DERBY – Mayor Joseph DiMartino talked with the city’s capital planning commission April 28 about possibly borrowing $5 million to purchase new fire trucks and other big-ticket items.
A referendum could be scheduled for November.
However, before that happens, members of Derby Capital Planning Commission would have to make a recommendation to the Derby Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen (BOA/A), whose members would then decide whether to schedule a referendum.
The capital planning commission has met twice to discuss a possible referendum, but its members are still asking questions about how much to borrow and what the debt payments would look like over time.
The most recent capital planning commission meeting was April 28.
Mayor DiMartino presented the commission with his list of items to borrow money for. He suggested:
Two dump trucks for the Derby Department of Public Works, $520,000
A new chiller (part of the HVAC system) at Derby Middle School, $358,000
A new HVAC system for Derby Public Library, $400,000
A new rescue truck for Derby Storm Ambulance & Rescue, $1.5 million
A new fire engine for the Derby Fire Department, $1.5 million
Replace Derby Fire Department radio system, $550,000
Contingency (to account for inflation/rising costs), $172,000
TOTAL: $5 MILLION
The members of the Derby Capital Planning Commission are:
Alderman George Kurtyka, president of the BOA/A
Alderman Rob Hyder
Alderwoman Sarah Widomski
Colleen Ezzo, chairwoman of the Derby Board of Apportionment & Taxation
Laura Wabno, Derby Board of Apportionment & Taxation
James Gildea, chairman of the Derby Board of Education
Brian Hall, the city’s finance director, indicated $5 million in borrowing could be done without raising taxes and could be managed over time.
“I am confident the city can absorb this amount of borrowing with our budget,” Hall said. “Obviously, even if the referendum goes for $5 million and is approved, it’s going to be phased over time before I actually have to go and borrow that money.”
Derby has capital requests from its various departments totaling $36.5 million. The $5 million moves the needle but is a drop in the bucket.
Derby Fire Commissioner Gary Parker has been putting in requests for new fire apparatus for years because the department’s truck fleet is aging.
While the mayor’s proposed borrowing list includes $1.5 million to replace a fire truck, Parker said his initial request was to also replace a second truck for $1.5 million. Wait times to order and receive a fire truck can take between two and four years.
Parker said the department will also be needing a new ladder truck.
“The schedule that I submitted has us replacing these two engines at this time. Both of them are overdue,” Parker said. “The next truck is the aerial apparatus, which in current dollars is north of the area of $2.5 million, closer to $3 million.”
Hall, based off questioning from Gildea, said he will research what payments would look like if the city borrowed $5 million, $7 million, and $10 million.
The city could opt to do two referendums in two years for $5 million each. Or it could do a single referendum for $10 million.
Those are decisions that will need to be made relatively soon if the city wants a referendum this year. Municipalities are required to file referendum information with the state at least 45 days prior to an election. Election Day this year is Nov. 4, 2025.
Parker suggested the average taxpayer will want to know total cost and needs up front, rather than piecemeal.
Alderman George Kurtyka pointed out the city’s bond counsel recommended $5 million as a solid number. BOAT Chairwoman Colleen Ezzo asked whether the city is sure it can get the money to borrow.
Hall said $5 million is realistic. He said Derby needs to show the finance sector the city has stabilized its finances after years of budgeting issues.
“We’ve really got to get some good audits under our belt and show the markets that we’ve turned the corner. That will help,” Hall said.
The capital planning commission did not take action April 28. The meeting was discussion-only.