Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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New Canaan Police are investigating a theft from the ACME liquor store on Elm Street, reported at 4:09 p.m. Sunday. ***

New Canaan Dog Days, presented by Pet Pantry Warehouse—a fundraiser for Adopt-A-Dog—will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the New Canaan Nature Center (register here). And register here for the Bonkers for Balls Scavenger Hunt.  

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The Board of Selectmen during its May 19 meeting approved the following hires in the Department of Public Works: Allen Pearson and Christopher Armiento, both as equipment operator II’s. ***

NewCanaanite.com is seeking a sponsor for a 2026 summer intern.

Dan Radman

‘We’ve All Endured Four Years of Agony’: P&Z Gives Formal Approval for 102-Unit Affordable Structure at Weed and Elm

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Bemoaning what the Planning & Zoning Commission’s chair characterized as the failure of a local developer and legal “intervenors” to negotiate an alternative project, the appointed body this week voted to approve a 102-unit affordable housing complex at Weed and Elm Streets, as required by a state Superior Court judge. In upholding an appeal last summer that had been filed on behalf of developer Arnold Karp after P&Z denied it, the court gave the town, applicant and intervenor neighbors the ability to negotiate a different project at 751 Weed St., a vacant 3.1-acre parcel. On Tuesday night, P&Z met to follow through on the court’s order and approve the original project, filed with the town under a widely criticized state law known by its statute number, 8-30g. Before the formal vote at Tuesday night’s regular meeting, P&Z Chair Dan Radman said, “As I have made clear, there have been ongoing discussions with the applicant and the intervenors—the neighbors who are part of the intervenor group—that have been going on a for a number of months with potential alternatives and compromises discussed and reviewed. But … they did not come to an agreement as to what a potential alternative can be.

Eric Thunem

Town Council Votes 8-4 To Pass Summertime Ban on Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers in New Canaan

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Following years of stop-and-go community efforts, New Canaan’s legislative body last week passed a summertime ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. 

The Town Council voted 8-4 in favor of the ban, with a handful of exemptions, during its May 20 meeting. Under the new ordinance—whose full text can be read here under “Exhibit A” (scroll down)—gas-powered leaf blowers will be banned from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Exemptions include using gas-powered leaf blowers for emergency and safety purposes, for storm clean-up, by the New Canaan Department of Public Works and “use by residents on hard or man-made surfaces.”

Violation of the ordinance will result in a warning on first offense, $100 fine on second offense and fine of at least $250 after that, under the language developed over several months by the Town Council’s Bylaws and Ordinance Committee. Just how a violation will be reported and addressed wasn’t immediately clear—under the Town Charter, the noise ordinance is enforceable by police—a concern raised by Council member Eric Thunem, one of four “no” votes. “I believe the ordinance as drafted is over-reaching and fails to recognize the burden that will be imposed upon many resident taxpayers who will see increased costs from landscaping companies providing them with services,” Thunem said at the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference.

News

DUI Charge for Man, 69

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Police late Monday arrested a 69-year-old Darien man and charged him with driving under the influence. At about 9:05 p.m. on May 25, officers responded to the area of Park Street and Park Lane on a report of an erratic driver, police said. Arriving officers found a car parked diagonally on Park Lane with the engine running and a man sitting in the driver’s seat, according to a police report. In speaking to the driver, officers found that he was incoherent and showed signs of impairment, the report said. After administering field sobriety tests, police brought the misdemeanor DUI charge.

Around Town

‘No Plans To Displace’ Teams: YMCA Responds to Community’s Concerns About Future of Valles Pool

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Though an aging pool at the New Canaan YMCA needs “extensive repairs,” the organization says, there “are no plans to displace” the Caimans or New Canaan High School teams that use it. Responding to an email for information about the “Valles Pool” after residents voiced fears following an internal YMCA board discussion about the facility’s problems and future, the Y’s vice president of financial development, marketing & strategic initiatives, Kristina Barrett, said that the organization has invested over time in “regular maintenance and significant repairs.”

Barrett continued in an email response: “However, we have extended the life of the roof for as long as possible and are now in need of a complete roof and building envelope replacement, along with some additional repairs.  The cost of the project will be significant and necessitates that the Y’s Board of Directors evaluates the investment needed and the best way to proceed with the space. The Board is taking into consideration facility usage, the experience of aquatics users in all pools, the experience of all YMCA members, the age of the pool itself, and the Y’s mission to address current community needs. A decision has not yet been made and any rumors of specific closing dates, plans, or program impact are inaccurate.”

Barrett said that parents of the New Canaan Y Caimans team and the NCHS athletic director are aware that “there are no plans to displace” those teams. 

Barrett said that the Y is hoping that the Board will make a decision regarding the Valles Pool in the next few months. The issue spread through the community following a post on social media last week, and this news outlet received several emails from concerned residents.