News

‘They Could Become a More Permanent Fixture’: New Canaanites Should Expect To See Black Bears Again Soon

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After at least five sightings of black bears in town between last April and September, the head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section is notifying residents now that they should expect to see the species again soon. The young males spotted last summer gave Officer Allyson Halm the impression that they’re passing through this area, and New Canaanites likely will see more of them as spring approaches, according to Officer Allyson Halm. “They could become a more permanent fixture here,” said Halm, who spotted a black bear loping across Cheese Spring Road last summer, just days into the job. The omnivorous mammal had been spotted on Weed Street in October 2014 and then made headlines in New Canaan last April, when a family (rescue) dog alerted his family to a black bear that had entered the rear porch of a residence. After a black bear was spotted in June on Thayer Pond Road, officials urged New Canaanites to ensure their garbage cans and birdfeeders were secured, town officials issued a list of do’s and don’ts.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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Congratulations to the Pauley family on the birth of baby girl Peyton Ann Elaine Joyner. The daughter of Michael Joyner and Lauren Pauley—and granddaughter of recently retired New Canaan Tree Warden Bruce Pauley and his wife, Elaine—Peyton was born at 10:04 p.m. on July 14 at Norwalk Hospital. Lauren Pauley is a 2000 Trinity Catholic High School graduate. The Joyner family resides in Stamford. ***

New Canaan High School 2015 graduate and football standout Zach Allen will wear No.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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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. 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.

Animal 411

New Canaan Police Issue Bear ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ Checklist

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In the wake of last Friday’s bear sighting in eastern New Canaan—the animal was spotted by a boy in his family’s Thayer Pond Road back yard around 8 p.m.—local police are encouraging residents to learn their “Bear Do’s and Don’ts.”

The animals are increasing in numbers and have been seen more frequently in Connecticut, according to a state bulletin distributed by New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski and the department’s Animal Control Unit. “They are rarely aggressive toward humans but can create a variety of problems,” said the bulletin from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Natural Resources Wildlife Division. “In particular, bears that are fed by humans can become habituated and may need to be euthanized. Connecticut residents must learn how to reduce the likelihood of bears becoming a problem. Birdfeeders, garbage, pet food and compost attract bears close to houses and people, and should be made unavailable to bears.”

Here’s a PDF from the state that lists the Do’s and Don’t’s:

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News

Officials: Black Bear Seen in Eastern New Canaan Late Friday

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New Canaan Police are urging some residents on the eastern side of town to keep their dogs inside and remove birdfeeders after a black bear sighting Friday night. According to an email from the town and automated voicemail message sent from Director of Emergency Management Mike Handler (sign up here for alerts), residents in the areas of Deer Park, Thayer Pond, Valley Road and all roads in between additionally should put garbage cans inside a garage or shed, and “add ammonia to trash to make it unpalatable.”

“Clean and store grills away after use,” Handler said in a message that went out at about 1 p.m. Saturday. “Do not allow dogs outside without a leash (especially if they start barking in the early hours of the morning,” he said. “Pet doors should be closed for the evenings.”

Anna Diamantis of Thayer Pond Road said that around 8 p.m. Friday, her son spotted the bear from the family’s kitchen window. It crossed the yard, paused to sniff a plant and tree, and then crossed into a neighbor’s yard, she said.