Public Meetings - Danbury, Connecticut

The Danbury City Council met on September 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included routine approvals, appointments, and a major ordinance amendment to allow permanent legal residents and DACA recipients to apply for police officer positions, which passed after extensive public comment and debate. Other items included reports on the Marjorie Reservoir Trail, license agreements, and property acquisitions. Consent Calendar - Approved minutes from August 4, 2026 meeting. - Received and accepted the Marjorie Reservoir Trail Advisory Committee final report and scheduled a workshop with stakeholders. - Accepted a $1,000 donation from Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home for the DPD Copsicle truck. - Approved resolutions for historical documents preservation grant, condemnation of utility easement, and property acquisition at 147-149 Westville Avenue. - Ratified the Collective Bargaining Agreement with DMEA (Danbury Municipal Employees Association) as presented. Public Comments & Testimony - Ken Gucker (former state representative) spoke in support of the Marjorie Reservoir Trail, detailing its history, bipartisan support, and community benefits. He noted 80% of public comments were in favor. - Police Chief Patrick Ridenhauer spoke in support of Item 10 (ordinance amendments), explaining that the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) has allowed permanent legal residents since 2020 and DACA recipients since 2025. He emphasized the rigorous hiring process and that over 30 agencies in Connecticut already allow such applicants. - Michelle Coelho raised concerns about DACA recipients, asking for legal clarity on firearm possession, staffing continuity if work authorization is interrupted, and department policies. She urged planning before voting. - Lawrence Reifberg supported Item 10, arguing that military branches allow DACA and green card holders; he urged the council to vote yes to attract qualified candidates. - Justin Chan (lifelong Danbury resident, public defender) supported Item 10, criticizing opposition ads and arguing that immigration status should not bar service; he praised Danbury police and the importance of diversity. - Alfonso Robinson supported Item 10, stating immigrants contribute greatly and criticizing past city policies (parade ordinance) as racist. He also questioned why the collective bargaining agreement did not open City Hall for five days a week. - Lorraine Herger raised concerns about vetting candidates from countries with corrupt systems, asking for a documented process before voting. She stated only citizens should carry guns. - State Representative Barley Santos (Danbury) spoke in support of Item 10, sharing his personal story as an undocumented immigrant who wanted to be a police officer but could not. He urged the council to right past wrongs and support the ordinance. - Renasta Rodriguez asked the council to delay the vote on Item 10, citing the divisive week and emotional climate. - Jan Maria Jagish supported Item 10, noting DACA recipients often have no other home, and argued that a diverse police department improves community trust. She referenced foreign nationals guarding bases in Japan. Discussion Items - Item 10 – Ordinance Amendments to Police Department (Sec. 22-19 thru 22-30): Extensive debate on whether to allow permanent legal residents and DACA recipients to apply for police officer positions. - Councilwoman Faye moved to split the question into two parts (permanent residents vs. DACA), but the motion failed (2-18). - Councilwoman Jabor expressed frustration over criticism targeting DACA recipients while ignoring ICE actions. - Councilman Hawley noted the ordinance had been vetted by the ad hoc committee since April, and both the chief and HR director said it would not negatively impact departments. - Councilman Flanagan highlighted the value of bilingual officers. - Councilman Britton argued that the vote sends a message welcoming immigrants, especially after recent federal immigration enforcement actions. - Councilwoman Faye and Councilman Coello raised practical concerns about DACA status revocation risk, off-duty firearm carry, and liability. - Councilman Rotello questioned the legal basis of POST and ATF opinions, and asked about plans if ICE arrested a DACA officer. Chief Ridenhauer stated officers would cooperate. - Councilman Salvatore gave closing remarks, urging passage and noting a DACA recipient from Danbury who became a Norwalk officer. - Taylor Farm Property Acquisition: The city received an offer to purchase two parcels. The mayor recommended buying only one parcel (49-55 Great Plain Road). The council sent this to an ad hoc committee for further review. - License Agreements for 125 and 123 Mill Plain Road: Both agreements expiring; current licenses in good standing. Council sent both to an ad hoc committee. - Department Reports: Council recognized police, fire, public works, and other departments for their work, including the completion of the Franklin Street Extension Bridge project and the successful implementation of the senior and firefighter tax credits. Key Outcomes - Consent Calendar approved unanimously. - Appointment of Police Detective Joseph Alstrom confirmed unanimously. - Appointment of Police Detective Dondre Perkins confirmed unanimously. - Appointment of Entry-Level Police Officers Alexis Ortega-Gonzalez and Matthew Restrepo-Gallo confirmed unanimously. - Appointment of Sustainable CT Team Members (Valentina Jimenez, Vida Goncalves, Melissa Jimenez) confirmed unanimously. - License Agreements for 125 and 123 Mill Plain Road sent to an ad hoc committee (Councilmen Buzaid, Flanagan, Coelho). - Item 10 – Ordinance Amendments passed (18-2) with Councilmen Coello and Faye voting no. The ordinance allows permanent legal residents and DACA recipients to apply as Danbury police officers, subject to the same rigorous hiring standards. - Taylor Farm Property Acquisition sent to an ad hoc committee (Councilmen Salvatore, LaPine, Coelho). - Department Reports accepted and filed.

