It was Back To School week in New Canaan, and back to work week for many locals (including our rail commuters).
As we headed into this Labor Day weekend, we caught up with a local organization that partners with scores of fellow nonprofits, schools, youth sports programs and others to make sure students in this area don’t go hungry, and dropped by the ABC House of New Canaan to witness one co-resident director share how his life has been touched by ALS and yes, undergo the ice bucket challenge.
Here’s the Week in Review.
Town Talker
Ending months of speculation about a possible sale, the Roger Sherman Inn hit the market at $6 million. The historic structure, an operating inn since 1925 though the property there began its residential life in the mid-19th Century when the fourth pastor of the Congregational Church of New Canaan established a house there, now is the subject of wide speculation.
Roger Sherman Inn in February 2014. Credit: Terry Dinan
Many New Canaanites fear a developer may arrive to scoop up the property, demolish the inn and seek to install multiple housing units there—with or without the blessing of local planning officials, depending on whether a state law related to affordable housing is invoked.
Our follow-up article to breaking news of the inn hitting the market includes a statement from exclusive listing agent Halstead.
We put together a special “Back To School” installment of our local history feature, “0684-Old,” by taking a look at one of the old Center School’s most unique assets: The Knockout Pit.
The Knockout Pit superimposed on a present-day photo of the Center School Parking Lot. Inset courtesy of Karen Corker Malner. Composed by Terry Dinan.
A cement corridor below ground level and around the back of the school, the Knockout Pit was perfectly situated for crowds of spectators and served as the site for classic dodgeball games. We caught up with Center alumni from different generations to talk about their memories of the Knockout Pit, and tried to pinpoint its creation in the historic record.
Business
New Canaan Cleaners moved to East Maple Street, and we talked to one of its owners about just why. The longtime business vacates a Pine Street lot that David Mandel told us will see a mixed retail-and-residential structure go in.
Here’s the interior at Red Mango on Elm Street on Aug. 26, as soon through the front window. Credit: Michael Dinan
Red Mango froyo on Elm Street appears to have been closed, though we were unable to connect with its owners, and we profiled a pair of New Canaan sisters who have launched a new tutoring business.
Land Use
P&Z received an update from the New Canaan Field Club and several of its neighbors, who are at odds over what impact a proposed pavilion expansion will have on noise, light and home values.
A rendering of the proposed, expanded pavilion at the New Canaan Field Club, from PH Architects of Newtown.
At the heart of the discussion is a new floor on the pavilion that includes an outdoor deck.
The next public hearing on that item will come Sept. 23, according to P&Z’s meeting schedule.
In October, neighbors of another proposed land use matter will be heard by the Inland Wetlands Commission. A plan to subdivide a 9-acre Weed Street lot into three lots has raised concerns about flooding from at least one abutting property owner.
We also reported on 13 separate lawsuits filed by owners of residential and commercial properties following the 2013 reval, and subsequent assessment appeals.
This ‘Welcome to New Canaan’ sign soon are expected to grace the northwest corners of South Avenue at Gerdes Road and New Norwalk Road at Carter Street. The wood signs are DOT-approved (they’ll sit within the right-of-way on state roads) and, depending on feedback from locals, town officials will seek a spot along Route 106 off of the Merritt’s exit 36 for a third sign. Image courtesy of the Town of New Canaan.
Around Town
We talked to New Canaan’s Doug Zumbach about the upcoming Caffeine & Carburetors (Sunday, Sept. 7) and, after confirming the location with parks officials, discussed the prospect that future installments of the hugely popular gathering of auto enthusiasts could be located at Waveny, if all goes well.
Finally, New Canaanites within weeks could see new “Welcome to New Canaan” signs installed just off of the Merritt Parkways southbound ramps at exits 37 and 38.