New Canaan reconsiders charter rule requiring Board of Finance members to own property

August 12, 2026 - 10:39

New Canaan residents will head to the polls in November to weigh in on a proposed change to the town charter, one that would strike a long-standing requirement for Board of Finance members to own real estate within the town. The current rule, which has been part of the charter for decades, mandates that anyone serving on the finance board must be a property owner. Supporters of the change argue the rule is outdated and potentially unconstitutional, as it excludes renters and others who do not own property from holding a key fiscal position.

The question of the rule's legality has been raised by town officials and legal observers, who point to broader constitutional concerns about property ownership as a qualification for public office. The issue came to a head after a resident who does not own property expressed interest in serving on the board, prompting a review of the charter language. The town's charter revision commission has since recommended the removal of the requirement, and the proposal will now go before voters as a ballot question.

If approved, the change would open the door for a wider range of candidates, including long-term renters, to run for the Board of Finance. Town leaders have noted that financial expertise is not necessarily tied to property ownership, and that the current rule may be limiting the pool of qualified applicants. The November vote will settle the matter, though the constitutional question could still be tested in court depending on the outcome. For now, residents are being asked to weigh in on whether the old rule should stay or go.