Stamford Board of Representatives Regular Meeting – May 5, 2026

Note: The meeting transcript states the date as Monday, May 4, 2026, but the provided instruction specifies the date as May 5, 2026. This summary uses the instructed date for the title and structure, but the content reflects the transcript's timeline.

The Board of Representatives met at 7:34 p.m. on May 5, 2026 (per instruction), with 38 members present and 2 excused. The meeting included an invocation, pledge of allegiance, roll call, moment of silence, public participation, committee reports, and a lengthy debate on a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the Roxbury School construction project. The meeting adjourned at 9:57 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Appointments Committee: Approved reappointments to the Board of Assessment Appeals, Board of Ethics (alternate), Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (alternate), Planning Board (two terms), and Zoning Board of Appeals (alternate). Representative Graham abstained from the Planning Board reappointment (item 6).
• Fiscal Committee: Approved appropriations totaling $2,221,524 for various grants and projects, including $19,611 for town clerk historic preservation services, $26,913 for town clerk capital improvements, $26,000 for early childhood programming, $175,000 for the Boys & Girls Club playscape at the Yearwood Center, and resolutions for roof replacements at Hart Magnet Elementary School and Turn of River School. Also approved a $6,300,000 appropriation from the FY2024 general fund surplus. Representative Graham abstained from item 2 ($26,913), and Representative LePine abstained from item 3 ($26,000).
• Land Use Committee: Approved a second amendment to the IQS Stamford contract for integrated land records and vital statistics recording system. Representative Graham abstained.
• Transportation Committee: Approved an ordinance to dissolve the Stamford Transit District.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kieran Edmondson (Water Sign neighborhood resident) urged the board to vote in favor of F32.065 to provide additional funding for the playscape at the Boys & Girls Club, citing safety and maintenance concerns.
• Mike Papa criticized the city's infrastructure management, referencing the WPCA, climate change, and the need for long-term planning. He expressed frustration with the Board of Finance's approach.
• Joe Toner (Executive Director, Connecticut State Building Trades) spoke in support of the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for Roxbury School, emphasizing that PLAs ensure one out of every five construction workers on the project will be a Stamford resident, and that the union will recruit and train local residents through apprenticeship programs. He cited successful projects in Norwalk.
• Gina Calabries raised concerns about the rule of law, specifically regarding the waiver of the six-month deceased requirement for field naming and the deed restriction at Courtland Park. She stated that the federal grant for the East Side Library is not dependent on its location in the park.
• Mr. Adams (public speaker) continued on the East Side Library issue, arguing that the grant is not tied to the park and questioned the ethics of attempting to change the deed. He also spoke against urbanization, stating it drives up housing costs, and urged development focused on housing current residents.

Discussion Items

• BOE Liaison Report (Representative LePine): The Board of Education unanimously appointed Dr. Adrian Talley as superintendent, effective July 1, 2026. The Board of Finance had reduced the Board of Ed's operating budget by $12.1 million, and the state budget adjustments for FY2027 included increased education funding, though less than expected. School construction projects are ongoing, including new West Hill and Roxbury K-8 schools.
• Field Naming at Stamford High School (OPR 32.009 and 32.010): The committee recommended waiving the ordinance requirement that fields be named only for individuals deceased for at least six months, and then naming the baseball, softball, and soccer fields after Donald Lapino, Bobby Augustine, and Mario Kemanidi (all living). Representative Walston expressed concern about lack of diversity in the names and proposed a statue for James Cobb, a former athlete and coach. After debate, the waiver passed 38-2, and the naming resolution passed 37-3.
• Project Labor Agreement for Roxbury School (CHESS 32.005): The committee recommended approval of a resolution authorizing a PLA. Extensive debate occurred:
  • Supporters: Representatives Camparelli, Field, Gross, Weinberg, Didlow, Shore, Hughes, Weathers, Hill, Graham, Adams, Walston, Shaw, and others argued that PLAs ensure worker safety, timely project completion, local workforce development (including a pre-apprenticeship program recruiting 100 Stamford residents, prioritizing disadvantaged youth, with goals of 60% minorities, 40% women, 10% veterans), and support the middle class. They noted that non-union shops can still bid under the PLA, and the city has a fiduciary responsibility to invest in workers.
  • Opponents: Representatives Gardner, Finkel, Sanford, Goldberg, Politia, and others argued that PLAs limit competition, increase costs, and are not necessary for quality. They cited studies showing higher costs, and noted that non-union contractors have their own apprenticeship programs. Some expressed concern that the pre-apprenticeship commitments are only “good faith” and not contractually enforceable. Clerk Johnson noted that the resolution authorizes a third party (ONG) to negotiate the PLA, and the board will not review the final contract.
• The final vote was 28-11 in favor of the PLA.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Items: All consent items from Appointments, Fiscal, Land Use, and Transportation committees were approved, with noted abstentions.
• Field Naming Waiver and Resolution: The waiver of the six-month deceased requirement (OPR 32.009) passed 38-2, and the naming resolution (OPR 32.010) passed 37-3.
• Project Labor Agreement (CHESS 32.005): Approved with a vote of 28-11. The resolution authorizes the city to negotiate a PLA for the Roxbury School construction, including the workforce development components.
• Minutes: The minutes of the April 6, 2026 regular meeting were approved.
• Next Steps: The steering committee meeting is scheduled for May 11, 2026, and the final regular board meeting for June 1, 2026. A special budget meeting will occur on May 7, 2026.