Town Council Approves Fiscal Year 2024 Budget; 3.12% Increase over Current Spending

New Canaan’s legislative body last week approved a budget of $166.6 million for fiscal year 2024, a 3.12% increase over current spending. The Town Council at its April 5 meeting voted 12-0 in favor of the budget, which takes effect July 1. 

Chair Steve Karl said in a town-issued press release that it’s been “a challenging year given the current backdrop of rising costs and inflationary pressure on most major budget categories.”

“The town faces many of the same challenges the private sector is experiencing, including the rising interest rates, cost of energy, healthcare, labor, and materials,” Karl said. “We managed to keep the increase raised by taxation flat over the past four years, but this year may bring a modest increase to our tax bills. On a positive note, our town departments and Board of Education have done a great job holding the line and controlling costs as much as possible without sacrificing the finished product our residents have come to expect.”

In addition to Karl, those voting in favor of the budget were Town Council Vice Chairs Mark Grzymski and Penny Young and members Robin Bates-Mason, Rita Bettino, Tom Butterworth, Luke Kaufman, Mike Mauro, Maria Naughton, Kimberly Norton, Hilary Ormond and Cristina A. Ross. The annual budget process is a months-long undertaking that starts in the fall and comes before the public at Board of Selectmen hearings in January before moving to the Board of Finance and, finally, the Town Council.

Wednesday Night ‘Summer Concert Series’ at Waveny To Kick Off June 21

One of New Canaan’s most beloved summertime traditions is set to go, following a vote by the Board of Selectmen durings its regular meeting Tuesday. The Wednesday night Summer Concert Series at Waveny will feature 11 shows this season, according to Parks & Recreation Director John Howe. The free outdoor concerts, where attendees bring foldout chairs and sit under a setting sun out back of Waveny House, will kick off June 21 and run through Aug. 30, according to Recreation Supervisor/Aquatic Manager Steve Dayton. Howe said during the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference,, “They are well attended, as you know, especially on a beautiful night.