent to cross by stepping to the curb and raising a hand. [1, 3]
• “Dooring” is Illegal: It is illegal to open a car door into the path of traffic or to leave it open longer than necessary for loading/unloading. [3]
• Fines: Violating the crosswalk law can result in a $500 fine, according to Mark E. Salomone. [3, 4]
• Improved Communication: The law aims to improve communication and safety between drivers and pedestrians. [1, 3, 4]
• Applicable to all crosswalks: The law applies to both marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. [3, 5]

Additional Information:

• Pedestrian Responsibilities: Pedestrians should also take steps to stay safe, such as using designated crosswalks, waiting for the walk signal, making eye contact with drivers, and avoiding distractions says McCoy & McCoy. [2]
• “Dooring” Defined: The “dooring” law prohibits opening a car door in a way that creates a collision hazard for pedestrians or cyclists, according to fox61.com. [3, 6]
• Shared Responsibility: While the laws focus on driver behavior, pedestrians also have a responsibility to use the roadways safely. [2, 7]

Jerry

Church Thimble Island Rd. ADA crosswalk taken 07/14/2025.

Update – 10/19/2023

Here’s the First Selectman’s response to my ADA complaint and my response in return:

On Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 01:10:12 PM EDT, Jamie Cosgrove <jcosgrove@branford-ct.gov> wrote:

Mr. Shaw,

I am in receipt of your email, and the Town will appropriately address the issues mentioned.  Allow me time to review with staff, and I will follow up with you.

Sincerely,

Jamie Cosgrove

From: Trista Milici <tmilici@branford-ct.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 12:58 PM
To: Jamie Cosgrove <jcosgrove@branford-ct.gov>
Subject: FW: ADA Compliance Coordinator

Trista Milici, Executive Assistant, Selectman’s Office, Town of Branford, P.O. Box 150Branford, CT  06405

From: Margaret Luberda <mluberda@branford-ct.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 12:24 PM
To: Jerry Shaw <slowtoaccept@yahoo.com>
Cc: Trista Milici <tmilici@branford-ct.gov>
Subject: RE: ADA Compliance Coordinator

Dear Mr. Shaw,

I have reviewed your email below and believe you are addressing your concerns to the wrong person at Town Hall. I am the Director of Human Resources for the employees who work for the Town of Branford and though my responsibilities do include ADA compliance for our employees, my position does not have any jurisdiction over public roads or facilities. I am copying the First Selectman’s office Executive Assistant, Trista Milici to direct your concerns to the appropriate party.

Sincerely,

Margaret Luberda

Town of Branford

Director of Human Resources

ADA Compliance Coordinator

My response:

• Jerry Shaw <slowtoaccept@yahoo.com>To:Jamie CosgroveCc:Trista Milici,John Hoefferle,Margaret Luberda,Jennifer Acquino,Peter Hentscheland 1 more…Wed, Oct 18 at 11:48 AM
• Mr. Cosgrove,Thank you for your response.
• If I may make a suggestion concerning the breadth of responsibility an ADA Compliance Officer. Oversight responsibility of such a position should include ADA compliance of all town facilities, not just town employees.
• As you know, the town and the nation are getting older. Disabled access to all town venues needs tobe improved.
• I submit examples you may wish to emulate and guidelines you may wish to follow. All towns listed have websites. It took hours to find Ms. Luberda’s name and ADA title. 
• CT ADA Coordinator Certification
  The ADA Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the government entity to comply with Title II of the ADA and investigating any complaints that the entity has violated Title II. The name, office address, and telephone number of the ADA Coordinator must be provided to interested persons.
• Sidewalks
• East Haven
• New Haven
• ADA Advocate in New Haven
• Madison
• ADA Guide for Small Towns
• Municipality Guidelines
  I hope this helps the seniors of Branford.
  Sincerely,
• Jerry Shaw

Newest update: 12/8/2023

As of 2 weeks ago, I and my neighbors noticed chalk markings with the letters “ADA” at several sidewalk entrances,, including the one below in front of the church.

I’ve asked the Association to request from the town a map of all ADA related mods to Stony Creek streets and sidewalks.

Apparently, the town has still not notified the SCA of their activities.

Jerry Shaw

From:slowtoaccept@yahoo.com

To:Mark Richter,Stony Creek Association,Stephen F. Palumbo Jr.,Dan Bullard,Harlan Fichtenholtz

Cc:Peter Hentschel,Tracy Everson,Josh Brooks

Mon, Dec 4 at 9:28 AM

Mark

As someone of limited mobility, I’m happy to see town efforts to install ADA crosswalks.

I assume that the town has shared DPW/Engineering plans with the Association with maps and diagrams of sidewalk mods.

It is not on the town websites: https://www.branford-ct.gov/news-announcements?term_node_tid_depth=504 or https://www.branford-ct.gov/news-announcements?term_node_tid_depth=493

Please be reminded of their failure to share plans on the firehouse parking lot. https://www.branford-ct.gov/sites/default/files/field/files-docs/rfp/stony_creek_fire_house_parking_lot_restoration.pdf

Jerry Shaw