Danbury City Council Meeting – October 6, 2026

The Danbury City Council held its regular meeting on October 6, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting covered appointments, public comments on a drainage easement and a proposed vape shop ordinance, adoption of the Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan, and several consent calendar items. The council also addressed department reports and community concerns, including a recent hate speech incident.

Consent Calendar

• Items Approved (unanimously): Disposal of surplus trucks via online auction; acceptance of a $1,000 donation from Michael Scherer for the police department’s Copsicle ice cream truck; resolutions for the CT State Homeland Security Grant Program (Region 5 MOA), CT DOH Small Cities Grant amendment, and two federal transportation assistance grants for safer sidewalks/beacons ($4.25 million) and safer crosswalks ($2.7 million). Items 7 and 17 were pulled from the agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Retired Fire Chief Harold: Expressed strong support for the appointment of Sean McGee as Assistant Fire Chief, praising his leadership and critical thinking.
• Jim Lepine (14 Lily Drive, resident adjacent to drainage easement): Described a 27-year history of drainage problems causing sinkholes and damage to his driveway. He requested that, before the city abandons the existing easement, the city require removal or professional care of 10 large arborvitae pine trees on the easement and fill the sinkholes on his property. He noted he has spent over $30,000 on driveway repairs.
• Attorney David Bennett (representing property owners at 16 Lily Drive): Opposed Mr. Lepine’s requests, stating the trees are on his clients’ property and are healthy. He stated his clients are paying $9,656.65 above the city’s cost to relocate the drainage line to preserve the trees.
• Kevin Page (10 Wheeler Drive, proprietor of Butt Edge Tobacco Emporium and Hat City Alehouse): Criticized the proposed vape shop ordinance, citing three issues: (1) inaccurate statutory terminology (the term “tobacco dealer’s license” does not exist in Connecticut General Statutes 12-287); (2) an undefined “cigar shop” exemption creating a loophole; (3) an unfunded mandate on the health department, which currently completes only 300 of 1,200 required food service inspections annually. He argued enforcement should remain with the police and state revenue services.
• Mr. Robinson (public speaker): Expressed frustration that the ad hoc committee on the Taylor Farm property purchase did not reflect the original agreement, and urged council to review it. He supported the vape shop ordinance, stating illicit sales to minors are occurring.
• State Representative Ken Gucker (89 Peyton Am Road): Supported vape shop enforcement due to concerns about minors accessing cannabis vapes. He also thanked the mayor and tree department for quickly removing a dangerous tree during a microburst and commended the city for standing against hate.
• Tom Brown (10 Belly Lane): Expressed strong support for the Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan, noting it provides a “modest goal” of zero traffic fatalities by 2045 and that Danbury lacks sidewalks in many areas. He praised the planning department for a comprehensive, actionable plan.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of Assistant Fire Chief (Sean McGee): Unanimously confirmed. Chief McGee has 21 years of service, a Master of Public Administration, and holds the number one rank on the eligibility list. Councilman Salvatore also praised the new fire explorer program launched this weekend.
• Appointment of Deputy Fire Marshal (Antonio Olive): Unanimously confirmed. Mr. Olive has 19 years of experience as a fire marshal in Stamford and holds the number two rank on the eligibility list.
• Appointment of Entry-Level Police Officers (Nicole Machado, Kevin Martinson, Jeffrey Figueroa): Unanimously confirmed. Councilwoman Fay questioned why the officers were sworn in before council approval; Chief Ridenhour explained that state Police Officer Standards and Training Council requirements often force swearing-in before the council meeting to avoid delays in academy attendance.
• New Ordinance: Vape Shop Establishments (Sec. 16-320): Moved to an ad hoc committee consisting of Councilmen Frank Salvatore (chair), Diane Lepine, and Mike Henry, along with the Health Department, Police Department, Corporation Counsel, and Mayor’s Office.
• Drainage Easement – 16 Lily Drive: Referred to the Engineering Department and the Planning Commission for a CGS Section 8-24 report.
• Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Agreement with Housing Authority: Referred to an ad hoc committee including the Housing Authority, Corporation Counsel, and Mayor’s Office.
• Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan: Adopted unanimously. Councilman Hawley, who served on the advisory committee, noted the plan is a data-driven roadmap focusing on city-owned streets and will enable the city to apply for future federal grants for safety improvements.
• US DOJ JAG Grant ($37,584.48): Approved for the purchase of police services and equipment.
• Reports: Engineering and Planning report on water main extension at 113-115 Mill Plain Road approved subject to city standards. Ad hoc license agreements for 125 Mill Plain Road (Chow House) and 123 Mill Plain Road (Farrington Main House) both approved.
• Department Reports & General Inquiries: Councilman Rotello asked about a potential data center in the Summit parking garage, which Deputy Planning Director Aminger stated would likely require a public hearing to amend the master plan. Councilwoman Jabor inquired about EverSource detour oversight and was directed to contact the city traffic engineer. Councilman Britton noted crime events are down 42% year-to-date (308 vs. 530). Councilman Salvatore congratulated the fire department on the explorer program. Chief Lounsbury described the successful use of a drone for firefighting operations at a large fire the previous weekend.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments Confirmed: Sean McGee (Assistant Fire Chief), Antonio Olive (Deputy Fire Marshal), Nicole Machado, Kevin Martinson, and Jeffrey Figueroa (Police Officers) – all unanimous.
• Ordinance Referred: The vape shop ordinance was sent to an ad hoc committee for further study.
• Drainage Easement Referred: The proposal for 16 Lily Drive was sent to Engineering and Planning Commission for review.
• PILOT Agreement Referred: The Housing Authority payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement was sent to an ad hoc committee.
• Safe Streets Plan Adopted: Unanimously approved, advancing the city’s Vision Zero goal of zero traffic deaths by 2045.
• JAG Grant Approved.
• License Agreements Approved: Both the Chow House and Farrington Main House license agreements at Mill Plain Road were approved.
• Community Response to Hate Incident: Police Chief Ridenhour reported that on October 3, a group of 10–15 individuals performed Nazi salutes and shouted “white power” on Main Street but no criminal charges were filed. The mayor invited the council to stand and denounce hate speech before adjourning the meeting.