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City Council approves Richter Park appointment over three dissenting votes
Summary
The Danbury City Council approved the appointment of Robert Bria to the Richter Park Authority by an 18–3 roll call, with concerns raised about whether a public search had been performed and whether residency should have been required for the seat.
The Danbury City Council voted 18–3 on July 7 to confirm Robert Bria as a full member of the Richter Park Authority, a position that also serves as the required liaison to the Richter Association of the Arts.
Council member P. Buzaid moved to receive the ad hoc report and approve the appointment; the motion passed with three council members—Coelho, Fay and Henry—recording “no” votes. Council Member Fay said she had unresolved questions about the appointment process, including whether a search had been conducted for the vacancy and what that search entailed. Taylor O’Brien, chief of staff to the mayor, said letters of interest are forwarded to the mayor’s office and that, in this case, the Authority chair recommended a candidate to meet special requirements for the vacancy. Authority Chair Pete Siecienski provided an overview of the steps he took to fill the vacancy and noted the Authority’s recommendation.
Fay also asked if the Authority’s original ordinance still required a member appointed by the heirs to Richter Park; Pete Siecienski confirmed no such appointee currently serves, and O’Brien said there is an updated ordinance governing the Authority. Council Member Rotello noted his experience on a separate arts authority and spoke to reasons for permitting nonresident appointments in certain circumstances.
The council’s action was procedural: members accepted the ad hoc minutes, waived their reading and voted to approve the appointment. The resolution passed despite the objections noted at the dais. The council did not take further action on proposed changes to the Authority’s residency requirements at the meeting.
What happens next: The appointment takes effect as approved by the council; any changes to appointment procedures or ordinance language would require separate referral or ordinance amendment.