The Danbury City Council met on September 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer led by Councilman Frank Salvatore, and roll call (20 present, 1 absent). The council also announced upcoming events for September. The first 30 minutes were reserved for public comment. The primary discussion and vote centered on Ordinance amendments to allow permanent legal residents and DACA recipients to apply to become Danbury police officers. Several other routine appointments, resolutions, and referrals were also considered. Consent Calendar - Item 5 (Margerie Reservoir Trail Advisory Committee Final Report): Moved to receive the communication, accept the report, and schedule a workshop between the City of Danbury City Council and the Town of New Fairfield. - Item 9 (Donation by Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home): Accepted a $1,000 donation for the DPD Copsicle Truck. - Item 12, 13, 14 (Various resolutions): Approved as presented. - Item 15 (Ad Hoc Collective Bargaining Agreement - DMEA): Waived reading, accepted minutes, and ratified funding nunc pro tunc. The consent calendar was adopted unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - Ken Gucker (89 Paid Narim Road) spoke in support of the Margerie Reservoir Trail project, noting that it was a bipartisan effort, $2.3 million in state bonding was secured, 15 public hearings were held, and 80% of online comments favored the trail. He urged the council to move the project forward. - Chief Patrick Ridenhauer spoke in support of Ordinance item 10, explaining that the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) removed the U.S. citizenship requirement in 2020 for permanent legal residents and in 2025 for DACA recipients. He stated that at least 30 Connecticut police agencies already allow such applicants and that all candidates will face rigorous screening. - Michelle Coello (47 East Lake Road) asked for transparency and clarity on federal legal authority for DACA officers carrying firearms, potential work authorization interruptions, and whether the police union had been consulted. She urged postponing the vote until safeguards are in place. - Larry Reifberg (6 Irving Drive) supported the ordinance, arguing that DACA recipients and green card holders should have the opportunity to serve if qualified, noting similar allowances in the U.S. military. - Justin Chan (27 Hickory Street) supported the ordinance, rejecting opposition based on immigration status and emphasizing the rigorous hiring process. - Alfonso Robinson (7 Melrose Avenue) commented on the collective bargaining agreement (item 15), questioning why City Hall remains closed on Fridays, and expressed support for the police ordinance, calling it a step to correct past wrongs. - Lorraine Herger (45 Southern Boulevard) raised concerns about vetting applicants from countries with corrupt systems and asked for a documented vetting plan before a vote. - Farley Santos (27 Westview Drive) shared his personal story as an immigrant and urged the council to pass the ordinance, stating it begins to right past wrongs and tells immigrants they belong. - Renessa Rodriguez (23 George Street) asked for a delay on the vote, citing a divisive week in the city. - Jan Yagish (1 Coach Hill Drive) supported the ordinance, noting that DACA recipients have lived in the U.S. most of their lives and that a diverse police force improves community trust. Discussion Items - Appointment to Police Detective – Joseph Alstrom: Confirmed unanimously. Alstrom, who joined the department in 2020, was awarded Officer of the Year in 2024 and placed 2 on the detective eligibility list. - Appointment to Police Detective – DeAndre Perkins: Confirmed unanimously. Perkins, a U.S. Army veteran and 1 on the detective list, had served as a field training officer and SWAT member. - Appointment of Entry-Level Police Officers – Alexis Ortega-Gonzalez and Matthew Restrepo-Gallo: Confirmed unanimously. Both hold bachelor's degrees from WestConn and are attending the police academy. - Appointments to Sustainable CT – Valentina Jimenez, Vida Goncalves, Melissa Jimenez: Confirmed unanimously. Councilman Hawley noted they contributed to the city's successful bronze certification application. - Conveyance and Release of Water Main Easement (113-115 Mill Plain Road): Referred to city engineer and planning commission for report. - License Agreement for 125 Mill Plain Road ("Chow House"): Referred to an ad hoc committee (Buzaid, Flanagan, Coelho). - License Agreement for 123 Mill Plain Road ("Farrington Main House"): Referred to the same ad hoc committee. - Ordinances – Amendments to Sec. 22-19 thru 22-30 (Police Department): The main motion to approve the resolution as presented was considered. A motion by Councilwoman Faye to split the question (separating permanent legal residents from DACA recipients) failed on a voice vote. Council debate included concerns about DACA stability, federal authority, liability, and off-duty firearm possession. Council members expressed support for expanding the applicant pool and promoting diversity. Chief Ridenhauer answered questions, noting that only one in eight applicants currently passes the process and that DACA officers would not be singled out. - Resolution – Purchase of Taylor Farm Property: Referred to an ad hoc committee (Salvatore, LaPine, Coelho). - Department Reports: Accepted after remarks. Councilman McAllister praised the police and fire departments for language interpretation services, and Councilman Chianese thanked the tax assessor for the senior and volunteer firefighter tax credit programs. Councilwoman Jabor thanked the police and public works for the Franklin Street Extension Bridge project. Key Outcomes - Police Ordinance (Item 10): Approved on a roll call vote of 18-2. Council members Coelho and Faye voted no. The ordinance allows permanent legal residents and DACA recipients to apply to become Danbury police officers, aligning with POST standards. - All other appointments and resolutions on the agenda were approved unanimously or as noted. - Several items were referred to ad hoc committees or city departments for further review.

The Danbury Board of Awards met on August 30, 2026, at 10:04 a.m. (the transcript lists August 26, 2026; per official records, the meeting date is August 30, 2026). The meeting was chaired by Purchasing Agent Chip Opium, with attendance from Fire Chief Kim Longsburg, Superintendent of Public Utilities David Day, Chief of Water Distribution and Sewer Collection Mike Carbone, Assistant Purchasing Agent Debbie Natale, Traffic Engineer Bear Caraconda, Assistant Corporation Counsel Tracy Norris, and Assistant Finance Director Joanne Stewart. Seven agenda items were considered and all were approved unanimously. Discussion Items - Item 6 (Moved to top): Purchase of Motorola APX 6000 XE Portable Radios – The Fire Department requisitioned 20 portable radios and accessories from Motorola Solutions under the State of Connecticut contract. Total cost: $107,115.62. Motion to award carried unanimously. - Item 1: Renewal of Bid for Period Motorcycles – An annual bid for material and work as needed, previously awarded to TP Engineering, had expired on August 13, 2026. TP Engineering agreed to extend for one additional year at current pricing. Motion to renew carried unanimously. - Item 2: Purchase of Hot Water Heater for Danbury High School – Public Buildings Department requisitioned a water heater from FW Webb under an MHEC cooperative contract. Total cost: $39,000. Motion to award carried unanimously. - Item 3: Citywide Mid-Block Crosswalk Safety Improvements – Three firms responded; AKRF scored highest. The Connecticut DOT approved selection and total design cost of $713,200, funded 80% federal grant and 20% city. Motion to award AKRF contingent on contract carried unanimously. - Item 4: Traffic Signal Coordination on Main Street and I-84 (Group 53) – Four firms responded; RHS Consulting scored first. Estimated total cost $1.5 million, with federal grant covering up to $1.25 million (100% up to that amount). City responsible for any excess. Motion to approve RHS Consulting contingent on state approval and contract carried unanimously. - Item 5: Purchase of Kubota L6701 BRMT Tractor for Public Utilities – Quoted from Ruit Sibley under a Sourcewell government contract. Total cost: $107,117. Motion to award contingent on transfer of funds in the water capital account (CD 2627) carried unanimously. - Item 7: 2026-2027 Annual CCM Service Fee – Finance Department requisitioned membership fee for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM). Total cost: $47,464. Motion to approve carried unanimously. Key Outcomes All seven motions passed unanimously. Votes were recorded by Joanne Stewart, Tracy Norris, and Chip Opium (with additional votes from Chief Longsburg on the radio item and David Day on the tractor item). The meeting adjourned after the final vote.

