CROMWELL, Conn. — A special town council meeting was held Tuesday afternoon in response to Governor Ned Lamont pushing back salon and barbershop reopen dates.
Mayor Enzo Faienza posted on Facebook Monday night how disappointed he was with Lamont's decision.
On Tuesday evening, the town council passed unanimously a motion to create a declaration allowing businesses in Cromwell "that are ready willing and able to follow safety guidelines and reopen immediately."
Faienza told FOX61, the declaration is a formal plea to the Governor and his administration to let the town reopen and also hold outdoor graduation. Cromwell businesses still need to follow state rules for reopening their stores.
An attorney for the town will draft a declaration to send to Lamont and his administration.
Governor Lamont has faced major pushed back since moving salons and barbershop the reopening date to early June. As part of phase 1 of the Governor's reopening plan, certain businesses like restaurants are allowed to reopen on May 20.
On May 21, Democrats wrote a written response criticizing Faizena and the decision to have a lawyer draft up a declaration. Cromwell Democrats say the purpose of the meeting on Tuesday was not clearly communicated.
"We don’t really know the purpose of the meeting since the majority of the meeting was held in an apparently improper and illegal executive session," said town Democrats in a written statement.
Democrats also believe the act of using the town attorney will increase taxpayer-funded legal fees. At one point in the statement, Dems questions why the declaration needed legal counsel at all.
Read Cromwell Democrats full statement below: