HatCityBLOG EXCLUSIVE: Former long-time Zoning Commission Rob Melillo speaks out against HB 5002
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Time: 5:59 PM
DO YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES TO SPARE?
Meet Rob Melillo, a former long-time member of the Danbury Zoning Commission and one of the most vocal critics of the state housing omnibus bill, HB 5002.
I have known Melillo since my early days covering land-use meetings at City Hall. His views on development issues have historically been regarded as rational and well-reasoned by the public.
Recently, I conducted an interview with Melillo to discuss HB 5002 and its potential negative impact on the public's right to express opinions regarding specific forms of housing and on-site parking in Danbury and municipalities throughout the state.
NOTE: If you’re an elected official or a land-use board member from the Greater Danbury community and have an opinion (for or against) HB 5002, reach out to me via Messenger, email at hatcityblog@yahoo.com or the HatCityBLOG hotline at 203.885.7694.
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On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
