Danbury council holds public hearing on $130 million bond for proton therapy center; residents urge more outreach, referendum

The Danbury City Council held a public hearing Feb. 25 on a resolution to authorize the issuance and sale of no more than $130,000,000 in revenue bonds for the Danbury Proton Therapy Center Project, Series 2026, hearing residents’ mixed reactions and concerns before closing the comment period.

The resolution — read aloud at the start of the hearing — would allow the city to act as a conduit for revenue bonds issued for the proton therapy center and authorize related loan agreements and documents. The chair opened the floor for public comment and asked speakers to limit remarks to that item.

Jeff Harold of Foster Street said he has come to support allowing the project to move forward but urged the council to do more public education about proton therapy’s capabilities and limits. "Proton therapy — it’s a wonder when it works," Harold said, adding that "it’s not going to be a panacea" and that it does not treat all cancers. He also said he was "really sad to see that big chunk of property up there get used for something like this" but acknowledged potential local economic benefits, saying hotels and restaurants could see more visitors.

Robert Mueller, who gave his address for the record, told the council his principal concern was process: he asked the council to send the bond resolution to a public referendum. Mueller said the resolution allows referral to a referendum but does not mandate it and warned of a future precedent if the council approves bonds without sending them to voters. "I would respectfully request that you send it to a referendum," Mueller said.

After public comment, Councilwoman Gartner moved to close the public hearing; the motion was seconded by Councilman Giordano. The presiding council member called for the ayes, which were voiced, and then entertained and carried a motion to adjourn. The council did not take a recorded roll-call vote on the bond resolution itself during the hearing.

Why it matters: The bond, capped at $130 million, would fund construction and related financing for a proton therapy center that supporters say could attract out-of-town patients and bring economic benefits, while some residents voiced concerns about land use, affordability for patients, and whether voters should decide the measure by referendum. The hearing provided the council with public comment but did not resolve the larger procedural question about whether to send the financing to a referendum.

Next steps: The public hearing was closed and the meeting adjourned; the transcript records no final council action on the bond resolution at this session, so any decision on whether to move forward, hold a council vote or place the measure on a referendum will depend on subsequent council proceedings or staff recommendations.