Danbury leaders on Sept. 7, 2022 approved a separation agreement for David St. Hilaire, the director of the city’s finance department. Details of the agreement were not immediately released. Hilaire said in a statement, “I look forward to spending more time with my family and taking care of my health as I enter this next phase of my life.”
DANBURY — The city’s ousted finance director who oversaw nearly $1 billion in operating budgets, bond packages and employee pensions spoke for the first time Thursday after being put on paid leave, thanking the city he served for 15 years.
“I want to thank the wonderful people of Danbury, City Council, colleagues, and my staff for their incredible support,” said David St. Hilaire in a statement released to CT Insider. “I look forward to spending more time with my family and taking care of my health as I enter this next phase of my life.”
His statement marks the first time he has spoken publicly about being removed as Danbury’s chief financial officer and came one day after city leaders voted to accept the terms of his separation agreement.
There was no word Thursday from a leading member of the City Council or from City Hall about the specifics of the separation agreement, which were discussed behind closed doors Wednesday night and voted on in public without comment.
Nor was it clear on Thursday whether the separation agreement approved by the City Council had been finalized by both sides.
St. Hilaire, who was Danbury’s second highest-paid employee in 2019 at $178,000, was still listed as the director of the city’s finance department on Thursday, even though he hasn’t reported to work for six weeks.
For the moment, the department is in the hands of Daniel Garrick, the city’s assistant finance director and risk manager.
The circumstances surrounding St. Hilaire’s paid leave have been kept quiet by both sides who say that the separation negotiations are confidential.
The latest development in St. Hilaire’s removal comes at a time when inflation is advancing, a recession is looming, and the city is racing to complete an ambitious schedule of classroom construction financed by $208 million in borrowing that voters approved.
A city leader said the department is in good hands under the assistant director, and the city’s finances have not suffered in St. Hilaire’s absence.
“The deputy is doing an excellent job,” City Council Democratic Minority Leader Paul Rotello said last week. “The city finances are in excellent shape.”
St. Hilaire said the city was on sound financial footing in his statement on Thursday.
“I am proud of the 15 years of outstanding financial performances and creating affordable strategic plans for the city that have significantly contributed to the high quality of life for its residents and businesses and the many other successes since 2007,” St. Hilaire said.
The only indication that city leaders were reaching a conclusion about St. Hilaire’s separation came in a brief letter to the City Council on Wednesday by a Hartford labor attorney hired by Danbury to negotiate with St. Hilaire.
“It would be timely and helpful to discuss the terms of the tentative agreement, status and other issues related to the claim,” wrote Johanna Zelman to the City Council. “Accordingly, our outside legal counsel, members of our legal staff and other city officials will be present at the City Council meeting on Sept. 7, 2022, to advise you fully on this matter. A certification of funds will also be provided at that time.”
Translation: The separation agreement the City Council approved Wednesday is not being discussed in public.
In addition to the city’s $277 million operating budget, St. Hilaire managed Danbury’s $200 million capital improvement program, its $360 million pension plan, its $100 million deferred compensation plan, and its $25 million water and sewer utility funds.
St. Hilaire’s separation from Danbury follows a busy season at the city finance department, which was putting together Danbury’s $277 million budget at the same time City Hall was switching gears on its ambitious plan to catch up with mushrooming school enrollment.
City Hall’s surprise decision in March to build a career academy for 1,400 upper school students at a different location than a plan that had been on the books for years required new financing to be finalized quickly.
rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
Rob Ryser is a career journalist with a rare flair for storytelling. He specializes in City Hall coverage and general assignment features.