We’re wishing a speedy recovery for New Canaan First Selectman Rob Mallozzi, who is laid up at home this week—booked already as a vacation week—after spraining his ankle and breaking a lower leg bone (fibula) during a freak accident last weekend.
First Selectman Rob Mallozzi broke his leg in Rhode Island. Feel better, Rob! Contributed
Up in Newport, R.I. with New Canaanites Nick Williams, a second selectman, and Paul Foley, a police commissioner, for the 12-meter sailing races, Mallozzi—who had gone uninjured in eight years as a volunteer firefighter here in town—took a misstep between a sailboat and launch and rolled his ankle. As per Coastal Orthopaedics in Norwalk, the first selectman said he’s got to keep the leg elevated for a full week to prevent swelling and quicken the recovery process, and hopes to be back at work next Tuesday. “Everyone has reached out to me, my wife and family and friends have been wonderful, and as upset as I am, that part of this has made it a little easier,” Mallozzi said on Wednesday. The first selectman was to have taken a real vacation this week, including an Eagles concert, but had to forego it while he recovers at home.
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The New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control unit responded on last Tuesday morning to a call on Butler Lane about a large bird in a house that needed help. When the Animal Control officer arrived, she discovered it was not a large hawk as anticipated but rather a woodpecker. The resident who phoned police explained that she didn’t want to go near the bird because she afraid to get pecked. The officer opened a window and the woodpecker flew out.
Rec Director Steve Benko at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
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The Steve Benko who will play the part of Herr Shultz in the Town Players of New Canaan’s upcoming production of the play “Irena’s Vow” (opening July 24) is not our Steve Benko, the director of the Recreation Department. “I have no idea [who he is],” New Canaan’s Steve Benko said when asked about it. About 10 people have already phoned the rec director to inquire after his aspirations on the stage, he said.
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Neighbors’ complaints about a barking dog on Green Avenue—a Swiss Mountain dog who only appears to bark from separation anxiety, after his owners leave the home—prompted Animal Control officials to investigate the matter on July 6. The authorities relayed some options for controlling the barking to the owner, and since no complaints have come in since then, the problem appears to have been addressed, officials say.
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New Canaan resident Michael Nowacki said he needs 28 signatures in order to file as a Libertarian party candidate for the office of first selectman. Nowacki has until Aug. 5 to get his petition filed and signatures validated by the Town Clerk and intends to do that “in a timely manner,” he said.
Longtime Elm Street business Brotherhood & Higley is now an independently owned affiliated of Houlihan Lawrence. Credit: Michael Dinan
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News broke this week that 1926-founded local real estate firm Brotherhood & Higley will join Houlihan Lawrence as an independently owned affiliate. “We are very pleased to welcome Brotherhood & Higley to the Houlihan Lawrence family,” Houlihan Lawrence Managing Principal Chris Meyers said in a press release. “We are confident that our new affiliate program will continue to enable us to grow in partnership with local market leaders like Brotherhood & Higley as we remain committed to deepening our roots in the communities we serve.”
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The eastern New Canaan black bear—sighted June 26 on Thayer Pond Road—appears to be lingering in the area still. A report came in of a Valley Road sighting on July 2, and Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm while responding to that call watched the bear itself gallop in front of her on Cheese Spring Road. Then at 7:29 p.m. on July 10, the bear was spotted on Hoyt Farm Road. Here’s a “Do’s and Don’ts” checklist from authorities. (Another report of a black bear sighting on the night of July 10—near the pond in Waveny—was not corroborated by officials who responded to the scene.)
New Canaan resident Bob Brown recently graduated from Vista Vocational & Life Skills Center. Congratulations, Bob!
