Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday that he intends to sign an order keeping all Connecticut schools closed through at least May 20. “Out of the best interests of the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff, we feel this is the best approach at this time,” he said in a press release. According to New Canaan Emergency Management Director Mike Handler, the town had 106 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 11 deaths as of Thursday evening.
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Regarding the estimated $12 million renovation of police headquarters on South Avenue, First Selectman Kevin Moynihan said during a discussion of long-term capital spending at Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Finance, “If anything, if we are going into a recession or a depression, maybe you push the Police Department [project] off entirely.”
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New Canaan Police posted on Instagram Thursday that thieves continue to take advantage of residents who are not locking their cars amid the COVID-19 emergency. “More and more cars are being entered at night and several cars have been stolen,” police said.
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Town Hall workers are off for Good Friday and the Transfer Station closes at 2:15 p.m.
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Metro-North Railroad starting Monday will operating on an hourly schedule on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Lines. Trains will operate hourly on the New Canaan Branch. Schedule here.
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Property transfer: The Town Clerk on March 20 recorded the sale of 41 Rippowam Road for $1,715,500, from Michael O’Hanlon to Erin Vendig.
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Grove Street’s Pet Pantry Warehouse is partnering with pet food brands to offer “Pet One Member” discounts to all customers to raise money for local COVID-19 relief funds. Brands include Bravo, Bixbi, Champion (Orijen/Acana), Earth Animal, Earthborn, Triumph, Farmina, Koha, Greenies, Merrick, Nature’s Variety, Open Farm, Petcurean (Go!/Now!), Primal, Rawz, Raised Right, Stella & Chewy’s, Sustainably Yours, Wellpet, and Ziwipeak. The company is matching discounts to make donations, Pet Pantry Warehouse Executive Vice President Adam Jacobson said.
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Town officials on Feb. 11 incurred one hour of billing with lawyer Peter Gelderman of Berchem & Moses PC. It involved a phone call regarding New Canaan’s Ice Rink Committee and a review of related email correspondence, according to a copy of the bill, obtained by NewCanaanite.com through a public records request. The Committee includes members of the Parks & Recreation Commission, Board of Finance and Town Council, among other municipal bodies. A meeting planned for the week of Feb. 10 ultimately was canceled. The Committee last met in December. The town pays the firm a monthly retainer of $8,500. Its lawyers charge $235 per hour, the bill says (up from $220 two years ago).
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Though its doors are closed, the New Canaan YMCA is offering virtual workouts, camp, nutrition tips, family fun ideas and other resources on a new dedicated page on its website.
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The town received no formal letters objecting to the planned demolition of a 210-year-old house on Seminary Street. As such, Historical Review Committee Chair Mark Markiewicz said the appointed body has no comment on the matter, according to correspondence obtained by NewCanaanite.com through a public records request.
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Here’s the YouTube channel where the town is posting recordings of public meetings held via videoconference.
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Grace Farms has distributed more than 150,000 N95 respirator masks, officials said this week, and is poised to deliver an additional 150,000 to Connecticut hospitals, COVID-19 clinics and testing sites, first responders and skilled nursing facilities in local townships.
“Passages” at Hannan Field (Route 123 and Canoe Hill Road). Thomas S. Berntsen Photographer
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Finally, the New Canaan Land Trust announced this week that it has installed “Passages,” a preview of the future New Canaan Sculpture Trail. Created in partnership with the Carriage Barn Arts Center to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, it is designed to connect residents and visitors to our natural surroundings. The full exhibition is scheduled to open in late spring or early summer and will include eight juried sculptures at Land Trust preserves, Town Hall and the Carriage Barn courtyard.
Recently at a Town Council meeting our Police Commissioner gave a pretty compelling presentation on maintenance issues required at the station. Specifically proper, functioning plumbing for all toilet rooms.
Decisions about Town owned buildings never cease to amaze me. Rather than repair the malfunctioning plumbing immediately, the Town has been holding off till a decision could be reached on either a new building or significant renovation.
Really? Please allocate what will be a mere fraction of the $10M police station renovation and get our officers proper plumbing.
If necessary, reduce the number of police staff, but make sure our police force can maintain proper hygiene while at work.