Government and politics of Darien, Connecticut
The government and politics of Darien, Connecticut take place in a historically overwhelmingly Republican, upper-middle class coastal town with a Triple-A bond rating, and a tax base made up of wealthy homes, country clubs (some of the largest taxpayers), and some office buildings.
Although modern Darien is largely a Manhattan suburb, its local government has more in common with traditional New England roots than New York.
[1] Unique to Connecticut, Darien's town Charter "may be amended by action of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) after a public hearing, a sixty-day delay, and an affirmative vote of a majority of the full membership of the RTM," according to the Darien League of Women Voters.
These departments respond to all types of calls, including fire, electrical, CO alarms, motor vehicle accidents, downed power lines, cold water rescues, and any problem in the Long Island Sound.
NFD is located on Boston Post Road, and covers the smallest portion of Darien out of the 3 departments.
NFD currently has an active fleet of 5 apparatus: Engine 32, a 2002 Marion Pumper, which is first due on all structural calls and motor vehicle accidents.
In a magazine ad, two firefighters are shown, cigarettes in their mouths, pausing as they wash fire engines in front of the building.
[7] Also stored in Darien's firehouse is a 1928 Ahrens Fox Pumper, which is no longer in service, although still very active in parades.
[citation needed] Established in 1980 as a full-time office, the agency works with the three volunteer fire departments in town and conducts annual inspections of all buildings (except one- and two-family houses), investigates fires, plans review and construction inspections of all buildings (except one- and two-family houses), conducts fire-prevention education programs, issues permits for blasting and tank removals, inspects and certifies hazardous material transport vehicles housed in town, inspects and certifies all day-care centers, nursery schools, convalescent centers and establishments with liquor permits, among other duties.
The state's Minority Representation Law mandates that local elected boards have a maximum number of members from one party.
