At the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen on November 23, First Selectman Pat Del Monaco and Selectman Khris Hall welcomed newly elected Selectman Lori Beninson to the Board. Both also thanked outgoing Selectman Kim Hanson for his many years of service, not only on the Board of Selectmen, but on other community boards as well.
Ms. Del Monaco read a proclamation which stated:
“Whereas, Kim was elected to the Board of Selectmen and served from November 19, 2013 through November 16, 2021, also serving as a member of the Local Traffic Authority; and
“Whereas, Kim was elected to the Board of Education and served from November 2003 through November 2013. As Chairman of the BoE, Kim was instrumental in the renovation of the Meeting House Hill School and the High School Science Center and followed through to completion on time and under budget. As Chairman of the BoE, he reached across the aisle to include all voices in setting policies. Kim always sought to bring civility to the process; and,
“Whereas, Kim was appointed to serve as an Alternate Member of the Conservation Commission from January 2000 through August 2001 and April 2002 through December 2014, and as a Full Member from August 2001 through March 2002. He was instrumental in protecting the Dunham Pond area wetlands during building construction and in particular insisting on a protective berm; and
“Whereas, In August 1996 Kim was appointed to the Housatonic Regional Resource Authority and served through June 1999 and then again from September 2017 and continues to serve today; and
“Whereas, throughout his service, Kim has been able to work closely with state legislators on school and town issues; and,
“Whereas, Kim has always been the first to volunteer, lending his considerable expertise in sound production for town events, particularly for Veterans and 9/11 ceremonies; and,
“Whereas, Kim continues to have the courage of his convictions, stands up for what he believes in and is not afraid to be a single voice.
“Now, therefore, I, Patricia Del Monaco, First Selectman of the Town of New Fairfield, on behalf of the Board of Selectmen and the citizens of New Fairfield, do hereby express our appreciation and gratitude to Kim Hanson for his outstanding service and 25 years of dedication to the community. We extend best wishes and wish him continued success in life’s pursuits.”
After reading the proclamation, Ms. Del Monaco added, “I just want to say, thank you so much Kim…and although we don’t always agree, I consider you a friend, and I wish you only the best going forward in your retirement, and I hope you won’t be a stranger.”
Mr. Hanson responded, “Well thank you. This is very touching, and it means a lot to me and I consider both you and Khris friends as well. The effort to reach across the aisle these days is very important, and needs to happen more often in our country, and this is meaningful to me.”
Selectman Khris Hall thanked Mr. Hanson as well, saying, “Congratulations on 25 years. I’m not aware of anyone else that has that length of service to the town…It truly is outstanding, and in so many different areas…You put in the time, you put in the hours, you really dig in, and on all sorts of different topics. It’s really made a difference in the town. You’re a true patriot.”
Selectman Lori Beninson said, “Kim, I want to wish you the best, and thank you for giving me this opportunity, and I appreciate your offer to be a mentor.”
Several other past and present associates wished Mr, Hanson well, including former Selectman Mike Gill, current BoF member and past First Selectman Cheryl Reedy, recording secretary Suzanne Kloos, and Zoning Board of Appeals Member John McCartney.
In other business, the Board set a Town Meeting date of Thursday, December 9, 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Senior Center to discuss and vote on amending the Animal Control Ordinance. The gist of the change is the town’s moving from a regional association to a local, in-town animal control center.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be Thursday, December 9 at 7:30 pm.
By Greg Slomba