Danbury City Council Meeting: Budget, Charter Revision, and Appointments – April 7, 2026

On April 7, 2026, the Danbury City Council convened at 7:01 p.m. to consider major agenda items including the mayor's proposed 2026-2027 budget, the establishment of a Charter Revision Commission, multiple appointments and confirmations, and various resolutions and grants. The meeting featured extensive public testimony and robust council debate, particularly on the charter revision and police hiring policy. Key votes included approval of the charter revision resolution (17-4) and confirmation of a new deputy fire chief.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the minutes from the March 3, 2026 meeting unanimously.
• Council accepted a donation of $1,000 from Michael Schurer for the Police Department's ice cream truck program (Copsicle Truck).
• Accepted a joint donation of $5,000 from the Rotary Club and Traveling Toys Inc. to create a toy lending library at the Danbury Public Library.
• Confirmed the reappointment of Hillel Goldman to the Board of Ethics with a term expiring April 1, 2028.
• Approved several sewer and water main extension applications (Damia Drive, 48 East Gate Road, 85 Worcester Heights Road, Great Plain Road/Great Meadow Road) and a renewal for Great Plain Road/Great Meadow Road.
• Reauthorized the acquisition of a parcel on Reserve Road (lot C 16046) for an additional six months to permit construction of a fire station.
• Reauthorized the acquisition of 147-149 Westville Avenue Extension for an additional six months.
• Accepted a $1,000 Connecticut Office of the Arts grant for Make Music Day 2026.
• Adopted a resolution for the Connecticut Department of Health Emergency Shelter Grant (amended to $810,000).
• Approved a resolution for the Connecticut Department of Health Small Cities Grant (amended to extend funding end date to April 30, 2026).
• Approved a resolution accepting the full $80,000 grant from the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation for elderly services.
• Approved a resolution to apply for a $5,000 Dollar General Literacy Foundation grant for youth literacy for English language learners.
• Adopted a resolution for the condemnation of a utility easement on Lombardy Street.
• Approved a sewer main extension at 72 Liberty Street subject to standard city steps and conditions.
• Accepted a report from the ad hoc Kirk Government Entities Review Committee and moved it to a public hearing.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jeff Harold (18 Foster Street) supported the appointment of fire captain Ted Morges as deputy fire chief and urged careful consideration of the charter revision, calling it "a very serious undertaking."
• Paul Bamba (3 Crestdale Drive) urged establishment of a Charter Revision Commission, comparing inaction to an ostrich ignoring predators.
• Lauren Mumford (62 Old Bridgeberry Road), a lifelong Danbury resident and new member of the Danbury DTC, read a letter signed by herself, Anna Maloney, Kathleen Troy, and Julie Kushner urging the council to support Mayor Alves' proposed commission, noting the charter had not been reviewed in over 17 years.
• Gregory Wentzek (Sylvan Drive) spoke in favor of the Cultural Commission's grant for Make Music Day, highlighting its community impact.
• Denise Minson (93 Park Avenue) noted the charter still requires public notice via a newspaper of general circulation, suggesting an update for modern technology.
• Barry Rickert (26 Schoolhouse Drive) asked the council to confirm the deputy fire chief appointment and demanded the charter revision be moved forward.
• Billy Katzing (13 Johnson Drive) questioned the mayor's proposal to allow non-citizens (permanent residents/DACA recipients) to serve as police officers, expressing concerns about vetting.
• Warren Levy (Five Poem Drive) addressed the police hiring ordinance, stating it is voluntary per state law, and urged careful review of a data use agreement with Cummings Foundation for wellness services. He also asked council to keep tax increases low.
• Ken Gucker (89 Payden Aram Road) supported Hillel Goldman's reappointment to the Board of Ethics, supported the sewer extension for the Danbury Proton project, and urged opening the charter revision, comparing it to periodic car maintenance.
• Robin Lillo (One Lois Street) had no opposition to reopening the charter but encouraged the council to carefully vet commission members, likening it to choosing the right mechanic.

