Good evening, everybody.

Good evening, everybody.

Good evening.

Calling the May 5th, 2026 City Council meeting to order at 7 p.m.

I'll ask everybody to stand to join us the Pledge of Allegiance.

Sean, if you don't mind leading us.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

If we can remain standing, I'm gonna ask Councilman McAllister to lead us in prayer tonight.

Thank you, Ryan.

I appreciate it.

As we enter into the month of May, the month of our blessed mother, we ask that she looks over all of us, gives us the proper guidance that we need to uh reach all the endeavors as elected officials representing the city of Danbury.

We do so in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Amen.

Thank you, Councilman.

Madam Legislative Assistant, the role, please.

Koalow.

Flanagan.

Present.

Holly.

Lepine.

Salvatore.

Present.

Busade.

Present.

Gartner.

Present.

Faye.

Henry.

Wallace Smith.

Spain Michael.

Giordano.

Jabor.

Rotello.

Chinese.

Dwayne Perkins.

Britton.

Present.

McAllister.

Present.

Robinson.

Laughing House.

And Dennis Perkins.

So there are 19 present and two absent.

Thank you.

We have a calendar of events that is posted, but I want to draw everybody's attention to a couple uh life events before we do that.

We have one birthday this month, and then we have Councilwoman Cheryl Wallace Smith on May 4th.

Happy birthday, Councilwoman.

And then we also have an anniversary this month.

We have Council Councilman Lou Giordano on May 27th.

Happy anniversary, Councilman.

So just uh a couple events we'll draw attention to.

We have on May 6th at Downtown Showdown.

This is going to be every Wednesday now, uh starting June 20 uh through June 24th, from 12 to 3 p.m.

at the City Center Green.

Uh May 7th, we have the Exchange Club Police Officer of the Year Awards.

You can still get tickets to that.

You can RSVP directly through Sean McGulgan.

Sean Chief, I don't see him here.

Uh but you can reach out to Sean at S.mcOLGAN at DanburyHyphenct.gov.

This is at Anthony's Lake Club, May 7th.

May 15th, we have the Spotlight Breakfast.

This is the annual Danbury PAL breakfast to RSVP.

Visit Danbury PL.org, 7 a.m.

Anthony's Lake Club.

May 15th, the Danbury Police Department Award Ceremony, uh hosted by the Danbury Police Department to RSVP to this, please constant contact Misty over at M.

Leonard at Danbury CT.gov, 6 p.m.

at the Amber Room.

On May 16th, we have the Holly Festival of Colors at City Center Danbury from 1 to 4 p.m.

May 16th.

On May 19th, we have multicultural night at Shelter Rock Elementary School.

This is a 4 p.m.

On May 20th, we have uh Mayor's Nonprofit Summit.

We're bringing all the nonprofits together in this city want to participate, put them all in the same room so they can talk about what they do, see if there's anything they can learn from each other, possibly work with each other.

This is gonna be a really exciting event.

Uh we're doing this uh in collaboration with the United Way Danbury Collective and the Capitol Hill group to RSVP.

Please visit npo summit.com.

This is May 20th, 8 30 a.m.

at Western Connecticut State University.

Um feast of the Holy Spirit at Immaculate Heart of Mary tradition here in our in our city.

This is from May 23rd to 24th, right next door, 1 p.m.

to 11 p.m.

at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.

May 25th, the Memorial Day Parade, hosted by the Danbury Council of Veterans.

Kickoff is at 9 30 a.m.

And everybody knows we march all the way to the Rose Garden where we do the ceremony.

Hope to see many folks from the council there that day.

On May 27th, the War Memorial Golf Tournament.

Help support the War Memorial.

This is going to be at Richard Park, 1 p.m.

You can go to the War Memorials website for more information or talk to Danny Hayes.

On May 29th, we are bringing back the Mayor's Ball.

This is held in fact uh through the Connecticut Education Foundation and the Danbury Museum, who are both organizations split in the proceeds to do good in our community.

To RSVP for the Mayor's Ball on May 29th, uh please go to CTEducation Foundation.org, May 29th, 6 p.m.

And then finally on May 29th to make through May 30th, the Lebanese Festival, the Maharjan.

I hope I pronounced that correct.

Uh at City Center Danbury, hosted by St.

Anthony's Church.

It was a great time last year.

Uh Friday, they start at 5 o'clock.

Saturday, they will be there at 12 uh from 12 to 11 p.m.

City Center Green.

That is our calendar of events.

Now the first 30 minutes of this meeting are reserved for views and expression of the publics or taxpayers of the City of Danbury.

Uh we ask that you're speaking on matters that are before the council here in tonight's agenda.

Uh you can use either one of those microphones on either side.

Uh and if there's multiple people, just line up so I know and I'll stagger left and right as we go along.

I just ask everybody to clearly state their name and address into the microphone for the records.

Are there any members of the public wishing to speak?

Any members of the public wishing to speak?

Mr.

Harold?

Uh Councilman I just want to note that Councilman Dennis Perkins is also in attendance.

Good evening.

Uh my name is Jeff Harrell.

I live on Foster Street.

Um, I'd like to speak real briefly on uh communication number six regarding the appointment of the deputy fire marshal of uh uh Paul Parati.

Is he here?

There you are.

He is Paul, I didn't get the chance to talk to you before the meeting.

I worked with this gentleman while I was chief of the fire department for many years.

He is a fine and wonderful and upstanding individual, and his appointment to this position will only benefit the city of Danbury.

And I just wanted to put that out there that as now a citizen in this town, having people like him and the fire marshal's office are what we need to do and to make things continue with them to have safe safety and to make them better for the city of Danbury.

So congratulations.

And and I urge you all to vote.

Yes, he's a great man.

He's gonna be doing very good job for the fire department and to the citizens of Danbury.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chief.

Uh Mr.

Irvin Fox, I saw you raise your hand.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, members of the council, my name is Irving Fox.

I reside at 10 Clapp Ward Ridge Road in Danbury.

Uh tonight I'm here to speak on two items.

Item number one, the budget, and item number 18, um, the grant for the cardiovascular uh mini grant.

Um in terms of the education budget, I just want to commend everyone who worked on the education budget this year.

Um the board didn't wouldn't looks like an excellent job uh in terms of reevaluating the estimates for the coming year.

So I think what's been done has kind of reversed what's been happening the last three or four or five years of uh fiscal mismanagement.

I think the board the district has a very clear handle of what's coming in the future.

Um the one kind of area where I think we could have done better is although the the increase that was requested was low relative to other years and a lot of savings were were achieved.

I think the message to the taxpayers should have been uh should be uh that the board should draw from some of the reserves uh before we ask the taxpayers to fund more money.

For the past three years, say there's well over 25 million that has not been spent that's come out of the taxpayers' pockets.

Maybe half of that is related to medical claims, and so that's kind of a valid place to store that.

But there's still nine million dollars of expenses that the board does not need further approval for.

Uh they can go out and spend that.

And I think what this body should have done is probably flat fund the the budget this year.

Um this year's probably the only year where that would not have had an effect on services or anything else.

It would have forced the board to withdraw from the savings account, uh, but it wouldn't have forced them to withdraw all of that savings account.

So there would have been a healthy amount still there for anything that could have come up that wasn't anticipated.

Um I think in the in looking at the uh committee meeting, you know, it was said you know what it it makes it easier so that the board doesn't have to come to the council again mid-year.

But I think that should have happened given the previous years of underspending.

It should have really forced uh maybe a tighter look and practice and to use up some of that reserve before asking us uh for for any more money.

I think that would have been a little bit more prudent.

Uh but be that as it may, um, you know, that's where we are today.

