OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Danbury City Council Meeting - February 3, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, February 3, 2026
BodyDanbury, Connecticut
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, February 3, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 40:34

Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

Good evening, everyone.

0:06

I'm calling the February 3rd 2026 meeting to order at 7 p.m.

0:13

Thank you, everybody.

0:15

Before I ask everybody to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, I do want to acknowledge the person who's led us the Pledge Allegiance almost every meeting night.

0:23

I have chaired here, Sean Hatch.

0:25

I believe this is 20 years of you now attending City Council meetings.

0:29

So thank you for attending this member of the public.

0:32

And if you please lead us in a Pledge of Allegiance, Mr.

0:38

Hatch.

1:00

If you can remain standing, please, I'll ask Councilman McAllister to lead us in prayer today.

1:11

We had in the past in Danbury for all that we achieved.

1:16

I'm sure that that will continue into this coming year.

1:19

And I ask all of you also to thank God for that ability to achieve that.

1:24

In the name of the Father, and of the Son of the Holy Spirit in me.

1:28

Thank you, Councilman.

1:30

Madam Legislative Assistant, the role, please.

1:35

Coallo.

1:37

Flanagan.

1:39

Holly.

1:41

Lepine.

1:43

Salvatore.

1:45

Museid.

1:46

Present.

1:46

Gartner.

1:47

Present.

1:48

Faye.

1:50

Henry.

1:51

Wallace Smith.

1:53

Spain Reichel.

1:55

Giordano.

1:57

Jabor.

1:59

Rotello.

2:01

Chianese.

2:03

Dwayne Perkins.

2:05

Britton is still on CERT.

2:09

This is his last month, I believe, in the JAG training.

2:14

McAllister.

2:16

Robinson.

2:18

Laughing House.

2:19

And Dennis Perkins.

2:22

That is two absent, 19 present.

2:26

Thank you.

2:27

We have a calendar of events that is posted online.

2:30

I will read them first here for everybody as well.

2:32

But before that, I want to draw some attention to some life events.

2:36

For February, we have a happy anniversary going on to Councilman John Laughinghouse on February 22nd.

2:42

Congratulations, Councilman Laughinghouse.

2:47

On February 7th, we have a flag raising and celebration of Black History Month.

2:51

This is held in collaboration with City of Danbury and the Greater Danbury NAACP.

2:55

It will be out here at Heritage Plaza, 10 a.m.

2:58

City Hall.

2:59

On February 7th, we have the Fisvalda Sopa, which is a literal translation to soup festival hosted by the Portuguese Cultural Center to raise some funds for the organization.

3:08

To RSVP for this, please contact phone number 203 788-3314.

3:15

This is 7 p.m.

3:16

at the Portuguese Cultural Center 65 Sandpit Road.

3:20

February 8th, we have the monthly scholarship fund breakfast for the Danbury VFW, post 149.

3:25

This is 9 a.m.

3:26

at 5 Bayern Street.

3:27

February 11th, we have the Hearts of Hope Breakfast.

3:30

This is held from the Center of Empowerment Education.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Emergency Management███████████████████████23%
Public Engagement██████████████████████22%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████12%
Personnel Matters███████████11%
Fiscal Sustainability█████5%
Public Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Danbury City Council Meeting - February 3, 2026

The Danbury City Council met on February 3, 2026, at 7 p.m. The meeting included a pledge of allegiance, prayer, roll call (19 present, 2 absent), a calendar of February events, public comments, consent calendar actions, several appointments, a major lease renewal, bond refunding resolution, and a detailed report on the recent snowstorm response and warming shelter operations.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Chief Jeff Harold (18 Foster Street, Danbury) expressed support for two consent calendar items: the appointment of Lorraine Sottner to the Danbury Historical Society and the reappointments of Gary Duffel and Matt Rose to the Environmental Impact Commission, praising their contributions.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent calendar initially included 8 items (constable appointment, three environmental impact commission appointments, Board of Assessment Appeals appointment, zoning board of appeals appointments, Historical Society appointment, zoning commission appointment, and two engineering reports for water/sewer extensions).
  • Councilman Cuello moved to remove item one (appointment of constable Michael Safranik) from the consent calendar, which was accepted. The remaining consent calendar was approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

  • Constable Appointment (Item 1)

    • Mayor Alves submitted the appointment of Michael Safranik, the next highest vote-getter after Constable Louise McMahon's passing before swearing-in. Safranik has over 20 years of service as constable, currently serves as airport administrator and hearing officer.
    • Councilman Cuello raised a procedural concern that the Republican Town Committee's recommended candidate was not acknowledged, stating the process had been respected across administrations. He made a motion to refer the matter to an ad hoc committee for review. The Mayor appointed Councilmen Buzade, Gardner, and Fay to the ad hoc committee.
    • The Mayor clarified that this situation (death before swearing-in) had no precedent, and the decision to appoint the next highest vote-getter was made to honor the voters' intent.

  • Lease Renewal – Tango Yankee LLC (Business Aircraft Center at Danbury Airport)

    • Councilwoman Fay recused herself. Councilman Holly moved to approve a 25-year lease renewal with an option to renew for an additional 25 years.
    • Councilman Rotello spoke in favor, noting the company's history (rebuilding after a hangar fire) and the value to the airport community. He expressed hope for a future restaurant at the airport.
    • The motion passed with one abstention.

