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Daniel Bennett, age 46, of New Canaan, was arrested around 11:30 p.m., Thursday, April 20 after police responded to a single-vehicle crash on White Oak Shade Road, said Lt. Marc DeFelice, of the New Canaan Police.
Officers identified Bennett as the operator of a Volvo that crashed into the side of the roadway, DeFelice said.
While speaking with Bennett, the officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and signs of impairment and he was arrested after declining to take a standard field sobriety test, police said.
The announcement of Bennett's resignation from the board came on Wednesday, April 26, through a letter to the community signed by all seven remaining board members and the board secretary.
"This afternoon the Board of Education accepted a letter from Dan Bennett resigning from his role as Chair of the New Canaan Board of Education and from his elected position as a member of the New Canaan Board of Education, effective immediately.
"We would like to thank Dan for his commitment and service to our town, our board, and our schools. We wish Dan and his family our very best," the letter said.
The board will elect a new chairman to fill the unexpired term within their next two scheduled meetings.
The new chairman will serve until the next municipal election in November 2023; at that election, a successor will be elected for the unexpired portion of the term (2 years).
Earlier in the week at a board meeting on Monday, April 24, Bennett had said he was taking a leave of absence.
No mention was made of his DUI arrest.
Attempts to reach Bennett by Daily Voice were unsuccessful.
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