Uh and that's what I would say on the budget.

On uh line item 18, I'll just spend 30 seconds.

This is a grant from the Department of Health.

It's a small grant uh for cardiovascular uh knowledge.

Uh I'm someone who's had cardiovascular issues, and you know, had I not gotten that looked at or known that I had a problem, I may not be standing here today.

So anything we can do to increase visibility in the community uh for cardiovascular care.

There are a lot of people who don't know that they have a problem and they pass away.

So if this saves even a few lives, I think it's money well spent and uh thanks to the Department of Health for putting that together.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr.

Fox.

Uh Mr.

Mead.

My name is Al Mead, reside at 23 Jefferson Avenue here in Danbury, lifetime damage resident.

And I'm here to speak positively in favor of Robert Bria, Bobby Bria for item nine on the agenda tonight.

I have been on the Rick Park Authority for the last 26 years, appointed by Jane Eric West, so it's been a while.

And Bobby Brea has been president and running the musical director for the past several years and has come to all our authority meetings, and he is uh knowledgeable about what's going on at Richter Park.

He's done an outstanding job uh as uh as director of musicals, and I would encourage you to to support his candidacy.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Mead.

Sir?

Apologize.

I knew everybody's last name before, sir.

My name is Robert Eberhardt.

I live at Six Royal Road, Danbury, Connecticut.

I'm also here on behalf of Robert Brea.

He's done an incredible job.

I've been on the authority the longest.

Mainly been there about 28 years.

And uh we've had some issues over the years.

Once Bobby took over from the uh regard of the musicals, he comes to every meeting.

He's so involved.

And I highly support his his uh appointment to the uh Richter Park.

I am also a member, as I said, also on item number uh 17.

I just wanted to uh just ask the council to vote in favor of the Department of the Connecticut funding of grant for Richter Park, because we desperately need it.

If if the um uh irrigation system goes, we don't have a golf course that's on the last legs, and the pump house is even more imminent, and we have our superintendent who will be speaking in more detail.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you for your service on the board.

Any other members of the public wishing to speak?

Mr.

Mortero?

We're back to last names I know I got.

Hi, Mayor Alves and members of the council.

I just uh wrote up something very briefly.

Uh my name is Nick Morterra.

I am the superintendent at Richter Park.

I would like to speak uh really to the irrigation and pump house portion of the community investment fund grant for capital improvements at Richter.

Uh the current system is way past its uh time and age.

We're about twice its lifespan right now.

Uh it's become increasingly inefficient and requires us to operate more reactively than proactively, uh, especially with the weather extremes extremes we have been experiencing.

Uh this investment that's uh brought to the table tonight is about control, consistency, and responsible resource management.

Modern irrigation systems can reduce water uh by up to 30 percent, uh, delivering more water more precisely and eliminating unnecessary runtime.

They are also allow for targeted watering down to specific areas based on actual conditions rather than applying water uniformly across the entire golf course.

That level of precision not only improves turf health and reduces long-term operating costs, but also allows us to better protect the Westlake Reservoir, which serves as our irrigation source.

By using less water and applying it more efficiently, we are helping manage that resource responsibly for the broader community.

Most importantly, it allows us to properly maintain a major public asset that serves this community every single day, not just for golf, but for events, programs, and the many organizations that rely on the property.

My role is to take care of this land with long-term responsibility.

Uh this investment gives us the ability to do that the right way, both now and into the future.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Any other members of the public.

Sorry, I remember the first name, not the last name, Kevin.

So, Mr.

Kevin Guidati.

Good evening.

My name is Kevin Guidati.

I'm a resident of the 7th ward on 27 Topfield Road in Danbury.

Um, I'm here, I believe, to speak about agenda item number five, Government Entities Review Commission.

Um, for those not familiar, there's a detour tied to the Franklin Street Bridge Project, an overlapping ever source work on Westville Avenue that's routed significant traffic through Topfield Road, which is a narrow residential street with high pedestrian and child activity and home to the Gregory Manor Swim Club, which opens in two weeks.

Over the past several weeks, residents have raised concerns about safety, coordination, and communication.

To their credit, the mayor's office, public works department, and members of the council are now actively engaged, and I do appreciate the increased responsiveness and communication over the last several days.

Their engagement is meaningful and that does matter.

At the same time, I think there's an important lesson here.

The level of scrutiny, coordination, and communication we're now seeing should have existed before these overlapping projects were implemented in a residential neighborhood.

We have been told by city employees that there are, quote, no appreciable problems while also seeing increased enforcement activity, speeding, stop sign violations, and regular traffic stops, which suggests conditions on the ground do not align with that assessment.

We now have written confirmation that the current route was selected for motorist efficiency.

We should take into consideration the safety of residents primarily.

To be clear, the police department has been responsive, and I appreciate that.

But enforcement alone is not a long-term solution.

It addresses symptoms and not the root cause.

There remains a practical question as to whether the detour could be adjusted during periods when work is not active on Westville Avenue.

I thank the Public Works Department for their work over the last few days in addressing that.

But more broadly, this situation reflects the challenges that come with overlapping infrastructure projects that are not fully coordinated from a neighborhood impact perspective.

To relate this to tonight's agenda, I'd ask that the government oversight committee or whatever it's called be expanded to assess the City Council's role in ensuring that there is good oversight for these infrastructure projects.

And I'd ask that this council place greater scrutiny on project sequencing, communication plans, mitigation strategies, and resident safety impacts before construction begins and not after concerns escalate publicly.

I'd also ask the council members continue to respond directly and promptly to residents when issues arise.

Even when solutions are difficult, acknowledgement and engagement matter.

The emails that I sent to the council went unanswered by most members on the dais tonight.

I appreciate the work being done to improve the city.

Residents understand that these projects are disruptive and ultimately beneficial to us all, res all of us as residents.

But safety must remain the constant that guides our decision-making process and not convenience.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Any other members of the public wishing to speak?

Mr.

Robinson.

Al Robinson, 7 Melrose Avenue.

I'm here to speak about the budget.

And uh first I want to speak about the education portion of the budget and specifically the state funding that we received for education.

I know we received a total of, I think it's about $65 million from the state, of which I think approximately $63 million is from ECS, and that ECS money is part of a phase-in program that started around 2017 in response to municipalities saying that the ECS funding was inadequate, uh something that is still going on to this day.

In fact, the governor has created a commission to look into this situation, but the ECS funding has always been underfunded.

Uh for many years here, many members of the City Council here or common council back in the day talked about the need for an increase in the state funding that was inadequate for the City of Danbury.

In fact, in 2005, there was a lawsuit on which the City of Dan Bay was a part of against uh Governor Jody Rell that addressed that issue as well, which is part of the reason why we have a phase, not totally, but part of the reason why we have a phase in.

Um that figure was a set figure.

And in fact, um next year that you can you if you look online or you look into it, you can find out the figure for next year.

It is a phase in.

And the second part is from the governor's recent budget.

And um, although the amount is good, there's other municipalities in the State of Connecticut that received that amount of money are in that range, such as Vernon.

Uh West Harvard has a bigger median income rate than we do.

They got the same amount, uh close to the same amount.

So I think we have to be mindful about statements about state funding and really address the problems that are going on with the funding altogether and really take a hard look at the management of the money.

Um we know that the past, you know, we can bring Irving Fox up here real quick and talk about the past uh finance officer for the Board of Education and the problems we had with that, stemming from using COVID leaf COVID relief money for operating expenses and all that nonsense that went on that created a lot of our hardships, including the delays that came from the Board of Education and the uh education board that um with the audits that created a lot of our difficulties.

But my real reason to come up here is more personal, and it pertains to the Danbury Youth Services.

