The Waterbury Times|City Hall News|Published April 29, 2026

Waterbury- The Waterbury Board of Aldermen Minority Caucus is calling for immediate transparency and action following a recent house fire on Bennett Avenue, where firefighters reportedly faced inadequate water pressure from nearby hydrants.

The fire resulted in the loss of a residence and garage, raising serious concerns about the reliability of the city’s emergency infrastructure.

“No resident in the City of Waterbury should ever have to question whether critical emergency systems will function in a moment of crisis,” the caucus said in a statement. “Unfortunately, that is exactly where we are today.”

In the days after the fire, the Minority Caucus requested a special emergency meeting with the Mayor, emergency responders, and Water Department officials to determine what went wrong and outline corrective steps. According to the caucus, that request was ignored, and most members of the majority caucus declined to support it.

Instead, officials indicated the Mayor would address the issue during a regular Board meeting. The caucus described that update as brief and lacking critical detail.

Board members were later informed that a special meeting would be scheduled to approve an estimated $400,000 contract to test hydrant pressure citywide. That meeting, the caucus says, never took place.

Compounding concerns, the Water Superintendent has since resigned amid allegations of misconduct—news that, according to the Minority Caucus, was not directly communicated to the Board.

“At no point were members of the Board of Aldermen briefed on the nature of the misconduct, the condition of the water system, or the administration’s plan to ensure public safety,” the statement reads.

The caucus argues the lack of communication undermines both government accountability and public trust.

They are now demanding a full response from city leadership, including the Mayor and relevant departments.

“Waterbury residents deserve answers,” the caucus said. “They deserve a government that communicates openly, acts decisively, and prioritizes their safety.”

The Minority Caucus says it will continue pushing for accountability, transparency, and immediate corrective action.

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Stay with The Waterbury Times as we continue to press city officials for answers and bring you updates as this story develops.