Animal 411

Animal Control: Watch Out for Snapping Turtles Crossing Roads, Nesting Season Underway

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With snapping turtle mothers leaving their ponds to lay eggs on dry land, the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section is urging residents to watch out for the animals. Nesting season is underway and female turtles are beginning to cross roads and lawns in order to find safe places for their newly laid eggs to hatch, according to Officer Allyson Halm, head of Animal Control. People around town are uninformed about and even frightened by the sudden appearance of the prehistoric creatures, though there’s no reason to be scared of the placid reptiles, Halm said. “The sad thing is that people will run them over, and sometimes intentionally,” Halm said. “We are just asking people to yield to them.”

Police have received reports of numerous sightings around town over the past several days, including on Elm Place, Fieldcrest Road and in Lakeview Cemetery, she said.

News

Police: New Canaan Woman, 18, Arrested After Family Dispute

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Police arrested an 18-year-old New Canaan woman late Saturday after a family dispute at a residence downtown. Officers at 11:15 p.m. on June 4 received a report of the dispute occurring at an Elm Street residence. Following an investigation, officers charged the woman with criminal violation of a restraining order and disorderly conduct. It is unclear what motivated the disagreement, how long or just why the restraining order has been in place or what is the woman’s relationship with the victim. Police withheld information due to the incident’s classification as a family dispute.

News

Police: Wilton Woman, 70, Drunk and Driving Wrong Way on Main Street

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Police arrested a 70-year-old Wilton woman late Saturday for drunk driving after stopping her for driving the wrong side of the road and hitting a curb. At about 10:40 p.m. on June 4, officers received a report about someone driving in the wrong lane toward town on Main Street near Oak Street, according to a police report. When an officer reached the scene, the motorist hit a curb and came to a stop, the report said. Officers smelled alcohol on the operator’s breath, it said. The driver later failed field sobriety tests, and a breath test found her to be nearly 2.5 times the legal blood-alcohol limit.

News

Updated Emergency Response Vehicles, New Bulletproof Vests for the Police Department

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Town officials on Tuesday green-lighted two additions to equipment for members of the New Canaan Police Department. The first unanimous approval from the Board of Selectmen involved transportation for the officers—outfitting two new emergency response vehicles that include specialty warning systems.

Police Capt. John DiFederico urged that the selectmen during their regular meeting that vehicles are important in the business aspect of the police department. The purchase of the two vehicles can help maintain a strong fleet—which is important “in case anything ever breaks down,” DiFederico said at the meeting, held in Town Hall. The budget for updating two vehicles is $26,030.13 total, though the final cost will depend on how much equipment the department can take from older vehicles as well as how much money the older vehicles will fetch when sold. The request garnered unanimous approval from First Selectman Rob Mallozzi and Selectmen Nick WIlliams and Beth Jones.

Around Town

Two New Canaan Women To Open ‘Private Showroom’ on Elm Street for Designer Men’s Clothes

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Two New Canaan women next week are opening what they’re calling “a private showroom” for custom men’s suits on Elm Street, a place where they plan to display samples and meet with clients. Melissa Engel, who is opening the J. Hilburn-brand showroom with longtime friend Keleigh McAuliffe, said New Canaan is a perfect location. “I think that New Canaan is a sophisticated market because of its proximity to New York City,” Engel said. “New Canaan is sensitive to fashion trends and quality, but is also definitely still price sensitive and interested in good value.”

Asked to describe New Canaan’s style, Engel said: “I would say that we are a very conservative and somewhat preppy town. There are some young, metro trends in the city that I don’t think New Canaan would adopt.”

Located at 199 Elm St.—directly across from the train station, in The Glass House building—the showroom will feature much of the Hilburn line, including suits, dress and casual shirts and shorts.