News

Man, 49, Charged with Violation of a Protective Order

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New Canaan Police on April 23 arrested a 49-year-old Norwalk man by warrant and charged him with violation of a protective order. He’s accused of contacting a woman in New Canaan, as well as their child, in violation of a court-issued order, according to an arrest warrant application obtained by NewCanaanite.com. Officer Clinton Jarvis noted in his arrest warrant application that the man has been arrested four times prior by NCPD, the last three of which were for violating protective orders with the victim. She notified police at about 10:04 p.m. on Feb. 25, saying he was calling and texting her, according to the arrest warrant application, signed by state Superior Court judge Bruce Hudock.

Around Town

Robin Bates-Mason Hired as Executive Director of the New Canaan Land Trust

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One of New Canaan’s most venerable nonprofit organizations has hired a highly respected town resident with a broad range of work and community volunteer experience as its new executive director. Robin Bates-Mason will assume the position of director of the New Canaan Land Trust in mid-June, according to a press release issued by the organization. “Robin brings to the role a deep commitment to community engagement and environmental stewardship, along with experience in nonprofit leadership,” the press release said. “A 25 year resident of New Canaan, along with her husband Carl and two sons, Robin is well known for her service on local boards and initiatives that promote sustainability and civic involvement.”

She is co-founder and president of Planet New Canaan and past co-president and board member of the New Canaan Beautification League who served one term on the Town Council from 2019 to 2023 and currently serves as chair of the Conservation Commission. Bates-Mason also works as volunteer and events manager for Staying Put in New Canaan, from which she will “thoughtfully transition” in these intervening weeks, the press release said

“I’m honored to join the New Canaan Land Trust and am excited to build on the strong foundation that’s been laid by past leaders, volunteers, and supporters,” Bates-Mason said in the release.

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Warrant: Woman, 37, Stole a Sweater and Two Dresses from Togs 

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New Canaan Police on April 21 arrested a 37-year-old Darien woman by warrant following a larceny investigation. On March 16 (a Sunday), officers were dispatched to Togs on South Avenue on a report of a theft from the store, according to an arrest warrant application obtained by NewCanaanite.com. There, an employee told police that at about 5:30 p.m. the prior day “the suspect came into the store and tried on eight different articles of clothing,” according to the police affidavit, written by Officer Austin Malizia. The suspect then “came up to her [the Togs employee] and explained that one of the dresses was ripped,” which it was, the affidavit said. The suspect left the store about 20 minutes later and when the employee started closing up soon after, “she noticed that a dress was missing,” the arrest warrant application said.

News

New Construction Planned for Woodland Road

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The New Canaan Building Department on April 6 received an application to build a 5,000-square-foot home on Woodland Road. The six-bedroom house planned for 111 Woodland Road also will include six full bathrooms, one half-bath, one fireplace, 1,200-square-foot finished basement and three-bay garage, according to the building permit application. 

It will cost about $1.1 million to build, the application said. The contractor on the job is New Canaan-based Cognetta Hoes LLC, the architect CMS Architects of Stamford. A demolition permit was issued April 4 for the 1926-built Cape on the .73-acre parcel. It was purchased for $2,050,000 in February by a limited liability company with the same address as the contractor, tax records show. 

Around Town

New Canaan Beautification League Dedicates ‘Carol West Seldin Barn’ at Lee Garden

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The New Canaan Beautification League’s plan to convert a shed in the Lee Garden—itself constructed using parts of the Lees’ family home, including the fireplace and the hardwood floors—into a barn for the organization’s volunteers began as Carol Seldin’s vision, according to NCBL President Nancy Malling. Yet as the plan stood in 2019, “our budget only allowed for a bare bones renovation,” Malling told more than 75 people gathered Saturday at the 2.7-acre garden on Chichester Road on a clear, sunny afternoon. 

“Last June, Carol made her final wish,” Malling said during a dedication of the lovingly renovated shed as the ‘Carol West Seldin Barn.’

Malling continued: “She asked that all donations in her memory be given to the organization that she loved. As I thought about the best way to honor her deep commitment to NCBL, my focus was to make some renovations or improvements to the Lee shed—to go the last mile for Carol. When I brought this idea to Peter Seldin, he asked me to think bigger … As he said, ‘If Carol’s name is attached to this project, it should be done right.’ Carol’s vision and Peter’s unqualified support created the Carol West Seldin Barn that we dedicate in her honor today. On behalf of all of the New Canaan Beautification League volunteers, we are very grateful to have a home.”

A certified master gardener and past president of the NCBL whose motto, “Gardens are for sharing,” is printed on a plaque inside the renovated barn, Seldin died June 6, 2024 following a courageous battle with lymphoma.