City Council

CITY OF DANBURY 155 DEER HILL AVENUE DANBURY, CONNECTICUT 06810 www.danbury-ct.gov ELISA ETCHETO PHONE: 203-797-4514 LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT FAX: 203-796-1529 e.etcheto@danbury-ct.gov SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL NOTICE Who: City Council members When: 7 P.M. – Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Where: City Council Chambers 3rd Fl, City Hall, 155 Deer Hill Avenue Purpose: Special Meeting of the City Council: New Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans – CT Legislation PA 25-168 *A copy of the Agenda is available online and in the Legislative Assistant’s Office and on the City website. Posted: Town Clerk Information Board City Website Calendar Noticed: Mayor’s Office Dept. Heads  SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 21, 2025 The meeting will be called to order at 7:00 PM PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER ROLL CALL Hawley, Rickert, Simone, Gartner, Salvatore, Peter Buzaid, Emile Buzaid, Coelho, LaPine, Wallace-Smith, Dennis Perkins, Fox, Palma, Robinson, Britton, McAllister, Duane Perkins, Chianese, Rotello, Giordano, Tomchik PRESENT ABSENT NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING There will be a Special Meeting of the City Council on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in City Hall to act on the items below. ACCEPTANCE OF CALL TO SERVICE PUBLIC SPEAKING AGENDA 1. REPORTS - Ad Hoc: New Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans – CT Legislation PA 25-168 ADJOURNMENT Copies of Agenda Items are available in the Legislative Assistant’s Office and on the City’s website.  AD HOC REPORT New Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans (CT Leg. PA 25-168) - Meeting #2 Thursday, October 9, 2025 Chair Ben Chianese called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Present was Committee Member Irving Fox, absent was Committee Member Holly Robinson. From the City were Tracey Norris, Assistant Corporation Counsel; Joseph Mortelliti, Outside Counsel; Taylor O'Brien, Chief of Staff, Mayor's Office; Farley Santos, Community and Economic Advisor, Mayor’s Office; Donna Murphy, Tax Assessor; Danny Hayes, Veterans Affairs Director. Ex Officio members present were Peter Buzaid, Frank Salvatore, Emile Buzaid and Diane LaPine. From the public was Tom Brown and Michael Flanagan. Chair Chianese referred to a new draft ordinance reflecting edits made at the first meeting. He confirmed that Member Robinson did not have any additional edits to the new draft. Mr. Mortelliti gave an overview of the edits. Ms. Murphy and Mr. Peter Buzaid asked for clarification of language in paragraph (c), including renters/leasers who are required to pay property taxes, Mr. Mortelliti confirmed this is required language from the state statute. Member Fox asked if a shared data base exists to confirm an applicate is only receiving exemptions in one municipality; Ms. Murphy confirmed that Assessors do have access to DMV information which can help to find vehicles registered in another municipality. Mr. Hayes confirmed that applicants must prove residency and a driver’s license when applying for veteran status. Chair Chianese asked if the application can be modified to include confirmation of a primary residency in a municipality; Mr. Hayes and Mr. Mortelliti confirmed that the required O.P.M. application does not include verification of residency. Ms. Murphy was asked about records retention; she confirmed the office follows the State’s records retention policy. She spoke against providing the land tax exemption for property that is leased or rented; Mr. Mortelliti confirmed that ownership of the land is required. Mr. Peter Buzaid spoke on separate taxes for leasers of land. Chair Chianese clarified that this ordinance provides the opportunity for two exemptions; one is for taxes on an owned dwelling, and the second is for the land. Ms. O’Brien suggested that land ownership language be added to the last sentence of paragraph (c). Discussion continued regarding the tax obligations of renters and leasers; Mr. Mortelliti explained that the veteran will get an exemption on the dwelling that they own only, because they do not own the land. Ms. Murphy confirmed that both the veteran and the spouse need to be on a deed to receive the exemption. She confirmed the office is ready to inform veterans of the new exemption and to accept applications in anticipation of the ordinance being adopted. Mr. Emile Buzaid asked if a motorhome is considered a dwelling; Ms. Murphy said it is not. Ms. LaPine asked about disability ratings; Ms. Murphy confirmed this exemption is based on disability and unemployability. The need to include the date of September 30th was discussed; Ms. Murphy clarified that the September date is a deadline for the VA qualification, and therefore is not necessary to include it for these exemptions. A motion was made by Chair Chianese, seconded by Committee Member Fox, to recommend to the City Council to add Section 44-72 Article II, Division 2, entitled: Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans; subject to amendments by Corporation Counsel. