New Canaan Council Reviews EMS, Fire, Police FY27 Budgets
Town Council · Meeting of March 26, 2026
New Canaan Town Council reviews EMS, fire and police budgets, no votes taken on FY27 spending. Emergency Management Director Russ Kimes recommended switching the town's public safety radio maintenance from Motorola to Northeastern Communications for $78,660, after Motorola sought a 31 percent price hike. Fire Chief Basset requested a $4.844 million operating budget and said a pumper replacement is being moved up to fiscal 2027 due to rising repair costs on the aging fleet.
Police Chief John Defedo sought $8.373 million in operating funds and $549,000 in capital, including $300,000 for three patrol vehicles. Councilor Eric Tunham said EMS volunteer hours "would likely cost us between a million and a million and a half dollars" if paid staff replaced them. The council approved minutes and adjourned unanimously; no budget votes occurred.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 811 words
Source: the Town Council meeting of March 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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