Um I was one of those persons that used Danbury Youth Services for my child.

You know, um I know several people might know about my past and about the loss I had in my life and the difficulties that came from that.

And uh Danbury Youth Services was a lifeline for me.

Um for a lot of families with kids with difficulties and with needs.

And I tell you, if a lot of kids, a lot of kids go through those difficulties, and a lot of kids need counseling sometimes and need help.

And Danbury Youth Services was a lifeline for a lot of families.

And there this city gives, I think with 90 or 89,000 a year to Danbury Youth Services, and they closed up their doors without to this day.

I still don't even understand understand what happened.

And um and a lot of other families who I know, with kids who I know want to have answers.

And we're not getting any answers, and none of you guys gave us any answers.

You know, I I I originally thought it was in the sixth ward, so I went to the sixth ward crew, who usually give me those answers, but it's not in their ward anymore.

It's in the 7th ward.

And I don't get any answers from the 7th ward.

I don't hear anything from the at-large people about this.

And again, you you you go and check out and see how much a house costs for a counselor per hour.

It ain't cheap.

And it isn't like you can just take a kid from a counselor who has an intimate relationship with a counselor and just uproot them and bring them to some other agency, some other counselor.

It doesn't work like that.

Life isn't like that.

And I think on behalf of those taxpayers, those families, those working families in this city.

They deserve to have answers from our members up here who's who's who are responsible for dishing out this money.

You know, I remember a time not long ago here when you had great there was an ad hoc committee called rent agencies, which for you new kids here, which means that all the nonprofits would be out there, and you had to dish out all the money to these nonprofits.

Everyone these nonprofits would come out here and had to explain what they did with the money that you gave out to them and what you would do with the money you give them for the next year.

And this and those amount of money in those grant agency were peanuts compared to the not even close to $90,000 a year.

So I think that on behalf of the taxpayers, on behalf of the families who depended upon those services and the counselors that they no longer have, and these kids are some of these kids have some serious conditions.

You have a responsibility and a duty to find out what's going on.

That $89,000, is that in that budget right now?

You're going to pass a budget, and you're going to give those guys another $89 and $90,000 for a fiscal year, and you don't know what happened this current fiscal year, and they closed up shop in April, and the fiscal year ends in June.

I'm not stupid about fiscal stuff.

I mean, come on.

That doesn't make any sense.

If you're closing up your shop in April, you knew about that nonsense back in December or November or so.

There's there's questions that people have here.

And they might not come up here and jump on this podium and do this.

I'll do it for them.

Because I was one of those individuals.

And I do and I um so thankful for Danbury Youth Services for what they did for me.

So on behalf of those families, please find out what the hell happened.

And if you don't have the answers, don't give them the money for the next fiscal year.

Thank you, Mr.

Robinson.

Any other members of the public wishing to speak?

Any other members of the public wishing to speak?

Any other members of the public speak?

See none.

We'll close public speaking.

To call on Councilman Peter Busade to read the minutes, please.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to receive the council minutes from the meeting on April the 7th.

Waiver reading of those minutes as all members of copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office and approve those minutes as they're presented.

Motions are made, seconded by Councilman Dwayne Perkins.

Council, any remarks on the minutes.

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none.

I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Councilman Salvatore, the consent calendar, please.

Consent calendar for May 5th, 2026.

Item number 12, communication.

Move to receive the communication and accept the donation valued at $6,500 for the installation of a full vehicle wrap for the community conditions slash traffic units, Chevy Camaro by ultimate gloss of Danbury, and we'll ask the legislative assistant to send a note of thanks on behalf of the City Council.

Item number 13.

Move to receive the communication and approve the license agreement as presented and authorize Mayor Roberto L.

Alves to execute the necessary agreement.

Item number 16.

Move to receive the communication and approve the resolution as presented.

Item number 24.

I move to waive the reading of the ad hoc minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

And furthermore, move to receive the communication and accept the recommendation of the ad hoc to approve the resolution as presented.

Item number 28.

I move to waive the reading of the ad hoc minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

And furthermore, move to receive the communication and accept the ad hoc recommendation to approve the reappointment of Hillel Goldman to the City of Danbury Board of Ethics for a term to expire 5-1 2028.

Item number 30.

I move to waive the reading of the reports provided by Engineering and the Planning Commission as all members have copies and copies are on file with the legislative assistance office, as well as accept those reports as presented and move to receive the communication and approve the sewer main extension at 48 Eastgate Road, subject to the city standard eight steps and conditions.

Item number 31.

I move to waive the reading of the reports provided by engineering and the planning commission as all members have copies and copies are on file with the legislative assistance office, as well as accept those reports as presented and move to receive the communication and approve the renewal of the water and sewer main extension at Great Plain Road and Great Meadow Road, subject to the city standard eight steps and conditions.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Paul Salvatore.

Is there a motion on that?

Just a good side column.

Sorry.

I thought I heard like I just heard the second there.

All right.

Well, thank you, Frank.

Any questions?

We're good.

All right.

So we will go to item number one, please.

I'm sorry.

Yep.

We made the motion first.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I'd like to move to accept the consent calendar as presented.

Do you want that second, Paul?

Councilman Rotello with the second.

Council, have any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Item number one, please.

Yes, sir.

Waving the votes.

Apologize.

Thank you, sir.

The vote is so ordered.

Yeah, that's fine.

Yeah.

Councilman Rotello, that was the consent calendar, not the minutes.

Waiving the reading of the reports, that's what I was seconding.

We don't normally do that in the consent.

Okay.

So we're going to do that.

So then we need a second to ex a second to accept the consent calendar then.

That's okay.

Can I just have a second?

Second by Councilman Burton.

Thank you.

Uh all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Thank you.

No, it's okay.

Item number one, please.

Ordinance, resolution, and reports.

Appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026, and ending June 30th, 2027.

We'll call Councilman President Peter Busade.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to receive the reports of the ad hoc budget committees.

The committee of the whole, the public hearing.

We have a reading of all the reports in the minutes.

As all members have copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

Second.

Motion has been made and seconded by Councilman Salvatore.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Ayes have it.

That vote is so ordered.

At this point, we'll take each of the five budgets, ad hoc sections individually.

And at the end, all five of the sections will take as the main motion approving the budget and mill rate for 2026-2077.

With that said, we'll move to government one.

Um government one.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilman Britton.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the report from the ad hoc committee for general government one and to adopt the mayor's budget as presented for the fiscal year 2026-2027 with a three percent raise for the registrar of voters, which shall be effective in fiscal 2026-2027, January 1st, 2027, and fiscal 2027-2028, July 1, 2027.

Second.

Motion is made, seconded by Councilman Benchinese.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Vote is so ordered.

Uh B, General Government 2.

Council, what's your pleasure?

Councilwoman Gardner, legislative leader Gardner.

Apologize.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Um, I move to receive the report from the ad hoc committee for general government two and to adopt the mayor's budget as presented for the fiscal year 2026 to 2027.

Motion has been made, seconded by council woman can Cheryl Wallace Smith.

I apologize.

It wasn't looking up that way.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

We have one nay.

One nay.

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

C.

Health and Human Services and Public Safety.

That'll be me.

Councilman Salvatore, please.

I move to receive the report from the ad hoc committee for Health and Human Services and Public Safety and to adopt the mayor's budget as presented for the fiscal year 2026-2027.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Ben Chinese.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

We have two opposed.

Henry Candace.

We have three opposed.

I apologize.

And Councilman Cuello.

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Public works.

Councilman Peter Buzade, please.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to receive the report from the ad hoc committee for public works and to adopt the mayor's budget as presented for the fiscal year 2026 to 2027.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Ben Chinese.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed one opposed?

