Election 2025: Town Council Incumbent Penny Young [Q&A]

[Editor’s Note: Starting today and over the next few weeks, the New Canaanite is publishing Q&As with candidates in contested races—namely, the Town Council and Board of Education.]

Town Council incumbent Penny Young, a Republican, is seeking re-election to New Canaan’s legislative body. The GOP holds an 8-4 majority on the 12-member Town Council. 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 Young.

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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. 

Penny Young: ‘Community’ is a word which permeates much of what I am involved in. Having moved several times as was typical of people who worked for IBM, when a new assignment was announced one of the first things my husband and I thought was it was time to settle into a community with New England charm, an interesting history, fabulous schools and solid government. We found that in New Canaan and settled in quickly anxious to get involved in everything that makes our town so special. As children came on the scene, I became involved in their school and extra-curricular activities. The Nature Center and Garden Center (now the NC Beautification League) were a focus with leadership in their large Holiday Market and President. I co-founded the very successful Holiday Market for the Junior League as well. As the children went off to college, it was time to pursue my interest in the medical and recreational needs of our older citizens. I returned to the academic world and received a MS in gerontology from the College of New Rochelle where I researched the growth of Senior Centers as they became Community Centers serving all adults in a community. With a dedicated Board I spearheaded the development of Lapham Community Center. Additional community service continues on the Boards of Waveny LifeCare Network, Area Agency on Aging, and state Commission on Aging; and appointment and advisory capacity on the Getabout Van and Staying Put. And what could be more “community” than service on the Town Council where during my long commitment I’ve served on every Committee. With concern with voter education and protection of voting rights, I have long served on the non-partisan League of Women Voters and Yankee Institute. On a more cultural focus, I serve on the Executive Committee on the Board of Orchestra Lumos.

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?

Long interested in New Canaan’s government and its policies and procedures, I have proposed the Town Council form a Charter Revision Commission. Codified in 1935, written in 1965, and amended in 1974, ‘75, ‘81, 2005 and 2016, there is a long history of reviewing the Charter. The last Commission recommended the Town Council review the Charter every ten years and determine if there are issues of sufficient priority to form a Commission. I believe there are and sincerely hope a Commission is formed. It is a healthy exercise to periodically self-check and make sure the government is mindful of the changes which have been made which foster more efficient operating policies and practice current laws. 

A few areas are at the top of my suggested list to study:

• Last decade the number of votes a person can cast was changed from 4 of 6 open positions to 6 of 6. Overlooked was the impact this has played on the legally proscribed Caucus process. What I would propose, given the 1/3 – 2/3 balance on governing bodies, is a voter can cast votes equal to the number of seats a Party can occupy.
• As often one hears comments about the growth of administrative positions in the government, not only numbers but responsibilities, I recommend a thorough study with an ideal result of a more cost effective and operationally more efficient government.

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

Here is an issue where no proposed solution is going to sit well with all voters. People on both sides are quite passionate and consequently have been very vocal. They have nearly filled the room at Council meetings; they’ve organized an extensive email-writing campaign but I question whether 80 letter writers really represent the majority of homeowners. There is a lot to consider: do homeowners have a “right” to some quiet time; what effect would a ban have on lawn service operators as they might be forced to purchase new equipment; what serves the community better – a summer usage ban or total ban; who will enforce any bans. These and many other considerations were posed to the Council and deserve thorough study. At this time I am agnostic about any of the solutions as I don’t think enough time and effort have been spent in research and it would be unwise to rush into a proposal. I’ll develop a more definitive position after I am comfortable enough thought has gone into the issue.

What is your single most proud accomplishment on the Town Council?

What gives me the most satisfaction is the long tenure during which I have participated in, proposed solutions for, and affected positive changes for the benefit of our wonderful community. I’ve worked well with many administrations, Chairmen of the Town Council, and fellow Councilmen. I listen to proposals, I research extensively, I weigh many options and the ramifications of a solution to a difficult problem. Budget season is particularly challenging as a balance needs to be achieved between introduction of a new program or policy and the effect on the taxpayer. Great care is given to adjusting a budget to achieve control over rate of % growth and not interpreted as a “cut”. An example is the findings of the study of all 56 buildings which the Town owns and manages. As co-chairman of the sizable study, it was a challenge, and an exciting and stimulating one, to study each and every building, highlight the pros of its usage and question adequate maintenance. Out of the study came the recommendation to engage a consultant to thoroughly study each building and develop a 25-year life expectancy. This is utilized each and every budget season to evaluate condition of buildings and cost of necessary maintenance projects. It has also been a useful tool in planning for the future of a piece of equipment so as to plan for its replacement and has been more cost-effective.

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

The overarching theme of this administration is captured in the America First concept and flows throughout the country, States and local municipalities. To promote this concept, the Republicans in CT have been waging a battle against the current administration in Hartford’s efforts to severely limit local control. HB5002’s focus on affordable housing contains many ways Hartford will control how New Canaan addresses this issue. Via 8-30g the Town is mandated to have 10% of our housing stock be “affordable.” There are proscribed time considerations to meet goals, considerable override of zoning regulations, parking regulations….the list goes on. We’re not opposed to “affordable” housing and have made great progress in building units. We instead desire the ability to address the need ourselves and protect the quaint village with two-story historic structures which over the years our citizens have protected. 

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?

What a handsome, majestic, sensitively preserved 1923 building that sits proudly in the middle of Elm Street. Great care on both the Town and CinemaLab sides was taken to protect the historic appearance of this building. The Playhouse opened a year ago with great fanfare and high expectations it would meet the interests of the movie-going public. Located right downtown I’m sure more people have attended movies than they had in recent years. It is disappointing to learn of its financial challenges. Not having been educated on the details of this stress I do not know the scope of their problems. I’m sure the operator and financial supporters are engaged in correcting the problems. I would certainly be concerned about obligations/responsibilities the Town might have contractually.

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

As a member of The Colonial Dames of America my lineage is traced deep into the history of the state of Delaware. My middle name is Rodney, a political family in southern Delaware.  Prominent was Caesar Rodney, known for his 80-mile ride through a storm to reach Philadelphia on July 2, 1776. He broke the deadlock and cast the deciding vote for Delaware and signed the Declaration of Independence. In studying the history of the Rodney family, Caesar was a very patriotic man of respected integrity and exhibited a commitment to the American ideal. I like to think those qualities flowed to me though my heritage.