Election 2025: Town Council Candidate Heather Russell [Q&A]

Town resident Heather Russell, a Democrat, is seeking election to the Town Council, New Canaan’s legislative body. The Democrats currently hold four seats on the 12-member elected body. Six seats are up for election: four currently held by Republicans, two by Democrats. There are five Republicans and four Democrats running for Town Council.

Here’s our exchange with Russell.

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New Canaanite: Please give us some background on you, including your history in New Canaan and your involvement with community organizations and/or local government. 

Heather Russell: I’ve lived in New Canaan for nearly seven years, and my husband grew up in Fairfield County, so our family has deep roots in this part of Connecticut. We’re proud to send our two daughters through New Canaan Public Schools, which has given me firsthand appreciation for the dedication of our teachers, administrators, and parents. I’ve volunteered at their school because I believe that strong schools are the heart of this town—not just for families with children, but for the whole community, because excellent schools protect property values, bring people together, and give us all pride of place.

Living here has also shown me how much residents value not just academics, but the many things that make New Canaan special: our parks, cultural programs, historic character, and the volunteer spirit that powers everything from the fire department to youth sports. I’m running for Town Council to preserve those strengths while also planning responsibly for the future. For me, that means ensuring excellent schools and services, maintaining fiscal discipline so taxes remain manageable, and creating more open, respectful channels of communication with residents. When residents feel heard and respected, it strengthens trust and leads to better outcomes for everyone.

The Town Council is soon to kickstart the Charter revision process. What changes, if any, would you like to see to New Canaan’s main governing document?

New Canaan’s Town Charter was last updated in 2016, after an extensive process that included a Charter Revision Commission, public hearings, approval by the Town Council, and ultimately a town-wide referendum. That history matters because it shows our town has a precedent for thoughtful, bipartisan work on its governing document. A Charter isn’t just rules on paper—it’s how we define accountability and make sure government is working for residents.

The Charter already requires that it be reviewed at least every 10 years, with the next review due in 2026. I support making the most of that opportunity. To me, that means clarifying lines of authority among boards and commissions to reduce confusion and duplication, and hard-wiring more transparency into the process. For example, residents should be able to see easy-to-digest summaries of proposed changes and budgets, and materials should be easy to access online. Used well, the regular review process can be more than a technical exercise—it can be a safeguard for accountability, efficiency, and public trust.

Where do you stand on the proposed seasonal ban on leaf blowers?

I think we need to be honest: this is about more than noise. New Canaan already limits the hours when motorized equipment can run, and those rules matter because peace and quiet are part of our quality of life. But gas-powered leaf blowers aren’t just loud—they’re highly polluting. According to the California Air Resources Board, running a commercial gas blower for just one hour creates as much smog-forming pollution as driving a new car about 1,100 miles. They also stir up dust, pollen, and mold spores that stay in the air long after the noise has stopped.

That’s why towns around us—Greenwich and Westport among them—have adopted seasonal bans on gas blowers. Their experience shows this can be done in a way that balances health and environmental benefits with the needs of homeowners and landscapers. I believe New Canaan should learn from those examples and consider moving in the same direction. A seasonal ban is not about making life harder for small businesses—it’s about protecting residents’ health and quality of life, and encouraging the transition to cleaner, quieter technology.

What is one change or new initiative that you would like to see through as a Town Council member, if there is one?

One of my top priorities is making town government easier for residents to follow. Too often, people only hear about big items — like the budget or development proposals — after decisions are nearly made. That erodes trust and makes neighbors feel shut out.

I’d like to see a simple “playbook” for major decisions. For each big issue, the town should prepare a short, plain-English summary — available online and at meetings — with the key facts and a clear timeline. Add listening sessions and an online “what’s next” tracker so residents who want to follow along can do so easily. I would be happy to tackle this if elected to Town Council.

This isn’t adding red tape — it’s making participation easier. Other towns have had success with tools like these, and New Canaan can adapt them in a way that fits us. When residents turned out in force for this year’s budget debate, it showed how much people care. By giving them clearer information earlier, we can build a stronger partnership and get better outcomes for the town.

To what extent, if at all, will your party’s national agenda affect your decision-making at the local level?

None—Town Council is about New Canaan, not Washington. I’m a Democrat, but when I sit at that table, my job is to focus on what matters here: keeping our schools excellent, ensuring reliable town services, maintaining fiscal discipline, and making sure New Canaan remains a welcoming community where both families and seniors can thrive.

Local government is not the place for partisan talking points. It’s the place for practical, evidence-based solutions to local problems, from infrastructure and zoning to recreation and public safety. I will bring an open mind to every issue and make decisions based on what best serves residents, regardless of where the idea comes from. That’s the responsibility of a Town Council member, and that’s how I intend to serve.

It’s been just over one year since The Playhouse reopened following an extensive renovation that went over budget. How do you rate the success of New Canaan’s partnership with CinemaLab, the movie theater’s operator?

The Playhouse reopened on June 28, 2024, after years of debate and planning, and by the holiday season, it was reporting its best weekend in a century. That success is evidence of community demand and the value of investing in cultural infrastructure. At the same time, the project cost more than the original $4 million estimation, with the final cost settling at roughly $8.6 million, offset by a $2 million state grant and CinemaLab’s investment in operations.

This experience holds lessons for the future. On the positive side, the Playhouse is busy, has won recognition for historic preservation, and adds life to our downtown. On the cautionary side, the cost overruns and the complexity of the public-private partnership show the need for tighter contract management, transparent financial reporting, and clear performance metrics.  

Going forward, I’d like to see clearer reporting so residents can track both the financial side and the community impact — things like attendance, programming variety, and downtown activity — in a simple, transparent way.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.

Most people don’t know that our family dog, Michael, is something of a local celebrity at Spencer’s Dog Park at Waveny. He’s introduced me to more neighbors than any campaign event could, and those connections remind me how much our shared public spaces mean to this town. Waveny isn’t just a park—it’s a place where generations cross paths, friendships form, and newcomers find their footing.

That experience has shaped how I think about local government. At the end of the day, town services are about more than budgets or line items—they’re about the everyday spaces and amenities that make community possible, from our parks and playgrounds to the senior center and the library. That’s the spirit I would bring to serving on Town Council: a focus on the details that make daily life better and strengthen the ties between neighbors.