Danbury Mayor Backs Four-Year Terms For Mayor, City Council

DANBURY, CT — Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves is defending a series of proposed charter revisions that could reshape city government, saying the changes are part of a long-overdue review process.

The proposed revisions, which were the subject of a public hearing Thursday night, include extending the terms of the mayor and City Council members from two years to four years, changing how Board of Education elections are conducted and making other updates to the city’s governing document.

Alves said that voters will ultimately decide whether they take effect.

The charter has not undergone a comprehensive revision since 2009, and Alves argued that it should evolve as the city changes.

“This is a living, breathing document,” Alves said. “Times change. The world is so different today than it was in 2009. Imagine how different it is to manage a city in 2026 versus what it was in 2009.”

He emphasized that the proposal has gone through multiple public meetings and hearings and said residents will continue to have opportunities to weigh in before any changes become final.

“This is such a democratic process that has been done with open doors in front of folks,” Alves said. “Ultimately, the voters will have the final say.”

If the proposal advances through the remaining steps of the charter revision process, Alves said he expects the recommended changes to appear on the November ballot, where Danbury voters would decide whether to adopt them.

One of the most closely watched proposals would extend the terms of the mayor and City Council from two years to four years.

Alves said longer terms would allow elected officials to spend more time governing and less time campaigning.

“You’re constantly running for office and doing the job,” he said. “Four-year terms certainly create a lot of efficiencies.”

He noted that several Connecticut municipalities, including neighboring Bethel, have already moved to four-year terms, while others are considering similar changes.

Addressing criticism that the proposal could personally benefit him, Alves said any extension would still require voter approval and future electoral success.

“For me to benefit personally off of that, I’d have to win another election,” he said.

The mayor also rejected suggestions that the proposal was being rushed, noting that the Charter Revision Commission has held numerous public meetings and invited public comment throughout the process.

“All we want to do is put this in front of the voters so that the voters can say yes or no,” Alves said. “That’s democracy in action.”

The Charter Revision Commission’s recommendations will next move through the remaining review process before being considered by the City Council. If approved, the proposed charter revisions are expected to appear before Danbury voters in November.