After a controversy, the Danbury City Council nearly unanimously voted for a new constable.  Francis Kieras was appointed to the position in a vote of 18 to 2.  He previously served as a constable as a Democrat, was then a registered Republican, but switched his party affiliation Independent shortly before Mayor Dean Esposito appointed him to the role.  Due to minority party representation, a non-Republican would have had to fill the role.  Councilman Joe Britton questioned the transparency of the process and asked that the nomination go to an ad hoc committee for further consideration.  The committee unanimously supported Kieras’ appointment. At their full Council meeting, Britton and Democrat Richard Molinaro voted in opposition.