Christa Kenin

Councilman: Selectmen Erred in Sending Back Mead Park Brick Barn Demo Question

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Dear Editor,

I would like to comment on your recent story regarding the Mead Park Barn. I would like to talk about a “P” word and that word is not ‘Preservation,’ it’s ‘Process.’ Although the concept is less glamorous, it warrants its own respect. I so appreciate all of the New Canaan Preservation Alliance’s hard work and their passion. However, we must deal with the facts before us. Last week, the Board of Selectmen was incorrect to table the demolition contract.

Full Disclosure

Full Disclosure: Under Cover

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My ability to sleep for lengthy durations is what legends are made of. 

Not to sound cocky, but if the Sleep Olympics were to ever come to fruition, I would be its Michael Phelps. It’s been said, mainly by my husband, that I could rival hibernating bears, or possibly a famous groundhog. Last week’s two-hour ice-related school delay was just what this sleep-junky needed. New Canaan’s impassioned parent advocacy group that is promoting later, healthier school start times makes excellent points about student wellness and the pitfalls of chronic sleep loss. 

What may be overlooked is that weary parents, like me, also could operate at a much higher level of competence, and caring, with a bit more time under the covers. With the two bonus hours awarded by our superintendent, I coached myself back into sleep endurance training mode.

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Op-Ed: Who Should Control New Canaan’s Schools?

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The new majority in Hartford is in the process of advancing several bills to force school regionalization in order to redistribute resources and remove decision-making from local schools. State Rep. Michelle Cook (D-65th) emphasized her view that such legislation should not be voluntary:

“I know that forcing people to do things is not always the right way to go, but sometimes we have to help people get there because they’re not going to get there on their own.”

One fellow supporter of forced school regionalization mocked grassroots efforts to oppose the bills:

“Over the last four days, we’ve seen people subject to great distress [laughter] over the idea of regionalizing educational services and I think that is a shame because a lot of communities have benefitted greatly by the structural inequities that are inherent in our system today.” — State Rep. Roland Lemar (D-96th), Majority Caucus Chair

One school regionalization bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Martin Looney (D-11th), indicated that his bill is the opening gambit in his larger effort to regionalize tax base “sharing.” With strong party majorities in both houses, the president pro tempore of the state Senate is well positioned to advance this effort. However, many local leaders have expressed opposition. “… It looks again that the legislature is looking to use policy as a blunt instrument in the state.”  — Dr. Bryan Luizzi, New Canaan Schools Superintendent 

“While New Canaan and Darien share many similarities, the reality is that New Canaan is already facing significant fiscal challenges. New Canaan carries the highest debt per capita in the state—a debt balance that is two times larger than Darien’s and carries annual debt service expenses that exceed Darien’s by almost 50 percent.

News

Letter: Meals on Wheels Launches 47th Year in New Canaan

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As we start this new year, Meals on Wheels begins it’s 47th year of delivering meals to New Canaan residents.   

We provide nutritious meals to those with physical, emotional, or social conditions that makes it difficult to provide for themselves regardless of their age or ability to pay. 

We have over 150 volunteers, without whom we would be unable to operate. The board members of Meals on Wheels, New Canaan thanks you all for your time, kindness and unwavering support of our program. We would also like to thank all our donors and grantors, who continue to provide financial support in 2018, in the form of grants and donations so we may continue to serve those in our community who need our help:

With grateful thanks to:
Congregational Church
Exchange Club of New Canaan
First County Bank of New Canaan
Newcomers Club of New Canaan
New Canaan Artisans
New Canaan Community Foundation
Rotary Club of New Canaan
St Marks Church
The Town of New Canaan
United Methodist Church
Vineyard Vines 
Walter Stewarts 
Young Women’s League of New Canaan
And to the residents of New Canaan who respond to our annual campaign so generously. On behalf of all the Meals on Wheels clients, and the Board of Directors we wish you a healthy, happy and safe 2019. Stephanie Radman
Meals on Wheels, New Canaan

2018 Revaluation

Letter: Revaluation Targets Condos, Seniors

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The New Canaan real estate property revaluation has raised the value of condominiums by an average of 9 percent, counter to the town-wide Grand List decline of 7 percent. This 16 percent delta, plus an anticipated mill rate increase, will surely increase property taxes on condos by 20 to 25 percent. 

Condos are owned by seniors. At Prides Crossing, more than 90 percent of units are owned by residents older than 65, and 50 percent are single. The revaluation will increases the monthly (tax) carrying cost by at least $200 per month for our smallest unit. In the condo market, monthly increases in expenses directly correlate to lower market sales and values.