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Member Fox, seconded by Chair Chianese, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted; Ben Chianese, Chair, and Irving Fox  ~AD HOC REPORT~ New Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans (CT Leg. PA 25-168) Meeting #1 Thursday, September 25, 2025 Chair Ben Chianese called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Present was Committee Member Holly Robinson; absent was Committee Member Irving Fox. From the City were Joseph Mortelliti, Outside Counsel; Taylor O'Brien, Chief of Staff, Mayor's Office; Donna Murphy, Tax Assessor. Ex Officio present was Peter Buzaid. From the public was Tom Brown. Chair Chianese read a letter into the record from Danny Hayes, Veterans Affairs DirectorAdvisor, in support of the new exemption. Ms. Murphy summarized the updates to the exemption into two parts; the exemption applies to property that is up to two acres; and in order to qualify you must be a 100% totally and permanently disabled individual with unemployability (TPDIU). Chair Chianese noted that the eligibility is for service related disability from any branch. Member Robinson asked about qualifying residents under the current exemption; Ms. Murphy confirmed there are 26 veterans receiving the exemption now, or about $5.5M with a tax loss of $139,103. If land is added it would come to an additional $1.9M off the Grand list, or an additional tax loss of $48,669. Chair Chianese stated that the TPDIU status is not easy to achieve and Ms. Murphy confirmed there would be 9 or 11 residents who would qualify for this updated land exemption. Mr. P. Buazaid asked about application requirements; Ms. Murphy explained that the state legislation requires annual application submissions and the veteran would need to apply with the City by December 31st each year, and include a qualified award letter from the V.A. A message in the V.A. portal would remind them every July 1st to reapply by the end of the year. Ms. O’Brien confirmed that Mr. Hayes would also assist Veterans with the process. Ms. Murphy added that information would be on the City’s website as well. Mr. P. Buzaid asked for clarification regarding the two-acre rule and if it pertains to one property vs. a sum of multiple properties owned by one person; Ms. Murphy stated that it is a total of two- acres and that the land can have no commercial component to it. Mr. Mortelliti explained that if the V.A. fails to provide a disability rating in time to apply, there is a retroactive/lookback option. Ms. Murphy further explained that if a disability rate designation is effective prior to when the veteran receives their qualifying letter, then the City would need to reimburse the veteran going back to the effective date (as of October 1, 2024). Chair Chianese asked about surviving spouses; Ms. Murphy confirmed that surviving spouses would continue receiving the benefit (as of October 1, 2024). Mr. Mortelliti spoke on his interpretation of the re-application language; Ms. Murphy explained that the CT Office of Policy and Management (OPM) stated in their presentation that a new V.A. qualification letter and application are needed annually. Chair Chianese asked if there is a length of residency minimum to apply; Ms. Murphy confirmed there is not. Member Robinson asked for clarification of the impact on taxes; Ms. Murphy confirmed it is about an $80,000 to $90,000 tax loss. Chair Chianese asked if there is a median value cap; Ms. Murphy and Mr. Mortelliti confirmed there is not. Members discussed changes to the draft ordinance and the process for getting the ordinance in effect by December to allow time for residents to apply. Ms. Murphy confirmed that OPM is providing an application for all Tax Assessors to use for this exemption. Member Robinson asked for clearer language regarding the addition of land to the existing tax exemption. Members further discussed the need to apply and to include a new V.A. qualification letter annually; Ms. Murphy identified language from OPM and Section 235 of the Legislation that requires the annual application and letter. Additional discussion took place regarding the Ordinance enactment process. A motion was made by Chair Chianese, seconded by Committee Member Robinson, to continue this ad hoc at the call of the Chair. