Mission
Why We Were Formed
During the early 1980s, the Town was faced with unprecedented increases in heating oil, gasoline, and electric power costs because of the unstable political situation in the Middle East. The Reagan administration encouraged energy conservation, and the Town saw the need for a Utilities Commission to serve as advisorys to the Board of Selectmen. In 1983, the Utilities Commission was formed with an appointed chairman and four commissioners.
What We Do
The Utility Commission serves the Board of Selectmen in surveying, studying, and reviewing the availability, reliability, quality, and cost of the basic utilities supplied to the Town. Recommendations for action are made to the Board of Selectmen on issues related to electric power, petroleum, nuclear energy, natural gas, water, and telecommunications. Matters of health and safety are coordinated with the Health and Sanitation director and the Environmental Commission.
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEMBERS
Troy Bailey
Derek Bennett
Frederic "Ted" Bernhard
Geoffrey Pickard
Dan Welch
Scott LaShelle
COMMISSION FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS
The Commission coordinates with the Planning & Zoning Commission, the Public Works Department, and the Health Department in providing support on technical matters.
External relations are maintained with Northeast Utilities, Connecticut Light & Power, Yankee Gas, the state's Department of Public Utility Control, the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL), the Connecticut Siting Council, the Conference of Connecticut Municipalities (CCM), and the Southwestern Regional Planning Agency (SWERPA).
As members of the Clean Cities Program of the U. S. Dept. of Energy, the Commission examines alternative sources of energy that avoid fossil fuels.
On matters of telecommunications, liaison is provided with competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs), namely SNET and also wireless carriers. Support is given to the Town's Planning and Zoning Commission.
DEPARTMENT FORMS AND APPLICATIONS
The Utilities Commission issues no forms. Applications for membership to the Commission must be addressed to Chairman, New Canaan Utilities Commission, 77 Main Street, New Canaan, CT 06840.
PUBLIC REQUESTS TO THE COMMISSION
To request information, give suggestions, or recommend some form of action, residents should state such requests in writing.
Address communications to:
Chairman
New Canaan Utilities Commission
77 Main Street
New Canaan, CT 06840
Please include telephone numbers and, if available, e-mail addresses. Requests may also be made to the Commission by e-mail at Utilities.Commission@ci.new-canaan.ct.us.