Week in Review: Meeting Marathon

School kids may have another week of summer vacation (New Canaan public schools reopen on Aug. 31), but Town Hall appears to be back in business.

The Inland Wetlands Commission kicked things off Monday approving a dozen permit applications at their regular meeting.

The Board of Education said "yes" Monday to cleaning up the Waveny Park trails between the high school and South Ave, and "maybe" to putting benches and cigarette butt recepticals in the "Pit."  They also got an update on enrollment and staffing, showing registrations continuing to rise beyond expectations but staffing levels nonetheless in good shape.

The Board of Selectmen approved a resolution Tuesday backing up Probate Judge Russell Kimes, Jr.'s efforts to fight the state redistricting commission's plan to combine the New Canaan's court with courts in Darien, Wilton and Weston. The selectmen also signed off on the Planning and Zoning Commission's request to reduce the fee for site plan applications for signs to $50—the old $250 fee cost more than the signs themselves.  And they got an update from the directors of Health and Human Services about preparations for seasonal flu and including setting up an incident command structure to respond to outbreaks and making arrangements for vaccination clinics.

The Board of Finance got some good news Tueday from town Chief Financial Officer Gary Conrad who reported that the tax collection rate was better than last year with revenues nearly $2 million above projections. Savings from budget cuts and the refunding and delay of debt issues will allow the town to undefer some capital projects that had been put off. The board approved funding for road maintenance and energy efficiency upgrades at four public schools.

Emergency Medical Services innaugurated their brand new building next to the Police Department at 182 South Ave with their Tuesday meeting going over the regular slate of reports from the captain, president and treasurer.

Wednesday the Deer Committee set their goals for hunting season which will start in September this year and last through January. The committee is hoping hunters will down 50 deer, more than doubling last year's cull.

The Police Commission rounded out the meeting marathon by deciding to move forward with a K-9 unit feasibility study. It sure would've been handy for officers to have a police dog in town on Aug. 14 when a resident called in to report two burglars exiting her house with $22,000 worth of jewelry and cash.

Only the the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Town Council are on the meeting schedule next week, but the countdown to the first day of school is sure to keep things busy.