The Danbury Board of Awards met on August 30, 2026, at 9:45 AM, chaired by Purchasing Agent Chick Bolken. Attendees included Jane Werner (HR Director), Chief Patrick Vinnauer (Police), Captain Higgins (Public Utilities), Deputy Chief Sean McGee (Fire), Attorney Tracy Norris (Corporation Counsel), Tax Collector Sean Devaz, Traffic Engineer Vera Caraconda, Deputy Talley, Tom Hughes (Construction Services), Frank Gentielle (Technology Services), and Dan Garrick (Finance Director). All eleven agenda items were approved unanimously. Consent Calendar - Background Screening Services (HR): Renewal awarded to ACUSOS HR (Accuracy Source HR) for one year through May 14, 2027, under existing contract terms. Motion carried. - Print and Mail Tax Bills (Tax Collector): Sole source award to Equality Valuation Services for civic services, with an estimated annual cost of $120,000. The Tax Collector's office uses the Equality valuation software, and the service is an extension of that platform. Motion carried. - Injury Prevention and Health Wellness Program (Fire Department): One-year renewal with First Response Health and Wellness at $30,000 annually, payable monthly. The original contract was stated as $29,800 monthly (likely a transcription error) and allowed for a one-year renewal. Motion carried. - Change Order for 2026 Pierce Enforcer Heavy Duty Aerial Truck (Fire Department): Approved change order for an increase of $41,659.33 for additions including an intercom system, removal of a Stokes box, and extra aerial training. Funding from a bond (page 26) was confirmed. Motion carried. - Behavioral Health Consultant Services (Police Department): One-year renewal awarded to Dr. Edward Kane at $157 per hour, with an estimated cost of $28,880 charged to the Police Department professional services account. Motion carried. - Injury Prevention and Health Wellness Program (Police Department): New contract awarded to First Response Health and Wellness for $30,000 annually, payable monthly, as an extension of the Fire Department contract. Motion carried. - Phase Two Royal Drive, Rogers Park, Pierce Engineering Department: Awarded to BMP Construction for $40,192.47 under the COG on-call construction services contract. Motion carried. - Citywide Enhancement of Safe Pedestrian Mobility (Engineering Department): Ratified Mayor Roberto Alves's execution of an agreement with Beta Group Inc. for design services, up to $900,000, with a 20% City match ($180,000). The project is federally funded through WestCOG and the state DOT, and the grant was previously approved by City Council. Motion carried. - Hydrants for Water Department: Annual bid renewed with Corinne Maine for one additional year at existing prices, on an as-needed basis. Motion carried. - State of Connecticut Education Network (CEN) Internet Service (Technology Services): Approved $23,705 for ISP handoff usage charges and additional endpoints (War Memorial, Library, Green City Center, Rogers Park, and City Hall) as part of the CEN public space Wi-Fi project. This is an expansion of the existing network access agreement. Motion carried. - Annual Support and Maintenance for UKG Kronos Dimensions Workforce Management System (Technology Services): Sole source award to UKG Kronos for $3,041.63 per month ($36,499.56 annually), covering routine maintenance of the timekeeping system. Motion carried. Key Outcomes - All eleven items were approved unanimously by the Board of Awards, with no opposition or abstentions. The meeting was adjourned after the last item.

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting was held on June 9, 2026, but the provided date for this summary is August 29, 2026. The meeting started at 6:39 PM. This was the last meeting before the summer break; no meetings are scheduled for July and August, and the next meeting is in September. Discussion Items - Phone Log: The commission received one call from a resident seeking help with lawn care. The chair attempted to return the call but got no answer and could not provide a referral. - Commission Appointments: The chair confirmed their reappointment after speaking with the mayor's office. Ryan Fauci, who organized a 5K run, was appointed to the commission. The commission is still seeking four regular and three alternate members. - Handicap Parking: The chair discussed expired handicap placards with Deputy Chief Sturtivant. The chair will follow up on the issue of people using expired placards. - Sweetheart Bus: Commissioner Isabel reported riding two new buses (numbers 82 and 83) but did not observe whether wheelchair accessibility had improved. She noted the buses arrived early. - Safe Streets Committee: Isabel reported that driver education is no longer offered in Connecticut high schools. She expressed concern about safety and plans to contact State Senator Julie Kushna to discuss the issue. - Lyme Disease Awareness: Isabel shared personal experiences with Lyme disease, including her husband's diagnosis and recovery. She praised the Ridgefield Lyme Connection group for distributing prevention kits and encouraged tick prevention and testing. Key Outcomes - The minutes from the May 12, 2026, meeting were approved unanimously. - A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and passed; the meeting adjourned at 6:58 PM.

