Animal 411

Wild Animal Stops Traffic on Weed St., Moves Along When Cops Approach

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More than one driver reported a “beaver” on the roadway at the intersection of Weed Street and Marshall Ridge Road, and the animal was enough to stop Weed Street traffic in both directions. When police approached the animal, it moved off the road, and it didn’t appear to be injured. Town Animal Control Officer Maryann Kleinschmitt said she wasn’t at this scene and didn’t see the animal herself, but most reports of “beavers” are woodchucks. If there’s no body of water close by, it’s extremely unlikely that an animal that someone reports to police is actually a beaver, she said. ***

A resident of Forest Street, not far from its intersection with Heritage Hill Road, reported at 9:44 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, that a bat in the house was killed by a resident.

Public Safety
New Canaan Fire Department

Fire Log: Man in Town Hall Elevator Trapped for 35 Minutes

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A man in elevator in the newly renovated New Canaan Town Hall got trapped for about 35 minutes when the elevator was stuck Tuesday afternoon. It was one of the New Canaan Fire Department’s calls last week (see below for more). The elevator missed one of the floors by a few inches, which set off internal safety devices that kept the door from opening, said Fire Chief Jack Hennessey. A short while later, an elevator repair man could be seen working on the device, which was between the first floor and the floor below. “We were talking with the gentleman who was in the car, and he was in no distress,” Hennessey said.

Public Safety

Police Find Marijuana at Four Separate Vehicle Stops

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New Canaan police, in one case using Apollo, the police dog, found marijuana in four vehicle stops in the past week (in addition to another vehicle stop Wednesday night at Waveny Park). Police gave these accounts (accusations not proven in court):

Lakeview Avenue, 8:41 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 4

When a police officer driving west on Lakeview Avenue near its intersection with Millport Avenue saw a vehicle turn onto Lakeview from the other street without stopping, he had the car pull over. When he talked to the driver, a 17-year-old New Canaan girl, the officer could smell marijuana. The girl was found to be in possession of a multicolored glass pipe, a metal marijuana grinder and rolling papers, along with at least trace amounts of marijuana.

Around Town

Plan to Stroll Around for a Taste of the Town on Thursday, Aug 20

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Walk, sample some food from local restaurants and try for some prizes from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, at New Canaan’s annual “Taste of the Town Stroll” through downtown. And bring a bag to donate to the New Canaan Food Pantry in order to get a stroll map so you won’t miss any of the 25-plus participating stores and restaurants. How to win prizes

Here’s how to be eligible for a prize at the fifth annual event:

“[P]ick up your map at the Chamber of Commerce in front of the Movie Theater,” the chamber announced this week. “This year, over $6,000 worth of prizes, have been generously donated by local businesses.

Public Safety
New Canaan Police Patrol Car

Police Dog Apollo Helps Cops Charge Man with Intent to Sell Pot

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A 21-year-old man in Waveny Park was charged with intent to sell more than an ounce of marijuana after a police dog sniffed it out, New Canaan police said. Police gave this account (an accusation not proven in court):

A police officer saw a vehicle without a front license plate traveling west through the park at 8:58 p.m., Wednesday. When the officer stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, a Norwalk resident, the officer could smell burnt marijuana. Asked if he had marijuana in the car, the driver said he did and pointed to an open compartment in the center console. A rolled marijuana cigarette was in the compartment.