Discussion Items

• Proposed 2026-2027 Budget (Item 1) & Capital Budget (Item 2): Mayor Roberto Alves presented a proposed $175 million fully funded Board of Education budget and a city budget with a mill rate of 25.37 (1.5% increase, about 25 cents per day for the average homeowner). Key drivers: 7% health care increase, $20 million pending litigation (Home Depot case), 5% increase in public safety spending to $48.4 million, an additional 5 sworn police officer positions (15 since he took office), and a plan to pave 15 miles of road in fiscal year 2026-2027. The budget includes $13 million in state aid and seeks to improve infrastructure, elderly meal services, and building permit software. Both items were referred to public hearing.
• Charter Revision Commission (Item 27): The council resumed discussion after public testimony. Councilwoman Faye raised objections: the original ad hoc referral was a one-page letter without a resolution or specific names, and the reported resolution included nine individuals selected by the mayor—calling them "personal supporters" and questioning a conflict of interest since Councilman Britton (ad hoc chair) voted to include himself. She cited a potential violation of Connecticut General Statute 7-190 limiting public officeholders to one-third of the commission. Councilman Rotello expressed concern about reducing council size (currently 21 members) and thereby disenfranchising constituents; he voted no but indicated he would likely support sending the final product to voters. Councilwoman Wallace Smith and Councilwoman Gardner argued there is no fear in simply opening a review. Councilman Henry tried to split the vote (to separate the decision to open the charter from approving the specific commission members), but the motion failed 7-17. Corporation Counsel Castigrande confirmed the ad hoc meeting was properly noticed and that Councilman Britton voting for himself was not illegal. The final vote on the resolution to establish the Charter Revision Commission with the mayor's nominated members passed 17-4 (Councilmembers Coello, Faye, Henry, and Rotello voting no).
• Police Hiring Ordinance (Item 9): Mayor Alves clarified that the proposed ordinance change would update city hiring eligibility to match state POST council standards allowing permanent legal residents and DACA recipients to apply to be police officers. He noted these individuals already serve in the military and in other public safety roles (paramedics, doctors). Police Chief Rittenhauer indicated support. The item was referred to public hearing and committee of the whole. Councilwoman Faye requested an ad hoc committee (appointed: Britton chair, Hawley, Henry).
• Cummings Foundation Collaboration & Data Use Agreement (Item 10): A partnership between the Danbury Police Department and Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health would provide $83,625 for comprehensive health assessments for officers, $32,000 for new gym equipment, and $14,000 for peer support training. The total value could be approximately $600,000 if funding continues for five years. No local match is required. Councilwoman Faye requested an ad hoc committee (appointed: Gardner chair, Giordano, Henry).
• Connecticut Transportation Alternative Program Grant (Item 20): The city received an additional $2.85 million in federal funding for citywide sidewalk improvements, bringing the total to $1.4 million (originally committed in 2019). The city must provide a 20% match ($570,000) from the SNAP 2020 bond. Councilman Chinese asked for the remaining balance of that bond. Councilman Henry requested an ad hoc committee (appointed: Buzade chair, McAllister, Henry).
• Congressionally Directed Spending Grant (Item 21): The city seeks $1.5 million from the Office of Senators Blumenthal and Murphy for lighting upgrades at Kenosha Park, John Perry Fields, and Rogers Park. No local match is required. Parks Director Tom Hughes explained the priority was driven by increased usage (approximately 4,000 soccer players and 1,000 football players) and the need to light remaining unlit fields. Councilman Rotello confirmed lights would be photometrically designed to avoid light bleed.
• Connecticut Department of Health Emergency Shelter Grant (Item 22) & Small Cities Grant (Item 23): Approved as amended. Councilman Henry requested an ad hoc committee for item 23.
• Buck Foundation Grant (Item 24): Approved as amended. Councilman Henry requested an ad hoc committee.
• Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grant (Item 25): Approved as amended. Councilman Henry requested an ad hoc committee.

Key Outcomes

• Charter Revision Commission: The resolution to establish the commission with nine members appointed by the mayor passed 17-4. The commission will review the city charter and return recommendations to the council.
• Deputy Fire Chief: Confirmed the promotion of Fire Captain Theodore Morges to Deputy Fire Chief.
• Board of Ethics Appointments: The nomination of Abraham Kayal, Pedro Maderos, and Michael Valinotti was sent to an ad hoc committee (Salvatore, LePine, Henry) for further review.
• Police Hiring Ordinance: Referred to public hearing followed by committee of the whole with an ad hoc committee (Britton chair, Hawley, Henry) appointed to review the proposal.
• Cummings Foundation Agreement: Referred to an ad hoc committee (Gardner chair, Giordano, Henry) for further review.
• Transportation Alternative Program Grant: Referred to an ad hoc committee (Buzade chair, McAllister, Henry) to review the additional funding and match.
• Congressional Spending Grant (Lighting): Approved as presented.
• Emergency Shelter Grant & Small Cities Grant: Approved as amended.
• Elderly Services Grant: Approved as amended, but referred to an ad hoc committee (Laughinghouse chair, Jabor, Henry).
• Library Literacy Grant: Approved as amended, but referred to an ad hoc committee (Robinson chair, Chinese, Henry).
• All other consent items and resolutions: Adopted or received as noted.