News

New Canaan Firefighters Extinguish Roof Fire Thursday Night [PHOTOS]

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New Canaan firefighters on Thursday night put out a roof fire in the northern part of town. Firefighters responded to the Louise’s Lane fire at 8 p.m. and found that it was “burning between the ceiling and roof on the second floor,” according to a press release issued by Fire Chief Albe Bassett. “The fire was initially difficult to access because of a 20-foot ceiling height,” Bassett said. “Firefighters used ladders and long pike poles inside the home to remove the sheetrock on the ceiling, accessing the fire, and applying water for extinguishment.”

Multiple crews rotated into the structure to bring the fire under control, he said. NCFD was on scene for about two-and-a-half hours fighting the blaze.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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Silvermine’s Annual Artisans Market will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday. “Discover an incredible selection of jewelry, ceramics, woodworking, glass, textiles, stationery, candles, accessories and original artwork – perfect for gifts or something special for yourself,” organizers say. “You’ll have the chance to meet the talented artisans behind each creation and know that every purchase supports both the artist and Silvermine.” More info here. ***

New Canaan Police are investigating the theft of $77 worth of items from CVS on Park Street, reported at 4:13 p.m. on Oct.

Government

DPW: ‘Western Lot’ Next to Waveny House Two Weeks from Reopening

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The repaved and reconfigured “western lot” near Waveny House is two weeks from reopening, officials say. Approved this summer after the Board of Selectmen called for more information, the approximately $480,000 project will see the number of spaces double in the heavily used lot. “It’s coming out very nice,” Public Works Director Tiger Mann told NewCanaanite.com in an interview. 

The contractor has remade the western side of the lot with “pervious pavers” instead of asphalt, which will help with drainage, Mann said. “He’s got all the granite in,” he said. “He’s working on the grading on one side, and he’s already started to grade the other side, the sidewalk.

Animal 411

New Canaan Police Impound 10 Cats from Seminary Street Home

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New Canaan Police last week impounded 10 neglected cats from a Seminary Street home where the animals’ owner told authorities that kittens had died, records show. At midday on Oct. 27, a Monday, the owner of the two-family home and one tenant came to police to report “a large number of cats” living in poor conditions at the rental property, according to an incident report obtained by NewCanaanite.com through a public records request. There were “cat feces all over the property inside and outside” and “the cats have fleas,” the property owner told police, according to the incident report, filed by Officer Sean Godejohn, head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section. There’s “a very strong cat urine smell inside the apartment,” the owner told police, and the neighbor said “he can smell the cat urine from inside his apartment next door,” Godejohn wrote in the report.

Election 2025

Election 2025: Dems Pick Up Seats on Board of Ed, Town Council

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New Canaan Democrats picked up seats on the Board of Education and Town Council in Tuesday’s municipal election, making gains on the elected bodies in this longtime Republican town where unaffiliated voters now make up the single largest voting bloc. All Democratic candidates won their races—as a result, the party picked up one seat on the school board and two seats on the Town Council. Incumbent Board of Ed member Julie Toal, a Republican, lost her seat, while only incumbents Penny Young and Kim Norton won election to the Town Council among the GOP, with three other candidates falling short. 

Here are unofficial results for contested races:

The Town Council will now be composed of six Democrats and six Republicans, where the GOP had held an 8-4 majority prior to Tuesday’s election. On the school board, Republicans now hold a 5-4 majority, where it had been 6-3. 

Tim Klimpl, chair of the Democratic Town Committee, said after the tally came in: “Tonight voters in New Canaan decisively chose better balance in our town government. New Canaan Democrats will protect our most beloved institutions.