Danbury Democrats Denounce Mayor’s Move to Bypass Citizen Vote on $2.5M in Proposed Projects  

Danbury, CT – June 3, 2008 --  Representatives from Danbury’s Democratic Town Committee today publicly denounced Mayor Mark Boughton’s  move to bring $2.5M in proposed projects to a vote at the regularly scheduled meeting of Danbury’s City Council on Tuesday, June 3. 

The City Council is slated to vote on five separate proposed projects, each valued at approximately $500,000.  The projects – ranging from “a phosphorous study involving the city’s water treatment plant” to “school technology projects” --  would be paid for through borrowed funds.  No information is publicly available at this time as to the impact these proposals would have on taxes. 

As opposed to past administrations, which have sought public approval for any expenditure exceeding $500,000, Mayor Boughton contends that no public referendum is needed, given that no single project exceeds $500,000. 

“These are big expenditures, and the public deserves to be informed and heard before any decisions are made,” said Joe DaSilva, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee.  “In today’s economic climate, we have to be very careful about any cost increases.  No one outside of the City Council has had an opportunity to review the plans for the proposed projects, the business justification, or the targeted goals for the spending.  Every citizen of Danbury has the right to know the facts before this kind of money is committed.  After all, we’re the folks who will be picking up the tab.” 

“This vote violates the city’s charter, which requires officials to seek public approval of any expenditure over $500,000,” said Gene Eriquez, former Danbury mayor and current member of the Danbury Town Committee.  “This administration is deliberately trying to evade public referendum by breaking down expenditures into five separate projects.  This tactic is totally against the spirit of our city charter, which was designed to give citizens voice on the city’s major financial decisions.”