Danbury City Council Meeting, May 5, 2026

The Danbury City Council met on May 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM to address a packed agenda. Key actions included final approval of the FY 2026-2027 budget with a last-minute amendment to lower the mill rate, confirmation of multiple appointments (including a deputy fire marshal and zoning board member), and authorization of a litigation settlement in executive session. Public comments covered the budget, pedestrian safety on a detour route, and concerns about the closure of Danbury Youth Services. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:47 PM.

Consent Calendar

The following items were approved unanimously without discussion:

• Acceptance of a $6,500 donation for a police vehicle wrap.
• Approval of a license agreement.
• Approval of a resolution (item 16).
• Reappointment of Hillel Goldman to the Board of Ethics.
• Approval of sewer main extensions at 48 Eastgate Road and Great Pasture Road/Great Meadow Road.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jeff Harrell (Foster Street): Expressed full support for the appointment of firefighter Paul Parodi as Deputy Fire Marshal, calling him an "upstanding individual" who will benefit the city.
• Irving Fox (10 Clapp Crow Ridge Road): Commented on the education budget, commending the board for improved financial estimates but arguing the council should have drawn from reserves before asking taxpayers for more money. He noted over $25 million unspent over three years, with about $9 million available without further approval. On the cardiovascular mini grant (item 18), he expressed strong support, citing his own health experience and stating, "If this saves even a few lives, I think it's money well spent."
• Al Mead (23 Jefferson Avenue): Spoke in favor of Robert Bria's appointment to the Richter Park Authority, noting Bria's 26 years of service as musical director.
• Robert Eberhardt (6 Royal Road): Supported Robert Bria's appointment and urged approval of the grant for Richter Park capital improvements, noting the irrigation system and pumphouse are critical.
• Nick Morterra (Richter Park Superintendent): Detailed the need for a modern irrigation system, stating the current system is "twice its lifespan" and that new technology could reduce water use by up to 30%. He emphasized the project's role in protecting the Westside Reservoir.
• Kevin Guidati (27 Topfield Road, 7th ward): Raised safety concerns about a detour on Topfield Road related to the Franklin Street Bridge and Eversource work on Westville Avenue. He said residents experienced speeding, stop-sign violations, and traffic stops. He requested the government oversight committee be expanded to assess council oversight of infrastructure projects, asking for greater scrutiny of sequencing and communication before projects begin. He noted that most council members did not respond to his emails.
• Al Robinson (7 Melrose Avenue): Criticized the education budget, noting that state ECS funding (approximately $63 million) is part of a phase-in from a 2005 lawsuit. He expressed concern about the closure of Danbury Youth Services, which received $89,000–$90,000 annually, and demanded answers from the council, saying, "Those families deserve to have answers." He urged the council not to fund the agency in the next fiscal year without explanation.

Discussion Items

• FY 2026-2027 Budget & Mill Rate (Item 1): The council approved the mayor's budget for five sections (General Government 1 & 2, Health and Human Services/Public Safety, Public Works, Education) with minor opposition. Mayor Alves then introduced a last-minute amendment to lower the proposed mill rate increase from 1.5% to under 1%, using additional state revenue from Hartford. The amendment passed unanimously. The final budget ordinance and amended mill rate resolution passed 18-1, with Councilman Cuello opposed.
• Appointments (Items 6-10, 27-28):
  • Item 6: Firefighter Paul Parodi was unanimously confirmed as Deputy Fire Marshal. Councilman Cuello praised his dedication, and Parodi thanked the council and his family.
  • Item 7: Barry Ricker was reappointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Councilman McAllister highlighted Ricker's nearly 60-year history of public service.
  • Item 8: Elizabeth Falk was reappointed to the Environmental Impact Commission (unanimous).
  • Item 9: Robert Bria's appointment to the Richter Park Authority was sent to an ad hoc committee (Chair: Andrea Gartner, Councilman Giordano, Councilwoman Faye) for further review.
  • Item 10: Appointments of Mayor Alves and Farley Santos to the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority were confirmed (unanimous).
  • Item 27: Three new members (Abraham Callow, Pedro Madeiros, Michael Vellanotti) were appointed to the Board of Ethics (unanimous).
• Sewer/Water Extensions (Items 29, 32): The council approved sewer and water extensions at Damia Drive (with discussion about back taxes being paid at closing) and a sewer-only extension at 85 Worcester Heights Road. Councilman Chinese asked if approval could be contingent on tax payment; Corporation Counsel said it could be made a condition of closing.
• Infrastructure & Traffic (Public Comment & Q&A): Antonio (Planning & Zoning) and Chief Ridenhauer (Police) answered questions about the Topfield Road detour. They noted that the detour is evaluated by traffic engineers and police, and that independent analysis was done with Eversource. The chief stated that speeds recorded were generally acceptable and that officers are conducting enforcement.
• Executive Session (Item 34): The council voted unanimously to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation (Sharon Gaias vs. City of Danbury). After the session (adjourned around 8:47 PM), the council voted to authorize a settlement resolution in accordance with the discussion.

Key Outcomes

• FY 2026-2027 Budget Approved: The $3 million capital budget, sewer rates (effective July 1, 2026), and water rates (effective July 1, 2026) were all approved. The mill rate was amended to a proposed increase of under 1% (from 1.5%) using additional state revenue.
• Appointments Confirmed: Paul Parodi (Deputy Fire Marshal), Barry Ricker (ZBA), Elizabeth Falk (EIC), and three Board of Ethics members were confirmed. Robert Bria's appointment was sent to ad hoc.
• Grants Approved: Resolutions for the Connecticut DEEP Community Investment Fund (Richter Park), the Department of Health Cardiovascular Mini-Grant ($4,500), and the U.S. DOT Safe Streets for All Vision Zero program were all approved.
• Litigation Settlement Authorized: The council voted to settle the pending lawsuit (Sharon Gaias vs. City of Danbury) as discussed in executive session.
• Infrastructure Items Approved: Sewer/water extensions at Damia Drive, 85 Worcester Heights Road, and two items on the consent calendar were approved. A transfer of $110,000 from contingency to public buildings for Frontier rate increases was also approved.
• Ordinance Amendment Sent to Public Hearing: An amendment to police department sections of the code (items 22-19 through 22-30) was sent to a public hearing (unanimous).
• Ad Hoc Committees: An ad hoc was formed for item 15 (Danbury-Bethel utilities agreement amendment) and item 9 (Bria appointment).