Government

‘I’m Really Getting Nervous’: Waveny House Elevator Faces Further Delays

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Said in June to be on track for completion by the end of summer, the ornate vintage-style elevator that the town ordered for Waveny House is facing more delays, officials said last week. The installers “needed some additional parts,” according to Public Works Director Tiger Mann. “They are arriving tomorrow [Nov. 3],” he said during the Nov. 2 Board of Selectmen meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference.

Election 2026

Election 2026: O’Dea Declared Winner in State House 125th District Race [UPDATED]

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Update 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Nov. 4

State Rep. Tom O’Dea (R-125th) has been declared the winner in a contested race for the seat he’s held since 2013, fending off a challenge from fellow New Canaan resident Meredith Tobitsch. Original Article

With full results from Stamford still to come, seven-term incumbent state Rep. Tom O’Dea (R-125th) narrowly led fellow town resident Meredith Tobitsch, the Democratic challenger, in a race for the 125th state House district, which includes parts of New Canaan, Darien and north Stamford. Election Day also saw New Canaanites vote “Yes” on five out of six ballot questions regarding the Town Charter, only voting “No” on this question: “Shall the current Charter be changed to no longer require Board of Finance members to be real property taxpayers?” As of 3 a.m. Wednesday, O’Dea had 5,445 total votes (including 3,784 in New Canaan and 214 in Darien) compared to Tobitsch’s 5,185 (including 2,855 in New Canaan and 156 in Darien), according to unofficial results from the municipalities.

Government

Terminated Municipal Worker Claims Discrimination in Complaint Against Town

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Town officials last week received notice that a former municipal employee filed a complaint with a state civil rights agency claiming discrimination. The worker, Beth Straubel had already filed an earlier complaint with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities last fall, and was fired from her job as senior accountant in the Finance Department about one month later in December, according to a complaint filed on her behalf by Trumbull-based attorney Daniel Angelone. “The rationale given to the Complainant [Straubel] by the Respondent [the town] for her termination was false,” according to the complaint, received Oct. 30 in the Town Clerk’s office. “In addition, Respondent relied in part on alleged past conduct of Complainant as justification for her firing; past conduct to which Respondent had already issued discipline to Complainant,” it continued.

Election 2026

Election 2026: New Canaan Hub [UPDATED]

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[Note: Election 2026 can be found here.]

Update 8:30 p.m.

Here’s an updated voter count from the VoterChecklist site:

Update 4:45 p.m.

More than 6,000 New Canaan electors have cast ballots in the midterms, according to the VoterChecklist site, via absentee voting, early voting or traditional Election Day voting. Francisco Cardona—Democratic candidate for judge of probate, facing petitioning candidate Michael Nedder—said from outside the polling place at New Canaan High School late Tuesday afternoon: “I’ve been bouncing around between Darien and New Canaan today. It’s been a good steady flow of people at all polling stations I’ve been to and I’m glad to see the good turnout.” Update 11:30 a.m.

A steady stream of local voters turned out Tuesday for a midterm election featuring six ballot questions regarding the Town Charter and a face-off between two New Canaan residents, Republican incumbent state Rep. Tom O’Dea (R-125th) and Democratic challenger Meredith Tobitsch. Outside the polling place at New Canaan High School, the two major parties welcomed voters from tents and tables of Dunkin coffee and donuts.

Government

‘It Is a Complicated Story’: Parking Ticket Appeals

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The following ticket appeals were submitted recently to the New Canaan Parking Bureau. The Parking Commission adjudicates appeals. ***

“I am writing to respectfully appeal this ticket. It was around 12:00 PM; the road was empty, I was not blocking anyone, and there was no danger to other vehicles or pedestrians. I briefly parked to grab a drink.