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:21p.m. Respectfully submitted; Ben Chianese, Chair, Holly Robinson  ORDINANCE CITY OF DANBURY, STATE OF CONNECTICUT CITY COUNCIL 2025 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Danbury: That the Code of Ordinances of Danbury, Connecticut is hereby amended by adding Section 44- 72 to Chapter 44, Article II, Division 2, entitled “Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans,” which said section reads as follows: Sec. 44-72: Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans (a) PURPOSE AND STATUTORY AUTHORITY: In recognition of the military service provided by the City of Danbury’s disabled veterans, this Section is hereby established pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 12-81, as amended by Public Act 25-168. (b) DEFINITIONS: (1) “Disabled Veteran” shall mean any Connecticut resident who served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, or Space Force of the United States and has a one hundred percent (100%) service-connected permanent and total disability rating, or a service- connected total disability based on individual unemployability, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) “Dwelling” shall mean the disabled veteran’s primary residence that the disabled veteran owns and occupies, or belongs to or is held in trust for the disabled veteran, or is possessed by the disabled veteran as a tenant for life or tenant for a term of years liable for property taxes under Connecticut General Statutes § 12-48, and shall include a condominium, as defined in Connecticut General Statutes § 47-68a, and a unit in a common interest community, as defined in Connecticut General Statutes § 47-202, and a mobile manufactured home, as defined in Connecticut General Statutes § 12-63a. “Dwelling” shall not mean any portion of the residence or structure used by a disabled veteran for commercial purposes or from which the disabled veteran derives any rental income. (3) “Motor vehicle” shall mean one motor vehicle that belongs to or is held in trust for the disabled veteran and is garaged in the State of Connecticut. (4) “Service-connected total disability based on individual unemployability” shall mean that disability rating as specified in 38 CFR § 4.16, where the rating is less than total, when the disabled person is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities, provided that, if there is only one such disability, the disability shall be ratable at sixty percent (60%) or more, and that, if there are two (2) or more disabilities, there shall be at least one (1) disability ratable at forty percent (40%) or more, and sufficient additional disability to bring the combined rating to seventy percent (70%) or more. (5) “Tax Assessor” shall mean the Tax Assessor’s Office for the City of Danbury. 1 (6) “Tax Collector” shall mean the Tax Collector’s Office for the City of Danbury. (c) ELIGIBILITY and EXEMPTION: Pursuant to Public Act 25-168, in lieu of the exemption provided under Connecticut General Statutes § 12-81(20), the Tax Collector and Assessor are authorized and directed to grant a tax exemption to disabled veterans with a one hundred percent (100%) service-connected permanent and total disability rating, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or disabled veterans with a service-connected total disability based on individual unemployability, and their surviving spouses beginning with the Grand List of October 1, 2024. Qualifying disabled veterans shall receive a tax exemption that is either (1) the fractional share of the disabled veteran’s dwelling that the disabled veteran owns and occupies as his or her primary residence, or is held in trust for the disabled veteran or is possessed by the disabled veteran as a tenant for life or tenant for a term of years liable for property taxes under Connecticut General Statutes § 12-48; or (2) the disabled veteran’s motor vehicle that the disabled veteran owns and keeps in the State of Connecticut if the disabled veteran does not own a dwelling or where a dwelling is not held in trust for the disabled veteran. Qualifying disabled veterans who own a residential dwelling on leased land, and any such person who is a sublessee under the terms of the lease, shall be entitled to a real property tax exemption with respect to the assessment of the residential dwelling, provided (1) the dwelling is the principal place of residence; (2) the lease or sublease requires such person as the lessee or sublessee pay all property taxes related to the residential dwelling; and (3) such lease or sublease is recorded in the Danbury Land Records. If the disabled veteran does not possess a dwelling or motor vehicle, as defined in this Section, in the veteran’s name, in such case the dwelling or motor vehicle belonging to or held in trust by the disabled