Renaming sewer plant after HBO host could generate $100K
DANBURY — The renaming of the city’s wastewater treatment plant after comedian John Oliver may be imminent, and a six figure donation to local food banks could flow in with it.
City Council will discuss Tuesday evening whether to name the facility the “John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant” after the comedian promised to donate $55,000 to local charities.
In honor of the potential renaming, local banks will launch a community fundraiser to help feed Danbury families struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We felt it was an opportunity to rally the community, extend the generous offer,” said Michele Bonvicini, of Union Savings Bank, one of the financial institutions organizing the fundraiser.
She said the banks do not have a specific monetary goal, but the mayor said he expects at least $100,000 could be raised for
United Way’s Danbury Food Collaborative, with 100 percent of the donations going to food banks in the city.
The pandemic has put an increased demand on area food banks as residents have lost jobs or hours, Mayor Mark Boughton said.
“That large gulf between the haves and the have-nots has gotten so much bigger,” he said.
This problem could become more acute around the holiday season.
“Everybody in this city ought to have something on their table for Thanksgiving, for the holidays,” Boughton said.
Union Savings Bank and Savings Bank of Danbury have signed on so far, but other financial institutions are expected to join, Bonvicini said. The banks will commit to a certain amount, with the goal of collecting donations from businesses and residents, she said.
“It’s going to be a great community effort,” Bonvicini said. “We’re really excited about it. We think it’s going to benefit our local neighbors.”
The mayor has also pledged to give a personal tour of the sewer plant to anyone who donates at least $500 either to the banks’ fundraiser or directly to a pantry. Donors should verify their contribution by contacting t.obrien@danbury-ct.gov.
The resolution before City Council states the “total donations will provide the City of Danbury with significant benefits and assistance to its citizenry and residents and the results in a residue of good faith, camaraderie and an unparalleled flow of joy and companionship between Danbury, Mayor Boughton and Mr. Oliver.”
Boughton expects the council Tuesday evening to send the resolution to a committee for review on Thursday. The council would then hold a special meeting on Thursday evening to approve the name.
“It has the votes,” Boughton said. “It more than does because I think most people get it. It’s just a fun thing we’re going to do for the community.”
Oliver started a back-and-forth with the city in mid-August when he ranted against Danbury and threatened to give its residents a “thrashing.” Boughton then joked that the city would rename the sewer plant after Oliver.
Oliver begged Danbury to follow through, promising to donate $25,000 to the Connecticut Food Bank, $25,000 to a Donors Choose fund for Danbury teachers and $5,000 to ALS Connecticut. He has already contributed to the teachers.
Boughton said Oliver plans to come to the ribbon cutting, which was the mayor’s condition for renaming the plant, but the date has not been worked out.
The drama has brought people laughs during the stress of the pandemic, Boughton said.
“We’re just having a good time,” he said. “Anyone that argues we shouldn’t name our sewer plant after John Oliver, let’s keep it in perspective. It’s a sewer plant. It’s not like we’re naming a field or a school.”
The community fundraiser is not tied to City Council’s approval of the name.
“We’re going to continue this effort, no matter what the sewer plant’s name is,” Bonvicini said.