To the Editor:
What happens when rules are ignored, transparency is optional, procedures are bypassed, and one party controls every level of local government? Fairfield residents are living with the consequences: a town run without meaningful checks and balances.
On March 31, the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) voted along party lines to fast-track the dissolution of the Parking Authority, an independent body that managed our commuter parking system for nearly 50 years. The First Selectman cited mismanagement, lack of oversight, and exaggerated anecdotal complaints to justify the need to break the RTM’s Rules to Regulate – a rarely invoked measure typically reserved for emergencies – so that the dissolution could be brought to a vote immediately, without adequately allowing the Parking Authority to defend itself. The Democratic supermajority bowed to the administration’s demands and misinformation and voted to break the rules – which circumvented proper process and public notice – and chose party loyalty over their constituents.
As a result, three separate FOIA complaints have been filed.
As the Republican caucus of the RTM, we submitted a resolution on April 28 to rescind the vote – not to block reform, but to protect public trust. Our effort was to defend the principle that good government starts with good processes, especially as Fairfield is still rebuilding public confidence and trust after the fill pile and Penfield Pavilion scandals.
We identified ten serious missteps in the dissolution of the Parking Authority, including:
- Improper or incomplete meeting notices
- Meetings held past legal hours without recorded minutes for public consumption
- Public being misled into thinking it was a discussion, not a vote
Fairfielders for Good Government, a nonpartisan watchdog group, found eight additional violations. The sum of these missteps corrodes transparency and democratic legitimacy.
Despite nearly 500 petition signatures and more than 50 resident emails urging caution, the majority rejected our resolution to rescind. They relied solely on the opinion of the Town Attorney, who serves at the pleasure of the First Selectman and is a member of the Democratic caucus. And some in the majority dismissed the resolution as political misinformation and characterized it as a personal attack. The irony writes itself.
This is what happens under unchecked, one-party rule: debate becomes theater, outcomes are predetermined, and dissent is painted as obstruction.
Let’s be clear: this was never about parking. It was about power and money. A major structural change – one with lasting consequences – was rushed unnecessarily to plug a $1.1m budget shortfall in the FY2026 budget, starting July 1. Normal procedure was sidestepped. Public input was ignored. And the ruling majority did it because they could.
Fairfield deserves better.
This isn’t just political – it’s civic. A disengaged public enables consolidation of power. When power goes unchecked, rules and rights don’t matter.
So, if you’re frustrated, we hear you. But frustration isn’t enough.
Show up to meetings. Write to your representatives. Speak out. Run for office.
Unless more residents get involved, the erosion of accountability will only accelerate.
Local government should be neighbors solving problems – not one party steamrolling everyone else. If Fairfield is going to work for everyone, it starts with all of us.
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Jeff Steele, Minority Leader, District 3
Ken Astarita, Deputy Minority Leader, District 1
Peter Britton, District 1
Collin Colburn, District 8
Melissa Longo, District 1
Christine Ludwiczak, District 8
Meghan McCloat, District 2
Chris Shea, District 2
Brooke Sparacino, District 1