Consolidation - Fifty Years in the Making |
4/12/1894 |
Borough of Stamford and Glenbrook became city; city incorporated and first city meeting held |
1897 |
William Bohannan - First Democrat elected as City Mayor |
1899 |
First rumblings of consolidating town & city |
1901 |
Homer Cummings re-elected by biggest plurality; called for a consolidation of city and town |
1902 |
Board of Appropriation formed - forerunner of Board of Finance |
1905, 1911, 1918 |
Consolidation charters defeated defeated by 274 votes at 11/5/18 referendum |
1927 |
Stamford introduces bill to General Assembly calling for secession of Shippan Point from City and North Stamford from town; State legislature gave unfavorable report |
1932 |
Referendum approved for strong mayoral charter; effective 1/1/35 |
1934 |
Mayor Philips elected during first combined town/city election |
1937 |
Consolidation Inquiry Committee formed |
1945 |
Charter failed |
May 1946 and January 1947 |
Charter (with ten member Board of representatives) published in Special Acts of General Assembly |
March 1947 |
Stamford Hills Association (representing town) favored consolidation with a 40-member Board of Representatives |
April 15, 1947 |
Hearing in State House on House Bill 749 "An Act Concerning Consolidation of the City and Town of Stamford" |
November 4, 1947 |
Charter approved by voters (10,101 to 7,400); includes 40-member Board of Representatives |
April 4, 194 |
First biennial election under the Charter |
April 15, 1949 |
First consolidated government sworn in; Board of Representatives sworn in; Mayor Barrett elected first mayor; existing town and city government employees remain in jobs -- dual government |
~ Special thanks to Eva Weller, former Board Researcher, and Carmen Domonkos, President of the 24th and 25th Boards, for preparation of this history. |