Danbury Council votes to transmit charter revision recommendations, schedules joint conference

The Danbury City Council voted on July 23 to accept the Committee of the Whole and Public Hearing minutes and to transmit the body’s recommended amendments to the Charter Revision Commission, authorizing a joint conference for a final presentation to the Council.

Council member Salvatore moved and Council member LaPine seconded the motion to accept the minutes and transmit the approved recommended changes and amendments; the motion passed with Yes 13, No 5 (Coelho, Fay, Henry, Rotello, Robinson). Outside counsel Joseph Mortelliti summarized the next steps under state statute and confirmed that the Final Report may be presented at the regular August Council meeting and that the state statute does not require another public hearing if the Commission makes changes.

The Council earlier voted to waive reading of the Committee of the Whole and Public Hearing minutes (motion by Council member Peter Buzaid, seconded by Council member Gartner); that procedural motion passed with Yes 14, No 3 (Coelho, Fay, Henry). The Council also formally accepted the call to service at the meeting opening (motion by Council member Salvatore, seconded by Council member Rotello; Yes 14, No 1 (Henry)).

Council President Peter Buzaid agreed to chair the joint conference between the Council and the Charter Revision Commission. The City Clerk’s office has copies of the agenda items and minutes on file; the Council recorded arrival times and attendance to document quorum for the proceedings. The Council adjourned at 7:12 p.m.

Next steps: the Council’s accepted minutes and transmitted recommendations will be reviewed by the Charter Revision Commission and then reconvened with the Council in the joint conference for the final presentation and potential referral to voters.