City Council - Regular Meeting

I'm calling the August 17th, 2026 public hearing to order at approximately 7.03 p.m. I'd request that Councilman Britton lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The next order of business is to take the roll call. Councilman Coelho?

Here.

Councilman Flanagan?

Here.

Councilman Hawley? Here. Councilwoman Lapine is away. Councilman Salvatore? Here. Councilman Bizet, present. Councilwoman Gartner? Present. Councilwoman Fay? Here. Councilman Henry? Here. Councilwoman Wallace-Smith cannot attend tonight. Councilwoman Spain Reichel? Here. Councilman Giordano? Councilwoman Jabbar has a death in her family and will not be attending. Councilman Rotello. Councilman Chines. Councilman Dwayne Perkins, I believe, contacted us and said he would not attend. Councilman Britton. Councilman McAllister. Councilwoman Robinson. Councilman Laughinghouse. Councilman Dennis Perkins. Thank you. 16 present and five not present. This is a public hearing and I'm gonna read the notice. If I can find it. This is a public hearing that was noticed for Monday today, August 17th at 7 p.m. It's to be held in the council chambers of the city of Danbury. The purpose of the public hearing is for the public to comment on amendments and changes to sections 22-19 through 2230. Those are ordinances concerning the Danbury Police Department. This meeting is specifically for members of the public to speak on the agenda item that's listed in the notice, that is the changes to that specific ordinance. Please note, our job is to listen to your concerns and comments on the items that are on the agenda. The council does not respond to the public's comments and does not interact with the public. The topic is limited to the ordinance that's presented here tonight. When I open it for public speaking, please come up. You may use either microphone and state your name and residence, as speaking is limited to Danbury residents or taxpayers. Thank you. I'll now call the item, which is item number one, amendments to section 22-19 through section 2230. The police department ordinances and the recommended changes that are proposed is now open for public speaking. Does anyone here who's present wish to address the council on this item? Mr. Brown.

For the record, Tom Brown, 10 Valerie Lane, Danbury. Two comments. One is on the process. I have to offer the idea that if you're going to come up with an amended ordinance, when you publicize it, I think it would be more than just a courtesy to provide the public with the old ordinance for comparison, or at least provide an executive summary. But given that, speaking to the substance, I'm of an age that the gender neutral thing is not a big deal for me, but I think that the change in citizenship requirements is, because I think if some young man or woman meets all the other requirements to be a police officer in Danbury, and the other one is a citizenship requirement that will get them in the United States Marine Corps to defend the country, I think that's an appropriate change. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Brown. Is there anyone else from the public who wishes to address the council regarding the change to the ordinances that are before us, the police ordinances? Sir.

Thank you. Jason Over, resident of Danbury 1 Kennedy Avenue. Good evening and thank you for hosting this public hearing to the city council. I'm here tonight to express my support for the proposed changes that would allow lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients to apply to become police officers in Danbury. This proposal will not lower our standards as many have tried to express through many forums. Every applicant will still be required to meet the same rigorous qualifications, complete the same training, and pass the same background checks. This change would simply give more qualified individuals in our community the opportunity to serve the community they already call home. This issue is personal to me. As a child, my sister dreamed of becoming a police officer. She did not think about her immigration status or whether it might prevent her from pursuing that dream. She simply knew that she had a passion for serving and protecting others. My sister actually eventually had the privilege of becoming an American citizen. That opportunity allowed her to pursue her calling served as a police officer for the past 10 years, and recently earning a promotion to be a detective. And I couldn't be prouder of her. There are many people in our community who share a similar dream and commitment to public service. They live here, work here, raise their families here, and contribute to Danbury every day. Some of them, or even their children, can see themselves wearing the same uniform and serving the residents of this great city. We should not close the door on qualified individuals who are ready and willing to serve. We should give them the opportunity to apply, prove themselves, and even earn that responsibility. So I respectfully urge the city council to support these changes. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Is there anyone else who wishes to address the council on this particular ordinance? One more time, is there anyone in the public who wishes to address the council regarding the changes to sections 22-19 through 22-30, the police ordinances in the city of Danbury? Final time, is there anyone present who wishes to address the council? All in favor of closing the public hearing, please say aye. Aye. The public hearing is now closed. Is there a motion to adjourn? All in favor? Aye. Thank you. We are adjourned. Thank you.