Government

Police: Speed Enforcement Won’t Solve Mill Road Problems

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Most motorists are traveling at reasonable speeds on Mill Road, according to new data released by the Police Department, meaning a perceived public safety issue on the residential street cannot be solved by radar enforcement alone. Residents about two months ago raised concerns to the Police Commission about speeding motorists zipping by pedestrians and others on the narrow, windy road in southeastern New Canaan. The department followed up by gathering data on driver volume and speed over about two months, getting consistent results, according to Police Deputy Chief Andrew Walsh. 

The 85th percentile of motorists on Mill—a data point that traffic consultants view as indicative of overall speeds—travelled at about 28 mph at last count, while the maximum speed on the road was 45 mph, Walsh told members of the Police Commission at their Nov. 21 meeting. “In looking at it, it seems to be less of an enforcement possibility to be dealt with,” Walsh said at the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. 

He continued: “We had our officer set up a few times, and to no result. The speeds are spread out.

Government

New Canaan ‘Community Garden’ Proposed for Kiwanis Park

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Led by residents who live in the neighborhood, a group of locals is seeking permission to create a “community garden” for New Canaan in a largely disused area of Kiwanis Park. An expanse of grass in the northeastern part of the Old Norwalk Road park could lend itself to an approximately 6,000-square-foot garden that town residents could use to grow mostly vegetables as well as fruit and flowers, New Canaan’s Lisa Creighton told members of the Parks & Recreation Commission at their Nov. 13 meeting. “The garden itself will increase the appeal and usage of Kiwanis Park,” Creighton said at the appointed body’s regular meeting, held at Lapham Community Center and via videoconference. During a presentation to the Commission, Creighton listed some of the expected benefits of the garden, including community beautification, social connection, educational opportunities, food security and sustainability. 

Creighton, who’d been involved with community gardens in Washington, D.C. in the past said that in her experience such gardens “build social cohesion,” bringing together people who normally wouldn’t interact. 

She added that a community garden such as what’s envisioned for Kiwanis lends itself to wide “peer-to-peer education” where adults learn from each other “about the stewardship of land, planting and seedlings.”

Though the organic plants grown in a community garden are designed to serve those who have secured plots, there often is excess, Creighton said.

Government

Court Filing: Zoning Board Erred in Upholding Neighbors’ Appeal of Driveway Gate Permit

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The owners of a Pastures Lane home last week filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn a recent decision regarding the issuance of a permit for a driveway gate. The town in July issued a permit for the owner of 78 Pastures Lane to install an automated driveway gate. Later that month, neighbors filed an appeal with the town regarding the permit itself. In their appeal, they didn’t voice concerns over the driveway gate, pointing instead to what they described as an overly tall and insufficiently screened deer fence on the same property. 

Running south off of Silvermine Road between Canoe Hill and Valley Roads, Pastures Lane is a cul-de-sac of seven homes and one undeveloped lot. The gate in question is located on the cul-de-sac.

Government

Fitness Stations at Waveny To Be Removed Next Month, Making Way for New Equipment

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The broken and outdated equipment in a fitness area located on a grassy, tree-shaded island across the Orchard Field parking lot in Waveny will be removed next month, officials say. Set for a widely anticipated replacement, the 60-by-60-foot all-abilities fitness area often draws children who mistake it for playground equipment, according to Selectman Amy Murphy Carroll. “Multiple times, men and women are trying to use it, and it’s swarmed by kids,” Murphy Carroll said during Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. 

She added that no one is blaming the kids for doing so. “I know the actual equipment has little signs on it, which every kid in the world would ignore,” Murphy Carroll said. “And the parents probably don’t even see it, to be fair.

Government

Town To Purchase Additional License Plate Readers, Security Cameras for NCPD

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Municipal officials this week approved a $67,500 contract to purchase five license plate readers and eight security cameras for the New Canaan Police Department, to be installed around town. The contract with Flock Group Inc. will “supplement what we currently have” at NCPD, according to Police Chief John DiFederico. “We currently have 10 cameras,” DiFederico told members of the Board of Selectmen at their regular meeting, held Tuesday at Town Hall and via videoconference. “This is to get into a contract for five more and eight video cameras. This will be in addition to the 10 we currently have with the company.”

First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Selectmen Steve Karl and Amy Murphy Carroll voted 3-0 in favor of the contract. 

The funds are coming from a state grant that the town’s grant writer, Greg Reilly, was able to secure, DiFederico said.