New Canaan delays some capital projects, prioritizes parks and public‑works maintenance

Town staff and the Board of Finance outlined several capital decisions on March 13 that shift timing and scope of planned projects in New Canaan.

Erwin House: Todd LaViere said the Board of Finance did not support a $1.3 million request for repairs to Erwin House. Instead the board recommended budgeting $400,000 to cover demolition and environmental costs if the council decides demolition is the course. LaViere said the $400,000 is an estimate and the town still needs to obtain three bids before a final decision: “We did budget $400,000 to cover the cost of demolition. That figure is only an estimate. We do need to still get 3 bids,” he said.

Waveny and the powerhouse: Councilors and staff discussed a change in how the town will support the Waveny powerhouse project. Officials said bond counsel and accounting rules limit the town’s ability to set aside multi‑year sums for a future unspecified project. The town and Waveny Conservancy agreed to fold a more complete, single appropriation into the long‑term capital plan so the town’s commitment is clear and helps private fundraising; finance staff said the amount will be shown in next year’s plan but that the overall town support will be delivered in a single, concerted appropriation to provide certainty to private funders.

Dunning Field and Capo: The board reduced a $1.8 million ask for a Dunning Field traffic‑pattern project because construction could not start until May of next year; instead the board left a $200,000 design allocation for this year so the project can be finalized and constructed next season. Capo Field’s new synthetic turf is advancing and town staff said the contractor is pushing to complete work in April; some ancillary site work will continue after turf installation.

Public works needs: Tiger (Public Works) described several operational and capital needs. The department seeks a new vactor truck to meet MS4 catch basin cleaning requirements; the requested unit was listed at roughly $640,000 in the capital ask. Tiger said the town’s existing vactor had been converted to a dump truck and that equipment limitations make it difficult to meet the annual catch‑basin cleaning required by the MS4 permit. The highway department also seeks replacement of an aging outside storage building whose structural members are failing.

Parks and recreation: John (Parks and Recreation) outlined requests including irrigation upgrades at Mead Park, play‑equipment repairs at Kiwanis Park and a pavilion at Waveny to support year‑round programming. Park staff also proposed four lit pickleball courts near the paddle courts and continued investment in self‑sustaining recreation programs (registration fees and user charges fund programs).

Other items: staff described a modest allocation for pool evaluation at Banco Pool (about 21 years old), replacement of worn AEDs at athletic fields (grant‑funded replacement program winding down), and sidewalk and drainage projects in the pavement management plan. Aquarion water and Eversource electricity rate changes were discussed as budget uncertainties subject to PURA decisions.

Next steps: several projects will be rebid or brought forward for final pricing; the council asked staff to return with firm bids before appropriations are made for demolition, major construction or fleet purchases.

Ending: Council members thanked staff for the detailed presentations and asked that capital planning continue in parallel with the operating budget review so that design and permitting timelines align with construction windows.