New Canaan council ratifies four-year police and fire union agreements

The New Canaan Town Council unanimously ratified separate four-year labor agreements with the town’s police and fire unions at its April 22 meeting.

Cheryl Jones, who introduced the contracts, told the council the main drivers of the agreements were salary and benefits, noting that “the salaries are below 12% over four years” and that the negotiators secured “a 95% co-insurance in the last year of the contract.” She also said both unions ratified the tentative agreements and that “all contracts will be available online.”

Attorney and labor negotiator Chris Hodgson described the local market for police and fire recruitment as “very competitive,” saying the negotiated packages average “slightly less than 3% a year but very fair to the officers.” Hodgson added the agreements preserved fringe benefits and kept premium-share changes relatively flat while allowing operational adjustments intended to benefit department chiefs.

Several chiefs were introduced at the meeting, including Chief John D. Frederrico and Chief Albby Basset; Assistant Chief William Parrot was also on hand. After brief council discussion thanking first responders, a council member moved to approve the contracts and the motion passed without opposition.

By approving the agreements, the council authorized the first selectman to sign the documents; the agreements will govern wages and benefits from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029. The council did not record a roll-call vote with individual names in the meeting transcript for this item, but the chair announced the motion passed unanimously.

The town clerk confirmed the signed contracts and related fiscal notes will be published on the town website when completed.