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.

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).

Government

New Facial Recognition Mini-Lockers at ‘Steve Benko Pool’: Parks & Rec Roundup

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Residents who take advantage of the Steve Benko Pool at Waveny this summer have a new amenity waiting for them. 

About 20 facial recognition-activated mini-lockers will be made available in a single unit outside the locker rooms for those who want to store something small such as a wallet and/or cellphone, according to Parks & Recreation Director John Howe. “When you use them you’ll go up and put your face there and then you go back and can get in and once you’re back in your face is gone, and it goes to whoever is next,” Howe told members of the Parks & Recreation Commission last week. “So they’re very simple to use. And they also have USB charging ports. So if you wanted to charge your phone while you were swimming, you could.

Government

‘We’re Really Excited’: Irwin Park To Get Dozens of New Trees

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Town officials last week voiced support for a plan to install dozens of trees in a popular park near downtown New Canaan. The Parks & Recreation Commission during its regular meeting April 9 voted 9-0 in favor of the New Canaan Garden Club’s plan to plant nearly 50 trees in Irwin Park. “We’re really excited,” Tori Frazer, co-chair of the Club’s Irwin Park Committee, told members of Parks & Rec at the meeting, held at Lapham Community Center and via videoconference. “It’s really going to enhance the beauty of Irwin.”

Parks & Rec Chair George Benington and members Gene Goodman, Hank Green, Keith Richey, Susan Lione, Douglas Murphy, Timothy Klimpl, Lindsey Heron, Melany Hearne and Brittney Singer voted in favor. Commissioner David Shea was absent.