Charter panel debates shifting boards to elected status
Other Committee · Meeting of January 6, 2026
New Canaan's Charter Revision Commission hears hours of testimony on electing appointed boards. Former Planning and Zoning Chairman John Goodwin told the panel converting appointed boards like Planning and Zoning to elected seats would "significantly decrease the quality of the commissioners," while commission attorney Ira Bloom said of the current system, "if it ain't broke, then why fix it?" Board of Finance Chairman Todd defended the board's oversight of roughly $1.5 billion in spending over a decade, but Commissioner Parlo challenged him, saying "by your own chart you're not accountable to anyone." A second resident urged the panel to add preservation protections to the charter, citing the new state House Bill 502 and its effect on downtown redevelopment. The commission approved amended December 16 minutes unanimously and took no other formal votes.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 752 words
Source: the Other Committee meeting of January 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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