Hamden to Appoint New Finance Director

Before voting on Brian Hall’s appointment, the Council should answer key questions and ensure the process is transparent.

The Vote Ahead

Next week, the Hamden Legislative Council will vote on whether to approve Mayor Lauren Garrett's nominee for Finance Director, Brian Hall. This vote comes at a time when Hamden desperately needs a steady financial hand. Hall’s background includes extensive private-sector experience and, more recently, 17 months in Derby's Finance Department. But his candidacy brings both potential value and significant concerns that deserve open public debate.

The Need for Leadership

Hamden has been without a permanent finance director for far too long. Our financial challenges require someone with the competence and credibility to restore structure, accountability, and public trust. Simply put, we can’t afford to go without leadership any longer.

Pros of Hiring Brian Hall

• Strong private-sector finance background: Hall held senior finance roles at major companies, overseeing large budgets and long-term planning.

• Academic credentials: He holds an MBA from UConn with a 3.96 GPA and a bachelor’s degree in business and economics.

• Clear communicator: Derby’s mayor and board praised Hall for making complex financial issues accessible to officials and residents.

• Public engagement: Feedback from Derby residents and officials indicates he was responsive, clear, and committed, at least until recently.

Concerns and Red Flags

• Budget discrepancy: The proposed salary is $185,000, which is $15,000 more than what the Council approved in the budget.

• Multi-year contract concerns: Reports suggest the mayor may be proposing a contract that extends beyond her term. That could lock future administrations into a decision they may not have made otherwise.

• Short tenure in Derby: Though in the interim role since December 2023, Hall was only officially appointed as permanent director in April 2025. Leaving weeks after accepting a one-year contract raises serious questions about his reliability.

• Derby’s ongoing financial instability: The city's most recent audit revealed major deficiencies, including missing policies and repeated errors. While Hall didn’t cause these issues, he was positioned to help fix them and is leaving before that work is done.

Why Might Brian Hall Be Leaving Derby So Soon?

There are a few plausible reasons. Hamden is offering a higher salary ($35k more than what he makes in Derby), which may have swayed him. It’s possible there were internal challenges or political tensions in Derby that made the job less workable. He may also have found Derby lacked the tools or support needed to fix deep financial problems. Lastly, he could have been in talks with Hamden before finalizing his contract in Derby, raising questions about timing and transparency.

What the Council Must Demand

Before voting, the Legislative Council should insist on a more transparent and accountable process and ask for:

• A formal resume

• A public presentation and opportunity for Q&A with Hall

• Explanation for why the proposed salary is $15,000 above the budgeted amount

• Answers to the following questions:

  • What did Hall accomplish in Derby that qualifies him to lead Hamden through an even larger crisis?

  • Is a multi-year contract being proposed? If so, the Council should oppose it. Locking in an appointed role beyond the current mayor’s term would be inappropriate and limit future administrations’ ability to make leadership changes.

What This Means for Hamden

Brian Hall might be the right candidate, and I hope that he is. Still, we cannot ignore the concerns or the questions surrounding his early departure from Derby. I know there’s a perception that I’m quick to criticize the mayor, but this isn’t about politics, it’s about process and public trust. Trust me, I want a qualified finance director in place as soon as possible. At the same time, the administration has faced growing scrutiny for allowing this critical role to remain unfilled for so long. But urgency should not be used as a reason to bypass the fundamental standards of vetting, accountability, and transparency. This is not just another hire; it’s one of the most influential positions in local government, especially during a financial crisis that demands steady, experienced leadership.

If you agree that this vote should be grounded in transparency, reach out to your Council representatives today. Urge them to ask the hard questions and demand the answers outlined above. The stakes are too high to do otherwise.