Reckless Overreach - Threatens Danbury’s Charter and Fiscal Integrity

The City Council Ad Hoc Committee meeting laid bare a sobering truth about the Mayors request for adoption of a resolution for Chapter 114: Chapter 114, if adopted, would not merely tweak municipal policy, it would dismantle the very framework of Danbury’s self-governance. Our City Charter, ratified by the people and rooted in decades of democratic tradition, would be subordinated to a vague, untested resolution. This is not reform. It’s a City Charter breach.

Even more alarming is the financial recklessness embedded in this proposal. As outlined by a Proton
financial consultant, Chapter 114 would subject Danbury’s bonding authority to IRS constraints, effectively outsourcing our economic development strategy to federal tax code interpretations. The city could be forced to issue high-risk, low-grade “junk bonds,” jeopardizing our fiscal reputation and investor confidence. This is not economic innovation, it’s fiscal roulette.

The eight criteria presented by bond counsel to justify Chapter 114 are disturbingly vague. They lack measurable standards, objective thresholds, or any meaningful accountability. Councilman Emile Buzaid rightly pointed to CGS Section 32-9j, a clear benchmark for distressed municipalities. Danbury does not meet that standard. We are not a city in crisis. We are not plagued by blight or economic collapse. So why adopt a policy designed for cities on the brink?

Since taking office, Mayor Alves has repeatedly painted Danbury in bleak tones, undermining public
confidence and misrepresenting our strengths. Chapter 114 is the legislative embodiment of that narrative, a desperate attempt to mask a failed economic agenda by rewriting the rules and discarding the safeguards of our Charter and Plan of Conservation and Development.

Danbury deserves better. We deserve leadership that respects our Charter, protects our fiscal integrity, and believes in the strength of our community. Councilman Emile Buzaid offers a clear alternative: a full-time Department of Economic Development that is proactive, strategic, and rooted in sound governance. His plan is not reactive, it’s visionary.

Let’s reject Chapter 114 and reaffirm our commitment to responsible, locally-driven economic
development. Danbury’s future depends on it.