Danbury ad hoc committee recommends indexed pay structure for mayor, town clerk and treasurer

At a March 18, 2026 meeting, the Danbury ad hoc committee on Elected Officials’ Compensation voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution establishing an indexed compensation structure for the offices of mayor, town clerk and treasurer, with initial salary adjustments to take effect Dec. 1, 2027.

Chair Joseph Britton told the committee he reviewed the City Charter and municipal budgets from comparable cities and said the adjustments are intended to bring local elected‑officer pay “on par with salaries of leaders in other municipalities with similar sizes,” including an estimated total budget impact of $165,000 for the proposed changes. Britton also said the Treasurer’s salary is a budget line item and therefore within the council’s authority to change.

Committee members and ex officio participants discussed how to set the new structure. Ex officio member Ben Chianese proposed specific starting points and mechanics, suggesting a $99,000 base for the town clerk and beginning the mayor’s calculation from a $155,000 base, and recommending a fixed annual percentage increase. Chair Britton proposed indexing that would take effect Dec. 1, 2027 and then adjust with municipal elections; Member Lou Giordano and others urged changing election‑linked adjustments to an annual cost‑of‑living increase.

Finance Director Dan Garrick described the treasurer’s role as a part‑time office presence—‘‘in the office two or three days a week to sign checks and review accounts payable vouchers’’—and said the proposed increases would have a minimal impact on future budgets. The committee discussed proposed percentage adjustments in the draft resolution (Chair Britton cited 55% for the Town Clerk and 20% for the Treasurer as example figures to be included in the amended text).

Several members emphasized the need for legal and historical checks before the full council acts. Member Michael Coelho asked the Office of Corporation Counsel to confirm the restructuring would not conflict with the City Charter and requested a historical list of the mayor, town clerk and treasurer salaries dating back to 2000 for staff review. Ex officio Frank Salvatore pointed out that, as presented, any adopted salary adjustments would take effect for the next election cycle (Dec. 1, 2027).

Member Cheryl Wallace‑Smith moved that the ad hoc committee recommend approval of the proposed resolution as amended; Member William McAllister seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. The committee adjourned at 7:13 p.m.

Next steps: the committee’s recommendation will go to the full City Council for consideration; the committee asked staff to supply historical salary data and that Corporation Counsel review the proposed restructuring for charter compatibility.