NewCanaanite.com (https://newcanaanite.com/category/new-canaan-opinion)
New Canaan residents share their thoughts and raise issues of importance to our community, on matters touching local residents—property and business owners, taxpayers, students, nonprofit leaders and caregivers. This is a space for New Canaanites to recognize good works that may otherwise go unnoticed or to raise questions and concerns for public vetting. To submit a letter to the editor, email editor@newcanaanite.com.
In this installment of 0684-Radi0, our free podcast (subscribe here in the iTunes Store), we talk to Duncan Chisolm. A New Canaan resident, Chisolm helps organize the United Methodist Church’s Midnight Run program, which sees a wide swath of community volunteers collect and deliver food, clothing, blankets and personal care items directly to New York City’s homeless poor. Here are recent episodes of 0684-Radi0:
Parking meters have been in effect on Elm Street since October. Implementing a large-scale initiative during the fourth quarter brought several issues into sharp focus. Throughout the season, I heard increasing feedback from customers who were hesitant to come into town for quick errands. As a merchant, it was particularly discouraging to see social media comments from frustrated residents saying, “I’m just not coming into town anymore.” Turns out, New Canaan shoppers still want convenience, and convenience is one of the last remaining advantages for brick-and-mortars. Supporting these shoppers’ experience is crucial to retailers’ success.
NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letters. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com to have them published here.
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About two weeks ago, walking in Irwin Park, I noticed a young boy picking up small fallen branches from a pine tree. He was accompanied by a woman, white-haired, so I guessed it was his grandmother. She had her ams full of pine branches as well. The two of them walked up to a tree along the trail and proceeded to create what you see here. A shelter for the black squirrel who lives nearby? An intriguing cave for an exploring child? A manger for the coming baby Jesus? Whatever their cause, my take-away was that the grandmother wanted to spend time with her grandson, one that I am sure he will never forget. Susan Leeming
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As the year comes to a close, we enter a season that invites both gratitude and reflection—a moment to acknowledge what is good in our world and to consider how each of us might help make it better. Our community stands as a remarkable model of success. We are fortunate to have exceptional schools, a healthcare system among the finest in the region, and a vibrant dining scene led by talented and celebrated chefs.
NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com to have them published here.
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Dear Editor,
As 2025 closes, our hearts are full of gratitude for our community that has embraced Inclusive Together’s mission with such warmth. When we set out to create meaningful opportunities for individuals with invisible disabilities and their families, we hoped New Canaan would welcome this work. You have exceeded every expectation. This fall’s Scarecrow Festival was pure joy—53 scarecrows brought our town to life, thanks to the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Building & Home Supply, and Elm Restaurant.
[Todd Lavieri is chair of the Board of Finance.]
As we finish the calendar year of 2025, and the halfway mark of our financial year of 2025-2026, I wanted to share a few highlights and updates regarding our Town’s financials. Residents often ask for details and benchmark comparisons. As I mentioned earlier this year, the average increase in the amount raised by taxation over the past 8 years, including next year’s budget, is 2.30%, a very strong accomplishment by our Town and Boards over this period, and far below the average rate of inflation. Especially the inflation headwinds that we have experienced since 2021 including a 9% increase in inflation in 2022. Our average increase of 2.30% is lower than most of our comparable Fairfield County towns. We budget prudently and manage the budget to deliver surpluses. We have delivered a combined total of $38M in budget surpluses since 2017 and have returned $36.5M of that back to the taxpayers by applying the surpluses to fund our education, and other expenses, reducing the demand for even higher property taxes. Our average increase in the amount raised by taxation for the period from 2017 through 2023 was 1.53%, an incredible achievement and one of the lowest in the County. The past two years have been higher due to higher Board of Education budgets and Board of Education health care expenses, coupled with much higher recent inflation that has remained sticky. As a reminder, our Board of Education budget represents approximately 66% of our total operating budget. Our total town expenses have increased $20M over the past 4 years, with $17M of that increase attributed to increased spending in Education. Our foundational goals that we established 25 years ago for Finance are still solidly in place. We want to continue to build and maintain a top school district. Continue to have fully funded pensions that now allow us to have a lower tax burden today as the funds become largely self-funding, while avoiding punitive liabilities for future taxpayers. Continue to maintain a beautiful and vibrant downtown business, shopping, and dining district. Protect and maintain our parks and recreational assets. Budget prudently. And fully support our town’s emergency, health, public works, water, and safety services. Throughout the years, we have worked to fund and deliver these services and support through prudent investments, always with an eye on the tax burden. There is always pressure to do more and spend more. The results have shown we can meet the growing demands and rising costs head on.