The controversy surrounding last year’s departure of Derby finance director Henry Domurad, Jr. rekindled in the form of an argument between Mayor Anthony Staffieri and Ron Sill during the Jan. 24 Board of Aldermen meeting.
First, the background.
Domurard left Derby City Hall in April 2012.
The mayor’s office said he submitted a letter of resignation.
Domurad said he was fired and claimed the signature on the resignation letter wasn’t his. He later sued to be reinstated. His lawyer alleged that Staffieri’s office, as a condition of hiring Domurad, had Domurad sign a pre-written letter of resignation that would be enacted at the mayor’s will.
A judge at Superior Court in Milford court didn’t believe Domurad and threw out the case in July.
Now, the argument.
At the Jan. 24 Aldermen meeting, Alderman Art Gerckens asked corporation counsel Joseph Coppola to prepare a report detailing how much the city spent on the Domurad allegations, which included the hiring of a handwriting expert who analyzed Domurad’s signature.
That seemed to touch a raw nerve with Staffieri, who pointed out the Aldermen — the majority of whom are Democrats — refused to accept Domurad’s resignation.
They caused the city to spend money in court, Staffieri indicated.
Sill said going to court was a cheaper option than settling the matter out of court and paying Domurad an settlement of $53,000.
Staffieri said the payment would have come through the city’s insurance carrier.
Sill indicated the city would have paid — eventually.
“Nothing is for free. They get it in the end,” he said.
That rekindled the “did he resign?” debate.
“I had a resignation letter. I had him out the door already,” Staffieri said. “You’re the one trying to bring him back in the door.”
Corporation Counsel Joseph Coppola, responding to a question from Alderman Joe DiMartino, said the city spent more money by going to court over the controversy.
“Yes. The answer is it cost us more money by going to court,” Coppola said.
“Make sure that’s in the report,” DiMartino replied.
Gerckens also wanted specifics about how he, Sill and Alderman Carmen DiCenso cost the city money in connection to the Domurad case.
Gerckens was apparently referencing a Valley Indy video of Staffieri’s reaction recorded immediately after a judge tossed Domurad’s lawsuit against Staffieri. The video is below.
Also at Thursday’s Aldermen meeting, new board President Barbara DeGennaro read a statement asking residents to be civil when addressing Aldermen during public comment. People who don’t follow the rules could eventually have the cops called on them, DeGennaro said.
In a separate matter during the meeting, former Alderman Joseph Bomba formally requested that the Aldermen notify him when they plan to discuss him in public.
At a previous Aldermen meeting, the majority of the Aldermen voted not to give Bomba a waiver that would have allowed him to continue as a part-time custodian while serving on the Derby Police Commission.
Bomba is a Republican. Most of the Aldermen are Democrats. The move meant Bomba is off the police commission, where he volunteered for a year.
The city’s police commission supervises the police department, listens to complaints from the public and watches the department’s purse strings.
Bomba had never received the proper waiver (per the Derby Charter) from Aldermen before Staffieri appointed him to the commission.
However, corporation counsel Joseph Coppola said the misstep did not impact any of the business the police commission undertook during Bomba’s tenure.
Bomba asked the board to extend him the common courtesy of notifying him when he is to be discussed at Aldermen meetings.
I can live with what I tried to do for someone who gave 14 years of time away from his family volunteering on this city’s tax board. Then worked for the city he loved and lives in only to be put out and let go. Can anyone say they’re proud of winning that!!!
It must be “a long Election Year” heating up in Derby.
Taken from the June 11, 2012 Minutes.
A MOTION to accept the settlement agreement in the matter of Domurad vs Mayor Staffieri by
Mr. Hughes with a second by Mr. Sill, roll call: Mr. Gerckens – no, Mr. DiCenso – no, Ms. Moran – no, Mr. Sill – no, Mr. Hughes – no, Mr. Boulton – yes, Mr. DiMartino -no, Ms. DeGennaro – yes, and Mr. Iacuone – yes, 3 in favor and 6 against, motion fails.
Two Points.
The first point is that nobody ever said the Mayor forged anything. This is a pure fantasyland statement.
