New Canaan First Selectman Dionna Carlson will brief members of the New Canaan Men’s Club this Friday on the town’s goals, priorities, and recently adopted $181 million budget. The public update is scheduled to begin at 10:40 a.m. in Morrill Hall at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 111 Oenoke Ridge. Given significant interest in her remarks, the club has opened the meeting to spouses of members.
Carlson’s presentation is expected to cover infrastructure improvements, the town’s workforce housing strategy, and the fiscal direction set by the newly approved 2025 town budget. One prominent infrastructure focus has been the enhancement of cellular coverage across New Canaan. Gaps in service have been a consistent concern for both residents and emergency responders. Town officials have engaged with carriers and evaluated placement options for new towers or distributed antenna systems, though no final construction timeline has been announced.
On housing, Carlson has signaled the town’s ongoing attention to workforce and affordable housing options. This includes ensuring compliance with the state’s 8-30g statute while preserving local control. Discussions at recent meetings have reflected a desire to balance state requirements with thoughtful development that aligns with New Canaan’s community character and infrastructure capacity.
The town budget passed unanimously last week by the Town Council represents a 4.36% increase over current spending. Initially, the council considered a $300,000 reduction to the Board of Education’s proposed budget. The final budget includes a smaller, $150,000 reduction. Carlson had previously voiced support for measured adjustments that preserve the educational quality of New Canaan schools while addressing taxpayer concerns.
Carlson, who served for eight years on the New Canaan Board of Education, including three as chair, brings a finance-driven approach to her current role. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst and held senior roles at GE Capital before her public service. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
In her most recent public letter, Carlson confirmed the Board of Selectmen had approved the 2025 schedule for outdoor dining. The program begins May 1 and will run through early November, continuing a policy adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic that has since become a seasonal fixture for local restaurants and residents.
The Men’s Club meeting will begin at 10 a.m., with Carlson’s address scheduled for approximately 10:40 a.m. The club, which provides programs and activities for men aged 55 and older, continues to welcome new members. Membership inquiries can be directed to ncmens@ncmens.info.
