[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5979246,"mediaKeyId","5773247-41d17be3304f2f99db287d50d0bd40c2","parentId",5773247,"title","Council approves 5.575% total adjustment for first selectman’s salary; debate continues over clerk and treasurer COLA","audioSeconds",986,"startMs",3791000,"endMs",4777000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5773247-41d17be3304f2f99db287d50d0bd40c2&start=3791&end=4777","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5773247-41d17be3304f2f99db287d50d0bd40c2/thumbnail_3791000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5979246/Connecticut/Council-approves-5575-total-adjustment-for-first-selectmans-salary-debate-continues-over-clerk-and-treasurer-COLA","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979246-c3ec92c66cae61107342837f037c6100/orig.mp4?Expires=1775834048&Signature=kFmThUI-FNJsRuxuK7-F7vhdhNOK~L5x2QrfdUC8SX94lCE0tiGSDUkP8XXncdT~ljrLdkxdL83cbJelOH0VtW2e54BpmWVYtVn4eaxrlRuUJMCssjlgD9pE0TFIakiJxNubrqjTiqAqzwY54ILeA721cQU5YTRp5w1kRmELL7faOTcKUXq4npOtOm~aRz~~XZsUeKq7a~L0W23YHhWujcEhC8MDgym1-DiFczQxU0O-npvk3lhXbDd6qT19-q-fJghUtjln2giTXSGT6xBgMztb7uxMI5qMopfv1fQCOYeh0NDLO51CPS4chvbCtjt8Bw5ZUIwWdFILG9q-b7Ymdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Canaan, CT","date","2025-09-18T11:25:13Z","article","The New Canaan Town Council voted Sept. 17 to approve an increase in compensation for the first selectman, described in the meeting as two 2.75 percent adjustments (one for each of the next two years) that together were presented as an effective 5.575 percent change to take effect following the November election.

The request was presented by representatives of the Board of Finance, who said the increase aligns the first selectman’s pay with cost-of-living adjustments granted to town employees. Town counsel explained that state law and the town charter restrict how and when elected officials’ salaries can be changed and noted that midterm increases are generally prohibited by the Connecticut constitution; that legal opinion framed much of council deliberation.

Council members debated process and sequencing for other elected positions. Several members said the town clerk and treasurer should receive a comparable COLA but differed on the right procedural route: some urged the council to forward recommendations directly and then seek Board of Finance approval; others preferred the council’s finance committee and the appointed Board of Finance coordinate first so the board’s analysis would be on the record before the council votes.

After extended discussion the council approved the first-selectman salary motion and then voted to instruct the council’s finance committee to ask the Board of Finance to consider a COLA for the town clerk and treasurer and to report back. The council recorded the amendment request by majority vote (8–3 on the committee request vote); the first-selectman salary motion itself was reported in the meeting as passing.

Town counsel provided figures during the discussion to show the dollar effect of the two 2.75 percent adjustments when compounded: the presenters quantified the change as an additional roughly $9,400 over the two-year period and described a new annual compensation in the neighborhood of $180,405–$180,534 depending on calculation method discussed at the meeting. Councilors asked that the board of finance consider the timing and whether such changes should be finalized prior to an election so incoming officeholders would know their compensation.

