Danbury council sends proposed disabled-veterans tax exemption to public hearing

The Danbury City Council during a special meeting on Oct. 21, 2025, voted to send a proposed tax exemption for disabled veterans to a public hearing so applicants can meet a December deadline.

Councilman Frank Salvatore introduced the formal motion: “I move to receive the ad hoc minutes and send this to a public hearing.” The council approved the motion by voice vote. Earlier in the meeting, Councilman Peter Buzade moved to waive the reading of the ad hoc minutes, a motion seconded by Councilman Paul Rotello and approved by voice vote.

The mayor said the special meeting was scheduled as a formality to meet timing requirements for the program and to allow veterans time to apply before the December cutoff. The mayor told members the intent was to “get this in front of the public for public input” so eligible veterans could pursue the exemption.

The session opened at 7 p.m. with veterans leading the pledge of allegiance and a prayer led by Councilman Frank Salvatore. The legislative assistant, Holly, completed roll call; 20 members were present and one (Tom Chick) was absent.

The council took three procedural votes by voice: accepting the call to convene the special meeting (moved by Salvatore, seconded by Councilman Duane Perkins), waiving the reading of the ad hoc minutes (moved by Peter Buzade, seconded by Paul Rotello), and the motion to send the ad hoc minutes to a public hearing (moved by Salvatore). Each motion was approved and recorded as “so ordered.” The meeting adjourned after a final, approved motion to adjourn.

The council did not set a date in the transcript for the public hearing. The council’s next steps, based on the approved motion, are to publish notice and schedule the public hearing so residents and affected veterans may comment before any final action.