Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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The owner of 69 Hoyt Farms Road paid the town $1,225 in fees after the Building Department issued an after-the-fact permit for $60,000 of work that he’d done on his own home. The work involved finishing a 917-square-foot basement, creating a bathroom, pantry, main room and back room plus a food prep area, according to the permit. “Kindly note that all the above work was done without obtaining the necessary permits,” the permit said. “This means that all required inspections during construction were not performed.”

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The town has scheduled 421 assessment appeal hearings in March, according to a schedule published on the municipal website. Officials have said the town could see a reduction of about $20 million to its Grand List after the Board of Assessment Appeals finishes its work. 

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We wish the very best to Nelson Oliveira, a journalist that locals will remember fondly as the New Canaan News reporter from about four years ago.

Business

New Canaan’s 10 Most Popular Cars

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The two oldest automobiles registered in New Canaan are from 1915, tax records show—a Ford Model T and a Harley Davidson Twin. After that, the oldest autos are a 1922 Seagrave Pumper, 1923 Model T, 1923 Alfa Romeo and 1927 Rolls Royce, according to the recently completed Grand List, which includes taxable real and motor vehicle property. Once again in New Canaan—host of the popular Caffeine & Carburetors car show and home to 92-year-old dealership in Karl Chevrolet, one of the best-established companies in town—two makes of cars stand out atop the list of the most commonly owned vehicles. Both BMW and Chevrolet cracked the 1,500 mark, whereas no other single car company reached 1,200 locally registered vehicles. 

Here’s a look at the the top-10 most popular car makes:

 

Other notable makes that didn’t crack the top-10 include Land Rover (511), Porsche (473), Volkswagen (464), Volvo (427), Acura (387) and Nissan (345). Asked how he’d describe the tastes of local auto enthusiasts, Caffeine & Carburetors founder Doug Zumbach said “Porsches top the list.”

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“It’s the Rams. We’re coming.” New Canaan High School defeated rival Darien in the Turkey Bowl Thursday, 17-14. The game featured two early interceptions by NCHS senior Charlie Cunney, rushing TD by sophomore Christian Sweeney, field goal by sophomore kicker Nicholas Radman and Drew Pyne-to-Wyatt Wilson TD pass and terrific defensive stand by the Rams to effectively close out the game, spoiling Darien’s perfect season. The result means that New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan collects on his $100 charity bet with his Darien counterpart, Jayme Stevenson. He will donate the winnings to the New Canaan Athletic Foundation (a timely gift).

Around Town

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Though regular phone calls to 9-1-1 remain the best and fastest way to contact emergency services, all New Canaan Police Department officers who operate the emergency call center there have been trained in the state’s new 9-1-1 texting feature, according to Police Chief Leon Krolikowski. Anyone texting the numbers ‘911’ as a recipient on a mobile device may send a brief written message that includes the location of the emergency and what services are needed—police, fire or ambulance. The technology “is useful for the hearing impaired, during a domestic violence incident or active threat incident, and during medical emergencies that render a person incapable of speech,” Krolikowski said in a press release. More information is available here. ***

The lead sponsor of the 2018 “Chamber Cup” golf event—to be held Oct.

Around Town

PHOTOS: Bargain-Hunters Hit New Canaan for Annual Sidewalk Sale

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Bargain-hunters descended on New Canaan in droves starting Saturday morning for the Village Fair & Sidewalk Sale, running through 4 p.m.

Parts of Forest, Main and Elm Streets were closed to pedestrian-only traffic for the major annual event, organized by the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce. “It’s going awesome,” the Chamber’s Laura Budd said as the Sidewalk Sale got into full swing. “It’s a beautiful day. The vendors are up and running and people are already shopping. We love to see it.