Councilwoman Faye.

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Thank you.

Council President Peter Buzade.

Education.

Councilwoman Robinson.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to receive the report from the ad hoc committee for education and to adopt the mayor's budget as presented for fiscal year 2026-2027.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Dwayne Perkins.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

We have one opposed, Councilman Cuelo.

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Thank you.

Now before I call on Councilman Peter Buzade uh for the main motion and we enter debate.

Let me um enter let me uh talk to the council on uh a process that's going to happen uh very shortly here.

Uh after seeing uh what happened with the state budget, uh working with our delegation, we are incredibly grateful to the governor and our local delegation and the legislators in Hartford uh for what they were able to deliver for communities uh across our state.

We can talk about what one community got and didn't, but what we're looking at is what Danbury got.

When we were factoring our budget, we already planned uh conservatively for some increase in Harford, uh, and we're glad that it came in.

So what I'm going to ask this council to do tonight, now that we know uh what the numbers are, is to make an amendment.

It's to make an amendment to include some of those revenues assigned to us from Harford into this budget, which therefore would lower the mill rate of our taxpayers.

Uh, this has been the intent of the money.

Uh we try to plan as best as we could for the unknown since our budget process ends before Harford does theirs.

Uh and we are going to ask you to do that on behalf of all our taxpayers.

We have already felt we did a very responsible budget, but of course we want to help our folks even more, and we know that this will drop our uh probably lowest in the region mill rate a proposed mill rate increase of 1.5 percent to under 1 percent.

Uh so I thank you all for entertaining that.

Thank you for the folks who are clapping that.

Um and I and I hope that that it does get received well by this council.

Uh and thank you for allowing me the point to to make that.

So councilman President Peter Buzade, the main motion, please.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to approve the ordinance making appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026, ending June 30th, 2027, along with a revol resolution levying property tax for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026 and ending June 30th, 2027 as presented.

Motion has been made and seconded by Councilwoman Gartner.

Council, are there any remarks?

Majority Leader Salvatore.

Mr.

Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to amend the resolution levying property tax for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026 and ending June 30th, 2027 as revised and presented to this council.

Motion has been made and seconded by Councilman Chinese.

Are there any remarks on the motion to amend?

Any remarks on the motion to amend?

Any remarks on the motion to amend?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The vote is so ordered unanimously.

Thank you, Council.

So now to the main motion.

Um thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, I move to approve the ordinance making appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, ending June 30, 2027, along with the amended resolution levying property tax for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026 and ending June 30th, 2027, has presented and amended.

Motion has been made and seconded by Councilman Dwayne Perkins.

So now that we're back to the main amended motion on the floor, I'll ask any um if there are any remarks on the main motion.

Councilman Rotello.

Thank you, Your Honor.

We had a pretty good idea that there was going to be a substantial increase coming from Hartford and last night on our clock as we discussed how this was going to go forward.

Can you just I'm sorry, Councilman?

Thank you, sir.

Okay.

So we weren't exactly sure what was going to happen tonight, but we came up with a couple of different um scenarios, including this one.

So the question I need to ask uh Corporation Council is that um generally when we amend the budget, the units say we amended education or health and human services, that particular section would require a two-thirds vote.

Instead, what we're doing this evening is we are amending basically the entire budget, the mill rate.

So what are we looking at, the Corporation Council?

A two-thirds vote on this or a simple majority?

Dan, microphone, please.

In my opinion, what you are amending is the resolution levying the property taxes.

And because it's a resolution, that would only require a majority vote of the entire council.

The budget itself, the appropriations two-thirds.

Thank you.

Thank you, Roman.

You're welcome.

Council, are there any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

We have one opposed.

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Thank you, all the budget passes.

Item number two, please.

Ordinance and reports appropriating three million for public improvements in the 2026-2027 capital budget.

Calling council Council President Peter Buzade?

Mr.

Mayor, I move that we waiver reading of the public hearing minutes and the committee of the whole report as all members have copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Sheenese.

Council, this is on the minutes.

Are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Uh council, what is your pleasure?

Councilman Giordano.

There we go.

I'm thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the report of the public hearing and committee of the whole and adopt its recommendation adopting the ordinance appropriating three million for public improvements and the issuance of three million dollars in bonds of the city to meet said appropriations and pending the issuance thereof, making of temporary borrowings for such purposes.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman, Majority Leader Salvatore.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Uh item number three, please.

Ordinances and reports.

Sewer rates as of July 1, 2027.

Council President Peter Buzade, please.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move we waiver reading of the public hearing minutes and committee the whole report as all members have copies and copies are on file with the legislative assistance office.

Motion has been made, seconded by council legislative leader Gardner.

Council, are there any remarks in the minutes?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

That is so ordered.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilwoman Jabor.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to receive the report of the public hearing and committee of the whole and adopt its recommendation to adopt the connection fee permit adjustments as set forth in section 48-168 and sewer rate adjustments as set forth in section 48-234 of the code of ordinances as of July 1st, 2026.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Ben Chinese.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number four, please.

Sorry.

Ordinances and reports, water rates as of July 1, 2026.

Council President Peter Buzade.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to waiver reading of the public hearing minutes and the committee of the whole report as all members have copies, and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilwoman Legislative Gardner.

I apologize for respect your titles.

And council, do we have any remarks on the minutes?

Any remarks in the minutes?

Any remarks in the minutes?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

Ayes have it.

Vote is so ordered.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilman McAllister.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the report of the public hearing and committee of the whole and adapt its recommendation to adopt the water rate adjustments as set forth in Section 48-70 through 48-77 of the Code of Ordinance as of July 1st, 2026.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Ben Chinese, I think.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number five, please.

Ordinance and report.

Government entities review committee.

Council President Peter Busade.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, I move we waive reading of the public hearing minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Dwayne Perkins.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number six, please.

No.

No.

Sorry.

Actually, I apologize.

Now the main motion back to that.

Council, uh, what is your pleasure?

Councilman Sal.

Majority.

Mr.

Mayor, I move to receive the public hearing minutes and previous ad hoc report and to approve the recommendation of the re-establishment through June 30th, 2029 of the Richter Park Authority, Environmental Impact Commission, and Danbury Museum and Historical Society.

Approve the additional recommendations by the ad hoc committee to combine the Still River Alliance Commission with the Conservation Commission and re-establish both for one year until June 30th, 2027, with a request that the two work with the Lake Kenosha Commission to further consolidate and recommend a simple entity to serve the city.

Furthermore, it is acknowledged that no action was taken regarding the Danbury Main Street Partnership, and it has been noted the termination of the Danbury Housing Partnership is effective June 30th, 2026.

Second.

Motion made, seconded by Councilwoman Diane Lepine.

Council, there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number six, please apologize for me jumping the gun earlier.

Communication appointment of Deputy Fire Marshal.

Dear members of the City Council, I hereby submit for your confirmation the promotional appointment of firefighter Paul Perodi to the position of Deputy Fire Marshal.

Since joining the Danbury Fire Department on February 8th, 2008, he has demonstrated remarkable dedication and skill.

He has successfully served in the capacities of acting fire lieutenant and chief's aide.

His professional achievements include being honored as a firefighter of the year, and he has also made a significant impact as a volunteer firefighter, receiving the volunteer firefighter of the year award.

He holds an impressive array of certifications, including but not limited to fire officer one and two, fire instructor two, incident safety officer, hazmat technician, rescue corps technician, and telecommunicator.

Additionally, he has distinguished himself by ranking number one on the deputy fire marshal eligibility list.

His extensive experience and unwavering commitment position him as an exceptional candidate for this role.

