Past conservation commission chair urges town to fund open-space work, expand commission

Chris Shipper, a past chairman of the Conservation Commission and a New Canaan resident for more than 25 years, told the Charter Revisit Revision Commission on March 17 that the town needs to give the conservation commission money, not just authority.

Shipper said the commission’s charter lists roughly 15 responsibilities — from mapping open space to engaging with water companies about large parcels — that amount to “a wish list” without staff or a town budget. He suggested increasing the commission from five to seven members to reduce quorum problems and to improve flexibility when members are unavailable.

The recommendation focused on practical barriers to executing tasks already in the charter, not on creating new mission items. "It's one thing to say you exist and you're important, but then if there's no money, it says another thing immediately afterwards," Shipper said.

Shipper also urged the CRC to consider whether the town can make the existing land-acquisition fund operational. The land-acquisition mechanism exists in ordinance, he said, but has been essentially unfunded for years; having an initial pool of funds, even modest, would allow the town or its conservation commission to begin discussions with landowners and water companies when opportunities arise. He noted that certain conversations — for example, persuading a regional water utility to discuss plans for undeveloped holdings — require the town to show financial readiness.

Commission members and staff noted that some of Shipper’s concerns overlap with ordinance-level choices and budget decisions. A CRC member said some items Shipper raised might be more readily addressed by updating town ordinances or submitting budget proposals than by charter changes. CRC staff offered to share a written list of conservation-related items that the commission and staff have prepared for follow-up.

Shipper told the commission he had previously helped secure outside grant support and a Yale student study while he served on the commission; he said those temporary resources demonstrated the work’s value but underscored why a standing town commitment would matter.

The CRC did not take immediate action on Shipper’s recommendations. Chairwoman Forbit thanked him for his comments and noted those items will be considered alongside other submissions as the commission prepares its report to the town. The commission also announced that public comment will be limited at the next two meetings so members can focus on drafting substantive recommendations.