Fairfield Pensions, DPW Audit Among Democrats' 2021 Priorities

FAIRFIELD, CT — Town finances, oversight and infrastructure are among the top priorities for the Democrat members of Fairfield’s Representative Town Meeting, according to a speech last week by the caucus leader.

Representative Jill Vergara of District 7 delivered her response to First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick’s annual State of the Town speech after the body’s meeting Jan. 25.

In the speech, Vergara voiced support for those suffering from the coronavirus pandemic, appreciation for frontline workers and condemnation of the recent insurrection attempt at the U.S. Capitol. She also emphasized the importance of bipartisanship, compromise and debate within the town meeting.

Over the past few months, the makeup of the body shifted when two Democrats became Republicans, leaving the town meeting evenly divided with 20 members of each party.

“I have great hope and deep resolve to work with my Republican colleagues to do good work for the town and address challenges and problems together,” Vergara said. “Opposition and criticism are equally vital to achieving success.”

Vergara cited changes to Fairfield’s recently approved early retirement plan as an example, noting opposition from members of the town meeting led to a renegotiation with Fairfield unions and a reduction of nearly $100,000 per participant. She expressed apprehension about growing unfunded town and police pension and healthcare liabilities, specifically that funding ratios have dropped below 80 percent.

“We do not want to be faced with untenable funding shortfalls,” she said.

Another area of concern for town Democrats was the pace of change in response to a recent audit of the Department of Public Works, an undertaking conducted in the wake of the contamination and corruption scandal involving the town fill pile, which has resulted in charges against seven people.

The audit was completed in May 2020 and resulted in 75 recommendations, 17 of which were resolved as of a January status report, according to Vergara. In her State of the Town address, Kupchick, a Republican, said 35 of the items had been addressed.

“I worry that not enough corrective measures have occurred,” Vergara said.

Vergara also pushed for progress on school infrastructure, specifically installing air conditioning in the four elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools in town that are not fully air-conditioned.

"We must ensure that our children and teachers are in safe environments," she said.