New Canaan selectmen approve wide set of contracts, purchases and appointments

The New Canaan Board of Selectmen on April 15 approved a series of contracts, purchases and personnel appointments affecting parks, public works, police, finance and health services.

The board voted unanimously to authorize purchases and contracts that included replacement automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for the police department, new water bottle fillers for town parks, tree plantings in Erwin Park, and geotracking devices for town vehicles. Members also approved materials‑testing services for the town athletic field project, environmental testing for the planned demolition of Erwin House, and technology and audio‑visual equipment purchases for the new police building. In personnel matters the board appointed a temporary health director and an acting tax collector, and approved a part‑time hire in the building department.

Why it matters: the actions allocate town funds, move infrastructure projects forward and fill short‑term staffing gaps that town officials said are needed to maintain permitting, public safety and park amenities over the spring and summer months.

Key approvals and context

- Finance and audits: the board reviewed the engagement letter from the proposed external auditor (O'Connor Davies) and discussed rising audit costs. The engagement letter will proceed to Town Counsel and the audit committee as part of the town’s procurement and oversight process.

- Public safety equipment: the police department was authorized to buy two replacement AEDs from Stryker for $5,889.96 to replace units that have reached the end of their service life and to add units for patrol and secondary vehicles.

- Technology and permitting: the Information Technology department received approval to complete a desktop replacement purchase (SHI, $36,870) and to renew the OpenGov online permitting contract for one year (amount discussed as $35,000). Selectmen and staff noted the software’s higher‑than‑usual price increase but said it provided operational value.

- Parks and recreation: the board approved the purchase of four Murdoch water bottle fillers from Equaparks/Equaparts Corp. for $13,942 to be installed at Mead Park, Erwin Park, New Canaan High School track and Waveney Playground; and approved $25,000 in planting work in Erwin Park contracted to Planters Choice LLC (contract $23,115 plus $1,885 contingency) as part of the New Canaan Garden Club restoration plan.

- Public works projects and streets: multiple DPW contracts were approved, including intersection geometry and drainage work at Conrad Road and Wiffletree (Peterlani Inc., low bid $78,887.50 with contingency; total project ~ $86,767.50) and removal/uninstall of an emergency generator at the temporary police station (Northeast Generator, $23,980). The board also approved a contract for monitors and AV equipment for the new police building (CDWG, $35,000), and a $21,983.50 contract (plus contingency) for fabrication and installation of pedestrian ramp railings at the Playhouse (Stamford Forge).

- Facilities and demolition: the board authorized environmental pre‑demolition services from Fuss & O’Neill to inspect and prepare hazardous‑material abatement specifications for the planned demolition of Erwin House and the guest house (contract $53,050 plus $5,000 contingency; total $58,050). Members reiterated that demolition and remediation work will be carried out under required state and local oversight.

- Athletic field and materials testing: the board accepted the Athletic Foundation’s funding and approved Tri‑State Materials Testing for materials tests on the Copperfield/Capo field project (contract $50,000). Staff reported the turf outfield is in place and work is continuing on the infield and safety guardrail deliveries.

- Fleet tracking: the DPW received authorization to subscribe to geotracking devices for town‑owned plated vehicles (Samsara; three‑year purchase/first‑year cost billed at approximately $26,640) with the goal of improving inventory control and enabling operational reporting for plow routes, vacuum trucks and other large equipment.

- Staffing and appointments: the board appointed Gino Gagnon, the town’s registered sanitarian, as interim health director for up to 30 days while the town searches for a replacement; appointed Sebastian Caldarella as acting tax collector; and approved hiring Tim Blakeman as an assistant residential building inspector on a part‑time basis at $40 per hour. The board also approved a temporary staffing PO for the finance office (Creative Financial Staffing, up to $30,000) while permanent coverage is arranged.

Votes at a glance (motions approved unanimously)

- Approve purchase: New Canaan Police Department — 2 AEDs (Stryker) $5,889.96 — outcome: approved. - Approve contract: Information Technology — desktops (SHI) $36,870 — outcome: approved. - Approve contract renewal: OpenGov online permitting — one year (amount discussed $35,000) — outcome: approved. - Approve purchase: New Canaan Parks — 4 Murdoch bottle fillers (Equaparts) $13,942 — outcome: approved. - Approve hire: Assistant residential building inspector — Tim Blakeman (part time; $40/hr) — outcome: approved. - Approve appointment: Interim health director — Gino Gagnon — outcome: approved (30‑day interim appointment as required by state statute). - Approve appointment: Acting tax collector — Sebastian Caldarella — outcome: approved. - Approve contract: Employee Assistance Program renewal (KGA) $8,400 — outcome: approved. - Approve contract: Planting/trees in Erwin Park (Planters Choice LLC) $23,115 + $1,885 contingency (total $25,000) — outcome: approved. - Approve contract: Environmental services for Erwin House demolition (Fuss & O'Neill) $53,050 + $5,000 contingency (total $58,050) — outcome: approved. - Approve contract: Geotracking devices (Samsara) total first‑year cost ~ $26,640 — outcome: approved. - Approve contract: Intersection improvements (Peterlani Inc.) $78,887.50 + contingency (total $86,767.50) — outcome: approved. - Approve contract: Police AV/technology equipment (CDWG) $35,000 — outcome: approved. - Approve contract: Uninstall emergency generator (Northeast Generator) $23,980 — outcome: approved. - Approve contract: Playhouse pedestrian ramp railing (Stamford Forge) $21,983.50 + contingency $2,200 (total ~ $24,001.83) — outcome: approved. - Approve contract: Fire department lot paving (Burns Construction) $69,852.50 + $10,500 contingency (total ~ $80,352.30) — outcome: approved. - Approve contract: Materials testing for Capo/Copperfield project (Tri‑State Materials Testing) $50,000 (funded by Athletic Foundation) — outcome: approved. - Approve purchase order: Country Casual Teak, park benches $18,000 — outcome: approved. - Approve PO: temporary finance staffing (Creative Financial Staffing) up to $30,000 — outcome: approved.

What board members and staff said

Selectmen and staff repeatedly framed the meeting’s approvals as routine operational and capital work needed for spring and early summer. Staff described timing constraints for site work (sidewalk season, school calendar) and noted some higher costs — notably software subscription increases and the town’s audit engagement costs — while recommending the purchases and contracts as budgeted or covered by dedicated funds or grants.

Next steps

Most contracts are ready for signature and vendor scheduling; several capital projects (intersection work, Erwin Park plantings, police building AV installation and Capo field work) are scheduled for the late spring and summer construction season. The interim health director appointment is time‑limited; staff said they will post the position and pursue a regional agreement if the search takes longer than 30 days.

Ending

The board adjourned after taking the votes; members encouraged residents to view evolving project pages and public notices for details and construction schedules.