Members of the volunteer commission that oversee applications and other matters related to some of New Canaan’s most sensitive environments on Monday night recalled a vital member of their group who stepped down a little more than one year ago at age 93 and passed away earlier this month.
Selectman Beth Jones and Dr. Sven Englund at a ceremony honoring the latter for his nearly three decades of service on the Inland Wetlands Commission, Dec. 15, 2014. Credit: Michael Dinan
Dr. Sven Englund, a member of the Inland Wetlands Commission for 26 years (including nine as chairman)—and a member of its forerunner, the Environmental Commission, for far longer, going back to the 1970s—died on Dec. 10.
Commission Chairman Dan Stepanek during the group’s regular monthly meeting, held in the Town Meeting Room, said that “although he resigned from the commission in November of 2014, it seems like it was last month that he was sitting next to me, here at these meetings.”
Dr. Sven Englund and Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Director Kathy Holland at a ceremony honoring the former for his nearly three decades of service on the Inland Wetlands Commission, Dec. 15, 2014. Credit: Michael Dinan
“He would always poke me with his elbow if I did not get a meeting procedure right, or if I repeated myself or, heaven forbid, forgot something,” Stepanek recalled with a smile during remarks made at the start of the meeting. “He would straighten himself up in his chair, clear his throat, and then quietly reprimand me while giving me that harsh look. As you can imagine, I learned a lot from the pro. I tried not to make the same mistake twice. After all, he has been our chairman, and an excellent one at that, who prided himself on running a tight ship.”
Stepanek noted that Englund one year ago received the Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions’ Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in protecting the environment and the wetlands.
About 30 people attended a party and ceremony where state and local honors were bestowed on Dr. Sven Englund for his nearly three decades of service on the Inland Wetlands Commission, Dec. 15, 2014. Credit: Michael Dinan
That group “has honored only five people with this award in the past 25 years.”
“I’m going to miss Dr. Englund, as I am sure each of you will, too,” Stepanek said. “And I know the town of New Canaan has lost a dedicated and experienced volunteer who will be hard to replace.”
Click here to read what many locals had to say about Englund’s contributions to the town during a celebration of his work one year ago. His full obituary can be found here.
A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church of New Canaan, 165 South Avenue on Saturday, January 2nd, 2016 at 1 PM. Memorial donations may be made to the Waveny LifeCare Network, 3 Farm Road, New Canaan, CT 06840. Services have been entrusted to Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St., New Canaan, CT 06840.