DERBY – The Republican candidate for mayor said the city needs a leader who makes lowering taxes and bringing new businesses to Derby the top priorities.

“The main thing on most people’s minds, and for good reason, is the property taxes. The mill rate has gone up. We have one of the higher mill rates in the area. I’ve heard people saying their mother or grandmother is moving out because it is too expensive to live here,” said Scott Derby, the 60-year-old married father of two who is challenging incumbent Democratic Mayor Joseph DiMartino.

The city had two economic recovery plans in the past 10 years due to budget deficits. One under former Republican Mayor Rich Dziekan, who said the situation was caused by his predecessor, and one under DiMartino, who said the situation was caused by Dziekan’s administration.

Derby, the candidate, said he understands why DiMartino’s administration raised the mill rate in 2024. But the city needs to make sure financial problems aren’t solved through tax hikes, he said.

“Going forward, we want to avoid having to deal with fiscal issues, budgetary issues, by raising property taxes. We want to bring more revenue into the city. We want to get more businesses into the city,” Derby said.

The candidate promised to hire a firm to conduct a forensic audit of city finances. DiMartino promised a forensic audit while campaigning, but once elected said it was too expensive.

The city has conducted annual routine audits that are submitted to the state for review. A forensic audit is a more in-depth look at transactions, often used when a financial crime is suspected of having taken place.

Olivia, Minerva and Elizabeth streets need new businesses, Derby said. The candidate said his family was looking for a place to get breakfast on a recent Sunday, but there were no options in downtown proper.

“We ended up driving to The Valley Diner, which is wonderful, but you would think (there would be options downtown),” he said. “You can cross the river into Shelton. So we need more businesses in the city that will bring in more revenue, and that will help us to not have to rely on high property taxes.”

Derby, a westside resident like DiMartino, said he’ll think out of the box if elected mayor. 

He said the city should explore relocating city hall, given its prime location on newly-widened Main Street (state Route 34). He said the city should explore creating entrepreneurial meet-ups at the two libraries in the city, where potential merchants could brainstorm business ideas.

He said the city should work hand-in-hand with the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, and do more to market the community.

“We should be actively and aggressively marketing Derby through social media and other media. There are ways to get the word out there that did not exist 20 years ago,” he said.

The city also needs to be more aggressive in marketing its new athletic complex, Derby said.

“We have the sports complex by the high school and the middle school. We should be hosting tournaments and events there. It’s not being utilized. That’s something we can do better on,” he said.

Derby said it’s also time to allow dogs on the city’s Greenway, a popular walking trail. He wants Derby Day back in a bigger way, and for the city to do more to bring the community together.

City government has become stagnant, the challenger said.

“That is a great way to phrase it, yes. That is how I feel,” Derby said. “Where I grew up in New Hampshire, they had the annual fall foliage festival. They would have fair rides and vendors. People would come in from all over. It would bring money in. Let’s bring back Derby Day. Let’s have St. Mary’s-St. Michaels hold the duck race again. We have a strong community and we have events, but we need more events that attract outside visitors.”

Derby said he could not say whether he was for or against borrowing $6.5 million for several projects. Voters will be weighing on that on Nov. 4 as well.

About $5.05 million of the $6.5 million is going toward emergency services – two new fire trucks, a new rescue truck, and a new emergency radio system.

Derby said he gets the need for the items, but also said the DiMartino administration has not shared enough information with residents.

“I know we are in need of emergency vehicles. Public safety is a top priority, obviously. But all I’ve read on (the borrowing) is what came out in The Valley Independent,” Derby said. “We have not seen press releases. We have not seen a full plan by the current administration, or calculations from the current administration. I need to see more details on what exactly is being proposed in more than one article.”

The candidate said if elected he will work to expand tax credits for senior citizens and volunteer emergency service members. 

Derby said there are existing property tax credits from the state for people 65 or older or people who are disabled if they meet income requirements. But there are many seniors who fall just outside the income range, he said. The candidate proposed $500 property tax credits or rent refunds for people who fall 10 percent above the current income guidelines. 

City government can afford it, he said.

“It will help a lot of seniors, but it’s not going to cost us so much money that it hurts us financially.”

He also said he will advocate for volunteer firefighter tax abatements in the city to expand to $2,000.

The candidate said he is supportive of the Sterling Opera House Commission, an informal group that became formal under DiMartino’s administration.

“Our volunteers are doing a great job with the Sterling Opera House. It’s a beautiful building. Once that is done we can actively promote that as a cultural hub,” Derby said.

Derby works as a senior career coach with Goodwill Industries. He volunteers with The Bridgeport Roundtable, a group that advocates for and tries to help incarcerated people re-enter communities.

His family moved to Derby in 2021 after living in Bridgeport for about 17 years. Prior to that he lived in New Hampshire for almost 30 years.

From 1998 until 2001 he worked as a legislative attorney for the New Hampshire office of legislative services. He first arrived in Connecticut in 2001 to work at his brother’s company in finance.

Click here and here for previous Valley Indy stories on the candidate.

Election Day is Nov. 4.