New Canaan council pauses parking‑meter expansion pending town‑attorney review; $90,774 retained as placeholder

The New Canaan Town Council debated whether to fund $90,774 in the FY2027 budget for parking meters on Main Street and agreed to withhold a final decision until the town attorney issues a formal opinion.

The issue began when a council member proposed allocating the full parking‑department request — $90,774 — for meters and related equipment. Another council member said the meters may be prohibited by ordinance, arguing, "It's not permitted by ordinance, parking on Main or for that matter. It's not allowed by ordinance." The First Selectman countered that her review of Ordinance 41 showed it addresses off‑street parking (parking lots) and is silent on on‑street meters.

Why it matters: the question combines legal authority, public notice and budget discretion. Council members pressed for a clear legal determination before using taxpayer funds. The matter also touches merchants' concerns and accessibility: some members said retailers are worried about reduced customer access, while others pointed to surveys and traffic counts suggesting the meters have improved parking turnover.

Council members and the First Selectman framed the dispute as two separate questions: whether metered on‑street parking is legally allowed and, independent of that, whether the council wishes to fund expansion. The First Selectman said she had obtained a legal opinion supporting her office's interpretation that the ordinance applies to off‑street parking only; other members said they had not seen that opinion and asked that it be circulated immediately.

Several council members said they would approve retaining the $90,774 placeholder only if the town attorney's opinion arrived before the budget vote; otherwise they would not approve funding. As one council member put it: "I feel that if the legal opinion is received before we approve the budget, yes. If it's not received prior to, then no." The council left the line in the budget as a placeholder while setting April 14 as the target date to resolve outstanding questions.

The council also discussed the appropriate public process for on‑street meters. One member proposed creating or revising an ordinance with formal public hearings so that residents can weigh in before the town expands metered parking on Elm or Main Streets.

Next steps: the town attorney will provide a written opinion, which the council requested be circulated to members. The council expects to revisit the line before the April 14 budget vote.