Opinion

Opinion

Letter to the Editor

By newcanaanite | March 1, 2026

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

The Town Council’s Ordinances and Bylaws Committee is meeting Monday night to review and vote on an ordinance to restrict the use of leaf blowers in summer. This issue has been discussed for years, and the Council has been presented with extensive, scientifically documented facts supporting restrictions on gas-powered leaf blowers. The most common concerns include the toxic, carcinogenic pollution that gas leaf blowers emit and their excessive noise, which contributes to stress and disrupts the use and enjoyment of our homes and yards.

Opinion

Letter to the Editor

By newcanaanite | February 26, 2026

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

Editor: 

I have a strong objection to the plan to demolish yet another lovely and historic building in New Canaan. It’s a house located on 49 St. John’s Place. 

Much of the character and beauty of St.

Opinion

Letter: Town Audit Committee Opportunity

By Rob Fryer | February 24, 2026

[Rob Fryer served as 2024-2025 Audit Committee chair.]
The town established an Audit Committee in 2016 by amending the Town Charter. It consists of five members appointed by the town council for three-year terms and members can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. Chapter 62 of the town charter requires members to be “financial experts,” defined as individuals with “substantial audit experience…and…a basic understanding of governmental financial reporting and auditing.” CPA’s who are, or have worked, in public practice are generally suitable candidates but a CPA designation is not a requirement under the charter. Under Chapter 62 the committee has wide responsibilities including the selection of independent auditors, assisting other town bodies with the oversight of the preparation and auditing of the town’s annual financial statements, as well as oversight of compliance with relevant laws and regulations, enterprise risk issues and plans for corrective action to address identified risks. I am a CPA and retired senior partner at Deloitte and served two terms on the audit committee from 2020 to 2025, the last two years as the committee’s chairman. I have chosen not to serve a third term but technically remain a member of the committee until a successor is appointed and sworn in.

Opinion

Op-Ed: A Tribute to the Wonderful Life of Fiz Tomaselli

By Vin Iovino | February 22, 2026

[Vin Iovino was New Canaan High School’s athletic director from 1980 to 2004]

All,

There are no words that can truly soften the loss of someone as special as Fiz. I wanted to write to you and share how deeply grateful I am for her life and for the incredible impact she made on me and on our Athletic Program. Fiz was the very best of New Canaan. She was a Ram through and through — a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved her family deeply and spoke of them with such pride.