[Adopted 5-11-1971]
There is hereby created the Branford Park and Open Space Authority.
[Amended 10-16-1990]
Said Authority shall consist of seven members who shall be residents and electors of the Town of Branford.
[Amended 10-16-1990]
A. 
The Board of Selectmen shall appoint members to the Branford Park and Open Space Authority.
B. 
Term.
(1) 
The terms of office of said members shall be for three years; provided, however, that initially, in October 1990, there are five members whose terms expire as follows:
(a) 
Two on July 1, 1991.
(b) 
Two on July 1, 1992.
(c) 
One on July 1, 1993.
(2) 
In October 1990, two additional members shall be appointed as follows: one member shall be appointed for a term expiring July 1, 1992, and one member shall be appointed for a term expiring July 1, 1993.
(3) 
Each year thereafter, appointments shall be made to fill all vacancies arising from the expiration of a term of office for a period of three years.
C. 
In the event of a vacancy in the term of any member, the Board of Selectmen shall appoint a successor to serve for the balance of the term vacated.
Membership on said Authority should be broadly representative of the Town's population, and appointments thereto should be consistent with the furtherance of the spirit and intent of this article. Failure to attend three consecutive meetings of the Authority, whether regular or special, shall be considered a resignation, and the resigned member's place shall be filled by the appointment of another resident elector of the Town, not himself. Members of the Authority shall not serve in any other local, state or federal office, paid or unpaid, elected or appointed, excepting that members of the Authority may serve on subcommittees of the Authority itself.
[Amended 12-13-1972; 9-14-1977; 10-10-1984]
Said Authority shall have the power to regulate, manage, control and maintain such areas as are designated open space and park areas by the Board of Selectmen.
A. 
The following rules shall govern the use of such areas designated as open space and park areas by the Board of Selectmen:
(1) 
Horseback riding will be permitted on major trails designated by the Authority.
(2) 
Boats without motor or sail are allowed in the East Pond of the Supply Pond area only. Boats or canoes must contain one or Coast-Guard-approved life preserver per person. Boat launching is restricted to the Stonegate area of the Supply Pond area to protect the pond banks. Overnight boat storage on land or water is prohibited.
(3) 
Boats are permitted in the West Pond of the Supply Pond area only for educational purposes and only with the permission of the Authority.
(4) 
Fishing is permitted in accordance with state statutes from pond banks and/or boats. Fishing from boats is allowed only in the East Pond of the Supply Pond area. Ice fishing is permitted only in those areas designated by the Authority.
(5) 
Supervised educational study is permitted in conjunction with the Education Subcommittee of the Authority and the Branford School system.
(6) 
Swimming is prohibited.
(7) 
Parking is permitted according to local traffic regulations.
(8) 
Motorized vehicles, including but not limited to minibikes, snowmobiles and motorcycles, and unauthorized motor vehicles are prohibited.
(9) 
Camping is prohibited, except in those areas designated by the Authority.
(10) 
Picnicking and ground fires are prohibited, except in those areas designated by the Authority. Picnic tables may not be moved from their established place.
(11) 
Hunting and trapping are prohibited. No person shall carry or have in his possession firearms or weapons of any type, and no firecrackers or fireworks shall be discharged in said area.
(12) 
The sale, offering, solicitation or advertising of any goods or services is prohibited without the permission of the Authority.
(13) 
No person shall deface, remove, destroy or otherwise injure in any manner any structure, building, tree, flower, shrub, fern or moss, nor shall any bird or bird's nest be molested or disturbed at any time without the permission of the Authority.
(14) 
Gambling is prohibited.
(15) 
Disorderly conduct, intoxication and obscene or indecent conduct is prohibited; and all forms of activity creating hazards to human safety are prohibited.
(16) 
Said areas shall be closed to the public from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., except for campers with permits issued by the designated authority.
(17) 
No unauthorized person shall erect or post any notice or sign.
B. 
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of the foregoing rules, or who shall aid or abet in the violation of any of said rules, shall be fined not more than $100 for each offense.
The Authority may appoint subcommittees as necessary for the administration of its responsibilities.
The Authority shall present a budget and file an annual report for all its subcommittees and be responsible to the Board of Selectmen for the performance of its duties.
Said Authority shall not exercise jurisdiction or control over Parker Memorial Park or Young's Park, as both of said parks are administered by commissions appointed for that purpose.