Kit Devereaux, a resident of New Canaan for 28 years who has served since 2017 on the Board of Selectmen, is moving to Maryland next month.
L-R: Kit Devereaux and her grandson, William Fielding Colestock. Contributed
The Democrat is moving to Annapolis to be near her daughter, grandson and brother as well as her husband Robert Geitz’s best friend, she said.
Asked how she felt about leaving her longtime home, Devereaux said she was “filled with nostalgia and sadness.”
“New Canaan has been such an important place to me,” she told NewCanaanite.com. “It’s the place I’ve lived longest in my lifetime. I have so many friends here and I’ve been so involved in the community that the concept of leaving it is very sad.”
Kit Devereaux, right, ran for first selectman as a Democrat. Here she is with husband Robert and Louis Armstrong, a standard poodle, at New Canaan Democrats headquarters on Election Day, Nov. 7, 2017. Credit: Shiva Saram
Devereaux said she’s moving mid-August.
Under Chapter Three of the Town Charter, Devereaux is to notify her fellow selectman and the Town Council chair of her resignation by certified mail, and those three shall meet within 15 days to vote in a replacement to fill her term.
A former Councilman who retired from a career in finance and had served on New Canaan’s Board of Finance, Parks and Recreation Commission and Charter Revision Commission, Devereaux in 2017 ran for first selectman. She lost by just 33 votes and was re-elected handily in 2019.
Affable and articulate, Devereaux from her selectman seat has consistently voiced concerns about some of the changes coming from First Selectman Kevin Moynihan—for example, selling Vine Cottage, overhauling the town’s sewer tax structure and, more recently, changing the way residents are charged at the dump and ousting former Emergency Management Director Mike Handler. Though as a minority party representative on the Board of Selectmen, the vote has often gone the other way—such as with the demolition of the Mead Park Brick Barn—Devereaux has at times found common ground with Selectman Nick Williams to foil Moynihan, such as when he moved to disband working volunteer groups such as the Youth Sports and Spencer’s Run Committees.
Town Clerk Claudia Weber (L) swears in Kit Devereaux as New Canaan selectman while her husband, Robert Geitz, looks on. In the Town Meeting Room, Nov. 20, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
Asked about her contributions as selectman, Devereaux said she hoped that she’s been a voice “that slows down impetuous change.”
“I hope that I’ve brought up points that make the Board question decisions, and bring in a viewpoint that is less traditional,” she said.
Asked for her opinion on qualities in a successor to fill her term, Devereaux said, “”I think it would be important that it be a woman, given that we already have two men [on the Board], and somebody who knows the town well.” (The Democratic Town Committee likely will recommend a successor, she said. The Board is subject to state laws regarding minority party representation.)
Asked for his thoughts, Williams said, “Kit Devereaux is the epitome of a New Canaan citizen volunteer. She is thoughtful, articulate, kind and always has the best interests of our town in the top of her mind. I have throughly enjoyed working with her on the Board of Selectmen and will miss our personal interactions at our meetings and around tow. I think she’s terrific. She’s a terrific person. And I certainly wish her the best of luck down in Annapolis. As a sailor, I’m a bit jealous. But it’s wonderful that she can be closer to her family during these days of pandemic. Clearly being closer to your family during times like this is important because you cant necessarily rely on planes, trains and automobiles to see your family. I completely understand but she will be greatly missed.”
Emily Nissley and Kit Devereaux at the Oct. 21, 2017 grand opening of the Silvermine-Fowler Preserve, a New Canaan Land Trust property. Credit: Michael Dinan
After earning a bachelor’s degree in English History from Hamilton College, Devereaux earned an MBA in finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business. She worked most recently for Salomon Brothers, as vice president of sales and trading in Chicago and New York.
Widely known in New Canaan for her involvement in community organizations, she is a past president of the League of Women Voters as well as the New Canaan Nature Center, and a past board member at New Canaan Library and Staying Put in New Canaan. Devereaux also is a past vestry member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, where she has organized the White Elephant Sale at May Fair.
Best Wishes, Kit.
You are an awesome public servant who will be sorely missed. You have served our Town well in all of your many roles: Town Council, BOF, BOS, Park and Rec, Kiwanis Club, etc. Thank you for everything.
Enjoy your family in Maryland.
Oh Kit, we will miss you so much. “Affable” doesn’t begin to describe you. How about fearless, measured, principled, moral, compassionate, brilliant and hardworking!
New Canaan has been so lucky to have you, as have all of your many, many friends and colleagues.
Every now and then, I write to town officials; Kit is the only one who replies. That’s par for the course for someone who understands what public service is really about. Kit, I will miss your brilliance and warmth. Good luck in MD, but it’s a huge loss for NC!
Kit – what a great day for you and such a sad day for New Canaan. Your leadership has been steady, solid and inspiring – the voice of calm reason. Thank you for listening, thank you for serving always with the best for our community in the forefront. You will be sorely missed.
Congratulations Kit. I so much enjoyed serving with you on Town Council. You had such a kind and positive approach to the issues of the day and were a wonderful consensus builder. I felt a kindred spirt connection and now I read that you are a Hamilton College grad. Carissima! -Bob Hamill
Thank you for everything, Kit and best to you and your family. I’ve only lived in NC for 12 years. In that time, you have been a civil, intelligent and integrity filled voice of reason. It’s also clear that you’ve been a tireless leader. One must serve in order to lead, and serve you have. Our loss is clearly Maryland’s gain.
I first emailed Kit 12 yrs ago when she was on the TC and would always
Respond— a wonderful person who deeply cared about our Town
She will be missed
To Kit: My dear friend who is so full of integrity, intelligence, and the most generous spirit – the town will miss you!! You are a joy to work with – from the Library, or Human Services with The League of Women Voters on joint programs , or to any number of other organizations you volunteered with so often, – with the betterment of New Canaan as your first concern.
Mostly, I will miss you,my dear friend, your husband, Robert, and of course you constant sidekick ,Louis – who is always with you. I wish you Health and Happiness in your new adventure!
Kit, we’ll miss you — your positive approach, your energy, your caring. You made a difference, and we appreciate it.
Good luck to you you Kit. Enjoy your family in MD. I enjoyed working with you over the years when I worked as Director of Finance and Operations at the Board of Education. I too moved to be near my children and little grandsons. You will love it!
Kit,
We will miss you. So sorry we never got to have you as our First Selectwoman. Truly New Canaan’s loss!
I want to thank you again for marrying John and I seven years ago!!! We want to wish you and your family the best in your new adventure and thank for all that you have done for this town your voice will be missed. Thank You
Wow, Kit. I am so happy for you in that you will be moving near your daughter and her family. But I know New Canaan will sorely miss you and all your wonderful volunteer and thoughtful acts for the town. I wish you all the luck in the world.
Kit. Are you sure we can do without you? I’m not. I am so happy for you about the move. It sounds great. But, I can’t imagine anyone nearly as good as you filling your proverbial shoes.