Police, fire and EMS pitch FY27 budgets to council panel
Town Council · Meeting of February 6, 2026
New Canaan public safety leaders previewed FY27 budget requests worth millions ahead of Tuesday's Town Council review. The police department's $8.373 million operating budget grew 3.8 percent, but a subcommittee member identified as Nick noted the true increase is only 2.1 percent once a $75,000 IT-cost shift and a reclassified Flock camera contract are excluded. The department's capital ask includes $300,000 for three patrol vehicles and a jump in Taser replacement costs to $150,000 after manufacturer Axon discontinued the current model.
Fire officials outlined a roughly $1.2 million capital plan, including up to $1 million to refurbish the department's 2008 tanker, and raised the long-term prospect of a second fire station to fix response-time gaps in northern New Canaan. Emergency Management Director Russ said Motorola's proposed radio-contract increase, once as high as 31 percent, has been negotiated down to 21 to 26 percent. New Canaan EMS President Barb Clayton reported 1,700-plus calls last year on 28,633 volunteer hours and an $800,000 reserve fund.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 898 words
Source: the Town Council meeting of February 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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