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.
