Council adds confirmations for department heads, keeps Town Clerk elected

Danbury City Council’s Committee of the Whole on July 21 amended the draft Charter to require a two-thirds confirmation vote by the Council for department head appointments and voted to keep the Town Clerk as an elected office after reconsideration.

An amendment to Sec. 6-4 authored by Council Member Hawley (seconded by Chianese) passed 11–8, adding a 2/3 confirmation requirement for department head appointments. Proponents said Council confirmation provides an additional check on executive appointments; opponents argued it could slow hiring and complicate administrative operations. Council members discussed whether similar confirmation language should be added to all Charter sections addressing department heads.

Separately, Council Member Hawley moved to reconsider the Commission’s revision of the Town Clerk position; that motion carried 11–8 and the Council agreed to keep the Town Clerk as an elected office to preserve electoral oversight and statutory duties. Members urged the Commission to clarify statutory responsibilities and protections for the office if future classification changes are proposed.

Council also debated appointment language for specific offices (including the IT director) and whether the Council should have a formal approval role. A motion to add explicit "Approved By the Council" language to mayoral appointments failed, while the 2/3 confirmation amendment carried for Sec. 6-4. The Council directed the Charter Revision Commission to consider consistent appointment and confirmation language across relevant sections.

Next steps: The Council transmitted its preferred changes to the Charter Revision Commission and requested clearer drafting language on appointment mechanics and protections for existing employees before any final Charter action.