Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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New Canaan Police at 7:14 p.m. Sunday received a complaint of a vehicle doing “donuts” at Kiwanis Park on Old Norwalk Road. The matter involved a juvenile and has been resolved, police said. ***

Staying Put in New Canaan’s “Summer Soiree” will be held 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 5 at Waveny House. Tickets here. ***

Congratulations to Tom Throop, furniture designer maker and owner of Black Creek Designs on Grove Street, on being selected to exhibit his furniture at the Smithsonian Craft Show, the most prestigious juried craft exhibition in the nation.

Amy Murphy Carroll

Pedestrian Railing Coming to Front of Playhouse To Help with Tripping Issue

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Because visitors to The Playhouse have had problems tripping off of the small concrete platform right out front, the town is planning to install a railing at the platform’s edge. The hope is that the railing will serve as a visual demarcation between the concrete and brick sidewalk below, according to Public Works Director Tiger Mann. The railing itself also will be required by code with a new pedestrian ramp that’s going in on the right-hand side of the building, Mann said. “We’re still having issues with some residents not navigating from the platform down to the brick sidewalk,” Mann told members of the Board of Selectmen at their regular meeting, held Tuesday at Town Hall and via videoconference. “They’re not able to understand from the concrete to the brick.

News

Police: Motor Vehicle Stops Up 33% in 2025

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New Canaan Police stops for motor vehicle violations are up 33% through the first quarter of 2025, officials say. The rise, up from 667 through the first three months of 2024 to 989 this year, reflects the department’s focus on public safety and police presence as a deterrent, according to Chief John DiFederico. “We’re seeing a nice bump in some of our high visibility enforcement which is helpful to curb other crimes,” DiFederico told members of the Police Commission at their regular meeting, held Wednesday night at Town Hall and via videoconference. 

He continued: “It’s good to see officers out there conducting some traffic enforcement to slow people down, make them a little bit more conscious of pedestrians and bicyclists that are gonna get out there in the warmer weathers. That’s good to see.”

The comments came during an update to the Commission on monthly statistics within the New Canaan Police Department. 

Officers appear to be using radar to conduct more stops, as well. According to the data shared by DiFederico, radar stops are up to 167 through the first three months of 2025, compared to 61 in the same period last year.

Board of Selectmen

New Canaan’s Health Director Resigns

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New Canaan’s longtime health director, widely credited for her work in seeing the town through the COVID-19 pandemic, has resigned, officials say. Jenn Eielson’s 11-plus-year career with the municipality ended April 13 with her resignation, according to the New Canaan Department of Human Resources. Town officials disclosed the resignation publicly during Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting. 

There, Selectman Steve Karl said, “I think it’s important to recognize what Jenn did while she was here. She got us through COVID. Very well-respected in town.

Government

Town Purchasing Four Water Bottle Fillers for Parks, NCHS Track

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Town officials on Tuesday approved about $14,000 to purchase four water fountain bottle fillers. 

The Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 in favor of a contract with an Oakmont, Pa.-based company to purchase the Murdock-brand machines. Two of them will be replacement installations, at Mead Park Playground and upper trail entrance to Irwin Park, while two others will be new installations, at the New Canaan High School track and upcoming Waveny Park Playground with a nearby outdoor fitness area, according to Superintendent of Parks Ryan Restivo. The two existing machines are about 10 to 15 years old, he said at the selectmen’s regular meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. 

“The unit at Irwin Park will have a pet bowl feature on it, similar to the one that’s installed at the dog park now,” Restivo said. First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Selectmen Steve Karl and Amy Murphy Carroll voted 3-0 in favor of the $13,942 contract with Equiparts Corp. The selectmen asked whether the cost includes installation (no, and in some cases a live water tap is needed, which requires two contractors including an excavator), whether funds are allocated for the tap (yes), how long these machines should last (20 years) and whether they’ll look good (yes they’re stainless steel and in color).