Around Town

New Canaan Man Trips on Brick on Elm Street, Sues Town

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A New Canaan man who tripped on a jutting brick on Elm Street two  years ago and fell on the sidewalk is suing the town. Harvey Melzer, the plaintiff, had been “lawfully walking” near 73 Elm St.—the address of Elm Restaurant—at about 11:24 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2024 (a Tuesday) “when he suddenly, and without warning, was caused to trip and fall as a result of [a] defective, unsafe, dangerous and/or hazardous protruding brick piece of the sidewalk,” according to a complaint filed April 15 by attorney Jason Gladstone of New Canaan-based Lampert, Williams & Toohey, LLC. The fall caused headaches, dizziness, nausea, disorientation and a number of injuries to Melzer (left hand, left knee, left hip, neck, back) as well as “loss of sleep” and a “general feeling of malaise,” according to the complaint. As a result, Melzer has “incurred expenses for ambulance transportation, emergency care, surgical care, orthopedic care, visiting care nursing, x-rays, physical therapy care, medications, medical care and attention for matters incidental thereto,” Gladstone said in the complaint.

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Warrant: Following Dispute, Man Sent Threatening Text Messages to New Canaan Family

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New Canaan Police on May 19 arrested a 54-year-old man by warrant in connection with a series of expletive-laden, threatening text messages that had been sent following a dispute in January. The initial dispute occurred on the afternoon of Jan. 15, a Thursday, according to police. Two New Canaan parents—the man, then 53, and a 38-year-old woman—each were charged with disorderly conduct after the latter discovered that her minor son “had purchased alcohol” with the man’s daughter, according to the affidavit of Officer Carlos Prado that forms the major part of an arrest warrant application signed Jan. 26 by a state Superior Court judge.

Claudia Weber

Referendum Filing Pauses Ban on Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

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New Canaan’s newly adopted ban on the summer use of gas-powered leaf blowers is not in effect, officials say, as opponents have filed for a referendum vote on the measure. The Town Council’s ordinance “is on hold until the referendum process is completed,” according to Town Clerk Claudia  Weber. “I have received a few calls from residents who thought the ordinance was in effect, and I would like to get the word out that the ordinance is on pause until the referendum process plays out,” Weber said. The Town Council, New Canaan’s legislative body, voted 8-4 in favor of a seasonal ban at its May 20 meeting. On May 27, a “A Notice of Intent to Petition,” containing the required 50 qualifying signatures, was received by Weber’s office.

Business

‘We’re So Thankful’: The Adirondack Store on Elm Street To Close Friday

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The Adirondack Store, a beloved retail shop and café that opened on Elm Street seven years ago, is closing its doors this week, the business’s owners say. Christopher English and Stephen Shin said they’re deeply thankful to the New Canaan community for making their store a unique and special place. 

“We’re so thankful that a community like New Canaan really supports its brick-and-mortar,” Shin said. “They come into town, they shop, and we truly have appreciated that, especially in the holidays, from Labor Day to Christmas Day.”

English said that when they opened the Elm Street location, he and Shin “never really imagined that it would turn into a social hub for the community.”

“That’s something we never expected,” English said. “But the people that have worked for us the seven years that we’ve basically been here are just loving and incredible.”

Shin added that those valued workers are “exceptional” and “a reflection of the community.”

“Every single person that’s ever worked for us has been incredible,” he added. English and Shin said that expenses have made the store too difficult to work financially, with $24,000 in monthly rent and bills that have risen steeply in recent years (for example, electric up from $1,200 to $4,000 per month, and health insurance up from $1,600 to $3,900).

News

New Canaan Woman, 62, Charged with Interfering with a 911 Call

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Police on Sunday night arrested a 62-year-old New Canaan woman and charged her with interfering with a 911 call and disorderly conduct. 

At about 7:20 p.m. on May 31, officers responded to Betsy’s Lane on a report of a dispute, police said. There, officers conducted an investigation and established probable cause for the misdemeanor charges. 

It isn’t clear what the woman did or whether she’s related to the victim. Police withheld details, saying it’s a domestic matter. Under state law, people are guilty of disorderly conduct if they “with intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk … [e]ngages in … threatening behavior; or … annoys or interferes with another person,” among other reasons. Police released the woman after she promised to appear June 1 in state Superior Court. 

The Domestic Violence Crisis Center in Stamford provides services, support and education for the prevention and elimination of domestic violence.