Patch Candidate Profile: Pavla Levin For New Canaan Town Council

NEW CANAAN, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name:

Pavla Levin

What office are you seeking?

Town Council

What town do you live in?

New Canaan

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:

Republican

Occupation:

Software Engineer, 30 years in Finance

Family:

My husband Michael and I moved to New Canaan 13 years ago with our two sons, both proud graduates of New Canaan High School. Like so many families, we were drawn here by the excellent schools and the strong sense of community, and we have been grateful every day to call New Canaan home.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

I currently serve as Secretary of the New Canaan Utilities Commission, working to improve cell coverage for our first responders.

In 2021, I was elected to the New Canaan Board of Assessment Appeals.

Why are you seeking this office?

New Canaan is a unique community where families thrive and smart, forward-looking decisions guide our future. I want to help preserve these successes while finding new ways to make our town even better. Serving on the Town Council would give me the opportunity to address challenges with a long-term outlook and with the benefit of residents’ voices and ideas.

Public Safety – Maintaining our welcoming, safe community is a top priority. I will work with residents and first responders to ensure life-saving emergency calls get through, while respecting New Canaan’s character and families’ health concerns. Let’s keep our fire, police and EMS services top notch.

Local Zoning Control – I support smart, community-driven planning—not mandates imposed by Hartford. Our built environment, beloved downtown and outstanding affordable housing are best cited and designed, when local people who know our community best have the lead.

Environmental Protection – From Waveny and Irwin Parks to Land Trust trails and our tree-lined streets, New Canaan’s natural beauty enriches us all. However, droughts and heavy rains strain our wetlands and watershed protection zones. Invasive plants undermine the environmental envelope that sustains us.. water-conscious development, tree canopy protection and expansion, and robust stormwater and drainage systems. We need to keep our water wells safe and our green spaces green, so that future generations inherit a healthy, sustainable New Canaan.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:

The single most pressing issue facing New Canaan constituents is safeguarding the excellence of our schools. I intend to ensure that resources are used wisely, that parents have a strong voice in decision-making, and that our schools remain the best in the state. By maintaining educational excellence, we help New Canaan families thrive, protect property values, and strengthen the long-term vitality of our community.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The major difference between the Republican candidates and the candidates of the opposing party is our philosophy of governance. Our team is committed to safeguarding the excellence of our schools and ensuring that decisions about education remain in the hands of local parents, educators, and residents—not dictated by Hartford. We are equally committed to thoughtful planning and zoning that respects the character of New Canaan, minimizes disruption to daily life, and ensures the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure and environment.

Our slate prioritizes prudent use of taxpayer dollars, long-term planning, and accountability in decision-making. We are focused on keeping New Canaan a place where families thrive, property values remain strong, and our community continues to be vibrant and welcoming.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

New Canaan experiences frequent power outages, putting seniors and residents who rely on medical or mobility devices at risk. I would like to propose a program ensuring access to safe, reliable emergency power.

Key steps:

- A voluntary town registry for priority support.
- Use of battery storage, portable backup units, and co-generation (micro-CHP) systems.
- Community resource centers with backup power for charging and heating/cooling.

Through education and outreach, residents can adopt clean, modern energy solutions. This initiative would protect vulnerable residents, reduce necessity for expensive generators, and strengthen New Canaan’s resilience and safety.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Since moving to New Canaan, I have become deeply involved in town service:

- I currently serve as Secretary of the New Canaan Utilities Commission, working to improve cell coverage for our first responders.
- In 2021, I was elected to the Board of Assessment Appeals.
- I am a longtime member of the New Canaan RTC.
- I also support community life as a board member of the Boucher Community Ice Rink.
- I am a founding member of CT169Strong, which advocates for local control of zoning and planning decisions that profoundly impact New Canaan’s infrastructure and daily life.

Beyond town service, I bring three decades of experience at leading global financial institutions. I hold a Master’s in Computer Science and am a CFA charterholder, which provides both the technical and financial expertise to evaluate the complex issues before the Town Council.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Listen twice as much as you speak. On Town Council, that principle is essential. Every decision affects real families, businesses, and neighborhoods. By truly listening to residents, understanding their concerns, and weighing all perspectives before acting, I can make informed decisions that reflect the community’s needs. Listening first allows for thoughtful, practical solutions and ensures that our policies are not just well-intentioned, but effective and sustainable.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I was born on the border of Hungary and Ukraine, my grandparents survived both Auschwitz and the GULAG and I grew up in Soviet Russia in the 1970s and 80s in a family of political dissidents. My early life instilled in me a deep belief in democracy, civic engagement, personal responsibility, and accountable government.

New Canaan has given my family so much, and my goal is to give back by helping ensure that our town continues to thrive for future generations.