The second point is I find it fascinating when the Mayor states he is not playing party politics yet calls out me, Sill, and DiCenso.
Look at the vote. Why is he not calling out Moran, Hughes, and DiMartino? They also voted against the settlement. If the Mayor and Attorney Coppola are claiming it cost more money to go to court than to settle, then the other three names need to be added to the “they” group that is referenced.
Until those names are added you can bet your last dollar that this is nothing but political gamesmanship. I just wish the tax collector situation was as transparent as this feeble attempt at scoring political points by tossing out the names of those who don’t have the same consonant in parentheses after their names.
Can’t fool Stan Muzyk!
Ron Sill: Thanks Ron, but in the City of Derby, “we all get fooled,” especially the taxpayors — because of never-ending party-politics.
I was just wondering, we’ve purchased all the land downtown are breaking ground right? When is the monthly redevelopment meeting? That “road to nowhere” we funded, first industrial park is starting to be built right? The public knows what happened in THEIR OWN tax department where 9k went missing right? When we make “news” like this it is to blind the taxpayers from the real events, or lack there of, going on in this city. Keep fighting the good fight Art, you make me proud that you’re my alderman, you always seem to do the right thing for the citizens.
You’re 100% correct Giacomo. With regards to your compliment, it’s appreciated, but not necessary.
Giacomo ito Mascolo is not 100% correct — Alderman Art Gherkins. Mr. Mascolo made a political statement — obviously chiding the Staffieri administration for lack of downtown development — in tough economic times. Forgot- ten is the fact that the Derby Democratic leadership failed to achieve redevelopment in eight previous years of complete control of city government — IN GOOD ECONOMIC TIMES. In fact, “the Staffieri administration had to pick up the pieces” and Derby taxpayers payed dearly to the developer in a law suit against the City of Derby for the redevelopment contract blunders made by the previous Derby Team Garofalo Democratic administration.
Also. the Derby Democratic Party worked vigorously to deny the United Methodist Homes from building a local facility — at a special city reforendum vote — so Mayor Staffieri would not get credit for bringing in a major city taxpayor to help our taxpayers to defray their rising their tax-bills, which increase every two years — just to pay contracted union raises, without any other necessary spending — in the small land-locked City of Derby. Thanks to our Democratic Party, Derby lost this major taxpayer — that there is little chance of replacing in view of our current stagnant economy. Let’s end this blame game, designed so the Democrats can return to their documented record of failure in Derby.
“Who’s fooling who? — when the ‘fall guy’ is the Derby taxpayer.
Art Gerckens: Sorry I misspelled your name, and inadvertedly changed it to “the pickle version.”
Please excuse me Art.
Stan, you know me. I’m on the RTC with you, my statements have no political value to them whatsoever. This administration has had 6 years to do something, like its predecessor, and you can make all the excuses you want but when it comes down to brass tax nothing has been done. Our taxes continue to increase in a city who can barley invest in our children’s education or our infrastructure. Hard decisions continue to be sidestepped in regards to downtown, the property needs to be taken by eminent domain and developed. I look across the river and see swaths of good middle class condo’s and apartments being built. You have to ask yourself why can progress be made 500 feet away but not here? Mr. Muzyk I call a spade a spade, political affiliation is dooming this country and it plays out on the streets in which we live. Please notice I did not once use the words “democrat” or “republican” in my argument because when you do that, to quote our Mayor, “you’re playing party politics”
James Mascolo: You are equating Shelton’s superior tax base with Derby’s — and there’s no comparison. That’s why Shelton’s downtown looks better than ours when you look across the river, Jim. And both city mayor’s are Republicans — with no play on politics. Derby just happens to be the smallest and poorest city in the state — in calling “a spade, a spade.”
Shelton has had a Republican mayor for 20 years as voters apparently do not find any reason to want to replace Mayor Mark Lauretti, because their growing tax base has kept their city taxes low. The land-locked City of Derby does not have this advantage. That’s why you see progress 500 feet away — Mr. Mascolo.