The council’s action on the first selectman’s salary was a formal vote; further action on the town clerk and treasurer will follow the finance-committee referral and any recommendation from the Board of Finance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting September 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The New Canaan Town Council on Sept. 17 approved an increase to the first selectman’s salary that was presented as two 2.75 percent adjustments (one per year), and it directed the council finance committee to ask the Board of Finance to consider similar COLA adjustments for the town clerk and treasurer.","taxTitle","New Canaan, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",57946,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5979248,"Town council approves expanded Waveney Park inclusive playground plan with outside funding",5792,148000,5940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5773247-41d17be3304f2f99db287d50d0bd40c2&start=148&end=5940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5773247-41d17be3304f2f99db287d50d0bd40c2/thumbnail_148000.jpg","/articles/5979248/Connecticut/Town-council-approves-expanded-Waveney-Park-inclusive-playground-plan-with-outside-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979248-9de44744665fee2b225bdc0ec7cfbf66/orig.mp4?Expires=1775834048&Signature=MwmExbAzetnCUIKDCmI2kkHBjtZDZEog5PvmEf-EmIHswUyBkFUMP~-uvFfokyDZsRLvFN5c6XMKgf1Sjc8we3Qas1H1ZwH2NDpl7vYxAigIJbUBzd7rWDktlNKsNtTb608AJ~PPCHenmzsYjk54rbisvvhlTzhfKooThdXO4~z4TcOk-TYEHswDtbkAR5uXW-kaIXTSdQUMKdjK7YndsIzM2kP7kCRAV4ArJ4yGqUQKjY33Cvd3puAwTu6K~IzuOFzx~qzO3AX3hTM6BQNLkXVu2Zp0ns87WPMXaTAXq-umrme5daVawx7ZBBBiFhvdxQLudRERqIzISwEOIniNSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Canaan Town Council voted unanimously Sept. 17 to approve an expanded, largely externally funded plan for an inclusive playground at Waveney Park. Parks Department staff and the Waveney Playground Committee told the council the project will be built with a mix of town capital, a state grant and private fundraising.

The council’s vote authorized increasing the already approved Waveney Playground project budget by $345,000 to a total project cost of $766,069 (the presentation gave $766,069 as the total including contingencies) so the town could accept a State of Connecticut grant and donations from the Friends of Waveney Playground and move forward with construction. Parks Superintendent Ryan Restivo and public-works Director Tiger Mann presented the request and answered technical and financial questions.

The playground design presented emphasizes “all-abilities” access, with accessible routes, ramps, sensory and communication elements, inclusive climbing structures, swings and engineered rubber surfacing to permit wheelchairs and strollers. Restivo said the selected manufacturer, GameTime, uses durable materials projected to last 12–20 years, and the poured-in-place rubber surfacing is expected to last more than 10 years. Project contingencies were described in the presentation as roughly 5.4 percent of the total.

Committee members and residents urged the council to approve the project as designed. Meredith Tobish, a Waveney neighbor and a member of the playground committee, said the design was developed with widespread community support and more than 250 unique donors and described the project as providing “inclusion…moments of reprieve” for families of children with disabilities. Lauren Tarzia, founder of the local nonprofit Inclusive Together, said, “When we cut features, we’re not just saving money, we’re sending a message about who belongs and who doesn’t.”

Council members asked for a breakdown of funding sources and contingencies; Restivo and Mann said the town’s playground capital account contains $337,581, the State grant covers $300,000 and Friends of Waveney Playground had submitted $150,000 to the town. Remaining differences and contingency sums in the vendor quotes were explained as the reason the total exceeds earlier estimates. The project team also confirmed the town will be responsible for future maintenance, and the Friends group expects to continue fundraising for future needs.

The council’s approval included the project design and the funding structure; the motion passed unanimously.

The rendering and final donor signage design will return to the Park and Recreation Commission per established town practice; the presenters said donor signage will be muted, noncommercial and compatible with park character. Construction timing and procurement steps will follow the town’s contracting rules and the vendors’ production schedules.","The New Canaan Town Council on Sept. 17 approved an expanded, mostly grant- and donor-funded plan to build an inclusive playground at Waveney Park, increasing the previously authorized project budget so the town can accept state and private funds and proceed with construction.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5979232,"Residents urge charter changes and stronger enforcement over proposed St. Luke’s parking structure",407,289000,696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5773247-41d17be3304f2f99db287d50d0bd40c2&start=289&end=696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5773247-41d17be3304f2f99db287d50d0bd40c2/thumbnail_289000.jpg","/articles/5979232/Connecticut/Residents-urge-charter-changes-and-stronger-enforcement-over-proposed-St-Lukes-parking-structure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979232-e4c6864760fb554b547e1e8d90a3e27c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775834048&Signature=QtPvZhQH7X3xJzCAGpLsXITIazcvjOxyqRp5XGiIcpXHVM0WUUpuQ4h3ZurPW6gi4Stwe-WgLCIMXgpvtLcZ7lQcabbB~QRl45GY5eNfbNtlOG~aTS51qICCPf1oTBBHKKmajwBd5Gjk98WJJP9lVLHvU6ltYm~gh87WCo0AJJ9rPHtGBzMtzCBhumfcUN7ZLgms5W3YgunghimhNFutn-geD0FnFpIgRPRTtZkyrnwK4e5KBEhBio8mBN11vUP~82QX0foZAh7OkQ3Lj7kNIlPCcrCTSienLOF7xR8EmKVF5OjWKN1dcaRhFBBeu~dtI9u09w~7f2cov35SKcvWeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the public-comment period at the Sept. 17 New Canaan Town Council meeting to urge the council to open the town charter for review and to increase elected oversight of appointed boards and commissions, citing a proposed St. Luke’s parking structure as an example.

