By Dionna Carlson
As First Selectman, a key responsibility is ensuring that our town’s infrastructure remains safe, functional, and prepared for the future. This spring, you’ll see a number of important public works projects taking place throughout New Canaan. I want to keep you informed about these efforts and highlight a few upcoming projects that will help us continue to meet the needs of our growing community.
One key project is underway in Waveny Park, where Aquarion Water Company is constructing a new chlorination building at the Water Tower site to help modernize their water treatment systems. The project, which stands to benefit all of Aquarion’s New Canaan customers, is expected to be completed by December 2025.
In addition, South Avenue will be closed to all but local traffic and emergency vehicles between Farm Road and Harrison Avenue from the day after school ends in June until the day before it starts again in August. The closure will allow for Aquarion to expand to a 36” water main running from Wilton to Greenwich. This project is expected to run for two consecutive summers.
In coordination with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), two road safety projects are being proposed. The first would install new centerline rumble strips along Route 124 and the extension of existing rumble strips on Route 123. Rumble strips are grooved sections of pavement that create vibration and sound when vehicle tires pass over them to alert drivers to potential dangers from leaving their lane. Centerline rumble strips are placed between two lanes of opposing traffic. At the Town’s request, CTDOT has scheduled a virtual public hearing for August 12 at 6:00 p.m. to give residents a voice in these decisions. We’ll share meeting log-in information at newcanaan.info as soon as it becomes available.
CTDOT has also notified the Town that milling and paving of Rte. 123 between Michigan Road and the NY border is scheduled to be completed by May 22. If you would like to receive notices about other New Canaan Public Works projects or Public Safety notices throughout the year, sign up for Alerts at the red bar at the top-left of the homepage at newcanaan.info.
High School Baseball and Police Headquarters
I am thrilled to share some other exciting updates from around town as well. On May 7th, the first pitch was thrown at the newly completed Coppo Field in Waveny Park, marking the start of what we hope will be many great seasons of baseball. This project is another example of the successful partnership between the Town and the New Canaan Athletic Foundation.
The public is invited to join in celebrating the opening of the newly renovated Police headquarters at 174 South Avenue. A ribbon-cutting will be held Wednesday June 4 at 10 a.m., and an Open House with Guided Tours will be conducted on Tuesday May 27 between 12 noon and 3 p.m. Sign up for the Guided Tours by visiting newcanaanpolice.org. The Police Department will officially return to their headquarters and be fully operational on June 3.
A sincere thank-you goes to all who helped bring this important project to completion ahead of schedule and under budget.
Finally, following up on my February column here in the Sentinel, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has assigned Docket No. 25-04-03 to its review of the proposed purchase of Aquarion Water by the Regional Water Authority. Many members of the public in the region served by Aquarion have expressed great concern about a potential loss of future tax revenue for municipalities where Aquarion owns property; a potential increase in water rates charged to customers; and an expected change in regulatory oversight with New Canaan having a diminished voice. Residents with concerns may submit public comments by emailing them to Pura.ExecutiveSecretary@ct.gov. Please remember to include the docket number, your name, and address to ensure your comment becomes part of the public record.
Thank you for staying engaged and helping shape the future of our town.
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 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 current issue of the newsletter visit newcanaan.info and click on the yellow bar at top, News From Town Hall.
