[Editor’s Note: Here’s the second installment of “Did You Hear …”—the first one is here—where we’re gathering up worthy news items that may not be right for a standalone article, or at least not at this stage. Send along tips to editor@nctest.proxy02.mageenet.net.]
A garbage container along the Post Road in Darien. Word is that New Canaan may get a similar model soon to replace its current models, generously donated many years ago by the Rotary Club of New Canaan. Credit: Michael Dinan
We heard back in March about a special $15,000 allocation earmarked by the first selectman’s office for marketing in downtown New Canaan, and heard that this year, the funds may go to replacing the aging trash receptacles in the business district.
The word is that New Canaan is poised to move on a purchase of several units very similar to those that grace the main shopping drag of downtown Darien, and that the town could see the new receptacles in place within just a few weeks.
The second sign here on Main Street near Woodland Road, from a contractor, appears to be in direct violation of the Zoning Regulations of the town. Enforcement officers are taking a look at the area for violations. Credit: Michael Dinan
***
The language in New Canaan’s Zoning Regulations could not be any clearer. Under the “Prohibited Signs” section is this sentence: “Construction signs, painter signs, landscape company signs and the like shall not be allowed in any Residence Zone.”
We hear that most builders cooperate but that shorter-term outside contractors often do not. The town’s P&Z enforcement officers pull out or take down several signs per week.
The multiple contractor signs affixed somehow to a tree here on Elm Place also appear to be in direct violation of New Canaan’s Zoning Regulations. Credit: Michael Dinan
One area of focus now includes both Woodland Road and Elm Place. A brazen violation of the regulations has been spoiling the view right along Main Street, next to the new 5,600-square-foot home there.
***
New Canaan’s Orr family got the chickens (four of them).
***
The Wheaten terrier from Hawthorne Road in New Canaan that was found roaming midday a few weeks ago and followed a woman right into the nearby New Canaan Police Department headquarters, managed to get off-property again.
Here’s the Houdini-like Wheaten terrier from Hawthorne Road, Maggie, who twice within a few weeks has wandered off-property near busy South Avenue. Credit: Michael Dinan
A man who spotted the dog near Mortimer (it isn’t clear whether the dog, Maggie, had crossed South Avenue) around 7:15 p.m. on a recent evening, concerned about the animal’s welfare, brought her into NCPD again.
She had no collar on. Seemingly, the dog had gotten outside when a housekeeper had a door open to bring an exercise bike into the house, and then wandered off. Though an invisible fence is installed on the property, the fence itself was being worked on and the family had removed the dog’s collar, which also has its ID tags on it. (Dog owners with invisible fences: Keep the collar on, even if the fence is temporarily down.)
***
A veterinarian in New Canaan put down a cat that had been hanging around outside in the vet’s neighborhood after the animal bit one of the technicians there.
The vet told officials that the office was trying to find out if someone wanted to adopt the animal when the bite occurred. The vet told officials that it had been held for 14 days prior to being put down, then handed off the carcass to police so that it could be tested for rabies in a state lab (the rabies test requires slicing open the brain). Typically—and preferably—a cat that bites would be handed over to Animal Control first, rather than euthanized by a vet without notifying police. The vet in this case told police the cat was quarantined at the office for the required two weeks prior to being put down, officials say.