Our Fire and Police departments work throughout the year to prevent fires and crimes and protect our community from loss.
Vibrant foliage, crisp mornings, and high-energy community spirit make autumn a favorite season for many. Autumn is also one of the busiest times of the year for your Town government. Here are a few important updates from Town Hall.
I was honored earlier this month to join students, faculty, police school resource officers and other community leaders at the High School and declare October 2025 as Domestic Abuse Awareness Month in New Canaan. Domestic violence is a public health crisis that requires community-wide involvement to solve. I support making New Canaan a zero-tolerance community.
The event was hosted by the New Canaan Abuse Prevention Partnership, co-chaired by Jacqueline D’Louhy of the Town of New Canaan Human Services Department and the Domestic Violence and Crisis Center.
Leaf Collection and Composting: For properties in zoning districts of one acre or less, the annual leaf pickup program will run from November 3rd through November 30th. Please be sure to have your leaves curbside before the end of the month.
Residents and yard maintenance contractors who are picking up leaves from New Canaan properties may deposit leaves in the Town’s Composting Area located on Lapham Road near the entrance to Waveny Park. Contractors must have a proper Permission Form signed by the property owner.
Composted material is typically made available to local residents the following spring to enrich the soil in their gardens.
Election Season: Fall also means it’s election season. This year’s Municipal Election will take place on Tuesday, November 4th, with early voting available from October 20th through November 2nd. There are contested races for both Town Council and the Board of Education. I encourage all residents to make their voices heard and VOTE.
For more information about Registration, Early Voting, Election Day Voting, Where to Vote, and more, visit the Registrars of Voters Office at newcnaaan.info / government / registrar of voters or call 203-594-3060 or 203-594-3096. For information on Absentee Voting and the sample New Canaan Ballot, visit newcanaan.info / government / town clerk or call 203-594-3070.
Planning & Zoning Regulation Review: The Planning and Zoning Commission has begun a comprehensive review of its regulations. This important process will include public engagement sessions which are a perfect place to voice your views. The first such meeting will be held on October 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in Town Hall.
The Preamble of the current Regulations states: “These Zoning Regulations are intended to guide land use activities in New Canaan in ways that will maintain and enhance community character and protect the public health, safety, and welfare …. It is the general purpose and intent of these Regulations to foster the use and development of land in an orderly manner by both private and public interests with special consideration given to the appearance of the community as a result of such development.”
Get Involved in Town Service: We are always looking for residents to serve on boards and commissions. I work with both the Republican and Democratic Town Committees to fill these roles. Registered Republicans can reach the RTC at chairman@newcanaanrepublicans.org. Registered Democrats, please contact NewCanaandems@gmail.com. Unaffiliated voters should contact my office directly at firstselectman@newcanaanct.gov
On a final note for this month, I am pleased to recognize and thank, once again, our Fire and Police departments for the work they do throughout the year to prevent fires and crimes and protect our community from loss. The value of this work is immeasurable, and it is on top of their work in responding to fires and crimes. Fire Prevention Week last week and the Fraud Prevention event to be conducted for the public by our Police officers on Nov. 6 at Lapham Community Center are just the latest examples of their work that keeps us safe.
Dionna Carlson is the New Canaan First Selectman. Her leadership is guided by a respect for local decision-making and a commitment to keeping residents informed and engaged. Read more from Dionna each month by subscribing to her email newsletter, News From Town Hall. To sign up to receive the newsletter visit newcanaan.info and click on the red bar at top, Sign Up For Alerts. To read the latest issue of the newsletter, visit newcanaan.info and click on the yellow bar at top, News From Town Hall.
