Danbury City Council appoints constable

DANBURY — The City Council gave bipartisan support to the city's newest constable following a controversy over his political affiliation.

City Council voted 18-2 on Tuesday to approve the appointment of Francis Kieras to the constable position left open after the November election. The process was held up last month after some Democrats voiced transparency concerns.

Kieras, who was a constable as a Democrat, switched his party affiliation from Republican to Independent shortly before Mayor Dean Esposito appointed him to the role.

Danbury has five constables, but only four candidates — three Republicans and one Democrat — ran in the November election. Based on minority representation rules, it was expected that a non-Republican would be appointed to fill the open seat.

Concerned that Democrats

didn't have the opportunity to put their name forward, Democrat Joe Britton, at the council's March meeting, requested the issue go to an ad hoc committee.

The ad hoc committee voted unanimously to support Kieras' appointment. Officials have praised his character and credentials.

Danbury has historically applied minority representation rules, but thisvacant position could technically be filled by someone from any political party, Town Clerk Janice Giegler told the committee, citing information from the Secretary of the State's Office.

During public comment of Tuesday's meeting, two residents, including a former City Council member, criticized Britton for the way he raised the issue. But Britton earned the support of the former Democratic Town Committee chair.

Without discussion, council members approved Kieras' appointment, with Britton and Democrat Richard Molinaro opposing.