Boards and Commisions

The Democratic Town Committee has the responsibility of recommending nominees to the Board of Selectman for appointment to boards and commissions. If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, or in running for office, please contact Ginny Apy at 203-966-1495 or any member of the Town Committee and we will set up an interview with the Nominating Committee.

The following boards and commissions are part of the New Canaan Town Government.  Democratic representatives are listed. The Board of Selectmen, Town Council, Board of Education and Board of Assessment Appeals are elected offices. Other Boards and Commissions are by appointment. Elections for municipal offices take place on odd-numbered years.

If you would like to get in touch with any Democrat serving on a Baord, Council or Commission, please email bluecanaan[at]gmail[dot]com (replacing [at with @ and [dot with a .) and we will put you in touch directly.

Board of Selectmen (elected)
A three-person board, elected for two-year terms.

Town Council (elected)
A twelve-member board that is the town’s legislative body.

Board of Education (elected)
A nine-member board, elected to four-year terms, charged with overseeing and maintaining the public schools.

Board of Finance (appointed)
An appointed board of twelve members responsible for reviewing and approving the annual budget and setting the tax rate. Each member is appointed for a four-year term. Alternates are appointed for two-year terms.

Planning and Zoning Commission (appointed)
Nine members appointed by the Board of Selectman to three-year terms. Alternates are appointed for two-year terms.

Park and Recreation Commission (appointed)
An appointed commission which can consist of no fewer than seven members and no more than eleven members who serve three-year terms. Among its charges are promoting healthy lifestyles through active recreation. Its members prioritize, plan and supervise the maintenance and care of the town’s parks.

Inland Wetlands Commission (appointed)
Seven regular members and three alternates who are responsible for upholding the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses regulations by ensuring the protection, preservation, maintenance and proper use of inland wetlands and watercourses.

Board of Assessment Appeals (elected)
An elected office with three members serving two-year terms. They are responsible for hearing comments and concerns from taxpayers on property assessment and to decide issues as appropriate.

Zoning Board of Appeals (appointed)
Five regular members and three alternates, appointed by the Board of Selectmen and serving two-year terms. The mission of the Zoning Board of Appeals is to consider and, when justified, grant relief from zoning regulations when substantiated by a valid hardship.

Police Commission (appointed)
Three appointed members serving three-year terms. They manage and supervise the Police Department and appoint the Chief of Police and subordinate Police Officers.

Fire Commission (appointed)
A three-member appointed board serving three-year terms. They manage and supervise the Fire Department relative to fire protection and fire prevention.

Emergency Medical Services Commission (appointed)
A three-member appointed board serving three-year terms. They formulate policies and guidelines and have oversight responsibility for the New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corp.

Health and Human Services Commission (appointed)
A combination of the Commission for the Aging, the Youth Commission and the Board of Human Services. It consists of six members appointed by the Board of Selectman for three-year terms.

Historic District Commission (appointed)
An appointed commission and serves 4-year terms. They were established in 1963 to oversee the preservation of the Historic District surrounding God’s Acre.

The Housing Authority of the Town of New Canaan (appointed)
A five-member board appointed by the Town Council to provide decent, safe, fair and affordable housing to the residents living in Housing Authority apartments. These include sixteen units at Mill Apartments and eighteen units at Millport Apartments.

Personnel Advisory Board (appointed)
A three-member appointed board serving three-year terms. Its purpose is to hear complaints from any employee as to the status or condition of his/her employment (excluding the Board of Education and the Police Dept.)

Utilities Commission (appointed)
Six members appointed for three-year terms. They survey, study and review the availability, reliability, quality and cost of the basic utilities.

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