⚠️ CORRECTION & APOLOGY (January 17, 2026)
A previous version of the satirical illustration accompanying this article incorrectly utilized symbols and imagery associated with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. ("ΩΨΦ") to depict Town Manager Alvin Schwapp and Town Attorney Andrew Crumbie.
We have been informed by community leaders that while Finance Director Darrell Hill is a member of Omega Psi Phi, Mr. Schwapp and Mr. Crumbie are not. The illustration incorrectly implied a shared fraternity affiliation among these officials.
The Dispatch strictly respects the history and distinctions of the Divine Nine organizations. We sincerely apologize to Mr. Hill, Mr. Harris, and the members of Omega Psi Phi for the misuse of their organization's symbols and for the error in our satirical depiction. The image has been removed.
Shield or Sword?
Is the S&P Downgrade Being Used to Protect Town Leadership?
January 16, 2026
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., January 16, 2026— During the January 12 Town Council meeting, Finance Director Darrell V. Hill delivered a sobering presentation on the Town’s recent credit downgrade from 'AA+' to 'AA'. However, beneath the financial jargon, the presentation delivered a clear warning to the Council: that replacing the current Town Manager would be disastrous for the Town's credit rating.
Finance Director Hill told the Council that S&P’s report identified "regular turnover in recent years in the... town manager’s position" as a negative factor and warned that continued turnover would be viewed as a further negative, a framing several councilors have echoed in public comments.
The Dispatch reached out directly to S&P Global Ratings by email to verify this interpretation. Their response tells a different story.
The "Human Shield" Deflated
In recent meetings, concerns about destabilizing the credit rating have been used as a central argument against making leadership changes. By framing "turnover" as the primary threat, Town officials have implied that S&P Global effectively requires the current Town Manager, Alvin D. Schwapp, Jr., to remain in place to satisfy the rating agency.
When asked specifically if S&P Global distinguishes between "unstable turnover" and "corrective management action" (i.e., replacing leadership to fix the audit crisis), S&P Managing Director Charlene Butterfield made clear that S&P does not dictate who the Town hires or fires:
"Our analysis does not opine on personnel choices."
Translation: S&P Global looks at the results, not individual names on the org chart. The agency cares that the FY2024 audit is filed on time and that management practices stabilize; it does not require any specific Town Manager to stay in the job. The idea that S&P requires Bloomfield to keep its current leader to preserve the rating is not supported by the agency’s own statement.
The Liability Ledger: Shield or Sword?
If S&P Global does not require Mr. Schwapp's retention, the Council’s reluctance to act becomes harder to justify. Instead of simply a "Credit Rating Shield," a growing list of serious allegations and legal exposures is now centered on the Town Manager's office.
In an interview with The Dispatch this afternoon, former Town Councilman Robert Berman confirmed that the Council is deviating from standard norms. Berman told The Dispatch that, in his experience, public employees accused of sexual harassment are "usually put on administrative leave until the issue is resolved," noting that police officers and school employees facing similar allegations were placed on administrative leave immediately in neighboring municipalities.
"All I'm asking the Council to do is follow the normal process," Berman stated, highlighting a growing list of concerns:
- The "SOP" Deviation: Berman argued that, given the sexual harassment lawsuit filed in Hartford County Superior Court against Mr. Schwapp, the Council should follow the "administrative leave" practice he describes as standard. Note: Before filing in Superior Court, the plaintiff lodged her complaint with the CHRO, as state law requires for discrimination and harassment claims; that filing is a procedural step and does not reflect any finding on the merits.
- The Credibility Deficit: Berman pointed to a 2025 Freedom of Information Commission decision (Docket FIC 2024‑0425), wherein the hearing officer described Town Manager Schwapp’s testimony as "not credible." The Commission imposed a $1,500 civil penalty against Schwapp personally for violating FOI law.
- The Residency Dispute: Berman reiterated his allegation that the Town Manager is in ongoing violation of the charter’s residency requirement. State voter registration records obtained by The Dispatch (see below) confirm that as of January 13, 2026, Mr. Schwapp is registered to vote in Simsbury, with no active record found in Bloomfield. Voter registration does not conclusively establish residency, but Berman argues that this, combined with other property records, shows a charter violation.
- Allegations of Election Interference (The "Sword"): Councilor Shamar A. Mahon has previously alleged that Town Manager Schwapp "weaponized" his office by launching a residency investigation against Mahon immediately prior to the recent election. Mahon publicly rebutted the Administration's claims with proof of residency, calling the investigation "completely baseless and politically motivated."
Evidence: Voter Registration Status (Jan 13, 2026)
The Community Outcry
While the Council hesitates, residents are publicly voicing alarm over what they view as a double standard in governance. Following the revelation of the harassment lawsuit, residents took to social media to demand the same accountability applied to other citizens and employees.
James Biffer, a resident critical of the Administration's transparency, questioned the selective disclosure of legal matters:
"Why was this not prominently announced on the agenda at the last Council meeting, in the same way they falsely and maliciously listed Rickford [Kirton]?... The agenda should have stated the lawsuit is against T[pwn] M[anager] Schwapp."
Resident Kate Peery expressed concern over the culture enabling the Administration, stating: "The idea that this group of enmeshed fraternity brothers [is] governing our town is concerning to say the least," adding that failure to act means the Council is "clearly not representing the people."
Others, like Roy Duncan, were more blunt regarding the path forward: "These officials must be dealt with immediately... [The Council must] begin the process of terminating both the Town Manager and the Town Attorney."
The 90-Day "Cliff"
While the Council debates personnel, the clock is ticking. S&P Global confirmed to The Dispatch that the 90-day "CreditWatch" timeline is not a suggestion—it is a countdown.
"Our report indicates that if we do not receive the FY2024 audit within the 90-day CreditWatch period, we could withdraw the rating..."
Fact Check: The Narrative vs. The Risks
The Claim (Administration)
Retaining the current Town Manager is being presented as necessary to protect the credit rating.
The Reality (S&P Global)
"Our analysis does not opine on personnel choices."
The Hidden Risks (The Liability Ledger)
• Active Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
• Alleged Residency Violation (Per Berman)
• Deviation from "Administrative Leave" Practice
The Bottom Line
The narrative that Bloomfield is "stuck" with its current leadership due to rating agency pressure is contradicted by the agency's own statement that it "does not opine on personnel choices." S&P Global requires compliance (a filed audit), not specific commanders.
As the 90-day clock counts down, the question for Bloomfield's Town Council is whether they will continue to accept excuses grounded in a reading of S&P's standards that is at odds with the agency's own statements, or whether they will take the necessary "corrective management action."
Editor's Note: The Dispatch reached out to Town Manager Alvin Schwapp and the Town Council regarding these discrepancies, the S&P contradictions, and the alleged contract violations cited by residents. In a written response received shortly after the inquiry, Mr. Schwapp stated: "Please be advised the Office of the Town Manager has no comment."