Ad Hoc Committee Meeting for Reappointment of Doug Polistena to Danbury Museum Authority - July 20, 2026
Ad Hoc Committee Meeting for Reappointment of Doug Polistena to Danbury Museum Authority - July 20, 2026
The City of Danbury Ad Hoc Committee, chaired by Councilwoman Andrea Gartner, met on July 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM to consider the reappointment of Doug Polistena to the Danbury Museum and Historical Society Authority. The meeting included council members Diane Lepine, Michael Henry, Ryan Hawley (ex officio), and John Laughinghouse, as well as several museum authority members and friends.
Public Comments & Testimony
- A letter from Bridget Gerton (Executive Director of the Danbury Museum Authority and City Historian) and Jeff Harold (President of the Board of Trustees), dated July 14, 2026, was read into the record. The letter expressed strong support for Doug Polistena’s reappointment, citing his long-standing commitment, integrity, thoughtful leadership, fiduciary management, and collaborative approach. It noted that the ordinance establishing the authority does not include a residency requirement for trustees, and asked the council to support the reappointment based on standards established in law.
Discussion Items
- Councilman Michael Henry clarified that his call for the ad hoc was not about Mr. Polistena personally but about the process for appointments, including outreach to Danbury residents and board composition. He questioned the current membership count and whether the appointment would exceed the board’s bylaw limit of nine full-time members and three alternates.
- Marion Hasmeyer (board member) stated that Reverend Brandon Whitfield, listed as a full-time member, has attended only one meeting in many years and that the board is discussing requesting his resignation. She noted that Mr. Polistena is an active and engaged member.
- Chief of Staff (unidentified) provided an updated list of active board members from the museum’s website: eight full-time members (including Mr. Polistena as a full-time) and one alternate. Several members acknowledged that some trustees’ terms have expired and that the board needs cleaning up.
- Paul Valeri (board trustee) emphasized the board’s effectiveness and commitment, stating that Reverend Whitfield is not active and that Mr. Polistena has been a dedicated member since 2019. He urged the committee not to get caught up in technicalities.
- Councilwoman Diane Lepine supported the reappointment, noting that many commissions struggle to fill seats and that Mr. Polistena is clearly active. Councilman John Laughinghouse voiced full support, describing the board as aligned with the appointment.
- Councilman Henry reiterated that his concern was process-oriented and that housekeeping (e.g., obtaining a resignation or updating term status) should be resolved before finalizing the appointment.
Key Outcomes
- Councilwoman Diane Lepine made a motion to reappoint Douglas Polistena to the Danbury Museum and Historical Society Authority pending clarification of the current membership status (including the resignation of Reverend Whitfield). Councilman John Laughinghouse seconded the motion.
- The motion carried with all members in favor.
- The committee adjourned at 7:20 PM. The reappointment will return to the ad hoc committee after the museum authority provides updated membership information.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, hi. Um calling this meeting to order at seven o'clock. This is an ad hoc committee meeting for the reappointment to the Danbury Museum and Historical Society Authority of Doug Polistena. Um I'm Andrea Gartner, Councilwoman Andrea Gardner. I am the chair of this ad hoc. Um I would like to make note of others joining me. Part of the ad hoc committee is Councilwoman Diane Lepine, as well as Councilman Um Michael Henry also joining us. Um ex officio is Councilman Um Ryan Hawley and John Laughinghouse, member of the public, Joe Putnam. And we have members from the Denbury Museum Authority, I believe, and or Friends of, um, including um Doug Polestena, um Elizabeth Hudson, James Vashley, Paul Valeri, Bob Doyle, Marion Um Hasmeyer, and Lorraine Sutner. So thank you everyone for joining us. Um I I do have a letter I'm going to read into the record. This was by request with uh from uh Bridget Gerton, who is the executive director of the Danbury Museum Authority as well as the city historian and Jeff Harold, who's president of the Danbury Museum Authority Board of Trustees. Um dated July 14th, dear Chairperson Gardner. We are writing to express uh our strong support for the appointment of Doug Polistano to the Danbury Museum Authority. Doug has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to the city of Danbury and to preserving and promoting its rich history. He understands the important role that the Denver Museum plays in educating our community, preserving our historic resources, and serving as a cultural asset for residents and visitors alike. Throughout his years of community involvement, Doug has consistently shown integrity, thoughtful leadership, excellent fiduciary management, and a collaborative approach to a service as a Danbury Museum trustee. He brings sound judgment, respect for differing viewpoints, and a genuine appreciation for Danbury's heritage. These qualities make him a very valuable member of the Museum Authority. We also believe it is appropriate to recognize that Mr. Polistino's appointment was originally approved without discussion regarding his residential address. The ordinance establishing the Denver Museum Authority identifies the qualifications and appointment process for authority members, and it does not include a residency requirement for appointed trustees. As such, we appreciate that the council's actions reflect the governing ordinance rather than the than adding qualifications that were not adopted by the legislative body. Consistent application of the ordinance helps ensure that appointments are based on the standards established in law and supports a fair, transparent and predictable appointment process for all prospective members. As the museum continues to expand its educational programs, preserve its collections, and strengthen partnerships throughout the community. It is essential that the authority include individuals who are dedicated to good governance and to the museum's long-term success. We believe Doug possesses those qualities and would continue to serve with distinction. We respectfully ask that you support Doug Polistena's reappointment to the Denbury Museum Authority, his experience, dedication to the community, and commitment to preserving Denver's history will continue to be a significant asset to the authority and to the Danbury citizens it serves. Thank you for your consideration and for your continued service to the City of Danbury, respectfully, as I mentioned, Jeff Terrell, who is president of the trustees and Bridget Gerton, the executive director of the museum. So thank you for allowing me to do that. So I'm going to open with a question that I have, which is going to be directed to Councilman Henry as to why you asked for this ad hoc. Thank you. Thank you so the chair. So this is uh not about the individual. Um I apologize if it looks that way. This is more about the process of how we get to the appointment of individuals. Um we don't have a simplified process or an application process to look at individuals in a large-scale number. So I know you're an alternate member. No. And going to be appointed full-time, is what the request is. So I also looked at the bylaws. I know there's nothing in there for residency required. And certain I've spoken to Taylor about this munic code also covers what um governing body is for uh residency on some of the board commissions. I know it's just this doesn't qualify. But it's more about the process, how we get there. How we how do we get more outreach from our individual residents of the city of Danbury? Have we looked at them? Have we established a pool? Have we ever had a lot of things? So just to be clear, I'm just trying to tease out why is it that you called that the ad hoc is limited, our ad hoc is limited to the reappointment to the Denver.
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