North Canaan selectmen fill vacancy at P&Z

NORTH CANAAN — At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen Dec. 2, Cooper Brown was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The appointment comes nearly a month after former chairman Tim Abbott resigned due to pressure from the developers applying for the River Woods subdivision.

Brown was previously an alternate member of P&Z and was one of two alternates to express interest in filling the vacant board seat. The other was Kathy Ducillo.

Ducillo was recommended by Chris Jacques, chair of the Democratic Town Committee.

In discussion with the two interested commission members, the selectmen inquired about relevant experience and qualifications.

Brown reported he had completed about six hours of land use classes as of Dec. 2.

Selectman Jesse Bunce expressed concerns of nepotism regarding Brown’s father, Peter Brown, who is actively serving as vice chair of P&Z and is expected to become the new chairman.

Bunce felt Ducillo would be a better choice due to having more experience as a P&Z member.

Following the discussion, a 2-1 vote elected Brown to the vacant seat. First Selectman Brian Ohler (R) and Selectman Craig Whiting (R) voted for Brown, and Bunce (D) voted for Ducillo.

Resident Trooper resigns

Trooper First Class Jeremy Ribadeneyra, the resident trooper in North Canaan, submitted his letter of resignation to Town Hall in November.

Ribadeneyra is moving on to a new position with the state police force. He agreed to continue in his current role during the transition to a new resident trooper.

At the Dec. 2 BOS meeting, Ohler reported a meeting has been scheduled with the Troop B lieutenant to discuss a replacement trooper. He expects a new trooper to be assigned around the new year.

North Canaan’s current resident trooper contract is in place until June 2025. In the 2024-25 town budget, $161,315 was allocated to the resident trooper.