Recent Appointments Made By The New Canaan Board of Selectmen

NEW CANAAN, CT — The Board of Selectmen approved a number of appointments and reappointments to various boards and commissions in town during a recent meeting.

On Dec. 2, board members unanimously approved the appointment of Arvind Bajaj to the town's Police Commission for a three-year term ending in December 2028.

According to First Selectman Dionna Carlson, Bajaj replaces commissioner Paul Foley who is retiring.

"I would be remiss before asking for this appointment not in thanking Paul for his many years of service to the town of New Canaan," Carlson said during the meeting, "first as a Town Council member, then as a fire commissioner and now most recently as police commissioner, so he has a long tenure of distinguished service to New Canaan. I know he will be back and forth a lot, but we will miss seeing him more regularly."

Carlson also noted she has known Bajaj for a while.

"He's just a great steady guy," Carlson said, "who I think will make a great commissioner."

Selectman Amy Murphy Carroll also spoke highly of Bajaj, as well as the work of the Police Commission in general.

"I think the Police Commission," Murphy Carroll said, "it's a really important commission...it's a serious job, and you need to know what is needed from the police standpoint, but you also have to look at it from a town standpoint and budgeting and fiduciary in terms of oversight."

Selectman Stephen Karl agreed with Murphy Carroll that Bajaj is a very positive person.

"He is strong and strict when he needs to be," Karl said, "but he's very positive and he works well with others. I've known him a long time as well, and he's a very good guy, so we're very lucky that he stepped up and has agreed to do the three-year term."

Board members also unanimously approved the following reappointments to the town's Planning and Zoning Commission:

• Reappointment of Dan Radman, John Engel III and John Kriz as regular members for three-year terms ending December 2027.
• Reappointment of Krista Neilson, Chris Hering and Alan Swerdlowe as regular members for three-year terms ending December 2028.
• Reappointment of Kristina Larson, Meghan Mensching and Bill Pratt as alternate members for two-year terms ending December 2027.

Karl noted the work of the Planning and Zoning Commission is often complicated and time-consuming, however its members are "shaping New Canaan."

See also: Board Of Selectmen Approve Nearly A Dozen Appointments To Town Boards, Commissions In New Canaan

"I know we all support the work they do," Karl said, "but we also want to thank them for everything they do for this town and the amount of hours they dedicate, sometimes late into the night, so thank you to each and every one of these folks. It's not easy, it's not easy work."

Board members additionally unanimously approved the reappointment of Robin Fryer, Janet Lanaway and Tony Ceci to the town's Audit Committee for three-year terms ending in December 2028.