The decorative lampposts that adorn much of the “magic circle” downtown soon will grace both sides of Locust Avenue from Main to Cherry Street, following allocation of a state grant.
Locust Avenue Parking Lot, looking down from the VNA. Credit: Michael Dinan
The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved a $59,440 contract with Danbury-based F&M Electrical Supply Company to purchase 16 of the lampposts.
The lampposts take 10 to 12 weeks for delivery, so town officials “need to jump on this now,” Tiger Mann, downtown captain and assistant director of the New Canaan Department of Public Works, said during the selectmen’s meeting, held at Town Hall.
Funds for the project will be drawn from a $215,000 state grant—New Canaan is one of 14 Connecticut towns that received a grant in 2013 from the Main Street Investment Fund.
The New Canaan Beautification League put together 160 hanging baskets for the lampposts downtown. On Wednesday, May 13, the town Department of Public Works hangs the arrangements.
The five lampposts installed on Morse Court last week by well-established local New Canaan business Santella Electric, and new stretch of connecting sidewalk along the south side of Heritage Hill Road, both had been funded by the grant.
Asked by Selectman Nick Williams whether the project would disrupt plans to create a parking deck at the Locust Avenue parking lot or a Post Office next door, Mann said no.
Meanwhile, New Canaanites stand to see not only more of the decorative lampposts but also the lovely hanging baskets from the New Canaan Beautification League that adorn them during the warmer months.
New Canaan Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tucker Murphy. Credit: Michael Dinan
Asked about the prospect of bringing in more lampposts, New Canaan Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tucker Murphy said during an interview that the lamppost project started back in 2000.
“We have had three phases thus far with Elm, Main and Forest,” Murphy said. “Morse Court is being done now and we are thrilled that the project will extend to more areas of our beautiful downtown.”
Sara Hunt of the New Canaan Beautification League said the group now has 160 hanging baskets in town and will create baskets for the Locust Avenue lampposts as long as they’re outfitted with the necessary hardware.
“It will be fantastic,” she said.