While the League remains strongly committed to nonpartisanship at all times, our organization may take action on governmental measures and policies on which members have reached consensus. Read below for our current positions, updated and reaffirmed in May 2012.
Town charter
The League of Women Voters of New Canaan (LWVNC) recommends that the Town establish a working committee to review the Town Charter every five years and that the League monitor these activities.
housing
The LWVNC supports the position that New Canaan has the responsibility to help alleviate the shortage of low and moderate-income housing. The League supports the accessory apartments in all residential zones.
quality education
The LWVNC supports the Town’s efforts to provide the highest quality education possible, which includes a continuous curriculum review plan for grades K-12, a long-range school facilities plan, and a long-range strategy for continuous improvement. The LWVNC continues to support the teaching of civics in grades K-12.
recreation
The LWVNC recommends that the Town continue to develop a long-range plan to meet public recreational needs in New Canaan, that these needs be balanced against other community needs, and that this plan be subject to periodic review.
open space
The LWVNC strongly recommends that open space preservation needs to be addressed by the Town. The current 2 and 4-acre zoning is inadequate to preserve the sense of open space in our town. Therefore, the Town should actively pursue all opportunities to acquire public lands through legitimate negotiations with property owners. When appropriate, the Town should collaborate with private agencies to acquire open space.
conservation
The LWVNC recommends that the Town take the necessary steps to preserve and manage the public lands held by the Town. The Town should have a long-range plan and the personnel necessary to accomplish these purposes. Zoning regulations should reflect the desire of the Town to keep its semi-wooded character and they should be strengthened by legal sanction and enforced by Town officials.
public awareness
The LWVNC should undertake activities to increase awareness among the residents of New Canaan regarding federal, state and local governmental activities. The LWVNC recommends that the Town use all means at its disposal to increase awareness of Town issues, meetings, forums and elections.
adolescent sleep needs & public school start times
The LWVNC believes that adolescent sleep deprivation is a serious public health issue that must be addressed. Inadequate sleep exacts a profound toll on students’ learning, cognition, mental and physical health, behavior and safety. Education about adolescent sleep needs should be incorporated in the health programs at New Canaan Public Schools. The New Canaan Public School Administration should identify and implement a later starting time for opening school for 7th through 12th graders.