Government & Politics
Jayme Stevenson State of the Town 2020

State of the Town: First Selectman: Darien’s Strengths Will Help Us Weather Challenges

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First Selectman Jayme Stevenson’s State of the Town report to the Representative Town Meeting Monday night was long and covered a lot of topics, including the impact of COVID-19 on town spending, operations and its affect on local business; continued interest by state lawmakers in overriding local zoning; and the possibility of state laws on the town budget. She also touched on the events of the past year and praised the town’s accomplishments. Here are some of the highlights (with the full text of her speech, as prepared, below; Darienite.com will add the Darien TV79 video when it becomes available):

Stevenson gave this COVID-19 statistical update: “As of today (Dec. 7), 492, or 2.26% of Darien residents (21,775) have tested positive for COVID since the first week of March. Twenty-one residents have been hospitalized and sadly, five of our residents passed away due to COVID complications.

Darien Public Schools 2020-2021
David Dineen Board of Education State of the Town

State of the Town: Board of Ed Chairman: Covid’s Been Expensive, But District’s in Good Shape

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Darien Board of Education Chairman David Dineen delivered his first State of the Town report to the Representative Town Meeting on Monday. “As of Friday, Dec. 4, the District had 16 active COVID-19 cases with a cumulative total of 881 persons quarantined,” Dineen said. “As school, town, country and state cases continue to rise, decisions on the school learning model will be reviewed on a regular basis,” in consultation with or with attention to town, state and federal officials and agencies, he said. “Presently, total COVID spending is $3,294,477, less grant and transfers of $2,477,939,” Dineen said.

Darien Planning and Zoning Commission 2020
Stephen Olvany P&Z State of the Town 2020

State of the Town: P&Z Chairman: The Town’s Been Improving and Can Expect ‘Future Success’

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Darien land use boards put in place the town’s business regulations in response to the COVID-19 epidemic before any other community in the area, Planning & Zoning Commission Chairman Stephen Olvany boasted in his State of the Town address Monday night. It was among several boasts Olvany made about the town’s recent accomplishments and prospects. Among them: Darien has been a top target for families moving out of New York City; the town’s office vacancy rate is below similar area towns; its residential home prices are slightly higher than New Canaan and Westport. Olvany said the Palmer’s redevelopment project in downtown Noroton Heights is expected to begin sometime this year, and the project should take two years. Here’s the text of Olvany’s speech, as prepared:

Thank you, Mister Moderator, Members of the RTM, my fellow elected officials and The People of Darien.