I am confident that he will excel and contribute meaningfully to the fire marshal's office.

His professionalism and dedication are invaluable assets.

I am proud and honored to submit his confirmation for this well-deserved promotion to the position of Deputy Fire Marshal.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, Roberto Alves, Mayor.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilman Joseph Britton.

Thank you, Your Honor.

It's a privilege to make this mo uh this motion.

Uh therefore I move to receive the communication and confirm the promotional appointment of Paul Perati to the position of Deputy Fire Marshal.

Second.

Motion has been made and seconded by the entire front row.

I heard Dwayne the Loudest.

Council, what is your pleasure?

I mean, see you.

Are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in the remarks, apologize.

Councilman Qualo?

Thanks.

I just want to take a minute to acknowledge how long I've known you, Paul.

I just want to say congratulations.

Very proud of you.

I know your uh your mom's looking down on you.

Seems like it was just yesterday.

We were rolling around in uh Briarwood Drive, you know, and uh going to Shelter Rock school.

So uh city's incredibly uh fortunate to have somebody of your caliber there.

So I wish you many years of success and uh thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Council, any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Congratulations.

So now very well deserved.

I I know you love to speak in front of everybody.

So I'm gonna ask you to come up and thank anybody with you.

And also, uh, I don't know who you want to blame for getting you on the agenda that's gonna have the longest process before we get to yours, but your family got to see democracy in action here.

That's it.

I wanted to thank the mayor, city council, Chief Lowns Gray, I know he's on business.

Uh Deputy Chief Forbes, brothers in the back.

Thanks for coming out.

My wife, Alyssa, daughter Emma, brother and sister-in-law, niece for coming out.

Well, our son is in college, he could make it.

But I'm looking forward to the next chapter, and thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Well deserved.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Item number seven, please.

Communication appointment to zoning board of appeals.

Dear City Council members, I hereby submit for your confirmation the reappointment of the following individual to serve on the City of Danbury Zoning Board of Appeals.

Barry Ricker.

Mr.

Ricker is a lifelong Danbury resident and former at-large City Councilman, whose deep roots and decades of public service make him a strong asset for the Zoning Board of Appeals.

A retired Danbury Fire Marshal and former Deputy State Fire Marshal.

Barry brings extensive experience interpreting and enforcing building fire and safety codes, along with a strong understanding of regulatory compliance and site-level decision making.

Skills that directly align with the work of the ZBA.

Through his service on the City Council, he has also gained valuable insight into municipal processes, land use considerations, and the balance between development and neighborhood impact.

His combined experience in public safety and local government, along with a practical, community-focused approach, positions him to make a fair, informed, and thoughtful decisions that serve the best interests of Danbury residents and businesses alike.

Respectfully submitted Roberto Alves, Mayor.

Thank you.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilman Lifenhouse.

It's also my honor to move to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Barry Rickard to the City's Danbury Zoning Board of Appeals with a term expiration of May 1st, 2029.

Motion has been made and seconded by the entire council.

I don't even know who I heard first.

I think it was Council Councilman Sherwalla Smith.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remark?

Councilman McAllister and then Councilman Dennis Perkins afterwards.

It gives me great pleasure to take a few minutes to say things about Barry.

Barry and I go way back.

A lot of people don't realize this, but Barry's entry into public service started as a volunteer fireman at age 16.

But in the late 60s, and I hate to say that, that's when we were in high school together at Immaculate.

Were you teaching him, Billy?

Barry and I sat next to each other in home room.

And uh in those days, the City of Danbury was trying to get high school students involved in public government.

And one of the things that they did was ask any students to volunteer to serve on different commissions in the City of Danbury.

And Barry and I got appointed to the newly formed Richter Park Authority.

And that's how far back the Richter Park Authority goes.

It was probably 1968, Barry, around there.

So I know a lot of you weren't born then, but that's okay.

So uh that's where his devotion to the City of Danbury is a public servant, along with his volunteer fire service started.

And we are so lucky that he's being appointed here tonight to continue that public service.

Barry, God bless and good luck.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Dennis Perkins.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Uh Barry, I know you um since 2006, I believe.

I'll be back with uh Frank Andrews when we knocked on your door.

Uh I known you personally and professionally.

And Barry, you are a man of great character.

You're a man of integrity.

And uh congratulations on your appointment.

Uh the zoning board of appeals is gonna be very happy to have you.

You and Mr.

Hannah can do a wonderful job for our City of Danbury.

And once again, congratulations on your appointment.

Congratulations.

Council, any other remarks or comments?

Any other remarks or comments?

Any other remarks or comments?

See none, I'll charge your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Thank you, Barry, for continuing to serve our community.

We really appreciate your service, and please, please apologize to Judy for the time, the more time we're taking away from you for the City of Danbury.

She thought you were retired.

Item number eight, please.

Communication appointment to the environmental impact commission.

Dear City Council members, I hereby submit for your confirmation the reappointment of the following individual to serve on the City of Danbury Environmental Impact Commission, Elizabeth Falk.

She has been a dedicated Danbury resident for 37 years and has ably served on the Environmental Impact Commission since her original appointment, which was approved by the council by consent in February 2023.

Throughout her tenure, she has brought thoughtful leadership, technical expertise, and a clear commitment to advancing Danbury's environmental goals, making her well deserving of reappointment.

Beyond the EIC, she remains actively engaged in environmental work across the community.

She is involved with the Pollinator Pathway Organization and the Danbury Garden Club and designs native plant gardens for commercial public and private spaces.

In June 2024, she was also appointed and approved by the City Council to by consent to serve on Danbury Sustainable CT team, further reflecting her impact and dedication.

Her professional background includes engineering and quality management roles with Pitney Bowes, Blue Crest, and ACASML, followed by work in horticulture.

She holds a degree in electrical engineering and an MBA from UConn, along with a gardening certificate from the New York Botanical Garden.

Given her proven contributions and continued service, she clearly merits reappointment to the Environmental Impact Commission.

Respectfully submitted Roberto Alves, Mayor.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilwoman Wallace Smith.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the communication and confirm the reappointment of Elizabeth R.

Folk to the City of Danbury Environmental Impact Commission for term to expire 5-1 2029.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Dwayne Perkins.

Council, there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Congratulations.

Mrs.

Falk.

Thank you for your service.

I don't know if she's here today.

She's right there.

She's not here.

Well, thank you.

Item number nine, please.

Communication appointment to the Richter Park Authority.

Dear City Council members, I hereby submit for your confirmation the appointment of the following individual to serve as a full member of the Richter Park Authority, serving as a required liaison for the Richter Association for the Arts.

Robert Bria.

He teaches math at Rogers Park Middle School and serves as the director and set designer for the school's musical theater productions.

He is also the executive director of the musicals at Richter and hasn't been involved with organ the organization since 1989.

He holds a bachelor's of science and business management from Wake Forest University and a Master of Science and Education from NYU.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely, Roberto Alves, Mayor.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilwoman LePine.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Robert Bria to the Richter Park Authority serving as the required liaison for the Richter Association for the Arts.

Motion has been made and seconded by Councilman Salvatore.

Council, there any remarks?

Councilwoman Faye.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I'd like to send agenda item number nine to an ad hoc.

Okay.

It's been sent to an ad hoc.

And the chair would be our legislative leader, Andrea Gartner, Councilman Lu Giornell, and Councilwoman Candice Faye.

Item number 10, please.

Communication appointments to the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority.

Dear Council members, the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority was established and created for the purpose of providing solid waste management and disposal services to our region.

Historically, the mayor of the City of Danbury is appointed as a member and an alternate is chosen.

