Regular Board of Representatives Meeting - April 7, 2026

The regular meeting of the Stamford Board of Representatives was called to order at 7:31 PM on April 7, 2026 (the transcript states the meeting was held on Monday, April 6, 2026; this discrepancy is noted per instruction to use April 7, 2026 as the official date). The meeting included an invocation, roll call (37 present, 3 excused), moment of silence for seven fallen service members, committee reports, public comments, and votes on multiple resolutions. The meeting adjourned at 9:26 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Honorary Resolution: Honoring Melissa Mulroney for 20 years of service as CEO of the Stamford Museum and Nature Center – approved unanimously.
• Appointments Committee: Seven appointments to boards and commissions (Board of Assessment Appeals, Zoning Board, Planning Board, Parks and Recreation) – approved with one abstention (Rep. Morrison on item 3).
• Fiscal Committee Items (Items 1, 3–9): Including $50,000 for Boys & Girls Club (lost rental income), $75,000 for Wi-Fi at Latham Wider Center, $86,308 for dispatchers, $156,200 for cybersecurity consultant, and agreements with CT Division of Emergency Management – approved with abstentions from Rep. LePine (items 5,7) and President Shaw (items 5,6,7).
• Operations Parks & Recreation Items 2 & 3: Excavation permit enforcement ordinance and street light LED conversion agreement – approved unanimously.
• Chess Committee Items 2 & 3: Contracts for owner’s representative services at Rippowam and Newfield schools (indoor air quality) – approved unanimously.
• Transportation Committee Item: Ordinance to dissolve the Stamford Transit District – approved unanimously.
• Approval of March 2, 2026 Meeting Minutes – approved with one abstention (Rep. Camparelli).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kieran Edmondson: Urged support for resolutions F32.055 and F32.056 to formalize emergency management agreements for better public safety response.
• Chris Frixel (President, CT Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors): Opposed the project labor agreement (PLA) for Roxbury School construction, citing cost increases of up to 20% and reduced competition; cited Strawberry Hill School example where removing the PLA brought bids on time and budget.
• Mike Papa: Raised concerns about city maintenance (hollow tree damage, drainage issues at Mill River Park, traffic safety); criticized lack of follow-up on past complaints.
• Sue Halper (South End resident): Requested board review of the 2020 Stormwater Management Plan, noting ongoing pollution from industrial sites and construction runoff near Harbor Point; urged educational campaigns.
• Dave Adams: Opposed the East Side Library relocation to Cortland Park, citing deed restrictions for park use; recommended reopening the Glenbrook Community Center as an alternative library site.
• Michael Batinelli (Glenbrook resident): Supported reopening the Glenbrook Community Center for library use, noting community support and existing city ownership; questioned why the city persists with Cortland Park.

Discussion Items

• Building Permit Fees (OPR 32.002): A resolution to lower the threshold for commercial building permit fees from $35 per $1,000 of construction value back to $25 per $1,000 for projects over $1 million. Debated extensively:
  • Supporters (Reps. Hughes, Boudreau, Weinberg, Goldberg, Didalo, Sanford, Finkel, Policia, and others) argued that lower fees encourage development, reduce housing costs, and align fees with actual city costs (noting a surplus in permit revenue vs. building department budget). They cited competitive pressures and studies linking fees to construction activity.
  • Opponents (Reps. Camparelli, Delacruz, and a few others) argued that fees are needed to cover rising city costs, that developers pass costs to tenants, and that the reduction would shift burden to taxpayers without evidence of need. Rep. Camparelli noted no cost-of-service analysis was provided.
• Project Labor Agreement for Roxbury School (CHESS 32.005): A motion to recommit the resolution authorizing a PLA to the Steering Committee was debated.
  • Proponents (Reps. Finkel, Delacruz, LePine) argued additional study could explore alternatives to PLA to save costs, citing the Strawberry Hill example where PLA led to over-budget bids. Rep. Weinberg noted that prevailing wage requirements would still protect worker compensation without a PLA.
  • Opponents (Reps. Gross, McEwen, and others) argued the item had already passed committee 8-1 and that further study was unnecessary; debate could occur on the floor.
  • The motion to recommit passed by roll call vote: 24 in favor, 13 opposed.

Key Outcomes

• Building Permit Fee Reduction (OPR 32.002): Passed by roll call: 32 yes, 2 no (Reps. Camparelli, Delacruz), 3 abstentions (Reps. Bouchard, Bradford, Pollock). Effective for commercial projects over $1 million.
• Fiscal Committee Item #2 – Refunding Bonds (F32.054): Amended to set an expiration date of October 2, 2026, requiring Board of Finance and fiscal committee re-approval for extension. The amendment passed 34-0-2 (abstentions: Reps. Gilbride, Walston). The amended resolution then passed.
• Project Labor Agreement (CHESS 32.005): Recommitted to Steering Committee by vote of 24-13-0. Further consideration deferred.
• Appointments confirmed and several additional appropriations/grant resolutions adopted (see Consent Calendar).