veteran’s spouse, or possessed by the disabled veteran’s spouse as a tenant for life or a tenant for a term of years liable for property taxes under Connecticut General Statutes § 12-48, who is domiciled with the disabled veteran, shall be exempt. When a disabled veteran entitled to an exemption under this Section and the Connecticut General Statutes becomes deceased, the applicable dwelling or motor vehicle belonging to or held in trust for the disabled veteran’s surviving spouse, or possessed by the surviving spouse as a tenant for life or a tenant for a terms of years liable for property taxes under Connecticut General Statutes § 12-48, while such spouse remains a widow or widower, or belonging to or held in trust for such deceased disabled veteran’s minor children during their minority, or both, while being residents of Connecticut, shall be exempt as to the amount that the disabled veteran would have been entitled at the time of the veteran’s death. Such exemption is effective at the commencement of the October 1, 2024 Grand List. Any Danbury resident applying for this tax exemption must provide proof to the Town Clerk of qualifying military service (i.e., service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, or Space Force of the United States). On or before January 1 for the Grand List year at issue, any Danbury resident applying for this tax exemption must provide proof to the Tax Assessor of a one hundred percent (100%) permanent and total disability, or a service-connected total disability based on individual unemployability, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and utilize the application created by the Office of Policy and Management. The exemption application shall also include an attestation that the applicant has 2 not submitted, and will not submit, a claim for an exemption under C.G.S. § 12-81(83) in any other municipality in Connecticut. Upon the submission of all necessary proof for eligibility, according to Connecticut General Statutes § 12-81, as amended by Public Act 25-168, Section 237, the exemption shall be effective for the current Grand List year. Any disabled veteran who has been unable to submit evidence of a permanent and total disability determination by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in the manner required by this Section, or who has failed to submit such evidence as provided in Connecticut General Statutes § 12-95, may, when such evidence is obtained, apply to the Tax Collector no later than one (1) year after such individual obtains such proof or no later than one (1) year after the expiration of the time limited in Connecticut General Statutes § 12-95, as the case may be, for abatement in case the tax has not been paid, or for refund in case the whole tax or part of the tax has been paid. Such abatement or refund may be granted retroactively to include the assessment day next succeeding the date as of which such disabled veteran was entitled to such determination by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, but in no case shall any abatement or refund be made for a period greater than three (3) years. For assessment years commencing on and after October 1, 2025, any individual receiving an exemption under this Section for a dwelling as described in subdivision (b) of this Section shall also receive a property tax exemption on no more than two (2) acres of land upon which the dwelling is located, provided the individual owns the land. (d) LIMITS TO EXEMPTION: No applicant who is entitled to an exemption under this Section and under one or more subdivisions of Connecticut General Statutes §§ 12-81 (19), (22), (23), (25) and (26) and (83) shall receive more than one (1) exemption. No applicant shall receive any exemption to which such applicant is entitled under this Section until such applicant has complied with Connecticut General Statutes § 12-95, and has submitted proof of the determination by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, to the Tax Assessor. If there is no change to an applicant’s determination, such proof shall not be required for any assessment year following that for which the exemption under this Section is granted initially. If the United States Department of Veterans Affairs modifies a determination to other than a service-connected total disability based on individual unemployability, such modification shall be deemed a waiver of the right to the exemption under this Section. Any applicant whose disability determination was modified to other than a service-connected total disability based on individual unemployability may seek the exemption under General Statutes §§ 12-81(20) or (83). This ordinance shall take effect and be applicable to taxes owed as of the assessment year commencing October 1, 2025. 3