First Selectman Dionna Carlson

More Than 5,000 New Canaan Customers Lose Power After Eversource Substation Issue

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The Summer Internship Program is sponsored by the New Canaan Racquet Club. More than 5,000 in New Canaan lost power Wednesday around midday after a problem at one of Eversource utility’s substations caused a town-wide blackout, officials say. In a 1 p.m. update, Emergency Management Director Russ Kimes said Eversource reported that problems at the utility company’s substation caused the outage, affecting 5,302 customers—about 61% of households in town. “Eversource reports that crews are already on site working to fix the issue,” Kimes said. “They have not provided an estimated time for restoration.”

Government

‘You Do the Best You Can’: Town Addresses Waveny Fireworks Decision

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The Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates. The town’s highest elected official this week addressed the widely discussed decision to proceed with the July 4 fireworks at Waveny Park, saying the storm that cut the event short and sent thousands of attendees scrambling was not foreseeable when the go-ahead was given. First Selectman Dionna Carlson addressed the controversy at the Board of Selectmen’s regular meeting at Town Hall, where she said she’s received significant feedback from residents upset about the call. 

“I’m hearing lots of Monday morning quarterbacking on the call,” Carlson said. “I think it’s important for people to understand the decision-making process.” The show, she explained, had to be approved before the town’s fireworks provider crossed the George Washington Bridge from New Jersey into New York on Friday evening.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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New Canaan Police at 4:42 p.m. on June 30 received a report of a missing/stolen Rolex from a White Birch Road home. The investigation is ongoing. ***

A group that favors the recently adopted ban on summertime use of gas-powered leaf blowers, called “Quiet New Canaan,” has launched its own website in support of the measure. The group is urging electors to vote ‘Yes’ in the July 25 referendum. (New Canaanite will run letters related to the referendum through July 22.)

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The Town Players of New Canaan is hosting a six-session songwriting workshop with 13-time Emmy Award winner A.J. Gundell, starting July 14.

News

John R. Flinn, 93

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December 15, 1932 – July 6, 2026

John, 93, of New Canaan, passed away on Monday, July 6, 2026. John was a devoted husband to MaryEllen Flinn, his beloved wife of 65 years. He was a proud father to Ellen (Kevin) Dufficy, Anne-Marie (Paul) Queally and John (Sukie) Flinn. Nothing brought him greater joy than being Papa to his grandchildren Brian, Erin, Sean, James, Katie, Kevin and Jack and his great-grandchildren Trey, Rosie and Liam.  
John attended Seton Hall University, where he earned a BS in Management.