Waterbury Board of Aldermen Second Public Hearing on the Budget - May 28, 2026

The City of Waterbury Board of Aldermen held a special meeting on May 28, 2026, as the second public hearing on the municipal budget. Public speakers addressed concerns about the city's fixed costs, which constitute over 92% of the budget, and the challenges of balancing service provision with fiscal responsibility. One speaker proposed increasing aldermen salaries to 10% of the mayor's pay to reflect their workload, estimating the total cost increase to be under $200,000, a minimal fraction of the overall budget. Another speaker urged for more budget cuts, particularly in education, and highlighted the financial hardships faced by residents due to rising living costs and pensions. The meeting also included procedural notes about upcoming budget approval sessions and the need to finalize certain agenda items from a prior meeting. No specific contract awards, RFPs, or vendor selections were discussed during this hearing.