The Animal Control section of the New Canaan Police Department issued a written warning to the owner of a terrier mixed-breed dog in the area of Ogden and Wakeman Roads in New Canaan after the dog attacked another dog on Oct. 30, officials said. The victim dog’s owner said it was the third such scuffle, however, the earlier incidents had not been reported.
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New Canaan’s Veterans Day ceremony is to start promptly at 10:55 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11 at God’s Acre. More details here.
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Five people are still living in Smith Ridge Road home, even though the property’s ownership reverted to a bank after foreclosure proceedings, according to a complaint filed in state Superior Court in Norwalk. The property had been purchased for $575,000 in 1999, tax records show. The people living there are its former owners, an elderly relative and two people that the bank hasn’t been able to identify—all named as defendants. They were supposed to be out Oct. 27, the complaint said.
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Parking Commission Chairman Keith Richey said Thursday night that his understanding from First Selectman-elect Kevin Moynihan is that the latter “wants to put together a committee” with representatives from Lumberyard Parking Lot neighbors such as Bankwell and Karl Chevrolet to “get their thoughts” on his campaign pledge to prioritize the decking of the lot. During the commission’s special meeting at Town Hall, Richey said the idea may be to approach Bankwell about using its driveway for construction vehicles or taking some spaces for those working on the project. “Obviously he’s not in office yet so he cannot start anything,” Richey said.
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A Laurel Road resident reported to Animal Control that a coyote found its way onto the porch, within one foot of a 90-pound Labradoodle. The coyote fled when a human appeared but it’s a good reminder that we’re entering breeding season for coyotes, so be aware and do not leave dogs unattended outdoors as the wildlife becomes more active.
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Spontaneous applause broke out for Kit Devereaux when she entered the Douglas Room at Lapham Community Center on Wednesday night for her final meeting on the Parks & Recreation Commission. Fellow commissioners as well as those in attendance at the meeting gave Devereaux an ovation the day after the well-liked Democrat came within 33 votes of winning a tightly contested first selectman race. She soon will start a two-year term on the Board of Selectmen, serving alongside Kevin Moynihan and Nick Williams.
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Rucci Law Group and STAR, Inc. will host a free seminar 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 15 for anyone interested in learning more about special needs trusts. Attorneys Marianne Cirillo and Michele Gartland will discuss the tools necessary to establish a Special Needs Trust and the different options available. It’ll be held at Woodway Country Club in Darien, and those interested should RSVP to psaverine@starct.org or call (203) 846-9581 x302.
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Though the Police Commission in September voted to extend parking times downtown from 90 minutes to two hours, the change doesn’t take effect until the physical signs are in place, Parking Bureau Superintendent Stacy Miltenberg said.
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A bat found alive in a basement sink on Fawn Lane tested positive for rabies, Animal Control said. A licensed nuisance wildlife control officer removed the animal. The home where the bat was found includes three kids under age five.
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First Selectman Rob Mallozzi and Selectmen Beth Jones and Nick Williams on Wednesday approved the New Canaan Farmers’ Market to run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays from April 28 to Dec. 15, 2018 in the Center School parking lot downtown.
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A bobcat sighting in Waveny was reported Nov. 8 to Animal Control.
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Williams joked during the selectmen meeting this week that “We need somebody to step up with naming rights for” the new turf fields at New Canaan High School, as “Water tower turf field 1,” “Water tower turf field 2” and “Water tower turf field 3” are clunky.
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Finally, here’s a gallery of photos showcasing other newsworthy happenings around New Canaan:
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Photo left to right: Front row: Kristin Thomas, Neely Leslie Back row: Melissa Blanco, Jenny Volanakis, Julie Eich, Bankwell in New Canaan Branch Manager, Will Acevedo, Megan Hoffman and Roseann Conheeney. *** Filling in the Blanks, the Fairfield County-based non-profit that fights childhood hunger by providing needy children with meals on the weekend, today launches its Fourth Annual Holiday Backpack Drive. Filling in the Blanks (FIB) currently serves more than 800 children in Fairfield and Westchester counties and will once again give each child in its program a brand new backpack filled with gifts this holiday season. Founded in 2013 by two New Canaan residents, FIB strives to remove the obstacle of food insecurity faced by thousands of children by providing each student in its program a bag containing two breakfast items, two lunch items, snacks and fresh fruit every Friday. Children who qualify for the government free or reduced school lunch program are eligible. Just before the winter break, FIB will give each child it serves a brand-new backpack containing: - A brand-new, grade appropriate book - New toy - New hat, scarf, gloves and socks, donated by Lemon - New toothbrush, donated by Fessler Family Dentistry - Pancake mix and syrup Bankwell is announcing its support of the program through a donation toward the purchase of backpacks. Notes Bankwell Marketing Director Diane Knetzger, “As a community partner, Bankwell is thrilled to support the Filling in the Blanks Holiday Backpack Drive. Their mission to fight childhood hunger, which impacts students right in our backyard, is an important one, and we’re committed to making this a priority initiative -- through our donation, as well as volunteering with the assembly and delivery of the backpacks. We applaud the efforts of Filling in the Blanks for truly making a difference in our community.” For the third year, Elm Street Books in New Canaan will partner with FIB to secure the books for the backpacks. During the month of November, Elm Street shoppers will be able to purchase a book (or a bundle) for the FIB Holiday program. Elm Street will also give 10% of the pre-tax purchase price of each book back to FIB. A variety of organizations have joined with FIB to collect the items needed to fill every bag, including New Canaan Youth Football, First Presbyterian Church, Grace Community Church, the New Canaan YMCA and the Little Rams Service League. FIB is also seeking organizations and/or families to assist in the assembly and delivery of the backpacks in December. To volunteer, or to donate a complete backpack to the program, visit www.fillingintheblanks.org.