Sarah Pierce, who identified herself as representing a neighborhood group impacted by the St. Luke’s matter, told the council the proposed parking structure will be roughly 80,000 square feet — a scale she said is among the largest projects in the state and that is unprecedented in local residential neighborhoods. Pierce urged the council to expand elected oversight of commissions that have authority over land-use and wetlands matters and to strengthen checks and balances between appointed commissions and the executive-managed town staff.

Pierce described the matter as having progressed over several years, saying the project “snowballed” and citing concerns about enforcement and the lack of detailed hazard analysis for children and neighbors. Pierce also raised infrastructure concerns such as heavy truck traffic and possible road damage, and she called on the council to put charter review and greater electoral oversight on the agenda.

Another public commenter, Roy Rollins, argued the charter needs to be opened because appointments to town committees have become “popularity contests” rather than selections based on expertise. Several speakers asked the council to ensure the charter review would consider direct elections or expanded electorate control of boards that affect residents’ property rights.

Council members acknowledged the public comments and later discussed opening a charter review commission (see separate article). No formal action specific to the St. Luke’s case was taken during the meeting; Pierce and other residents said they intend to present testimony to the charter-review process when it forms.","Residents speaking during public comment called on the council to open a charter review and to increase elected oversight after concerns were raised about an 80,000-square-foot parking structure tied to a St. Luke's project in a residential zone.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5979237,"Council to move forward on charter-review commission but defers appointments and timeline to coming meetings",6001,3879000,9880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5773247-41d17be3304f2f99db287d50d0bd40c2&start=3879&end=9880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5773247-41d17be3304f2f99db287d50d0bd40c2/thumbnail_3879000.jpg","/articles/5979237/Connecticut/Council-to-move-forward-on-charter-review-commission-but-defers-appointments-and-timeline-to-coming-meetings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979237-0e40e0590d028f145402c96592f1c388/orig.mp4?Expires=1775834048&Signature=ZrkuoucH2lqKVzTwtikFURdu8GRUBN03ucQWDLM-lkFRY-OSDA3yARhjLm6UvHZUeZFMkt7NfUSZnFaYsHPf-ng4DvEDsG9kjXfsVDmb8EQ70fPtiiHrqKdM6z5fkqEwLbA1ow96sYmkp6hU9T4g~7UFXMI8SIGvKl~UPs2RsaN-fy6nXhQfB6IMtIh2Bgk62basnR6Xql1NVIcYkXStuomWR2jDE5J6jNwi6OjW0mQCvMeULqR7CmbitFfteypH9KRWlHV8EiXaaCSGE8JldPnPnqzwp54FIJwpEzsQzZufKvQ3o8iALdNXNxXSDCorJKP~oDm155VVRFFumBuLFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors discussed whether to convene a Charter Review Commission to examine the town charter, and while several members expressed support for opening the charter review process the council did not complete appointments Sept. 17. Instead, members agreed to return to the subject at the next meeting to finalize the commission’s membership, scope and timetable.

