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Council approves adding 'taxpayer' to Danbury charter preamble after debate
Summary
The Committee of the Whole voted 12–9 July 16 to add the word 'taxpayer' to the charter preamble sentence on who has 'an equal opportunity to be part of the decision making process.' Supporters called the change inclusive; critics warned it could be ambiguous or substantive.
Chair and council members spent the evening reviewing the Charter Revision Commission’s draft. Councilman Henry moved to amend the preamble to read that "every citizen, taxpayer and resident" has an equal opportunity to participate; Councilman Coelho seconded the amendment.
Supporters said the added word was intended to broaden inclusion. Henry told colleagues he wanted "to see the word taxpayer added" to the preamble to be more inclusive. Corporation counsel and members of the commission described the insertion as aspirational language rather than the creation of new rights.
Opponents questioned the practical effect. Councilwoman Lapine warned adding "taxpayer" would extend the language to property owners who do not live in Danbury; Councilwoman Jabbar said without substantive follow-up changes, the word could be "moot." Councilman Rotello and others pressed whether "resident" meant incarcerated people, university students, or noncitizen residents; commission members said they intended the language to be broadly inclusive and aspirational, not to change legal entitlements.
After extended discussion the Committee took a roll-call vote and approved the amendment 12–9. The Committee then approved the preamble and chapter 1 as amended and recessed for the scheduled public hearing.
The Committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the full council and the Charter Revision Commission, which will decide final language before any question goes to voters.
