DERBY – The Republican candidate for mayor is opposed to a $6.5 million capital needs referendum going to voters Nov. 4.

In a political flyer sent in a text message from his campaign Thursday (Oct. 23), Scott Derby calls the referendum a “money grab.”

“I am against the $6.5M money grab on the referendum because it is just a temporary band-aid solution that kicks the can down the road,” the flyer, which was posted to Facebook on Oct. 24, reads.

Derby is challenging Joseph DiMartino, a Democrat trying for a second term as mayor. DiMartino was first elected in November 2023.

Scott Derby’s stance on the referendum was included in a campaign flyer that was distributed to address allegations raised in a negative campaign mailer from DiMartino’s side.

The referendum asks voters for permission to borrow the money in order to buy two fire trucks for the Derby Fire Department, a rescue truck for Derby Storm Ambulance Corps & Rescue, a new emergency services radio system and two dump trucks for the Department of Public Works. The money is also scheduled to be used to replace the failing chiller system at Derby Middle School, and the failing HVAC system at Derby Public Library.

Click here for a previous story.

In a Valley Indy story published Oct. 8, Scott Derby had said he was on the fence regarding how he would vote. He said DiMartino’s administration had not done enough to explain to the public how the city would finance the borrowing. Click here for that story.

In a phone interview and statements issued Friday (Oct. 24), Scott Derby said he supports investing in public safety, but objected to the process used to get the referendum on the ballot.

“What I oppose is how this referendum was handled, not the idea of replacing aging equipment,” he said.

He said the referendum information is confusing, and that the administration should have communicated directly with the public.

“Much of the information came from media reports or Facebook posts, not from city leadership,” Derby said.

The challenger also questioned why “the police department’s needs were left out without any clear explanation.”

“I support funding for fire and police equipment. I support responsible, well-planned investment in public safety. I oppose proposals that are vague, incomplete, and lack transparency,” he said.

The candidate said if elected he would search for grant money, meet with the police department and other stakeholders, and come up with a plan with his team. The issue would not be put on the back burner.

“I would want to confer with my team first before getting you exact proposals. If I was to say exactly what it is right now, then I would be guilty of not doing my due diligence first to get a complete message out there,” Derby said.

Reaction

DiMartino said the Republican administration immediately before him ignored the fire department’s needs for six years. Further delay would only increase costs, he said.

“We can’t kick the can anymore. The can is gone. The can is too damaged,” DiMartino said.

The mayor called his opponent’s stance “a slap in the face to our firefighters and first responders.” 

“They put their lives on the line every time a fire happens,” DiMartino said “They volunteer. Money grab? I’m not even sure what he means. In one sentence it’s a money grab and he doesn’t support it. In the next sentence he supports the purchase. He doesn’t make sense, really.”

DiMartino said the referendum items being sent to voters are critical needs that were chosen after two years of public meetings by the city’s capital planning commission, a group that had been inactive for several years prior to his election.

The initial list of requests from city departments and the schools totaled $36 million in July 2024. DiMartino said a two-year public discussion whittled the list down to the most critical needs.

The list was also discussed and formally sent to voters at a public meeting of the Derby Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen, DiMartino said. He said the administration made themselves available to local media.

“The fire department has been talking about this for years,” DiMartino said. “The cooler is needed at the middle school right now. The HVAC system at the library is in really rough shape. The two public works trucks we want to replace are from 2010. Everything on there is needed, and we can do it responsibly without raising the mill rate,” DiMartino said.

Regarding Scott Derby’s comments about the police department, DiMartino said the police department has a fully funded budget.

“We’ve purchased three police cars since I’ve been in office, and we’re purchasing a new software system for the department,” DiMartino said.

Background

Leaders at the Derby Fire Department and Derby Storm Ambulance & Rescue have been talking about the need for new equipment since 2019, according to a previous interview with Derby Fire Commissioner Gary Parker.

The two fire trucks to be replaced are 29 and 26 years old. Parker said the department’s maintenance costs have gone from $50,000 to $130,000 since 2021 because of the vehicles’ age.

The specialized rescue truck is 30 years old. Storms Chief Thomas Lenart said members search eBay for replacement parts because of the truck’s age.

Derby Fire Chief Thomas Biggs said firefighters never know when the radio system will fail because it is outdated. Parker said during rain storms the radio transmissions sound like they are coming from a frying pan because of interference.

Mill Rate Impact?

Capital expenses refers to projects that need to be financed over time, the local government equivalent of when a person finances the purchase of a new car.

Derby Finance Director Brian Hall told The Valley Indy the city can finance the $6.5 million in borrowing over time so that it will not raise the mill rate. 

Hall’s statement doesn’t not mean there will never be a mill rate increase again in Derby. It means the borrowing won’t have a direct impact that causes the increase, administration officials said.

Hall said the city finances are in better shape than when DiMartino took office thanks to tough decisions made by the administration and the city’s tax board, including an 11.9 percent mill rate increase two years ago needed to close budget deficits caused under Mayor Rich Dziekan. 

When Dziekan was in office, he said he inherited budget mistakes from Democratic Mayor Anita Dugatto’s administration that led to deficits. Click here for testimony provided to the state.

Because of the past budget and finances controversies, city officials regularly appear in front of the state Municipal Finance Advisory Commission. Hall said recent meetings with the group show Derby is in a better place financially than previously.

Click here for a statement about the referendum posted to Facebook by Scott Derby’s campaign.

Click here for a statement on the referendum posted to Facebook by Jim Gildea, a Democrat running for re-election to the school board who chaired the capital planning commission and is DiMartino’s campaign manager.

The vote on the referendum is scheduled for Election Day (Nov. 4).