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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Danbury City Council Public Hearing on Proton Therapy Bonds, February 25, 2026

Meeting Portal — Wednesday, February 25, 2026

BodyDanbury, Connecticut

SessionMeeting Portal

DateWednesday, February 25, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 9:56

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:04

2026 public hearing to order at approximately 6.04 p.m.

0:11

Uh be we're going to start uh tonight's public hearing with a pledge of allegiance and I'll ask Councilman Flanagan to lead us.

0:20

Please stand.

0:23

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:30

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:36

Thank you.

0:40

This time I'm going to call the role.

0:42

Councilman Coelho.

0:45

Councilman Flanagan.

0:47

Councilman Hawley.

0:49

Councilwoman LePine.

0:51

Councilman Salvatore.

0:53

He is out of town.

0:56

Councilman Peter Bizade present.

0:58

Councilman Gardner.

1:00

Councilwoman Faye.

1:02

Councilman Henry.

1:04

Councilwoman Wallace Smith.

1:06

Councilwoman Spain Reichel.

1:10

Councilman Giordano.

1:13

Councilwoman Jabbar, she is not able to attend.

1:17

And she contacted me.

1:19

Councilman Rotello.

1:21

Councilman Chinese said he would probably not make it.

1:25

Councilman Dwayne Perkins is unable to make it.

1:29

He is not present.

1:30

Councilman Britton is not here.

1:33

He is away, I think having military training.

1:37

Councilman McAllister.

1:40

Councilwoman Robinson.

1:42

Councilman Laughinghouse contacted me.

1:45

He is not able to make it.

1:46

Councilman Dennis Perkins contacted me.

1:49

He is not able to make it.

1:51

One, two, three, four.

1:58

Okay.

1:59

We have 11 council people present.

2:02

10 not present.

2:04

Councilman Hawley will be here at 615.

2:08

Fine.

2:08

I'll change his marking when he when he attends when he makes it.

2:14

This is tonight we're holding a public hearing.

2:18

Uh and I will at this point read the public notice.

2:21

There's a public hearing tonight, Wednesday, February the 25th at 6 p.m.

2:27

in the council chambers at City Hall.

2:29

The purpose of this public hearing, it regards a resolution regarding series 2026 bonds for the Danbury Proton Project.

2:40

A resolution of the City of Danbury authorizing the issuance and sale not to exceed 130 million dollars of City of Danbury, Connecticut revenue bonds for the Danbury Proton Therapy Center project.

2:55

Series 2026 and the execution and delivery of an indenture, loan agreements, and certain other instruments and agreements, documents and certificates in Connecticut therewith.

3:13

So this meeting is specifically for the public to comment on this particular resolution regarding these conduit bonds.

3:23

So I would uh please keep your concerns and comments when if you come forward to speak on that agenda item only.

3:31

I will now formally open the public speaking uh portion of this, and I will ask if there is anybody present who wishes to speak on this topic.

3:49

Is there anybody present?

3:52

Sir.

3:53

Please state your name and your uh address.

3:59

Good evening.

4:00

My name is Jeff Harold.

4:01

I live on Foster Street around the corner.

4:04

No, I didn't walk.

4:05

I drove my car.

4:06

Um the sidewalks are still a little sketchy.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural████████████████████████████████████████████44%

Public Engagement██████████████████████████████████34%

Economic Development██████████████14%

Charter Revision████████8%

Summary of Proceedings

Danbury City Council Public Hearing on Proton Therapy Conduit Bonds

The Danbury City Council held a public hearing on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 6:04 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers. The sole purpose was to hear public comment on a resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $130 million in City of Danbury, Connecticut revenue bonds (Series 2026) for the Danbury Proton Therapy Center project. These are conduit bonds, meaning the city is not liable for repayment. Eleven council members were present at the start, with additional members arriving later.

Public Comments & Testimony

Jeff Harold (Foster Street resident): Expressed that he now supports the project, calling it "a good bargain" and commended the City's use of the property in compliance with FAA regulations. He noted the building design appears attractive and environmentally integrated. He raised two concerns: (1) a lack of public understanding about proton therapy, noting it is not effective for all cancers, and (2) sadness about losing open land used for recreation and sunset views. He also mentioned that some people may still be unable to afford treatment despite insurance, and urged better public education on the project.
Robert Miller (1 Lois Street, Danbury): Repeated his prior opposition, focusing on the bond resolution superseding the city charter's requirement for a referendum on bonds. He acknowledged the resolution does allow a referendum but does not mandate it. His primary concern was setting a precedent for future councils to approve bonds without a public vote. He respectfully requested the council send the bond to a referendum.

Key Outcomes

Public Hearing Closed: After hearing two speakers and calling three times for additional comments, the council voted to close the public hearing. Councilmember Gartner made the motion; Councilman Giordano seconded. The vote was unanimous (all ayes, no opposed).
Meeting Adjourned: A motion to adjourn was made and approved.
Next Steps: The council will proceed to consider the bond resolution for the Danbury Proton Therapy Center project.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

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