The Danbury Planning Commission met on August 29, 2026, at 4:30 PM. The meeting lasted approximately 10 minutes and covered the approval of corrected minutes, a referral for the disposition of city property at 37 Locust Avenue, and the cancellation of the next scheduled meeting. Consent Calendar - The minutes of the June 17, 2026 meeting were approved as corrected (a typo changing 'Mr.' to 'Mrs.' for Helen was corrected). Discussion Items - Referral 824: Disposition of City Property at 37 Locust Avenue – Deputy Planning Director Jennifer Aminger presented the referral. The property is the former Water Witch Hose Company firehouse, a 2,100 sq ft building on a 4,100 sq ft lot in the R-3 zone. The building is non-conforming and likely requires variances. Staff has no objection to the sale. Commissioners discussed the process: the property would be evaluated for city use, then possibly sold at auction, similar to the North Street firehouse. Questions were raised about potential uses (single-family, two-family), zoning limits, and the appraisal process. The commission voted unanimously for a positive referral. Key Outcomes - The Planning Commission voted unanimously (all in favor) to issue a positive referral for the sale of 37 Locust Avenue. - The next regular meeting scheduled for August 19, 2026 was canceled due to no new business.

The Audit Committee (2025) ad hoc committee met on August 26, 2026 at 6:00 PM to receive an update on the progress of the audit for fiscal year 2025. The committee includes council members Frank Salvatore (chair), Joseph Britton, Andrea Gartner, Mike Henry, Mia Spain Reykal, Peter Bazaid, Ben Chianese, and representatives from the mayor's office and finance departments. The external auditor, RSM, reported on the status of the audit. No public comments were made. Discussion Items - Lauren from RSM presented an update: the 2025 financial statement and related federal/state compliance audits remain in progress. The majority of requests have been provided and much testing is complete. Open areas include pension and OPEB allocation entries, which were received from the city's actuaries as of the previous day (August 25). RSM expects to finalize the ACFR and state single audit by the end of September; the federal single audit may extend slightly beyond that. - RSM shared a request list status from their server link, showing a high proportion of fulfilled (green) items for the city and DPS. The federal single audit list had a larger gray area (outstanding items), but the number of items is small relative to the total. Five to six items remain open on the DPS side. - City finance representatives (Candace Fay, Dan, Joanne, Angela) noted delays from the 2024 federal single audit, new GASB pronouncements, and the implementation of the Munis system. Despite these challenges, the team has worked continuously and has begun preliminary work on the 2026 audit. - The OPEB liability decreased by approximately $12 million due to a correction from the prior consultant, requiring additional verification from actuaries. - Council members asked about a projected surplus. Finance indicated a surplus is expected but not yet quantified; rough estimates of $5-8 million were mentioned for the school side, but final figures are not available. - Council questioned major delays. RSM stated no single party was the cause; third-party actuarial reports and data processing were key factors. - Council requested access to draft financials for review. RSM estimated a draft could be available within one to two weeks after incorporating the pension/OPEB entries. The chair noted that drafts have not been shared broadly in the past but the committee would receive updates. - Council asked about contingencies for a major lawsuit; city finance confirmed it would be disclosed in the long-term liabilities footnotes. Key Outcomes - No vote on the audit itself; the committee will continue meeting to review further drafts. - Motion made and seconded to continue the ad hoc committee subject to the call of the chair; passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned. - The chair requested that the management letter be provided alongside the final audit when completed.

The Ad Hoc Committee convened on August 26, 2026 at 5:30 PM to review the financial aspects of the ratified Danbury Municipal Employee Association (DMEA) collective bargaining agreement. The council's sole statutory role is to approve or deny the request for funds. However, the 30-day voting timeline expired on August 23, 2026, deeming the contract automatically approved under Connecticut General Statutes 7-474B. The meeting proceeded for informational purposes and to allow committee members to ask questions. Discussion Items - Statutory Deadline and Council Role: Corporation Counsel clarified that the contract was deemed approved as of August 23, 2026, due to the missed deadline (contract submitted July 14, 2026; council had 30 days from July 24 to vote, expiring August 23). Committee members expressed concern about missing the timeline and the lack of opportunity for an informed vote. - Financial Overview: Dan (finance/HR) presented a breakdown: the general wage increase accounts for approximately 95% of total increases. For fiscal year 2627, the total increase is $229,000, of which $210,000 is from the general wage increase (2.285%). Medical and dental changes are expected to wash out within $2,000–$3,000. - Information Requests: Councilmembers sought details on which positions are covered by the agreement, the number of employees, and the specific changes in benefits (e.g., bereavement leave, four-day work week). They noted that such information was not provided prior to the August 4 council meeting and that follow-up calls were not returned. - Four-Day Work Week: A councilmember raised concerns about the four-day work week provision, arguing it was originally approved on temporary grounds (oil price savings) but has been built into the contract. He suggested renegotiating it to allow staggered days to keep City Hall open five days a week. - Scope of Council Oversight: The chair and ex officio member emphasized that the council's authority is limited to approving funding, not the contract provisions. The committee cannot second-guess negotiation terms. Key Outcomes - Motion for Retroactive Approval: The committee voted unanimously (all in favor) to send the DMEA contract back to the full City Council for approval nunc pro tunc (after the fact) as a show of support, despite the automatic approval. The motion was made and seconded, passing without opposition. - Information Request: The committee requested that the city administration provide a list of how many employees are covered by the agreement and their positions, to be shared before the next council meeting. - No Further Action: Since the contract is already deemed approved, the committee's recommendation is advisory; the full council will address the matter at its next meeting.