“The blame game” won’t help Derby — only makes our taxes go higher, as elected officials will not concentrate on what is best for the City of Derby, “but politics as usual.”
As a former member of the Shelton RTC, I never has a fellow member politically disagree with me in the news media. Derby is different.
that’s why you see pe That’s why Derby politicians keep fighting among themselves — and taxes keep rising.
Mr. Muzyk, there’s no need to apologize for misspelling my name. Perhaps if my name had been spelled in the manner of “the pickle version”, I’d be the heir to some pickle fortune. Alas, there’s no fortune here. Seriously though, I should have prefaced my comment with in my opinion.
You bring up a lot of points but your response is the same sort of blame game you claim to disdain (the rhyming was quite unintentional).
There’s no economic development, so let’s blame the tough economic times. While we’re at it, let’s try to score some political points by stating their administration couldn’t do it in good economic times.
Let’s blame the Dems for defeating the Methodist Home. Here’s some food for thought, perhaps the GOP didn’t work hard enough to ensure the referendum passed.
Documented record of failure? No blame game with this statement…just a blatant political attack. Statements like this do nothing to move the city forward and in fact perpetuate the unwillingness of different parties to work with each other.
Instead of focusing on the eight years the Dems had control or the seven years this administration has had control, I have chosen to focus on the one year that I have served.
In that respect, I stand by my statement that Giacomo’s comment is 100% accurate.
With that said, keep up the comments and the letter writing. People need to be passionate in their beliefs and although I don’t always agree with your words, I respect that you get your message out to the public.
Art Gerckens: Your point is a valid one. The Republicans apparently did not work hard enough — assuming its passage was a “slam-dunker.”
“We agree to disagree” but I respect you for the gentleman you are in expressing your convictions. Thank you for your public service to the citizens of Derby in a difficult economy — where the poor little City of Derby “must get more bang for the buck.”
On the non-political-side, please do what you can to help Derby resident and taxpayor Eugene Driscoll, who is the victim of extreme noise harrassment from neighboring trailor trucks owned by the Quick Pick Crane Company, and their large noisy trailor trucks awaken him, his pregnant wife, and two-year-old son, early in the morning as their trucks idle for 15 minutes at a time, constantly back-up, reportedly creating an annoying beeping sound, and a rumbling sound, sending vibrations that have apparently made life miserable for them — for almost one year. The Derby noise ordinance is said to be not enforceable by Derby Police, and a cease and Derdesist order last year to halt the activity — is being fought in court by legal continuances.
Eugene Driscoll is the editor of the Valley Independent Sentinel. Please do anything you can, Mr. Gerckens, along with with the other Aldermen to help Mr. Driscoll and his family to finally get “some Peace and quiet.”
Mr. Muzyk – Thanks for your civil response. With regards to the trucking issue, I was behind getting this issue placed on the zoning officer’s radar which resulted in a cease and desist order. I have brought this up at nearly every BOA meeting so the public can hear updates. I attended the first Zoning Board of Appeal hearing. I had a last minute family crisis before the second hearing so I was not able to attend, but I did manage to send my written words on the matter to be read into the record. I hope those written words helped cause the appeal to fail. I took the day off of work this past Friday so I could attend the hearing in the Milford court only to find it was canceled shortly before the hearing. The case has been rescheduled for this Tuesday and I plan to once again take some time from work and drive to Milford to lend my support. I have been in constant contact with Mr. Driscoll during this process and I think he would acknowledge that I have taken this very seriously. I only hope the judge agrees with our corporation counsel and zoning officer.
Art Gerckens; Thank you for your dilligent attempts to help Eugene Driscoll and his loving family “to get a good nights sleep.” I admire your dedication to this cause by taking two days off from work, to follow up on this legal process in court. My wife and I are fortunate to live on a dead-end street where we are not confronted with the noise problems of the Driscoll family, and are appreciative of your efforts to help them resolve this unfortunate prolonged problem. Keep up the good work, Mr.Gerckens and with the help of others, the plight of the Driscoll family should be quickly coming to an end.
Art represents my ward and was the recipient of my first angry, bleary-eyed email at something like 445 am where I ranted and complained.