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Congratulations to New Canaan resident Bob Brown, one of 15 students who graduated July 10 from Vista Vocational & Life Skills Center, a nationally accredited nonprofit education program for individuals with disabilities. Based in Westbrook and Madison, Vista provides a range of services and programs to help individuals gain independence and achieve personal success. According to a press release from the nonprofit: “Bob came to Vista in January 2012 and has worked toward meeting numerous goals, including gaining paid employment and budgeting his money. He also learned how to utilize public transportation systems and proudly takes trains and buses independently. Graduation is a monumental occasion that acknowledges the achievements of Vista students who have reached a level of independence and, as a result, graduate from Vista’s Entrance Program— a residential post-secondary program.”
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Members of the Pop Up Park Committee are meeting to plan for a 2016 season, as promised, and say their gatherings have been marked by strong collaboration with downtown merchants. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for 5 p.m. on July 28 at the New Canaan Police Department Training Room. The Pop Up Park Committee’s email address is popupplazaNC@gmail.com.
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Reports of a roaming Dalmatians in the area of White Oak Shade Road have interested Animal Control officials, especially since there are no registered dogs of that breed licensed in New Canaan.
These signs now are placed along the road through Mead Park, an effort to rid the parking areas of people taking advantage. Credit: Michael Dinan
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As promised, Department of Public Works officials have placed new signs along the road that runs through Mead Park in order to deter commuters and guests at nearby condominiums from using the area for long-term parking. As members of the Park & Recreation Commission discussed at the group’s July 8 meeting, signs that say “Parking For Park Visitors Only” and “3 Hour Limit” in one sign are now showing up in the park and eventually there will be 20 of them. Commissioners praised the signs, which are mounted on wood posts and have a plywood back.
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The Town Council reported on Wednesday night (see the last page of the public packet of its special meeting here): Through June, the town had spent a total of $51,967.13 in the case of a New Canaan Police sergeant who had failed to remove his ex-wife from a health insurance policy, accruing some $30,000 in premiums for the town beyond what was required.
L-R: Tim Hartnett, Terry Dinan, Al Fusco and Brian Rogers at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
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The volunteer committee that organizes and oversees the New Canaan Family Fourth at Waveny brought in total receipts of $71,077 in entrance passes and donations, exceeding its goal of $70,000. Contrary to what many assume, the event is not supported by the town, and after revenues fell about $15,000 short of covering expenses in 2014, the committee made a big push for attendees to purchase passes and support it.
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A Labrador retriever mix on July 1 bit another dog in Spencer’s Run, officials say. According to a police report, the attacking dog may have been made anxious because its owner entered the dog run with the dog still leashed. No tickets were issued. The bite broke the skin of the victim dog, one of a pack that ran toward the Lab when it entered the dog park. The owner of the attacking dog is responsible for paying the victim dog’s medical bills, authorities say.
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New Canaan Library at 2 p.m. next Wednesday, July 22, will host an open discussion about the books that staff and members are reading this summer. The free gathering will be held in the Curtis Gallery, and registration is required.
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The Exchange Club of New Canaan on June 16 inducted its 2015-2016 officers and directors at its annual Inaugural Dinner at the Roger Sherman Inn.
The club’s officers are: Dan McEvoy, President; Hans Dijs, President-Elect; Bob Clay, Immediate Past President; Mike Gregorio, Secretary; Mark Hahn, Treasurer; Jeff Platt, Director of Communications; Jack Devlin, Director of Member Communications; and Kevin Moynihan, Program Chairperson. Its board members are: Charlie Holmes, Jim Murray, Randy Dalia, Howard Freeman, Darryl Glatthorn and Jim Holec. The Exchange Club, America’s Service Club, focuses on programs of service in Americanism, community service and youth activities. The club sponsors a variety of events and activities that support its central mission, which is the awareness and prevention of child abuse both locally and nationally.
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The New Canaan Community Foundation this spring had two senior interns through the Senior Internship Program at New Canaan High School, who produced the video below about the local nonprofit organization. Take a look. The seniors who produced it are Lauren Peet, who will be attending Belmont University in Nashville next year, and Melissa Calabro, who will attend Lyndon State College in Vermont. Both girls had been recognized for their original music composition at the NCHS awards ceremony in May, and wrote the music in this video, too:
Hey Bob, watch your step and get well soon.
Norm jensen