NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letters. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com to have them published here.
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I commend all involved in the year-long process to develop New Canaan’s comprehensive and excellent 2024 Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). If you have not read it yet I recommend you go to the town website and do so. This letter addresses the Conservation part of the Plan, and open space in particular.
One of the top priorities identified by residents during the development of the plan was to protect the town’s remaining open space. This is important to preserve the town’s character and provide opportunities for passive recreation, as well as to serve as a buffer against climate change. The flooding on August 18 was a harsh reminder of the latter.
Apart from land owned by water companies, most of the protected open space in New Canaan is owned by the town (about 700 acres) and New Canaan Land Trust (NCLT) (about 400 acres) – an organization where I currently serve as the president. Drawing on the conclusions of a 2018 Open Space Plan, the POCD identifies two “possible acquisition projects,” totaling 40 acres of unprotected open space, which could be added to the town’s holdings of protected open space. Other opportunities will surely arise in the future.
The challenge is finance. As a non-profit, NCLT has limited funds which could be deployed for the acquisition of open space. The town built an Open Space Acquisition Fund (OSAF) of $150,000 in recent years, which was generously awarded to NCLT as partial funding for the acquisition of a property on Valley Road, next to the Grupes Reservoir, to serve as NCLT’s future headquarters and to expand the existing NCLT Browne Preserve. The town’s fund is now depleted. Nothing was added to it in the last two budget cycles.
If the town is to acquire – from water companies or private sellers – and permanently protect further open space, the OSAF needs to be rebuilt. Several proposals to do so in a systematic way have been discussed in recent years but none acted upon.
One of the many “Actions” proposed in the POCD is to “develop a sustainable funding mechanism for the OSAF.” The POCD is, however, an aspirational document, so one hopes that town officials will act on this proposal, ideally in time for the next budget cycle.
Rob Fryer
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The Rotary Club of New Canaan’s 39th Annual Lobsterfest at the Steve Benko Pool Pavilion was a resounding success, thanks to our wonderful community’s support.
We’re grateful to our sponsors, whose contributions cover most of our costs, allowing ticket sales to directly fund our annual Grant Awards. Our partnership with Fjord Seafood and Walter Stewarts Market for food preparation has been invaluable since 2020.
Lobsterfest has become a beloved tradition, offering dine-in, take-out, and home delivery options. The growing number of dinner parties centered around our event reflects its popularity.
Our special deliveries to Staying Put members are particularly meaningful, representing the heart of our community service. Staying Put is an organization that helps older residents remain in their homes and stay connected to the community. For many of these members, our Lobsterfest delivery might be a rare treat and a welcome connection to the broader New Canaan community.
A heartfelt note from Alice Byrd, a Staying Put member, beautifully captured why we do what we do, embodying our motto: “Service Above Self.” Alice’s words reminded us that seemingly small acts of kindness can have a profound impact. Her gratitude not only for the meal but for the personal interaction highlights how our service extends beyond just providing food—it’s about creating moments of joy, fostering community connections, and showing our senior neighbors that they are valued and remembered.
These interactions are equally rewarding for our Rotary members. The simple act of delivering a lobster dinner becomes a meaningful exchange, often leading to cherished conversations and new friendships. It reinforces the idea that true community service is about building relationships and understanding the needs of all our neighbors, regardless of age or circumstance.
Through these deliveries, we’re not just distributing meals; we’re nurturing the social fabric of New Canaan, bridging generational gaps, and ensuring that our older residents remain an integral part of our community life. This embodies the essence of Rotary’s mission and reminds us why community service is so vital and fulfilling.
In the coming weeks, our members will continue making connections as we deliver over 150 First Responder Dinners generously purchased by the community. There’s still time to support this effort at www.newcanaanrotarylobsterfest.org.
On behalf of the New Canaan Rotary Club, we extend our deepest gratitude to the entire New Canaan Community for making this event a true testament to community spirit.
Leo Karl III
Lobsterfest Event Chair, Rotary Club of New Canaan