By Sentinel Staff
The Board of Selectmen recognized two Parks and Recreation lifeguards for their heroic actions during last week’s dramatic vehicle crash into Steve Benko Pool, while also approving a series of fiscal year 2027 contracts and purchase orders during its June 23 meeting.
The board unanimously approved proclamations honoring lifeguards Katie Quill and Michael D’Urso, who sprang into action on June 16 after a vehicle left the roadway, crashed through a fence and entered the pool area.
Parks and Recreation officials praised the pair for immediately responding to the emergency, while First Selectman Dionna Carlson commended their courage and professionalism.
“Thank you both for springing into action and helping someone in need without regard for your own personal safety,” Carlson said. “We are really blessed that no one was hurt.”
Board member Steve Karl noted that security footage showed the lifeguards reacting almost instantly after the vehicle entered the pool area.
The proclamations cited the lifeguards’ “exceptional courage, professionalism, and presence of mind” in helping secure the scene and protect public safety during a potentially life- threatening emergency.
Police Requests Delayed Pending Documentation
Two New Canaan Police Department requests were postponed after board members expressed concerns about insufficient supporting documentation.
A request to spend $12,368 on replacement portable radios, batteries, chargers and microphones was tabled after board members noted that materials did not include quantities, equipment details or supporting quotes.
Similarly, a proposal to encumber $52,500 toward the purchase of a Ford Transit van for the department’s Special Response Team was delayed pending additional information. Police officials said the vehicle would replace a 2002 ambulance currently used to transport tactical equipment and personnel.
Carlson emphasized that purchases exceeding the board’s approval threshold require complete supporting documentation, including pricing details and procurement information. Finance officials also clarified that the funds would not be lost if approval was delayed because capital and bonded funds roll over into future fiscal years.
Fire Department Purchase Orders Approved
The board unanimously approved a series of FY27 blanket purchase orders for the New Canaan Fire Department, including contracts for apparatus repairs, dispatch services, equipment purchases, physical examinations, software services and uniforms. The approved amounts totaled more than $340,000, including $81,250 for Fairfield Regional Dispatch services and $73,000 for new hydraulic extrication equipment.
Fire officials said the new battery-powered rescue tools will replace nearly 20-year-old cutters and spreaders that are no longer effective on modern vehicle construction materials.
Board members also thanked firefighters for their response during the Steve Benko Pool incident.
Highway and DPW Contracts Advance
The Board approved FY27 blanket purchase orders for the Highway Department, including expenditures for auto parts, asphalt, road signs, drainage supplies, f leet fuel and cemetery maintenance.
Highway officials noted that the department has increasingly taken on smaller paving projects in-house following the closure of a longtime contractor, allowing town crews to complete work directly rather than outsourcing it.
The Department of Public Works also received approval for FY27 engineering and administration contracts covering excavation, sidewalk repairs, surveying, engineering consulting and fleet-management technology.
In addition, the board approved a $1,385 increase to an existing WeatherCentry DTN contract used by emergency services, parks, highway and wastewater departments for weather forecasting and storm support.
Transfer Station Waste Contract Awarded
The board unanimously approved a new three-year contract with All American Waste for municipal solid waste hauling and disposal services from the New Canaan Transfer Station.
The agreement calls for rates of $110 per ton in FY27, $112 per ton in FY28 and $114 per ton in FY29. Town officials noted that the first-year rate represents a slight decrease from the current $111-per-ton cost. The total value of the three-year contract is approximately $2.18 million.
DPW officials reported that transfer station tonnage has declined in recent years, leading the town to reduce projected annual volumes from 7,000 to 6,500 tons.
South Avenue Project Underway
Public Works Director Tiger Mann provided an update on the South Avenue infrastructure project, which began June 22.
The section of South Avenue between Douglas Road and Farm Road will be closed weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of August while water-main work is completed. Mann said local residents, school buses and emergency vehicles will continue to have access through the construction zone.
Officials said the project remains on schedule despite Aquarion Water Company’s pending acquisition by the Regional Water Authority.
Mann also reported ongoing paving, sidewalk and road-maintenance projects throughout town and said work continues on the long-awaited Irwin Park elevator installation, which is still expected to be operational by the end of the summer, pending inspections.
School Reimbursement Requests Tabled
The board tabled requests involving health, wellness and transportation reimbursements for St. Luke’s School and New Canaan Country School after questioning enrollment figures used to calculate payments.
Discussion centered on state enrollment data indicating that 534 New Canaan residents attend St. Luke’s School. Carlson expressed skepticism about the figure and directed staff to obtain enrollment information directly from the schools and conduct a five-year review of prior reimbursement calculations.
Looking Ahead
Carlson reminded residents about Saturday’s New Canaan 250th anniversary parade, scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Rain-date information will be posted on the town website if needed. Board members also noted that fireworks passes remain available and that June 26 is the deadline for signatures related to the ongoing leaf-blower ordinance petition effort.
