Danbury City Council Meeting - July 9, 2026 (Note: Transcript Indicates July 7)

Important Note: The meeting transcript repeatedly states the meeting date as July 7, 2026, while the instruction specifies the meeting took place on July 9, 2026. This discrepancy is noted; the summary below reflects the content as recorded in the transcript.

The regular meeting of the Danbury City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. with 21 members present. The agenda included routine appointments, consent calendar items, a charter revision commission report, and a contentious debate over the appointment of a non-resident to the Richter Park Authority. The meeting also featured public comments on transparency and process concerns.

Consent Calendar

• Items 12, 13, 14, 17, 21, and 22 were approved unanimously. These included a $1,000 donation to the Fire Department, authorization for easements on seven properties, disposal of surplus items via online auction, approval of a resolution, acceptance of ad hoc minutes and reports, and approval of a water main extension application.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pete Sizinski (49 Saddle Rock Road) spoke in support of the appointment of Stephen Cacase to Deputy Fire Marshal, praising his qualifications. He also supported reappointments of John Ashkar and Jeffrey Harold to the Aviation and Museum commissions, and urged approval of Bob Brea’s appointment to the Richter Park Authority, stating that residency is not required and that Brea’s talents are exceptional.
• Jeffrey Harold (Walter Street) spoke in favor of Doug Polistena’s reappointment to the Museum Authority, citing his community involvement and contributions.
• Debbie Rizzo (46 O Musket Lane) expressed concerns about proposed charter revisions, including extending terms to four years and making the town clerk an appointed position. She argued these changes reduce voter accountability and criticized the process for lacking transparency.
• Ashley Fawn (address confidentiality program participant, verified resident) raised concerns about the Richter Park appointment process, noting that no public recruitment or announcement was made. She stated she would have applied if given the opportunity and highlighted her qualifications in nonprofit leadership, arts, and community service.
• Al Robinson (7 Mel Rose Avenue) criticized the charter revision process, stating it was rushed (11 hours of meetings versus a year and a half in previous cycles) and lacked transparency. He argued the recommendations were radical and served only to expand mayoral power.
• An additional speaker (name not clearly stated) criticized the proposed privacy policy for automated traffic enforcement, calling it insufficient for protecting personal information. He also expressed concerns about the charter revision commission being manipulated and lacking Republican representation, and questioned the qualifications of the new IT manager.

Discussion Items

• Appointments (Items 1-8, 20): The council confirmed numerous appointments, including Deputy Fire Marshal Stephen Cacase, Police Sergeant Jonathan Grant, and reappointments to the Aviation Commission, Commission on Aging, Lake Kenosha Commission, and Danbury Museum Historical Society. The most contentious was Item 20, the appointment of Bob Brea (a non-resident) to the Richter Park Authority. Councilwoman Candace Fay objected due to lack of residency and transparency in the search process. Mayor Alves and Chief Sizinski defended the process, noting that the position requires a representative from the arts association and that Brea is a sitting member of the arts board. The council approved the appointment, with Councilman Rotello and others voting in opposition.
• Charter Revision Commission Report (Item 15): The draft report of the 2026 Charter Revision Commission was received and accepted. Councilman McAllister moved to send the report to a committee of the whole and a public hearing on the same day. After debate over procedure, the motion passed despite three nays (Councilwomen Fay, Henry, and Wallace Smith). The public hearing and committee of the whole will be held jointly.
• Traffic Enforcement Privacy Policy (Item 16): The proposed privacy policy for automated traffic enforcement safety devices was sent to an ad hoc committee (Councilmen Salvatore, Wallace Smith, and Fay).
• Other Items: The council approved resolutions for a Connecticut Department of Public Health grant ($188,913.96) and a drinking water state revolving fund application for the Kenosha well field (estimated project cost $7.6 million, with a $2 million grant and 20-year loan at 2%). The annual statement of conditions from the Fire Department was accepted. Proposed amendments to fire department ordinances (Item 10) and disposition of city property at 37 Locust Avenue (Item 11) were sent to ad hoc committees.
• Executive Session (Item 24): A motion to enter executive session to discuss a license agreement for 19 Bear Mountain Road (Ranger Cottage) failed on a roll call vote (2 yes, 19 no). The license agreement was then approved in open session with a motion by Councilman Rotello, which passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments Confirmed: Stephen Cacase (Deputy Fire Marshal), Jonathan Grant (Police Sergeant), John Ashkar (Aviation Commission), Kay Schreiber and John Paul Trudell (Commission on Aging), KT Chartuni (Lake Kenosha Commission), Jeffrey Harold and Doug Polistena (Danbury Museum Historical Society), and Bob Brea (Richter Park Authority) – all approved. The Brea appointment passed with opposition.
• Charter Revision Process: The commission’s draft report was accepted and referred to a committee of the whole and public hearing on the same day, despite concerns about process and transparency. The motion passed 18-3.
• Traffic Enforcement Privacy Policy: Referred to ad hoc committee for further review.
• Grant Approvals: The council authorized applications for $188,913.96 (public health) and a $2 million grant plus $5.6 million loan (water treatment).
• License Agreement: Approved for 19 Bear Mountain Road after executive session motion failed.
• Ad Hoc Committees Formed: For fire department ordinance amendments (Item 10, chaired by Salvatore) and property disposition (Item 11, chaired by Britton).

Note: The meeting date discrepancy remains unresolved; the transcript clearly states July 7, 2026, but the instruction requires July 9, 2026.