The Waterbury Time| Government Watch| Published Mar 31, 2026
Waterbury- It has been four months since the current Board of Aldermen was sworn in. The inaugural remarks spoke of transparency, fiscal discipline, neighborhood focus, and responsiveness to residents. Now, 120 days later, the question for many in the city is straightforward.
What has this Board actually done?
A review of agendas, votes, resolutions, and formal inquiries by THE WATERBURY TIMES shows a Board that, in its first quarter, has concentrated less on symbolic gestures and more on operational governance—how the city functions day to day, how departments are held accountable, and how residents receive essential services and information.
What the Board Inherited
On Day One, the Board stepped into:
- An active budget cycle
- Ongoing capital and education initiatives
- Longstanding public concerns about infrastructure, winter response, and neighborhood safety
- A need to establish working norms among new and returning members
Rather than beginning with sweeping legislative changes, much of the early work focused on oversight and process.
The Votes That Defined the First 120 Days
Carryover of $120,000 Commissioners Network Consulting Agreement
On a motion by Alderman Drewry, seconded by B. Weaver, the Waterbury Board of Aldermen voted 9–6 (non-consent roll call) to carry over a Memorandum of Agreement with Joseph Begnal, not to exceed $120,000, for consulting services tied to Commissioners Network Plans at designated schools.
Sean Mosley recused himself.
Yeas (9): Curran, Drewry, Feliciano-Roman, Hunter, Noujaim, Rinaldi, Sanchez, Weaver, DiGiovancarlo
Nays (6): Blake, Grosso, Martinez-McCarthy, McEntee, Sanchez, Zimmermann
This vote was notable not for the amount, but for what it signaled: this Board is willing to pause, question, and debate education-related expenditures rather than pass them routinely.
Mid-term Report on Waterbury’s Mayor Pernerewski below:
Waterbury’s Mayor Pernerewski’s Mid-Term Report Card (2023–2025)
Formal Inquiry to Public Works on Snow Removal and Public Safety
Led by Kelly Zimmerman, and supported by Michael Grosso, Bryan McEntee, Adrian Sanchez, Rafael Feliciano Roman, and Sandra Martinez-McCarthy, aldermen requested approval of an Inquiry to call the Director of Public Works to the floor regarding:
- Snow removal operations
- Salting and sanding procedures
- Public safety during winter weather events
This action emphasized early attention to departmental accountability on issues residents experience directly in their neighborhoods.
Proposed Resolution on Display of Flags on City Property
Waterbury Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski, Jr. submitted a proposed resolution clarifying that city flagpoles and properties are not a public forum for expression and defining which flags may be displayed on municipal property.
Received July 14, 2025, the proposal was referred to committee for review. While procedural, it addresses how the city defines the use of public space and symbolism—an issue municipalities across the country have confronted.
Multilingual Emergency Water Safety Communication Protocol
A resolution introduced by Sandra Martinez-McCarthy seeks to establish a multilingual emergency water safety communication protocol for Waterbury.
Supported by Grosso, Feliciano Roman, McEntee, Zimmermann, and Sanchez, the proposal would ensure that during water emergencies—boil advisories, contamination alerts, or service interruptions—residents receive instructions in multiple languages simultaneously.
This reflects an early Board focus on accessibility of critical information during public health situations.
Emerging Themes After 120 Days
From these actions, several patterns are visible:
- Increased scrutiny of consulting and education expenditures
- Direct oversight of city department operations
- Attention to how public property and city communication are governed
- Focus on practical issues that affect neighborhoods and daily life
These are operational decisions more than political ones.
Where the Needle Has Moved
What is different today than on Inauguration Day?
- Departments have been called to publicly explain procedures
- Consulting agreements have faced visible debate
- Policies governing city property are under review
- Emergency communication accessibility is being formally addressed
Where Residents Are Still Waiting
As with any new Board, many larger issues remain in progress:
- Long-term infrastructure improvements
- Budget impacts that will take months to see
- Ongoing neighborhood concerns that require sustained attention
- Committee work that has yet to fully surface in policy outcomes
The first 120 days have been about setting oversight tone more than delivering large-scale change.
A Question to Board Leadership
For Board leadership and members alike, the next 120 days will determine whether early oversight evolves into measurable outcomes for residents.
After 120 days, what accomplishment are you most proud of, and what remains your top priority for the next 120 days?
Their answers will help define the next chapter of this term.
The First Quarter, In Summary
In its first four months, this Board of Aldermen has shown:
- A willingness to question spending
- An interest in operational accountability
- Attention to how residents receive city services and information
- Early steps toward defining governance standards for public property and communication
The ceremonies are over. The routines of governance have begun. The next four months will reveal whether this early oversight translates into lasting results for the people of Waterbury.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of our ongoing Government Watch series and a Parker Jane Civic Engagement Initiative, focused on documenting how local government actions impact residents in real time.
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