Looking back since those summer ZBA meetings – I think the Derby ZBA needs corporation counsel at every ZBA meeting. This would ensure the ZBA is always on solid procedural ground. There were ‘issues’ at both ZBA meetings I attended. One of those issues is being used, in part, to sue the City of Derby.
Finally, that isn’t an employee parking lot, regardless of how much someone pays an attorney to say it is. Thank God for iPhones and YouTube.
OK, So we Know this to be true,
“Mr Sill has known Mr Domurad for fifteen years and is very disturbed by what has been done to someone who has served this City, not only as a tax board member but as it’s Chairman for many years, spending countless hours away from his family to dedicate his time and effort to help the City prepare many City yearly budgets. Mr Sill stated putting Mr. Domurad through a debacle like this is sad.”
” The Truth will come out. The Board of Alderman didn’t cause this problem. we can’t control what happened, but we sure as hell can fix it. This board does not recognize any suspect resignation or firing, therefore Mr. Domurad is still the Finance Director of the City of Derby.”
Attorney Coppola advised the board not to discuss any nature regarding this matter. The board is cautioned as discussion may extend the City into a realm of civil if not other type of liability, let the process take it’s course, let the criminal investigation take it’s course and if Mr Domurad wishes to file civil action, let it take it’s course.
” Mr DiCenso stated it is an alleged letter of resignation from Mr Domurad given to the Mayor which was not dated, but it was uploaded by the Valley Indy on April 18th. Why did administration send this out to the media without contacting any of the board members?
Knowing that the key figure in the Finance Department just left, knowing Mr Domurad after all these years, with the time he put in on the tax board and as the Finance Department Director, working without a contract since November, to turn his back on his position one month away from the fiscal budget is absurd.
“Mr Domurad said he did not write the letter of resignation, and until this matter is cleared up, Mr DiCenso believes Mr Domurad is still the head of the Finance Department.”
A MOTION by Mr Iacuone that the board does not accept Mr Domurad’s resignation letter at this time, second by Ms DeGennaro….Attorney Coppola stated they are exposing the City….Ms DeGennaro stated she is an attorney….remember, all in favor, three against, Mr Sill stated…. three Republicans… okay, Mr Boulton Stated…. three people, this has nothing to do with Republicans…..
Mayor Staffieri stated this has nothing to do with politics, roll call on the motion to not accept Mr Domurad’s resignation letter: Mr Gerckens-yes, Mr DiCenso-yes, Ms Moran-no, Mr Sill-yes, Mr Boulton-no, Mr Benanto-no, Ms DeGennaro-yes, Mr Iacuone-yes, three no, and five yes, motion passes.
FORGET ABOUT this OLD NEWS. When is the Attorney General going to investigate how Ron Sill’s wife received a large bonus without Alderman approval? And while he’s here he should investigate how the City found money to purchase Alderman Iacuone’s property?
Art Gerckens: Any new developments in resolving the Eugene Driscoll fmmily neighbor’s early morning tractor-trailor noise problem? Channel 8 TV advised that they were interested in doing a news story on this issue last week, but I may have missed it. You indicated that you were following the court dates on this case closely in your last commumication.
I attended the court hearing. No decision made. Here’s my take on the hearing — the judge told the business owner they have no case.
The city’s cease and desist is valid.
Commercial vehicles like those are not allowed in residential zones. Trailers, of which there are about 10 in that lot, are not without a doubt not allowed.
Furthermore, the judge said the property owner knew this when he purchased the property in 2011.
HOWEVER, it appears the Derby ZBA continued to take testimony after the public hearing had closed (by that I mean a few minutes after they declared it closed).
I think the judge is going to kick the issue back to the ZBA, where, if the ZBA reads the transcript from court, the city’s cease and desist should stand.
Keep in mind the business owner still has a right to apply to have the property rezoned, which would give Derby the ability to put reasonable restrictions on the business, such as hours of operation (like they do every other business in an industrial zone).
The property owner claims it’s not a tractor-trailer staging ground. The judge didn’t buy it, I don’t see how the ZBA could.
Peace!