Government

Op-Ed: Board of Finance Budget Update

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[Todd Lavieri is chair of the Board of Finance.]

Once again, working collaboratively with each department, we met the primary financial goals we established at the beginning of our budget review. Working with the Board of Selectmen’s proposed budget of July 2026 – June 2027, we reduced the amount raised by taxation by $3.0 million, we cut capital expenses by $4.0 million, and we reduced the taxpayer-supported capital (not bonded), by $1.2 million. That helped us push the Town-wide expense increase down to 2.3%. The amount raised by taxation is currently projected to increase 3.4% to cover increased expenses and a decrease in non-taxation revenues. The Board of Education budget increased 3% year over year.

Opinion

Letter to the Editor

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NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com to have them published here. ***

I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed ordinance banning or restricting gas-powered leaf blowers (GLBs) in our community. Gas-powered leaf blowers are an environmental and public-health burden that we should not endure for the sake of convenience when practical, quieter, and cleaner options exist. Key reasons to support this ban and its provisions:

– Noise pollution and health impacts: GLBs generate extremely loud, low-frequency noise that penetrates walls and windows.

Opinion

Letter to the Editor

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NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com to have them published here. ***

This winter has given those of us on the east side of town a new level of respect for our mail carrier. The snow has been relentless — mailboxes buried, curbs invisible, driveways half-shoveled. Yet somehow, Lucy maneuvers her truck down Weeburn Drive like a seasoned navigator, inching past snowbanks and leaning out to reach boxes most of us haven’t properly cleared.

Opinion

Letter to the Editor

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NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com to have them published here. ***

When I looked outside that morning [Feb. 25], the rate of snowfall stood out to me. I thought at least a delay would be announced.

Budget FY27

Op-Ed: Attention Young Families, from the Board of Education

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Our schools are at risk of having services reduced by a Board of Finance proposed budget cut of $2 million-plus. Many of you have moved to New Canaan just in the past five years. Others have enjoyed many years in this wonderful town. Town surveys have repeatedly told us that the vast majority of you have moved here because of our public schools (71% listed the schools as reason #1). This isn’t surprising.