Beloved Norwalk Common Council Member Dies, Mourned By City

NORWALK, CT — The city announced Thursday that Greg Burnett, an at-large member of the Common Council and longtime resident of Norwalk, has died.

In a news release provided by the city, Mayor Harry Rilling said Burnett held a number of positions during his time as a local elected official in Norwalk.

"It's with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Common Council member and my dear friend Greg Burnett," Rilling said in a news release. "Greg was a Norwalk resident for nearly 30 years and incredibly devoted to public service. During his tenure as a local elected official, he served in various capacities, including Common Council at-large member, Common Council president, chairperson of the Common Council Finance and Claims Committee, member of the Board of Education and member of the Board of Estimation and Taxation."

Burnett was appointed to the Board of Estimate and Taxation in 2003 by former Mayor Alex Knopp, according to the city.

In 2005, he was elected to the Board of Education, where he served a four-year term.

He was appointed to the Norwalk Board of Health in 2009 by former Mayor Richard Moccia and appointed as chairperson of the Board of Estimate and Taxation by Rilling in 2014, according to the city.

Burnett was first elected to the Common Council as an at-large candidate in 2017. He also served on the city's Land Use and Building Management, Community Services and Ad Hoc Affordable Housing committees.

Burnett also served on the Norwalk Mentor Advisory Board and as a Norwalk Salvation Army Advisor.

He spent the majority of his professional career working for IBM, holding the roles of executive succession and development program manager from 2006 to 2018, human resources strategic generalist from 1999 to 2006 and human resources recruiting manager from 1996 to 1999.

He was also a USA Track & Field-certified official, where he covered high school, college and elite championship-level competitions, according to the city.

"[Burnett] had a big heart and was committed to addressing the needs of all our residents," Rilling said. "He made a lasting impact on our community, which he deeply loved and will be sorely missed."