Moynihan, Williams Announce They Are Seeking Re-Election

NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan, who last month said he was "leaning toward" running for re-election, made it official Thursday announcing that he will seek a second term as the town's top elected official.

Moynihan made the announcement in his office with fellow Republican Selectman Nick Williams in attendance, who also said he was seeking re-election. If elected, it will be Williams fifth term.

"I am honored and privileged to serve as First Selectman of New Canaan," Moynihan said. "I enjoy coming to work every day to help make New Canaan an even better place to live and raise a family.
I am very pleased with the success that we have had in our first 17 months. I would like to continue
to serve the town that my wife Mim and I have called home for the last 38 years. I especially enjoy working with our talented and dedicated team of Town employees and collaboratively with our volunteers on the many boards and commissions that make New Canaan run."

Moynihan is a retired Wall Street corporate attorney, who served on the New Canaan Town Council prior to becoming First Selectman.

Williams, a senior partner with the New York law firm Clifford Chance, is a former Chairman of the New Canaan Board of Education.

"This Board of Selectmen has a very good working relationship, and has had some extraordinary accomplishments," Williams said.

Two New Canaan Democrats have announced that they will challenge Moynihan and Williams, reports the New Canaan Advertiser. Kit Devereaux, who narrowly lost to Moynihan two years ago, is seeking re-election to the board, while Craig Donovan is running for First Selectman.

Below are accomplishments from his first term that Moynihan noted in a prepared release:

• Budget Control

Reduced Town Budget for FY 2019 and flat budget for FY 2020; lowest budget increases in more

than a decade.

• Increasing Commuter Parking

Eliminated wait list at Talmadge Hill Station parking lots in mid-2018.Increased commuter parking at Downtown station by 16% with Boxcar/St. Aloysius, at no cost to the town.

• Improving Cell Phone Service

Saved the cell antennas at Waveny water tank; avoided a cell tower in Waveny Park.

Making progress on expanding cell service in the Northern parts of town.

• Maintaining Education Excellence

Supported the 2020 BOE Budget after the BOE brought in a very lean budget request.

• Eversource Natural Gas Expansion

Responsible for 3-year Eversource expansion of gas, which will save New Canaan taxpayers and homeowners millions of dollars in future years.

• Senior Housing

Actively promoting the private development of senior-friendly housing and expecting progress in near future.

• Making New Canaan a Sustainable Community

Bringing first solar energy to four town buildings in 2019 and Schools in 2020-22.

Working on bringing energy-saving electric generation to Sewer Plant and Schools.

• Open Space and Historic Preservation

Transferred responsibility for Bristow Bird Sanctuary to a re-invigorated Conservation Commission.
Succeeded in protecting the Grupe-Nichols-Browne house on Valley Road from demolition.
Bringing ADA compliance to Waveny Mansion and other historic town buildings.
Obtained funding for the Land Acquisition Fund.

• Technology Enhancements

Will launch new town website in May 2019, with the support of new Technology Advisory Committee.

• Tourism and Economic Development

Formed the Tourism and Economic Development Advisory Committee to promote New Canaan’s local businesses and attract visitors and new residents to our extraordinary town.

• Responsible Management of Town Buildings

Consolidating Human Services Department into Town Hall Annex (former Outback), permitting the sale of Vine Cottage.
Enhanced Mead Park with removal of dilapidated brick garage after years of delay.

• Public-Private Partnerships

Champion for the establishment of PP3 with the New Canaan Athletic Foundation.
Created new PP3 with Getabout to provide senior/disabled transportation more cost-effectively.
Strong partner of Waveny Park Conservancy, which I helped create as a Town Council member.

• Strong Financial Management

Strengthened Finance Department, which received award for financial statement presentation.
Maintained strong working relationship with Audit Committee.

• Transparency in Government

Developed fully transparent budget process and fully open communication with the press.