In an effort to establish a more permanent presence for Danbury on the HRA board as the regional city, I am writing to request your confirmation of the following appointments for terms to expire June 30th, 2029.

Roberto Alves and Farley Santos.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Best regards, Roberto Alves Mayor.

Thank you, Council.

What's your pleasure?

Councilwoman LePine.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the communication and confirm the appointments of Roberto L Alps and Farley A.

Santos to the Husatonic Resources Recovery Authority, HR RA for a term that will expire on June 30th, 2029.

Motion has been made, seconded by Majority Leader Salvatore.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number 11, please.

Communication transfer of funds.

Pursuant to the attached request.

I hereby certify the availability of funds to be transferred from the contingency account to public buildings communication services.

This transfer is to cover unexpected rate increases from Frontier.

Please feel free to contact me should you require any additional information.

Dan Garrick, Director of Finance.

Council, with your pleasure.

Councilman Hawley.

Thank you, Honor.

I move to receive the communication and approve the request of trans to transfer 110,000 from the contingency account to the public buildings account to cover unexpected rate increases from frontier information technology.

Second.

Motions were made, seconded by legislative leader.

Gartner, Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Uh 12 and 13 are on consent.

Item number 14, please.

Resolution, downtown special services district tax levy.

Attached, you will find a resolution establishing the annual tax levy for downtown special services district in accordance with the provisions of Article 3, Section 40-51 of the Danbury Code of Ordinances.

This proposed levy upon taxable interests in real property located within the district is derived from the annual district budget adopted pursuant to state and local law.

In accordance with Section 7-339R of the Connecticut General Statutes, it is the obligation of the City Council to impose the recommended levy as a municipal levy for the benefit of the district.

Please consider the adoption of this resolution in the usual fashion to be approved at the May City Council meeting.

Dan Garrick, Director of Finance.

Thank you.

Council, what's your pleasure?

Councilman Flanagan.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the communication and adapt the resolution leviting the property tax for the Danbury Downtown Special Services District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30th, 2027.

Motion has been made and seconded by Legislative Leader Gardner.

Council, with any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number 15, please.

Resolution, amendment to Danbury Bethel Interlocal Utilities Agreement.

Honorable Mayor and City Council.

Over the past year, we have been in discussion regarding the provision of utilities in connection with the light industrial development of Fifth 15 Great Plain Road, which is located partly in Danbury and partly in Bethel.

As a result of the water service to be provided by Danbury to the Bethel property, a revision to the our existing Danbury Bethel into local sewer and water agreement is now necessary.

The Bethel Board of Selectmen has approved the amendment to the agreement placing final approval before the Danbury Council.

Robin Edwards, Deputy Corporation Council.

Thank you, Council.

What's your pleasure?

Councilman Flanagan.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to receive the communication and refer this to an ad hoc consisting of the Director of Public Works, Public Utilities, Water and Sewer, Corporation Council, the Mayor's Office, and any other department necessary to help this ad hoc.

Thank you.

The ad hoc will consist of Peter Bzade in the Chair, Councilwoman Claire Jabor, Councilman Mike Henry.

Sorry.

Number sixteen is on consent.

Number 17, please.

Resolution, Connecticut DEC Community Investment Fund Round 9.

Honorable Mayor and City Council attaches a request to submit an application for the Community Investment Fund round round nine grant to support critical capital improvements at Richter Park.

The proposed project includes a comprehensive set of upgrades to enhance infrastructure, accessibility, sustainability, and cultural programming.

Cara Prunty, Assistant Finance Director.

Finance.

Council, what's your pleasure?

Councilman Hawley.

Thank you, Honor.

I move to receive the communication and approve the resolution as presented.

Second.

Motion has been made and seconded.

Council, are there any remarks?

Yep.

Was that great plane of Great Pasture Road?

I granted I'm sorry.

Great pasture.

Great pasture road.

Thank you for catching that.

Yep.

Just a correction on the last one.

It's Great Pasture Road.

I just read wrong, but the documentation in front of you that you voted on is uh Great Pasture Road.

Great catch.

Back to the motion in front of us.

Um Hawley made the motion.

Second.

Councilman Chinese.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number 18, please.

Resolution, Connecticut Department of Health Cardiovascular Learning Collaborative Mini Grant.

Honorable Mayor and City Council.

The City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services is seeking permission to apply for the Cardiovascular Learning Collaborative Mini Grant through the State of Connecticut Department of Health in partnership with Primary Care Development Corporation.

And in an amount not to exceed $4,500.

If awarded, funds will support a community health needs assessment to identify barriers to cardiovascular care.

No city matches required.

Fernanda Carvalho, Director of Health and Human Services.

Council, what's your pleasure?

Legislative legislative leader Gartner.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the communication and approve the resolution as presented.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilwoman Robinson.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number 19, please.

U.S.

Department of Transportation, Safe Streets for All, Vision Zero Commitment.

Honorable Mayor and City Council.

The Department of Planning and Zoning is managing a grant the city received from the U.S.

Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration under the Safe Streets for All Program.

As a requirement of the grant, the city is required to adopt an official Vision Zero public commitment of achieving zero roadway fatalities and serious injuries by 2045.

A resolution supporting Vision Zero is attached for your review and consideration.

Jennifer Eminger, Assistant Director of Planning and Zoning.

Council, what's your pleasure?

Councilwoman Cheryl Wallace Smith.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the communication and approve the resolution as per the motion has been made.

Seconded by Councilwoman Diane Lepine.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number 20, please.

Resolution and reports.

Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program.

Council, I'll call on Councilman Peter Buzade for the minutes.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, I move to waive a reading of the public hearing minutes and the committee of the whole report as all members of copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

Motion made, seconded by Councilman Salvatore.

Council, any remarks on the minutes?

Any remarks on the minutes?

Any remarks on the minutes?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Votes so ordered.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilman Laffinhouse.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to receive the communication and approve the resolution as presented.

Second.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilwoman Robinson.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number 21, please.

Resolution and report.

Ad hoc.

Connecticut Department of Health Small Cities Grant Amendment.

Council President Peter Buzade for the minutes.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to waiver reading the ad hoc minutes.

As all members of copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

Motion is made.

Seconded by Councilwoman Gardner.

Council, any remarks on the minutes.

Any remarks on the minutes?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Vote is so ordered.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilwoman Robinson.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to receive the communication and accept the recommendation of the ad hoc to approve the amended resolution as presented.

Second.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman John Laffinhouse.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number 22, please.

Resolution and report, ad hoc.

Connecticut transportation alternative program grant amendment.

Council President Buzade on the minutes.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, I move to waiver reading of the ad hoc minutes.

As all members have copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

Motion has been made and seconded.

Any remarks on the minutes?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none?

I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Vote is so ordered.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilwoman Gardner?

McCouster.

Councilman.

Councilman McAllister.

So many here too.

Okay.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the communication and accept the recommendation of the ad hoc to approve the amended resolution as presented.

Second.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilwoman Robinson.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number 23, please.

Resolution and reports.

Ad hoc.

Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation grant amendment.

Council Peter Buze, the minutes, please.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to waive a reading of the ad hoc minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

Motion has been made.

Seconded by Councilman Ben Chinese.

Council, any remarks on the minutes?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

Ayes have it.

Vote is so ordered.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilwoman Jabor.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to receive the communication and accept the recommendation of the ad hoc to approve the amended resolution as presented.

Motion has been made.

Seconded by Councilman Ben Chinese.

Council, there any remarks?

Councilman Lifethinghouse.

Yeah, I just wanted to take a moment and thank uh Director Tominio for coming prepared to the meeting.

I know it wasn't a very long meeting.

Um I know these items typically go on consent, but I just appreciate your hard work and effort in getting prepared for that meeting.

