Allyson Halm

Animal Control Sees Rise in Complaints of Bad Behavior at Waveny Dog Park

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Following an increase in negative encounters among dogs, and their owners, at Spencer’s Run in Waveny, the head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section is reminding users of the fenced-off area’s rules. “Animal Control officers have been fielding an increase of complaints regarding both human and dog behavior,” Officer Allyson Halm wrote in an email sent to park members, obtained by NewCanaanite.com following a formal request. “Officers are also observing dog owners paying more attention to their phones than their dogs.”

Asked about issuing the reminder, Halm said it was needed after separate dog fights caused “several injuries” at the park. “We’ve had a rash of incidents of uncooperative people, bullying dogs, as well as dog versus dog,” she said. “All in all Spencer’s Run functions fairly well, but I felt obligated to reach out and remind people of the ethics and the rules.”

The email underscored the importance of having owners exchange information after a scuffle or fight and one or more dogs sustains an injury.

Bryan Luizzi

‘An Inspiration To Generations’: South School Principal Joanne Rocco To Retire After 40 Years in Education

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Most educators can’t say they’ve had a colleague fall off the roof of their school wearing a chicken costume. For Joanne Rocco, though, this was just another day on the job. Rocco, who began her 27-year career in New Canaan Public Schools as a science teacher at South School, had borrowed a chicken costume from a parent to use in her “Egg Drop,” a science lesson where she dropped eggs from various levels of structures, including the roof of the school. When she was called away to go on a site visit with the superintendent, another teacher volunteered to take her place. Rocco returned to the school around 5 p.m. to be told that the teacher had fallen off the roof during the Egg Drop and was brought to the emergency room, all while wearing the costume.

Jay Egan

Athletic Director: ‘Home of the Rams’ To Be Painted on NCHS, Facing Dunning Stadium

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New Canaan High School’s premier athletic facility stands to get a boost of hometown pride. According to NCHS Athletic Director Jay Egan, workers this weekend will begin the project of painting a New Canaan Rams-specific message across the top of the south end of the high school, facing Dunning Stadium. The words ‘Home of the Rams’ will be painted in white on top of red paint that’s already in place, Egan told members of the Board of Education at their regular meeting, held Monday night in the Wagner Room at NCHS. “We had an exceptional year athletically,” he said during a presentation that touched on many topics. “It was quite a year for us even by New Canaan standards.”

The idea to decorate a visible structure with a positive message about New Canaan had come up in 2016 when then-Utilities Commissioner Dan Welch suggested painting “New Canaan, Home of the Rams” on the Waveny water towers overlooking the sports fields.

Allyson Mahoney

Selectmen Approve Contract with New Canaan Company for Fencing Around Toddler Playground at Mead

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As part of a larger Mead Park playground project, officials voted last week to approve a contract with a New Canaan-based company to replace a fence at the site. A joint effort of the town and a nonprofit organization to replace the main playground structure as well as introducing a new rubberized surface is “well underway,” according to Recreation Director Steve Benko. The adjacent toddler playground at Mead also got new equipment, and the committee overseeing the project “has recommended that we replace the old fence with a new fence” there, Benko told members of the Board of Selectmen at their June 4 meeting, held in Town Hall. First Selectman Kevin Moynihan and Selectman Kit Devereaux voted 2-0 to approve a request from Benko to enter into a contract with Gannon Rustic Fence for $6,370. Selectman Nick Williams was absent.

Atlas Outdoor

Town Approves Contract for Trinity Pass ‘Guiderail’ Replacement

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Town officials last week moved to approve a contract with a Connecticut company for the replacement of guiderails along a narrow, windy road up in the north side of New Canaan. The Board of Selectmen at its regular meeting June 4 voted 2-0 to approve the $17,860 contract with Branford-based Atlas Outdoor. The guiderail in question “ends on a ridge that we share with New York and protects alongside the bridge and reservoir,” Director of Public Works Tiger Mann told the Board at the meeting, held in Town Hall. First Selectman Kevin Moynihan and Selectman Kit Devereaux voted to approve a request from the Department of Public Works to enter the contract, which includes a contingency of $2,680 and police protection for $2,500. Selectman Nick Williams was absent.