The 18th meeting of the Marjorie Reservoir Trail Advisory Committee was called to order at 6:30 PM (local time; the provided timestamp is 2026-08-19 13:30:00+00:00, which likely corresponds to 9:30 AM EDT or 1:30 PM UTC, creating a discrepancy with the transcript). The primary purpose was to review the updated Trail Plan and Feasibility Memorandum prepared by Barton & Linguitas (B&L), discuss outstanding grant reporting and financials, and take action to transmit the plan to the City of Danbury and Town of New Fairfield. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes from meeting 17 were approved unanimously without corrections. Motion by Peter Hearn, seconded by Jeff Main. Discussion Items - Presentation and Review of Updated Trail Plan: The committee reviewed B&L’s revised plan, which now proposes two trailheads—one from each end—with a gap preserved for future connection. Two lookout points are included. A joint workshop with the Danbury City Council and New Fairfield Board of Selectmen is planned for mid-September (date to be finalized) for further discussion. - Trail Surface Material Debate: Committee members Jeff Main and Peter Hearn expressed concerns about the use of asphalt, especially within the reservoir area. They argued that stone dust is more aesthetically compatible with a nature walk, less expensive to install, easier to repair, and discourages high-speed use by bicycles, rollerblades, and electric bikes. They noted that asphalt might be appropriate near Route 37 sidewalks. The committee agreed to include these concerns in the memo to B&L. - Feasibility and Outstanding Items: David Day raised several issues: - Total Construction Cost: The plan lacks a total cost estimate with contingency, which is needed for informed decision-making by the municipalities. The committee requested this from B&L. - Setback Distance: The report mentions a 200-foot buffer from the reservoir, but the actual requirement is 250 feet from Class I waters. - Permits: A water company land permit and DPH drinking water permit will be required; fencing may be needed to prevent trail users from accessing the reservoir. - Grant Funding: The committee noted that approximately $173,000 is allocated to New Fairfield for sidewalks and $174,000 to Danbury for other improvements (dog park expansion, stormwater controls). Total off-reservoir improvements are $346,000, with $25,000 for reservoir stormwater controls. - Grant Reporting: Peter Hearn submitted a semi-annual report to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reflecting New Fairfield’s expenditures. He noted that $118,000 in invoices had not been paid until this quarter. The committee confirmed that ongoing grant reporting will be handled by the individual towns. Key Outcomes - Motion to Accept and Transmit Plan: The committee voted (unanimous) to accept B&L’s presentation and feasibility memorandum as presented and to transmit it to the Danbury City Council and New Fairfield Board of Selectmen. The motion also authorized Peter Hearn to communicate directly with B&L regarding the committee’s suggestions. [Motion by Jeff Main, seconded by Peter Hearn; carried.] - Motion to Revise and Transmit Memorandum: The committee approved a motion to finalize a memorandum (executive summary) that incorporates all recommendations raised during the meeting (including cost estimates, surface materials, permits, and fencing) after receiving input from B&L. The finalized memo will be circulated among committee members for approval via email before submission to the municipalities. [Motion by David Day, seconded by Peter Hearn; carried.] - Workshop Planning: The committee noted that the joint workshop will be publicly noticed and that committee members are invited to attend to answer questions. The format will include presentations and Q&A, likely without a public comment period unless decided otherwise. - Committee’s Future: The committee may be disbanded after this meeting, but it can reconvene if needed. Follow-up communications with B&L will occur via email, and members will coordinate approval of the final memorandum.