New Canaan council appoints 11-member charter revision commission, sets May 3, 2026 draft deadline

The New Canaan Town Council voted unanimously Wednesday to appoint an 11-member Charter Revision Commission and to set May 3, 2026, as the deadline for the commission's draft report to the town clerk.

The council read the slate of nominees into the record and approved the appointments without objection. The chair said the slate reflects a cross-section of interests and thanked all applicants for stepping forward. "This was a unique process," the chair said, adding the work "happens every decade" and urging nominees and their families to attend the swearing-in at the council's next regular meeting.

Ira, the town attorney participating remotely, outlined the statutory timeline for charter revisions, noting the commission must submit a draft report that the council will review, hold hearings on and either approve or return for changes. "If you don't do it by November 2026, then you'll have to have a special election," Ira said, explaining that missing the general-election window would require extra expense and a separate referendum. He described a mid-April draft as "fairly aggressive" and advised allowing a modest buffer for summer scheduling and back-and-forth review.

Councilors discussed timing and public outreach, expressing concern that holding public hearings during July or August could reduce participation because many residents are away. After weighing options, the council agreed to target May 3, 2026 as the draft-report date and to include that date in the resolution adopting the commission.

The council also amended the resolution to remove a clause that would have presented council recommendations for the commission to consider. The amendment was seconded and the amended motion passed unanimously.

The resolution, as adopted, appoints the following citizens to the 2025 New Canaan Charter Revision Commission: Kathleen Corbett, Angela Jamieson, Todd Lampert, Chris LeBriss, Karen Willett, Steve Case, Jennifer Holm, Russ Kimes, Judy Neville, Joe Palo and Bill Perrette. The council recorded the appointment and target draft date in its resolution; the commission is required to hold public hearings and return a draft report to the town clerk by the May 3, 2026 target.

No members of the public spoke during the council's public-comment period at this meeting. The council said it will notify the appointees of their appointment and that the commission will hold an organizational meeting, select leadership and publicly notice its hearings. The council adjourned at the end of the session.

Next steps: the commission will organize, hold required public hearings and work toward the May 3 draft; the council will schedule review and follow-on hearings to determine whether proposed charter changes will be placed on the November 2026 ballot or require a special referendum.