Um so I appreciate that.

Council, any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Thank you.

Item number 24 is on consent.

Item number 25, please.

Report, ad hoc, amendment to ordinances section 22-19 through 22-30, police department.

Councilman Busade, the minutes, please.

Thank you.

I move to waiver reading of the ad hoc minutes.

As all members have copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Rotello.

On the minutes, Council.

Are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilman Giordano.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the ad hoc report and send this to a public hearing.

Motion has been made.

Seconded by Councilman Salvatore.

Council, any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I'll try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number 26, please.

Report, ad hoc.

Collaboration and data use agreement with Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health for Wellness Services Police Department.

Councilman Busade, the minutes, please.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to waiver reading of the ad hoc minutes as all members have copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

Second.

Motion has been made.

Seconded by Councilwoman LePine.

Council on the minutes.

Are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Councilman Flanagan.

On the minutes.

On the minutes, sir?

No, I'm sorry.

No.

Okay.

No remarks.

I will try your minds.

All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Council, what is your pleasure?

There you go.

Councilman Flanagan.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I got ahead of you there.

I move to receive the communication and based on the ad hoc recommendation.

Approve the execution of the agreement as requested.

Second.

Motion has been made and seconded by Councilman Frank Salvatore.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

I am going to I apologize.

Your vote no?

I apologize.

So we have one day.

Two days?

I'm sorry, I didn't see the hand.

So please shout out again if I do miss that.

I apologize.

So you got the name.

Thank you, Council.

Go ahead.

27 report ad hoc appointments to the Board of Ethics.

Council President, if you say the minutes, please.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, I move to waiver reading of the ad hoc minutes as all members of copies and copies are on file in the legislative assistance office.

Motion has been made and seconded by Councilwoman Gartner.

Council, are there any remarks on the minutes?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Vote is so ordered.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilman Hawley.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the communication and accept the ad hoc recommendation to approve the appointments of Abraham Callow.

Pedro Madeiros.

Michael Vellanotti to the City of Danbury Board of Ethics for a term to expire on May 1st, 2028.

Second.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilwoman Diane LePine.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Seeing none, the vote is so ordered.

28 is on consent.

29, please.

Reports, engineering and planning.

Application for sewer and water main extension at Damia Drive.

Councilman Buzet, the minutes, please.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, I move to waiver reading of the report as provided by the Engineering and Planning Commission.

Has all members of copies and copies are on file with the legislative assistance office, as well as accept the reports as they are presented.

Motion has been made and seconded by Councilwoman Gartner.

Council, any remarks on the minutes?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilwoman LePine.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I move to receive the communication and approve the sewer and water main extension at Damia Drive, subject to the city's standard eight steps and conditions.

Second.

Motion has been made.

Seconded by Councilman Salvatore.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Councilman Chinese.

There was a question at last night caucus meeting regarding any at the outstanding debt of property taxes on this property and whether or not we can use that to make them pay it before we approve any sewer water extensions to uh corporation council or the finance director.

Can answer that.

Through the chair.

Do you mind if I uh councilman, do you mind if I direct your question to Chief of Staff O'Brien?

Sure.

Uh through the chair to Chief.

We actually do have somebody here from the um the property owner group that can explain.

They are two separate entities without being a good idea.

Yeah.

I have it's two separate entities.

It is.

Councilman, you're okay if you have somebody else speak on that.

Make sure you call them.

Uh Mr.

Prunty.

Good evening, Council.

Your Honor.

Uh my name is PJ Prunty.

I am the director of development for Bright Ravens Development.

Just to provide some context, we are the contract purchaser for the property.

Um condition of the closing is uh getting approvals for uh the property.

Uh we are closing in mid-May, and uh once those closing comes, we will be able to uh you know cover all the taxes and make sure that's all part of the uh part of the approvals and the closing.

Okay, so I understand that when the closing happens, everything will be paid up.

That's correct.

Yep.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Thank you, Councilman.

Councilwoman Faye.

Just by way of clarification of Councilman China's question, it was can this be contingent on when those property taxes are paid.

Is your question?

Councilwoman, are you asking him to ask the question without your question?

I just want to make sure whoever asked it is satisfied.

So I I understood his question to be can this be approved subject to payment of back taxes.

And what I heard was taxes will be paid, which is a different answer than the question that was asked.

Can you please the microphone, sir?

Thank you.

No.

The last part of my answer was that, in my opinion, you could make it a condition of closing that they are paid.

It's not part of the eight steps, but I think it is part of like your legislative discretion.

Council, are there any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

I apologize, I wouldn't see it.

It was it was I nobody made a motion to amend.

Thank you.

Item 30 and 31 are on consent.

Item number 32, please reports, engineering and planning, application for sewer main extension at 85 Worcester Heights Road.

Councilman Busade, the minutes, please.

Thank you.

I move to waive a reading of the reports as provided by engineering and the planning commission.

Is all members have copies and copies are on file with the legislative assistance office, as well as accept the reports as they are presented to us.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilwoman Gardner.

Council, on the minutes.

Are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

Vote is so ordered.

Council, what is your pleasure?

Councilman Salvatore.

Mr.

Mayor, I move to receive the communication and approve the sewer main extension at 85 Worcester Heights Road, subject to the City Standard 8 steps and conditions.

Motion has been made.

Seconded by I'm sorry, I heard at the same time.

I think it was Councilman Wallace Smith.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

One opposed.

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Item number 33, please.

Councilman Peter Buzade.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I move to waiver reading of the reports as all members of copies and copies are on file with the legislative assistance office, as well as to accept the reports as they are presented.

Motion has been made.

Seconded by Councilwoman Gartner.

Council, are there any remarks or questions for our department heads?

Any remarks or questions?

Councilman Rotello.

Through the Chair to David Day.

David, uh this evening and going back several months, we've made some uh recommendations for connections to the water service and the sewer service.

But it's been it's been quite a while since we've talked about capacity.

I mean, we had to bring Kenosha online and and um we're mulling over how exactly we're gonna deal with Main Street, the project down there.

Maybe we'll have them on a pump and storage system like that.

How much how much overhead do we have?

When or if are we going to start bumping into developmental problems?

I mean, we want to keep going the ground list.

Obviously, the the issues that we have heard tonight are not really going to impact the water system or the sewer system.

These are relatively um small developments.

But where are we on this?

Well, I mean that that's a pretty open-ended question.

I don't know if you can be more specific on mainstream.

I mean, right now we have plenty of water and and sewer capacities to to treat the existing customers.

As we as we move forward, uh if you could go back in time five years and then extrapolate five years forward, can we have the development we have had in the last five years, five years going forward?

Does that make sense?

Do you understand the concept there?

Well, I I I can tell you this.

I've been here 20 years, and our average uh sewer flow at our wastewater treatment plant has been 9 Mgd with all the development we have had.

So I bring that up.

It's because of the conservation fixtures that the developers are using.

You know, back uh 20 20, 25 years ago, you would use a rule of thumb of 90 to 100 gallons per person per day.

Now we're more in the 50 to 60 gallons per person per day, due to the conservation fixtures.

So I I think we're doing okay at the moment, but every development we we do have to review.

And uh, you know, we we are doing sewer capacity studies in the in the in the downtown area and working with an Antonio on that.

You foresee, if I may, you foresee any issues in the next five years that are gonna uh Well, I mean we we we do have to review the you know the the sewer capacity.

I mean we're we're in the middle of doing that right now, so I really can't comment on that, you know.

Thank you.

That's all thank you, Your Honor.

Thank you, Councilman.

Consulman Chinese, are you grabbing that microphone right there?

Go ahead, sir.

