Mark Boughton

Since 2007 my office has been actively monitoring the development of the SMP (Shoreline Management Plan) for Candlewood Lake.

The SMP is a long term plan to manage the lake and to develop a common platform that all five communities that surround the lake could use for land management decisions as well as steps that the towns can take to preserve one of our most important assets. I believe that it is important to have a long term management plan for the lake, but I was not happy with the original plan.

The original SMP proposed a fee to be charged to all of the residents that surround the lake to support the plan, in addition, there were onerous regulations regarding the placement of docks that had been in the lake for decades as well as other buildings and structures that encroach on the land that surrounds Candlewood Lake.

Thanks to the cooperation of First Light, the owners of the lake, we have crafted a plan that protects and preserves the lake for generations to come, and eliminates some of the most controversial parts of the plan.

Specifically the new plan:

1. Eliminates the charging of annual fees to the residents living on the lake.

2. Gives the option to First Light to  impose a fee for violations of the licenses by shoreline residents and for property reviews and transfers.

3. Puts in place stipulations for vegetation maintenance and removal.

4. Establishes vegetation buffer zones.

5. Adds boat overcrowding restrictions.

These are just a few of the benefits of the new SMP.  If you want more information, you can view the plan in its entirety at www.firstlightpower.com.

Special thanks to First Selectman John Hodge of New Fairfield for his hard work on this issue.

At our last Common Council meeting, the Common Council voted to send the work of the Charter Revision Commission to the voters at the fall elections.

The city Charter is similar to our U.S. Constitution. It is the foundation of the organizational structure of our local government.

The charter revision process was smooth with numerous public hearings and input from the public. Many different ideas were discussed and debated, some made it into the final document (changing our bonding limit,  renaming and reconfiguring departments to gain efficiencies) other ideas did not (4 year term for elected officials, combining Planning and Zoning Commission).

All in all it was a positive process that engaged the Common Council, the Commission itself, and members of the public.

If adopted by the voters this fall, the new Charter will modernize a document that has not been amended since the early 90’s and will create a stronger more efficient local government.

After Labor Day we will post the “new” Charter online so that members of the public can read the document and decide whether or not to support the proposed changes.

As mayor of Danbury, I believe that this document will make for a better, more responsive government. It represents the combined efforts of many people who were thoughtful and diligent in their decision making.

Most importantly, it realigns government to reflect the new era that we live in. That makes the new Charter good public policy and its implementation will represent a solid foundation for our local government.

Special thanks to Chairman  Carlo Marano, the members of the Charter Revision Commission, and special counsel Ric Gottshalk who did an outstanding job drafting the language.

Interested in catching Shakespeare’s “A midsummer nights dream”? or how about Jackson Browne or BB King? Maybe you would like to explore a different culture and attend the Irish Festival or the Ecuadorian festival. Either way I can guarantee one thing. There is something going on at the Ives Concert Park this summer.

The Ives Concert Park is ready for another exciting year. Located on the westside campus of Western Connecticut State University, the 40 acre entertainment facility is a reflection of a strategic partnership between the City of Danbury through the Ives Authority and WCSU.

This year the Ives Authority,  ably led by Chairman Steve Greenberg and Executive Director Phyllis Cortese, has put together an outstanding season of fine arts, family fun, and celebrity concerts.

This season is geared to being an alternative entertainment choice for many of our residents who are struggling during these difficult economic times. It is a low cost way to (the Family Fair on Sept 20th is free!) to stay in town and enjoy a local entertainment venue.

Come by to the Ives this summer and enjoy an evening of entertainment- it’s a great place for a staycation!