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Danbury council approves minutes, confirms attorney, accepts grants and refers leases to ad hoc
Summary
At the Aug. 5 meeting the council approved the July minutes, confirmed an assistant corporation counsel appointment, accepted two funding offers including a CDBG award and an Eversource donation, and referred multiple lease matters and land-use items to ad hoc committees for review.
Danbury City Council conducted routine business on Aug. 5, approving minutes, confirming an appointment in the corporation counsel’s office, accepting two funding offers and referring several lease and land-use matters to ad hoc committees.
The council received and waived reading of the July 1 meeting minutes and approved them by voice vote. The body confirmed the appointment of attorney Caitlin Gruss to the position of Assistant Corporation Counsel; the nominee was not present but the motion to approve carried by voice vote.
Several consent-calendar actions were addressed: the council removed items 2 and 16 from the consent calendar at the request of Councilman Irving Fox and then passed the amended consent calendar. The council reappointed Andrea J. Gray to the City of Danbury other post employment benefit board (term through 07/01/2030).
Grant and donation approvals included: - Acceptance of $590,036 in CDBG funds for program year 51; the council authorized the mayor to execute all necessary documents. The CDBG action was discussed in detail (see separate article). - Acceptance of $179,905 from Eversource to procure and install video detection equipment at signalized intersections; the council authorized the mayor or his designee to execute related documents and approved the resolution by voice vote after members asked about contract oversight and equipment purpose.
The council referred multiple lease negotiations to ad hoc committees for review, including the Happy Trails farm lease (36 Mountainville Road) and a new ground lease for the property occupied by Red Lobster (34 Backus Avenue). The body also referred an environmental land use restriction matter for 89 Rose Hill Avenue to an ad hoc committee and asked Corporation Counsel and relevant departments to review and report back.
Other actions: the council accepted ad hoc minutes on a proposed tax abatement for volunteer firefighters and sent that ordinance to a public hearing; it tabled an ad hoc report on illegal apartments until the Sept. 4, 2025 meeting to allow Corporation Counsel to draft an ordinance.
The council then moved into executive session to discuss pending tax appeal litigation involving Lowe’s Home Center and NREA Casper LLC and authorized resolution of those matters consistent with discussions in executive session.
Votes at a glance: - Minutes (July 1): approved (voice vote) - Assistant Corporation Counsel (Caitlin Gruss): confirmed (voice vote) - Reappointment, Andrea J. Gray (OPEB board): approved (voice vote) - Accept Eversource donation, $179,905 (traffic signal video detection): approved (voice vote) - Accept CDBG funding, $590,036: approved (voice vote) - Refer Happy Trails lease to ad hoc: approved (motion) - Refer Red Lobster lease to ad hoc: approved (motion) - Refer 89 Rose Hill ELURs to ad hoc: approved (motion) - Table illegal apartments ordinance to Sept. 4: approved (motion)
The council adjourned after authorizing the resolution of pending legal matters and certifying funding as provided.
