Amy Murphy Carroll

Selectmen Put Off Vote on Redo of ‘Bridegroom’s Room’ at Waveny

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Saying they need more information, members of the Board of Selectmen this week put off voting on contracts for a future “bridegroom’s room” at Waveny House. Building officials came to the Board at its regular meeting Tuesday seeking approval for two contracts that would see a chandelier installed in a former IT Department office that the town now wants to convert into the groom’s room for weddings at Waveny. The room also would be painted, but the selectmen said they first need to understand how many lower wall electrical outlets are in it, and also what color it will be. “I don’t think we’re ready,” First Selectman Dionna Carlson said of voting on the contracts, totaling about $15,000. “I don’t think we’re ready for this one.

Animal 411

New Canaan Police: 50 Bobcat Sightings in 2024

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New Canaan Police say they received 50 reported sightings of bobcats in 2024, down from 66 in 2023 though that’s likely just because residents are growing more accustomed to seeing the normally reclusive felines. Another bobcat sighting, on Lambert Road, came in on Tuesday. Animal Control Officer Sean Godejohn said residents shouldn’t approach the animals. They are naturally wary of people “and pose little threat to public safety or health,” according to Godejohn. 

Bobcats are a top-predator in Connecticut that feeds on rabbits, woodchucks, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, voles, white-tailed deer and birds—and sometimes unsupervised domestic animals such as small livestock and poultry, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Godejohn noted that “unprotected pets and livestock” are at risk with a recent rise in reported sightings.

News

John O. Peck, 73

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John O. Peck, of Vista, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the age of 73. John was born in Mount Kisco, NY, on June 11, 1951, to the late Oliver “Jack” and Elizabeth “Betty” Peck. A lifelong resident of Vista, he was a proud graduate of the John Jay High School Class of 1970 in Cross River, NY. In April 1973, John met his soulmate, Carol. The two married on May 1, 1981, and together they built a beautiful life.

Amy Zabetakis

Proposed Brookwood Subdivision: Property Owner Presents Improvements to P&Z

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The owners of an approximately 32-acre property across the street from the Country Club of New Canaan, in seeking a nine-lot subdivision, plan to protect more open space than what’s required by local regulations, their attorney says. The owners of 82 Brookwood Lane—a limited liability company whose representatives, Jim Hoffman and Adam Sherer of property developer SPB Homes, attended the Jan. 28 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting—also have decreased the arc of a driveway coming off of Brookwood following feedback from the New Canaan fire marshal, are in discussion about helping firefighters by creating a “dry hydrant” using a pond on the property, and are looking for ways to improve the existing wetlands, according to their attorney, Amy Zabetakis of Rucci Law Group. “My clients and the team have spent months carefully designing this project to adhere to all of the zoning regulations, environmental standards, and meet the requirements of the subdivision regulations as well as the [Inland] Wetlands Commission’s,” Zabetakis told P&Z during the appointed body’s regular meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. She continued: “We first started discussing the project with the town in August of last year before my clients completed the purchase of the property.

News

Frank Hermes, 82

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Frank Hermes passed away at the age of 82 on January 21 with Cindie, his beloved wife of 57 years, by his side. He is also survived by his son and daughter-in law, Jim and Lisa Hermes; and daughter and son-in law, Liz and Kier Riemersma; as well as his grandsons, Taylor and Jack Hermes and Rocky Riemersma. Frank (or Sandy or Max, depending on who you ask) was born in New Rochelle, NY and went on to grow up in New Canaan, CT with his father Frank, mother Jerry, and sisters Pat and June. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1965 and stayed close to his alma mater all his life. After graduating from college, Frank served in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Eustis in Newport News, VA.