The New Mayor Of Danbury Has Long History Of Public Service

DANBURY, CT — The new mayor of Danbury has a long history with both the city's City Council and Fire Department.

Republican Joe Cavo is scheduled to be sworn in as mayor Thursday (weather permitting) as Mayor Mark Boughton transitions into his new job as the commissioner in the state Department of Revenue Services. Cavo is a 35-year Danbury resident.

Cavo was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Ridgewood, NJ. In 1985, he moved to Danbury where was hired by the City of Danbury for equipment maintenance. He became the apparatus mechanic for the Danbury Fire Department three years later. He retired from the fire department in 2017, having been superintendent of apparatus since 2006. During his time with the DFD he received certification as a master level emergency technician, and was a member of both the Connecticut and New England Fire Mechanics Associations.

Cavo has represented the Third Ward for eight consecutive terms on the City Council, and has been president of the Council since 2006. The Republicans on the Council will nominate someone to replace Cavo, and the council must approve the nomination and appoint someone to become its new president.

As a volunteer, Cavo has served in many roles for the Central Christian Church of Danbury, and volunteers with Americares, Habitat for Humanity, and Family & Children's Aid. He currently serves as the commodore of the Candlewood Vista Boat Club.

According to Cavo, his proudest accomplishments on City Council include the opening of Danbury's first dog park, and "delivering seventeen years of budgets that balance the needs of education, public safety, and encourage economic growth while being ever mindful of the taxpayers' ability to pay for these services."

"As President of the City Council for the past 14 years, it is my honor and privilege to serve Danbury residents in this new capacity," Cavo said in a statement. "I am committed to serving the community and continuing in the legacy that Mayor Boughton created throughout his administration."

The forecasted snow storm may push Cavo's swearing-in ceremony — closed to the public due to COVID-19 concerns — ahead to Wednesday. Boughton will formally submit his resignation the day of the ceremony.