In what began as a quiet summer week, New Canaan is a community in mourning this weekend, as many seek to offer hope, support and comfort to those most and forever pained by what our highest elected official is calling “a terrible tragedy”: A car backing out of a driveway on Friday afternoon accidentally struck a 2-year-old boy. He succumbed to his injuries.
Two town leaders, First Selectman Rob Mallozzi and Police Chief Leon Krolikowski, offered words that express what many in the community are feeling, and they’re worth repeating here.
In putting out a statement Saturday that included official word that the boy had succumbed to his injuries, Krolikowski said: “We ask that the family is given the respect and support they need during this very tragic time. The family is in our thoughts and prayers.”
That afternoon Mallozzi, who has served as a firefighter with New Canaan Fire Company No. 1, said: “I speak for our entire town when I express that we are all devastated by the tragic loss this family has experienced; our collective hearts go out to this family. I know that New Canaan’s churches, families, friends and institutions will be on hand to assist in any manner possible to comfort and help during this time of need and beyond. I also want to acknowledge our First Responders, who, while prepared to react to any number of emergencies, could never be in a position to be fully prepared for the scene they encountered and assisted on yesterday. I know they did all in their capacity to help and our community stands with them to offer any help and support necessary. We are here, we are prepared to help and we offer our deepest sorrow and condolences on this loss.”
Should we receive information on efforts to show support for the family in this unimaginably difficult time, we will of course share it straightaway.
What follows is a summary of what made local headlines earlier in the week, as well as information on upcoming events (which you can upload directly into our community calendar here, no sign-in required).
The theme of this week’s “Week in Review” is the Future of New Canaan.
Elm Street, New Canaan. Credit: Terry Dinan
Guiding principles
We expect the Plan of Conservation and Development, an important document that will help determine the shape—literally and figuratively—of New Canaan for at least the next decade, to be approved by P&Z next month. The “POCD,” as it’s called, sets the table for addressing major quality-of-life matters such as parking, housing, the downtown and land use.
New Canaan Board of Education Chair Hazel Hobbs with seniors Jack Robey and Kit Mallozzi, who earned Student Leadership Awards from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education. Robey is headed to Santa Clara University while Mallozzi will go to Syracuse University. Credit: Michael Dinan
Guiding principals
New Canaan Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Kolek had personalized career summaries and recognition for each of the soon-to-be-retired educators who gathered for a moving presentation at the Board of Ed meeting this week. She also spotlighted a pair of New Canaan High School seniors who have distinguished themselves academically, socially and otherwise. We summarize each honoree here.
We also attended graduation day of the first year of a new Hebrew School in New Canaan—operated by the Chabad New Canaan Jewish Center—a first-of-its-kind program here in town.
Jane Nyce, original executive director of 330-member Staying Put in New Canaan, is retiring June 22. Credit: Michael Dinan
And we caught up with one major figure in town who is set to retire this month: Jane Nyce for seven years has led the increasingly important “Staying Put in New Canaan” organization. What awaits her in retirement? Kayaking in coastal Maine, many visits from dear friends and family, and more work helping seniors plan for comfortable, safe and dignified at-home living.
Walking everywhere
For hikers, outdoors-lovers, nature people and all other kinds of townies, one of the most tantalizing (though smallest) capital project possibilities has emerged here in New Canaan. With just a few things lined up—first and foremost the sale of a Weed Street property—New Canaan could see a walk-able loop from one end of the downtown, up Elm, right on Weed, through or past Irwin, and then cutting through New Canaan Land Trust property to the New Canaan Nature Center (and Oenoke, and then back downtown).
Detail of the “Classified Open Space” map from the South Western Regional Planning Agency (http://bit.ly/1nQG3dO). The striped property on the left is Irwin. Catty-corner are two pieces of open space, the northern one of which is just about 425 feet from the corner of the shoehorn-shaped property, which is comprised of both New Canaan Land Trust and New Canaan Nature Center property. If connected, a person could safely and legally walk from downtown New Canaan, up past God’s Acre, along Oenoke to the Nature Center and then through the woods to Weed and Irwin. Credit: SWRPA
The idea of this “greenway” has intrigued open space advocates, Realtors and others for years. With an offer accepted on the key property, it could be a reality soon enough.
Going to one place
The steel skeleton of our renovated Town Hall is taking shape behind the original building there on Main Street, and this project is on schedule and budget. Tremendous job by the Building Committee, construction company and our Department of Public Works and other officials.
Going somewhere today
In town this weekend? Our local businesses and organizations have a wonderful, family-fun Sunday covered.
2013 New Canaan Dog Days. Credit: Contributed
We have the annual New Canaan Dog Days down on Cherry Street, presented by Village Critter Outfitter and co-chaired by Aetheria Relaxation Spa, and that runs 12 to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Just up the road, there’s the final day of the Library Book Sale, and that runs 12 to 4 p.m.
And looking ahead to Saturday, June 14 (6 to 8 p.m.): The Carriage Barn Arts Center (the home of the New Canaan Society for the Arts) and The Rotary Club of New Canaan will host a Wine and Cheese Tasting Fundraiser Event. The event will feature wines from New Canaan Wine Merchants, cheeses from The Darien Cheese Shop and a variety of sandwiches from Connecticut Sandwich Company, New Canaan. Event tickets are currently available for purchase online at carriagebarn.org or contact the Carriage Barn Arts Center at 203 972 1895 to purchase tickets.
New Canaan Library on June 4, 2014. Credit: Michael Dinan
Still to come
New Canaan Library now has a sense of how much money it will be able to raise for a rebuilt, more flexible and modern facility, and is now working toward creating site plans that will show just what that future facility looks like. We can expect to see plans of what it would look like in about one year.