Now I'll go to you, Claire.

Councilman Chies.

I thought it was Thank you, Your Honor.

I just want to say uh thank you to uh Donna Murphy for taking some time out today for coming down to the Sun communities to talk about the senior tax credit.

I think it was really appreciated for those who did show up.

And uh to let people know that that credit for those who haven't applied yet expires on uh November 14th.

So we do encourage people to call the tax assessor's office to at least talk about those tax credits, those senior tax credits, which are very good, thanks to this administration as well.

So we we want people to to get those credits.

So again, thanks to the tax assessor for going out there and spending her time to communicate that through all those seniors in need.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Thank you for acknowledging that.

And uh the tax assessor, Donna, thank you.

You were there uh shortly before this meeting started.

So I'm sure you did that and rushed over here, and we we appreciated those uh those tax breaks don't do any good if nobody applies for them.

So as a council, as you talk to constituencies or in your groups, please please tell them to apply.

Councilwoman Jabor.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Through you, if I could ask Antonio a question.

Oh sorry.

Did everybody hear me?

We were okay.

Okay.

Thank you, Antonio.

Uh first of all, we've heard a lot tonight about Topfield, and I just wanted to uh thank you very much for how quickly you jumped in to address that.

I know you're really busy, and I appreciate that you were able to take time to uh address the situation as it continues to develop.

Um in general, I'm sure there's some curiosity and has been mentioned to me by some of my constituents.

What is the process in which your office takes to decide on a detour when there is a lot of construction?

Because I know we're in the heavy portion of construction season now.

Sure.

Um our traffic engineering department will uh solicit input from various departments on alternative uh routing uh to avoid like a closure like we have on uh East Franklin Street Extension.

Um that eventually gets vetted uh and is presented to the police department.

Our um our police chief is actually the City of Danbury designated um uh traffic authority individual.

Um he's actually registered with the State of Connecticut, so he has the final say on it.

And we have quite a bit of conversation regarding um what's good, what's bad, and uh with the understanding that if we got to tweak that uh detour, we would do it.

Um there is a process.

Uh we evaluate road conditions, we uh take a look at traffic volumes a little bit.

Uh the topstone uh road detour was actually evaluated by also an independent traffic engineer uh working with EverSource who worked with our traffic engineer.

Unfortunately, that detour doesn't have a lot of options, as you know.

Um the uh Westville Avenue work, which is being done by Eversource uh has complicated uh the detour.

Um and folks kind of try to find the shorter distance between two points.

So uh no matter how much you do to try to get them to go in a different direction, they will find uh path of reese resistance.

Um we have been working with uh most of the constituents that you have uh referred us to.

Um and uh we're trying to get the best information that we can get, because if we give you bad information, then uh we're all passing on information that doesn't help uh the constituents.

Uh uh so uh unfortunately sometimes our information isn't the best coming out of uh some of these contractors, or uh in the case on Westville Avenue, we unfortunately the contractor hit a significant unforeseen condition.

Uh we worked all day uh yesterday and last night to resolve it, and this morning we had some good news that it's been resolved.

They're gonna continue to work.

Our goal is to get them off of Westfill Avenue as quickly as possible uh and keep moving forward.

We are very sensitive to these issues, especially a quaint little neighborhood like uh Topfield.

Um, but we're all on it.

Uh the police department has been there.

I've had uh my permit coordinator uh pretty much there during morning rush and uh uh afternoon rush hours, observing what could be done differently and whatever input that our residents provide us, obviously we always evaluate.

Thank you, Antonio.

I really appreciate all the work that you have been doing to address this.

Thank you, Councilman.

Thank you, Councilman.

Councilman Giordano?

Yes.

Um I would like to follow up actually with Chief Ridden Hauer, since you mentioned that uh police play a really uh important role in this uh um issue.

Good evening, everyone.

Thank you, Chief.

Um my question is um uh you know, given that um the uh the flow of traffic down uh top field uh will be um uh uh you know much uh larger than usual.

Um what uh steps uh uh would you uh recommend taking uh um as as far as uh um you know keeping the uh traffic uh speed and uh volume under control it's it it is an unfortunate situation and we do apologize to the to the residents for that inconvenience and and certainly uh the safety concerns.

Uh what we have been doing is officers have been up there uh monitoring the situation, doing some uh speed uh tracking and and doing uh necessary enforcement uh and uh we'll continue to do so until we are able to uh utilize some other options for the uh traffic deferral.

And would you say that um uh uh that there's a uh a speeding problem at all?

The uh people that have been out there so far, it hasn't been a uh a big problem.

I mean, obviously there's always going to be a few outliers, but uh the speeds that they have recorded uh were within you know what the what is uh acceptable.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Council, are there any remarks, comments?

Remarks or comments?

Councilman Dwayne Perkins.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Um, Chief.

Okay.

Um just a general comment.

I would like to um thank the uh City of Danbury Forestry Department of Public Works uh for their dedication to the third annual Arbor Day celebrations at Terrywall Park.

Uh you know, um Antonio, Tim, Doug, all the other guys were fantastic.

Bart Street Service, um Lewis, uh Eversource, everybody came out and converged on that property, uh, did some selective tree felling, did some um safety modifications, cleared out different areas of the um paths.

And just so you know, the uh the event was awarded the mirror's proclamation last year to um call it the Arboret in Dambray, April 25th or so.

But again, thank you for all of your work.

And um I know we generate a lot of plant debris, but as soon as I put that call in, they're out there pretty much right away take it away.

I appreciate that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Perkins.

Council, any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Any other remarks?

Seeing none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Thank you very much.

Item 34, please.

Executive session.

Dear mayor and council members, I am writing to respectfully request that the City Council convene an executive session for the purpose of discussing settlement of the above reference pending litigation.

Given the sensitive nature of the matter, it is in the best interest of the city and its residents that this this discussion be held in a confidential setting in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.

Very truly yours, Daniel Casigrande, Corporation Council.

Council, what's your pleasure?

Thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, I move that the council enter executive session for the purposes of discussing the pending legal matter in involving Sharon Gaias versus the City of Danbury.

The following individuals are directed to attend that session.

Virginia, Alaska Werner, Director of Human Resources and Civil Service, Dan Garrick, Director of Finance, Taylor O'Brien, Chief of Staff, members of the Corporation Council's office, excuse me.

Outside litigation council.

So after uh this motion is voted on, we will all move in there and then return out here after we are concluded.

Motions are made and seconded.

Any remarks?

Yes.

Any remarks?

Sorry, Councilman Salvatore.

Just a reminder for executive session that when we go into the other room, no electronic devices, no electronic recording devices, and no note-taking materials can be brought into the room.

Thank you, Councilman Salvatore.

Council, I'll try your minds.

Uh all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

We will go directly and immediately to caucus room.

And then there's no need to turn off the feed, so we will come back and immediately start the meeting.

Yeah.

Thank you, Lisa.

I'm going to call on Councilman Peter Buzade, please.

Thank you.

Um we we came out of executive session at approximately 8 47.

I I move to authorize the resolution of the pending legal matters in accordance with the discussion uh together with certification of funding as provided in that discussion.

Motion has been made, seconded by Councilman Paul Rotello.

Council, are there any remarks?

Any remarks?

Any remarks?

See none, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

The vote is so ordered.

Thank you.

I extend all committees and will entertain a motion to adjourn.

Seconded by Councilwoman Gartner.

Council, uh, what is your pleasure?

I'll be sorry, I will try your minds.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it.

And uh this is Nick's month for any Knicks fans here.

Hope they keep doing what they're doing.

Al, well, I know we disagree on a few things, but I know that we agree on.

Let's go, Nick's.