Danbury council adopts preamble wording adding 'taxpayer,' amends nomination language and keeps staggered BOE terms
July 16, 2026 | Danbury City, Fairfield, Connecticut
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Danbury City Council President P. Buzaid called a Committee of the Whole public hearing to order on July 16, 2026, and the council moved to consider the Charter Revision Commission's draft report chapter by chapter. The council approved the Commission's recommended changes to the preamble and Chapter 1 as amended and voted on multiple Chapter 2 provisions during the evening session.
The council approved an amendment by Council Member Henry to add the word "taxpayer" to the Preamble; the motion passed 12–9. Council President P. Buzaid clarified the adopted suggested language, saying, "We believe in the right of every citizen, resident, and taxpayer." Counsel to the Commission, Joseph Mortellti, responded to procedural questions during debate, noting the Commission had not examined some legal specifics tied to that language.
On Chapter 2, council members focused on procedures for reapportionment and selection of a fifth member of the reapportionment body. A proposal to remove the phrase "Mayor Shall Appoint" and instead leave selection to an unaffiliated voter approved by the council failed after members raised concerns about leaving selection mechanics unspecified. Later, a motion by Council Member Jabbour to change the charter wording from "Appointed" to "Nominated" passed 20–1.
Council members also debated term lengths. An amendment to reduce a proposed four‑year mayoral term to two years failed (No 14, Yes 6, one abstention) after members argued over voter access, candidate recruitment and the effect on long‑range planning. A separate proposal to shorten proposed four‑year council terms back to two years likewise failed (Yes 9, No 12), with members split on institutional knowledge, election timing and member commitment.
The council voted to retain staggered four‑year terms for the Board of Education after Council Member Chianese successfully moved to remove the new language that would have eliminated staggering; that motion carried 13–8. On filling vacancies, an amendment to remove language allowing the mayor to appoint a replacement if a seat was not filled within 60 days failed (No 13, Yes 8), with debate centering on timely replacements versus concentration of appointment power.
The Committee recessed at 7:04 p.m., reconvened at 8:59 p.m., and set a continuation meeting for July 21, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.; the motion to continue passed 19–2. The session adjourned at 11:37 p.m.
The council's actions move several Charter Revision Commission recommendations forward for further consideration and public input; several items — including precise appointment mechanics and term‑length questions — were left for additional review at the continuation meeting and possible subsequent meetings.
The council approved an amendment by Council Member Henry to add the word "taxpayer" to the Preamble; the motion passed 12–9. Council President P. Buzaid clarified the adopted suggested language, saying, "We believe in the right of every citizen, resident, and taxpayer." Counsel to the Commission, Joseph Mortellti, responded to procedural questions during debate, noting the Commission had not examined some legal specifics tied to that language.
On Chapter 2, council members focused on procedures for reapportionment and selection of a fifth member of the reapportionment body. A proposal to remove the phrase "Mayor Shall Appoint" and instead leave selection to an unaffiliated voter approved by the council failed after members raised concerns about leaving selection mechanics unspecified. Later, a motion by Council Member Jabbour to change the charter wording from "Appointed" to "Nominated" passed 20–1.
Council members also debated term lengths. An amendment to reduce a proposed four‑year mayoral term to two years failed (No 14, Yes 6, one abstention) after members argued over voter access, candidate recruitment and the effect on long‑range planning. A separate proposal to shorten proposed four‑year council terms back to two years likewise failed (Yes 9, No 12), with members split on institutional knowledge, election timing and member commitment.
The council voted to retain staggered four‑year terms for the Board of Education after Council Member Chianese successfully moved to remove the new language that would have eliminated staggering; that motion carried 13–8. On filling vacancies, an amendment to remove language allowing the mayor to appoint a replacement if a seat was not filled within 60 days failed (No 13, Yes 8), with debate centering on timely replacements versus concentration of appointment power.
The Committee recessed at 7:04 p.m., reconvened at 8:59 p.m., and set a continuation meeting for July 21, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.; the motion to continue passed 19–2. The session adjourned at 11:37 p.m.
The council's actions move several Charter Revision Commission recommendations forward for further consideration and public input; several items — including precise appointment mechanics and term‑length questions — were left for additional review at the continuation meeting and possible subsequent meetings.
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