Conservation Commission Approves October Theater Dates at Bristow

Conservation · Meeting of May 14, 2026

New Canaan's Conservation Commission unanimously cleared two ticketed "Bard at Bristow" theater performances for October, provided organizers post advance signage. The commission, chaired by Tom, approved dates of Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 after member John said his "only concern is making sure that people who aren't part of it still have the ability to walk through the park." Jennifer Holm of the Charter Review Commission briefed members on a draft charter update headed to the Town Council in July and the November ballot, including a new three-year minimum term for appointed commissioners, a 12-year consecutive service cap, and a requirement that the council approve any sale or lease of town-owned property, including parkland. Members also fielded a resident's tree-dispute question, referred to the state's tree warden statute, and considered a pitch from a Stamford e-waste recycler.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 946 words

Source: the Conservation meeting of May 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

The Full Article

NEW CANAAN — May 14, 2026 — The Conservation Commission voted unanimously Thursday to let a Summer Theatre production stage two ticketed "Bard at Bristow" performances at Bristow Park in October, after members pressed for signage to keep the park open to walkers and dog owners during the closures.

Chair Tom opened the meeting at 12:07 p.m. and led the commission through a routine agenda that also included an extended briefing from Jennifer Holm of the Charter Review Commission on proposed changes to the town charter, a resident inquiry about a tree dispute, and a pitch from an electronics recycling company.

The Full Story

The commission approved the minutes of its April 9 meeting on a motion by commission member John, seconded by Ann, with member Susan abstaining because she had not attended that meeting. Brian, who oversees maintenance at Bristow, told the commission that volunteers had cleared much of the Camp Hutchins Garden but still need to move mulch bags left behind and frozen over the winter. He said Rotary volunteers plan to cut back winter euonymus at the park Saturday, and that landscaping and tree-service trucks have repeatedly parked in Bristow's single handicapped spot on Old Stamford Road. Brian asked that staff member Tiger notify the parking commission and police department to keep the spot clear.

The commission then took up a request to approve "Bard at Bristow," a ticketed Summer Theatre production planned for two Sundays, Oct. 4 and Oct. 11. Commission member John raised the central concern of the discussion: that non-ticketholders retain access to the public park during the event. Members agreed the park could be closed for roughly six hours on each date, comparing it to periodic closures of Waveny Park for other town events, but asked that Summer Theatre post advance signage, at the Apple Cart general store and elsewhere, notifying residents of the closure. The Parks and Recreation Commission had already approved the ticketed event separately. Members noted the second date is a planned second performance, not a guaranteed rain date; if the first Sunday is rained out, there is no makeup date. The commission approved the request unanimously.

Jennifer Holm then briefed the commission on the town's decennial charter review, which she said the Charter Review Commission delivered to the Town Council as a draft report on May 4. She said the council is expected to hold at least one public hearing, likely in late May, before a final vote targeted for its July meeting, with approved changes going to voters on the November ballot. Holm said the review standardizes commission terms at a three-year minimum, caps consecutive service on any one body at 12 years, and would newly require Town Council approval for the sale, lease or transfer of town-owned real property, along with council confirmation of Planning and Zoning appointments and the addition of three alternate members to the Ethics Board.

Holm walked the commission through a color-coded draft of its own charter section, explaining that broader "powers and duties" language belongs in the charter while implementing detail belongs in town ordinances, which are amended more easily. She recommended the commission bring any proposed ordinance changes directly to the Town Council's Ordinance and Bylaws subcommittee, which she said meets monthly and is chaired by Hillary Ormond. Commission members said they would review the draft charter language for objections and prepare ordinance recommendations to present at a future subcommittee meeting.

In new business, a member said a resident had called asking whether the commission mediates tree disputes between neighbors; members responded that Connecticut's tree warden statute, not the commission, governs disputes over trees on a neighbor's property. The commission also heard from a member about an unnamed electronics recycling company, based in Stamford, that has offered to speak to the commission about e-waste recycling services. Members agreed to consider inviting the company to give a presentation once the commission finishes its work on ordinance recommendations.

"My only concern is making sure that people who aren't part of it still have the ability to walk through the park and access the public land." — John, Conservation Commission member

"I would say think about the charters as being very structural. You exist, you have five, 10, three members. You have alternates. You are here for three years, two years, whatever. This is your remit." — Jennifer Holm, Charter Review Commission

"It only happens every 10 years, and I was here 10 years ago, but it wasn't part of the process. I learned a little bit today." — Tom, Conservation Commission chair

Why It Matters

Bristow Park is jointly overseen by the Conservation Commission, the New Canaan Land Trust and the town's Parks Department under an authority the Town Council delegated years ago, which is why the commission must sign off on events like the October theater performances. The charter revisions Holm previewed would give the Town Council new approval power over any future sale or lease of town-owned land, including parkland such as Bristow, and would send the package of changes to voters in November. The commission's own proposed ordinance changes, on items like environmental reporting and greenhouse-gas tracking, were not incorporated into the draft charter and will need to go separately to the Town Council's ordinance subcommittee.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Approval of the April 9 regular meeting minutes Tally: Approved unanimously Note: Commission member Susan abstained, having missed the April meeting. - Vote: Approval of Summer Theatre's "Bard at Bristow" performances at Bristow Park on Oct. 4 and Oct. 11, 2026 Tally: Approved unanimously

Source

Town Of New Canaan: Conservation Commission meeting, May 14, 2026