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Volunteer firefighters urge Danbury Council to approve up to $2,000 tax abatement to aid recruitment and retention
Summary
Multiple longtime Danbury volunteer firefighters and supporters told the council the proposed amendment to section 44-71 would help recruit and retain volunteers. Speakers cited heavy training requirements and round-the-clock availability; the council took no vote and will consider the ordinance at the next meeting.
Several Danbury volunteer firefighters and supporters addressed the council in a public hearing to urge approval of a proposed tax abatement for volunteer firefighters.
Charlie Coakley, president of the Danbury Volunteer Firemen's Council and chief of Volunteer Fire Battalion 31, said the abatement has been discussed since 2007 and that the time has come to adopt it. "Once that threshold is met, we can receive an amount of abatement up to 2,000 depending on the years of service," Coakley said, describing the measure as a modest way to thank volunteers and to help recruit and retain members.
Mark Corey, a 48-year active volunteer, described the training and time commitments that modern volunteers face, noting that new members may need "nearly 160 hours of training" to qualify for certain duties and that volunteers respond 24/7. "This kind of response is not uncommon, especially when bad weather is expected," Corey said, arguing the abatement is an investment in the city's emergency services.
Other speakers echoed that point. Chris Demarro (26 years' service) and Eric Veil (longtime service and identified as chief) said the combined career-volunteer model is important to Danbury and urged the council to approve incentives to maintain volunteer participation. Kathy Snow, the spouse of a volunteer, asked the council to "please look after your volunteers and vote yes." Bob Scalzo, a volunteer of 65 years, said the tax abatement would be "minimal compared to what they risk every day" and urged support.
The proposal would amend section 44-71 of the Danbury Code of Ordinances to create a tax abatement program for volunteer firefighters. Speakers framed the abatement as a recruitment and retention tool to recognize volunteers' training burdens and community service. No council vote occurred during the hearing; President Peter Bizaid closed the hearing after members moved and seconded a motion and said the item will likely appear on the next council meeting agenda for formal consideration.