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L-R: New Canaan Planning & Zoning commissioner Laszlo Papp, Heidi De Wyngaert, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Bankwell, Housing Authority of the Town of New Canaan Chairman Scott Hobbs, First Selectman Robert E. Mallozzi, III, State Representative Fred Wilms (R-142nd) and State of Connecticut Department of Housing Commissioner Evonne Klein celebrate the topping off of Millport Phase II on November 3. The event marked a milestone in the HANC’s ten-year effort to rebuild and expand its affordable housing developments on Millport Ave, resulting in the construction of 113 units of affordable housing.
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Future 5’s College Prep Co-Directors Debbie Eagan and Nancy Roath stand in front of the Future 5 “College Wall.” *** Future 5, a nonprofit that helps motivated, low-income high school students in Stamford, CT graduate and connect to a better and sustainable education and career path, announced that volunteer college coaches Nancy Roath and Debbie Eagan of New Canaan, CT have been selected to receive the “Team Hall of Fame” award by the New Canaan Community Foundation and its Volunteer Recognition Committee. The awards ceremony will take place on Thurs., November 16 at New Canaan Town Hall at 5:30PM. Roath and Eagan serve as volunteer Co-Directors of Future 5’s College Prep program. They created the year-round curriculum for the high school seniors who attend the College Prep workshop each week during the school year from September through June. In their roles for almost nine years, they have become experts in the college application process including advising on college essays, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and utilizing Naviance, an online tool to help students explore their interest and strength and develop a course of study that matches their long-term goals with an actionable plan. Additionally, they know which colleges make the most sense for inner-city students as well as where Future 5 student members should apply for scholarships once they have been accepted. Roath is a former IBM executive and Eagan move on to her second career and received a Graduate Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA in June 2015. She is currently working towards a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and Education at Columbia University. “We are thrilled that Nancy and Debbie are receiving this recognition,” said New Canaan resident Polly Perkins Johnson Future 5 Board of Directors Chair. “They are thoroughly knowledge about every aspect of the college process and are willing to do whatever it takes for our students. Nancy and Debbie’s leadership and dedication really pay off for our students, most of whom will be the first in their families to attend college.” In the 2016-17 academic year Future 5’s College Prep program included 53 high school seniors working one-on-one with more than 40 volunteer coaches, many of whom are New Canaan residents. The students and coaches attend weekly workshops, led by Roath and Eagan. Of last year’s 53 high school seniors, 32 went to four-year schools, 19 to two-year schools, and one enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Future 5 students received more than 150 acceptances at more than 60 colleges including Manhattanville, Fairfield University, and Denison. “Each year the College Prep program gets even better thanks to Nancy and Debbie’s leadership, knowledge, and enthusiasm,” said Kathryn McManus, a New Canaan resident and Future 5’s Executive Director. “We’re extremely proud of the college admission resources and advice Nancy and Debbie make available to our low-income students and their families. We’re excited that Nancy and Debbie are receiving this award and grateful to the New Canaan Community Foundation for this well-deserved recognition!” “We’re so honored, but really it’s a labor of love,” said Roath when asked about her reaction to receiving this award. “We’re very proud of our involvement at Future 5 and share this award with the students and their college coaches. We have a really great team!”
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For the third year in a row, Fairfield Theatre Company contributed $25 from every new FTC membership for a two week duration to support Autism Speaks, an advocacy organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments and the public. This year, Bankwell, a community bank and FTC season sponsor, joined in to match each donation dollar for dollar. At the end of the campaign, each organization presented a check to Autism Speaks for $1825. Shown in photo are (standing left to right) Bankwell SVP Bob Palermo and FTC Executive Director John Reid with (seated) Allison Ziering Walmark, an FTC board member and and Ethan Walmark, a Westport 12 year old and keyboardist in the bank, Clueless.
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A car fire on Knapp Lane shortly after 3 p.m. on Nov. 3. SE photo
Though the Police Commission voted in September to extend the in-town parking from 90 minutes to 2 hours the new law does not go into effect until the physical signage is posted. This most likely is because the Police Chief is the only one with cranial effectiveness. If the signs go up before the holidays the traffic in town will resemble a parking lot in itself. The new rule is essentially once again the tail wagging the rhinoceros. It will be abused by those mannerless people who work in town as they manipulate the rule into getting four hour parking.
Their lack of etiquette is unfortunate. The limit should have remained at 90 minutes so as to keep the mannerless in their cages. The sad recommendation to those lunching, movie viewing or extensively shopping should have remained utilizing the town parking lots.