Council approves $10,000 for East Shore testing after human‑source markers found in Farm River samples

The North Branford Town Council voted June 16 to allocate $10,000 from this year’s contingency to the East Shore District Health Department to continue microbial source‑tracking and sampling in the Farm River watershed.

Michael Pascilla, East Shore director of public health, and water‑quality coordinator Sarah Essen told the council their testing at three North Branford locations (Route 80 bridge, Page’s Mill Pond and Augur Park) showed high E. coli counts and that samples from two lower sites detected a human waste marker. The department said human‑source detection obligates additional investigation and possible remediation to protect public health and downstream resources.

Essen described microbial source tracking as costly—private lab DNA analysis was cited at approximately $800 per sample—and said East Shore has exhausted multiple grant sources. The department said it negotiated reduced rates and is seeking regional contributions; the requested $10,000 would fund a targeted phase of additional sampling in the North Branford section of the Farm River.

Councilors asked whether current levels require public advisories. East Shore said the detection of human markers does not automatically indicate a pathogenic threat at present but requires quantification; further testing will help determine whether advisories or remedial steps are necessary. After debate over budget fairness and comparisons with downstream communities that bear more direct beach closures, the council approved the contingency allocation (motion by Councelor Diamond, seconded by Councelor Rose). The vote was recorded with opposition and an abstention, and the motion passed.

East Shore said it will return with results and recommendations after the next phase of sampling is complete.