A motion to establish a Charter Review Commission was made and seconded during the Sept. 17 meeting, and councilors discussed legal requirements and logistics. Town counsel and staff explained that once the initiating resolution is adopted councilors have 30 days to appoint the commission and that the commission must deliver a draft report within a council-determined period that may be no longer than 16 months. The council may set a shorter deadline depending on the target ballot date for any charter changes.

Councilors debated whether to aim for a November 2026 ballot or to allow a longer timeline that could target 2027, and several members urged careful scoping so the commission can address both large policy questions and smaller technical inconsistencies in the charter. Members agreed to have the council’s finance and government committee (and other councilors) collect candidate names and proposals and to bring a recommended slate and a proposed timeline back to the full council at the next meeting so appointments can be made within the statutory 30-day window after a final initiating vote.

No final appointments were made Sept. 17; the council asked members to forward candidate suggestions and potential commission scopes to designated councilors ahead of the October meeting and indicated the council will vote on the initiating resolution and/or appointments in upcoming sessions.","Councilors debated scope, timeline and resource needs for a charter-review commission and agreed to return to the topic at the next meeting rather than finalize appointments or a schedule at the Sept. 17 session.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5979242,"Town council adopts updated rules; clarifies compensation language and agenda-addition procedure",359,6240000,6599000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5773247-41d17be3304f2f99db287d50d0bd40c2&start=6240&end=6599","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5773247-41d17be3304f2f99db287d50d0bd40c2/thumbnail_6240000.jpg","/articles/5979242/Connecticut/Town-council-adopts-updated-rules-clarifies-compensation-language-and-agenda-addition-procedure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979242-8d27e20b36e089aea19aad545ec1b283/orig.mp4?Expires=1775834048&Signature=FPEW7zkwb6wWULX6g~7gWCjA-6WHi2LSrLGWxmLCZJ9-3kzBxknOXX62RXI2kpUgrHIvYqqpGKTIGeeVC72--dbUiAUr~gsbY-i412m5fjo30KTMLyVNMvg-IWVMbH3SPtD0asIfO-2-veRdSbvwSdkFPVv4ta0P5xkPTNmfS9AtfzIdsy1MI5bO4E2biM9JKNIQJg-r9X6T7KyokFU2-UWDl0uCRIRl2xxhfhI4Adf8BIqZvTKu~mSQbhMvkmO42OYT1g88StfUfyvIn7cq5ELlX-~1y9IvYX1zNMrN4MwhT06RkRRhEWzQIZVL9GExXJu0HLW-1gurgFZ2IR4Eeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Canaan Town Council unanimously approved an updated set of town council rules Sept. 17 that incorporate editorial and procedural clarifications and an amended sentence describing how compensation for the town’s elected officers is set.

The council accepted the redlined document prepared by the town’s bylaws and ordinance committee with two notable adjustments. First, section 17’s opening sentence was revised to read that compensation for the first selectman, selectmen, town clerk and treasurer “shall be fixed by the town council in accordance with the Connecticut state constitution, Connecticut General Statutes, and the Town Charter of New Canaan as applicable,” with the existing sentence limiting midterm increases (salary for a term shall not exceed the amount in effect at the start of the term) left in place.

Second, the rules' language about adding items to an agenda was clarified to say that motions to add items require the “permission of the council” — language chosen to reflect the Freedom of Information Act requirement that additions at regular meetings may require a supermajority in some circumstances.

Councilors said the revisions are intended to make the rules more didactic and readable for new council members and the public while preserving reference to the charter and state law where necessary. The amended rules were approved unanimously and will be attached to the meeting minutes.","The council unanimously approved a redlined update to its rules on Sept. 17, including a revised sentence on how compensation for named elected positions is set and a clarification that adding items to an agenda requires the council's permission (consistent with FOIA).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves 5.575% total adjustment for first selectman’s salary; debate continues over clerk and treasurer COLA

Town council approves expanded Waveney Park inclusive playground plan with outside funding

Residents urge charter changes and stronger enforcement over proposed St. Luke’s parking structure

Council to move forward on charter-review commission but defers appointments and timeline to coming meetings

Town council adopts updated rules; clarifies compensation language and agenda-addition procedure