ANSONIA, Conn. — Every city has a governing body that helps shape the daily lives of its residents, yet many people know very little about how it operates. In Ansonia, that role belongs to the Board of Aldermen, the city’s legislative body responsible for passing local ordinances, overseeing municipal finances and representing residents across the city’s seven voting wards.
Recognizing that many residents are unfamiliar with the Board’s responsibilities, Board President Frank Pergola recently sat down for an informational interview produced by the City of Ansonia to explain how the governing body works and why community involvement matters.
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“For many residents, the Board of Aldermen is one of the least understood parts of Ansonia’s city government,” the city’s introduction to the interview states. The goal is straightforward: help residents better understand how local government functions and remind them that public decisions are made through an open process that depends on community participation.
Pergola explains that the Board of Aldermen serves as Ansonia’s legislative branch. Working alongside the mayor, the Board is responsible for adopting and amending city ordinances, approving budgets, overseeing the use of public funds, monitoring municipal departments and representing the interests of residents throughout the community. These responsibilities are established under the City’s Charter and form the foundation of Ansonia’s system of local government.
Ansonia is divided into seven voting wards, with each ward electing two aldermen to serve on the Board. The structure is designed to ensure that every neighborhood has direct representation when decisions are made on issues such as public safety, infrastructure, economic development, budgeting and municipal services. Residents can easily determine which ward they live in and identify their elected representatives through the interactive map available on the City’s official website.
Pergola’s interview comes as Ansonia continues to move forward under a relatively new municipal administration following the 2025 local elections. City leaders have emphasized transparency, responsible financial management and stronger civic engagement as key priorities for the future.
Beyond explaining the mechanics of city government, the interview answers a question many residents still ask: What does an alderman actually do?
According to Pergola, the answer begins with representation. Aldermen are elected to listen to residents, understand the concerns of their neighborhoods and participate in decisions that determine how public resources are managed. He also encourages residents not to wait until a problem arises before contacting their elected officials.
Attending public meetings, knowing who represents each ward and participating in local discussions, Pergola says, helps strengthen democratic government while making City Hall more responsive and accountable to the people it serves.
The Board of Aldermen holds its regular public meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at Ansonia City Hall, giving residents the opportunity to observe firsthand how local decisions are debated and made.
The interview is part of the City’s ongoing effort to promote civic education, improve transparency and encourage greater public participation in local government.
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