Around Town

Q&A: ‘Juneteenth’ Celebration Set for June 19

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Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, New Canaan-founded Stand Together Against Racism, or STAR, has scheduled its Juneteenth celebration for 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday, June 19 at the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society. Sponsors include Walter Stewart’s Market, Bankwell, NCM&HS, New Canaan Library and NewCanaanite.com. 

We put some questions to Juneteenth Co-Chairs Shona Goldenberg and Shandia Mitchell. Here’s our exchange. New Canaanite: What is the significance of Juneteenth, and why did the STAR organization decide to celebrate it? Shona: Juneteenth holds immense historical importance as it marks the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans in the United States.

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Commission Approves Crosswalk for Elm Street at New BOE Offices

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Officials this month approved a midblock crosswalk downtown to ease pedestrian passage between the new Board of Education offices and a local business. The Police Commission during its May 18 meeting voted 3-0 in favor of installing a crosswalk at 220 Elm St., connecting the New Canaan Public Schools offices to Walter Stewart’s Market. Some students who attend programs at the Board of Ed also work at Walter Stewart’s, prompting the superintendent of schools to request a crosswalk for safe pedestrian passage, according to Public Works Director Tiger Mann. “They have a kind of a working relationship,” Mann said at the meeting, held at New Canaan Police Department headquarters and via videoconference. Commission Chair Jim McLaughlin, Secretary Shekaiba Bennett and member Paul Foley voted to approve the crosswalk.

Business

‘Really Convenient’: New Canaanites Weigh In on the New Dunkin Location at South and Elm

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A relocated Dunkin’ Donuts recently opened on the corner of South Avenue and Elm Street, and in a bigger space, expanding the town’s selection of coffee and pastry. 

The new location—just down the street from Dunkin’s longtime Elm Street home—has sparked discussion among locals, prompting conversations about convenience, space, aesthetics, service and parking. Maria and Michael Palladino, longtime New Canaan locals, said they are Dunkin’ regulars and like the new space. “We would say we are avid coffee drinkers, we really appreciate the variety of refreshments offered,” Maria Palladino said. “The new location is also really convenient for our daily visits.”

Though Dunkin has occupied commercial space in the same row of buildings next to Bank of America for decades, local customers say they’re making a smooth transition to the expanded store. The new location offers easier access to the parking at Morse Court, which includes metered spaces as well as free 15-minute spots that customers can use to visit Dunkin without crossing a street.

Board of Selectmen

Three Crosswalks on Heritage Hill Road To Get Accessible Ramps

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Residents of Heritage Hill Road can anticipate safer pedestrian routes because of the Department of Public Works’ decision to move forward with installing new concrete curb ramps at crosswalks there. 

Those living on Heritage Hill Road—a popular cut-through to Route 123—asked for the crosswalks, and the project has since been given the green light by the Police Commission, according to Public Works Director Tiger Mann. “We had a residential request for mid-block crosswalks on Heritage Hill Road,” Mann said during Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting. “The intention is to address safety concerns, especially during school bus pickup times and facilitate easier crossing for residents.” The comments came as Mann presented a contract with a New Canaan-based company to do the work. Selectmen Kathleen Corbet and Nick Williams, and First Selectman Kevin Moynihan, voted 3-0 to approve the $19,925 contract with Peter Lanni, Inc. The figure includes $10,000 for police to oversee motor vehicle traffic during the ramp construction.

Board of Selectmen

Town Approves Contract for ‘Neglected Cemetery’ Cleanup

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Town officials on Tuesday approved a contract to clean up cemeteries in New Canaan. The Board of Selectmen approved a $7,650 contract with a local company for maintenance at nine cemeteries in town. The cemeteries, which are spread throughout town, will undergo a spring and fall cleanup and then two summer mowings, according to Public Works Director Tiger Mann. “Leaves, branches, and further debris removal,” Mann said at the May 16 selectmen meeting. 

Selectmen Kathleen Corbet and Nick Williams, and First Selectman Kevin Moynihan, voted 3-0 in favor of the contract with Rosati Landscaping. There are 27 cemeteries in New Canaan, Mann said.