Regional Affairs

Danbury, Connecticut, Mayor Mark Boughton has outlined a plan to protect the community's vibrant general aviation airport. Recent reports suggested that the city has been unwilling to come up with the funds necessary to remove trees around Danbury Municipal Airport, which caused the FAA to threaten to displace the landing threshold by nearly 1,000 feet. In a meeting with AOPA Northeast Regional Representative Craig Dotlo, the mayor expressed a desire to maintain the airport and increase its profitability. In the short term, the mayor will ensure funding is available in this year's city budget to pursue the necessary easements to remove the trees. Total price tag for the project will be more than $4.5 million, of which the city will have to contribute only $110,000; state and federal funds will pay the balance. The mayor indicated his support for the airport and expressed his desire to maintain contact with AOPA. A non-fatal accident at the airport on Wednesday only served to increase awareness of safety issues at the airport.