  • Water Extension Renewal – 119 Franklin Street

    • Moved to refer the application to the engineering department and planning commission for reports. Approved unanimously.

  • Resolution – Refunding of General Obligation Bonds (up to $55 million)

    • Finance Director Dan Garrick explained the resolution allows the city to refund existing debt when market conditions are favorable, not to exceed $55 million. Councilman Perkins asked about the basis for the amount; Garrick noted it aggregates various outstanding bonds that are eligible for refunding.
    • Required a two-thirds majority; passed unanimously.

  • Resolution – Brownfield Assessment (13 Barnum Court)

    • An update to a 2025 resolution: the city was awarded $200,000 from the state for assessment and planning at a former industrial site. Originally the city had requested $4 million for remediation. The new resolution adjusts the amount and purpose to assessment. Approved unanimously.

  • Lease Renewal – Danbury Duckpin Bowling (7 East Hayestown Road)

    • Based on a positive planning commission report, the council approved a five-year lease with an option to renew for an additional five years. Unanimous.

  • Snowstorm Report and Discussion

    • Public Works Director Antonio provided a comprehensive update on the recent snowstorm (dubbed "Storm 007"):
      • Snowfall: 17–20 inches, with rates exceeding 3 inches per hour.
      • Response: 106 employees (45 highway, 18 park maintainers, 4 forestry, 8 public building, 10 vehicle maintenance, 14 public utility, 7 managers); 90 pieces of heavy equipment (worth ~$15 million); 1,0150 tons of material used (175 truckloads).
      • Challenges: Extreme cold reduced salt effectiveness; four plow trucks broke down (40 miles of road reassigned); diesel fuel pumps failed mid-storm (Mitchell Fuel provided emergency refueling).
      • Enforcement: 120 verbal warnings for snow pushed into roadways; 86 written warnings for uncleared sidewalks; 38 citations for sidewalk noncompliance; continuous towing by police.
      • Post-storm: 20,000 cubic yards of snow moved; all schools cleared for on-time opening; cleanup continues.
    • Council members thanked the crew and raised questions:
      • Councilwoman Gartner asked about salt supply. Antonio said the city has reserves (largest snow barn on East Coast) but is drawing heavily; two barges of salt are arriving in New Haven.
      • Councilman Rotello asked where snow is stockpiled. Antonio said behind the War Memorial, with bulldozing to maximize space.
      • Councilman Cuello asked for budget status. Antonio stated overtime and material costs are being loaded; a full financial picture will be available by Monday.
      • Councilman Cuello also asked about warming shelters. Director Carvalho confirmed cold weather protocol extended through February 10; shelters at 41 New Street, 90 Elm Street, War Memorial, and library are open as warming centers; overflow shelter available; no one turned away. Contact number: 203-746-2625.
      • Councilman McAllister thanked the fire department (career and volunteer) for digging out 65 fire hydrants.
    • The mayor reminded constituents to use 311 (phone or My Danbury app) for mailbox damage or other service requests.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent calendar: Approved with item 1 removed.
  • Constable appointment (Item 1): Referred to an ad hoc committee (Buzade, Gardner, Fay) for review.
  • Business Aircraft Center lease renewal: Approved (25 years + 25-year renewal option; one abstention).
  • Water extension referral: Referred to engineering and planning.
  • Bond refunding resolution ($55 million): Approved unanimously.
  • Brownfield assessment resolution ($200,000): Approved unanimously.
  • Duckpin Bowling lease renewal: Approved (five years + five-year renewal option).
  • All committee reports: Accepted unanimously.
  • Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. I'm calling the February 3rd 2026 meeting to order at 7 p.m. Thank you, everybody. Before I ask everybody to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, I do want to acknowledge the person who's led us the Pledge Allegiance almost every meeting night. I have chaired here, Sean Hatch. I believe this is 20 years of you now attending City Council meetings. So thank you for attending this member of the public. And if you please lead us in a Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Hatch. If you can remain standing, please, I'll ask Councilman McAllister to lead us in prayer today. We had in the past in Danbury for all that we achieved. I'm sure that that will continue into this coming year. And I ask all of you also to thank God for that ability to achieve that. In the name of the Father, and of the Son of the Holy Spirit in me. Thank you, Councilman. Madam Legislative Assistant, the role, please. Coallo. Flanagan. Holly. Lepine. Salvatore. Museid. Present. Gartner. Present. Faye. Henry. Wallace Smith. Spain Reichel. Giordano. Jabor. Rotello. Chianese. Dwayne Perkins. Britton is still on CERT. This is his last month, I believe, in the JAG training. McAllister. Robinson. Laughing House. And Dennis Perkins. That is two absent, 19 present. Thank you. We have a calendar of events that is posted online. I will read them first here for everybody as well. But before that, I want to draw some attention to some life events. For February, we have a happy anniversary going on to Councilman John Laughinghouse on February 22nd. Congratulations, Councilman Laughinghouse. On February 7th, we have a flag raising and celebration of Black History Month. This is held in collaboration with City of Danbury and the Greater Danbury NAACP. It will be out here at Heritage Plaza, 10 a.m.

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