The concept of rebuilding New Canaan Library on the Center School Lot instead of where it is, floated by First Selectman Kevin Moynihan weeks ago, is “not on the table now,” he said during a press briefing Thursday. Asked about the matter, Moynihan said the concept had seemed “worth exploring” after the Gulf Station at Cherry and South was sold, but that library officials have effectively communicated it’s a non-starter. The project, which calls for creation of a new “town green” where the original library building stands and includes a town contribution of $10 million, has won support from the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and Town Council. (The town is working on a Memorandum of Understanding with the library, and bond issuances are still to come.)
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A petition to reinstate ousted Emergency Management Director Mike Handler has garnered more than 1,600 digital signatures. He resigned June 3 at the Moynihan’s request. On Thursday, town resident Janet Fonss, who started the petition, emailed the Board of Selectmen seeking a response to it. “If the First Selectman refuses to reinstate Mike Handler, we urge the Board of Selectman to call a vote to determine who is the best person to properly lead the Office of Emergency Management,” Fonss said in her email. The selectmen are next scheduled to meet 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
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The New Canaan Building Department on June 2 received an after-the-fact application to convert a screened porch into a four-season sunroom. The $5,000 project at 11 Surrey Road includes adding windows and in place of screens, as well as an on-wall heating and cooling system.
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Here’s a video posted to the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce Instagram page. It was created and edited by 2019 New Canaan High School graduate Jackson Oehlmer, a film student at Loyola Marymount University:
Angela, Sandy and Alex Baldanza are reopening their popular restaurant on Forest Street (in the former Embody Fitness Gourmet space). Contributed
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Baldanza Café is to reopen at 21 Forest St. in August or September. Formerly the site of Embody Fitness Gourmet, the space will seat 40 guests inside, with 12 more seats out front and six free parking spaces in back.
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New Canaan Police at 9:35 p.m. Tuesday cited a 19-year-old New Canaan man on marijuana-related infraction offenses after finding him standing outside a car in the Talmadge Hill parking lot.
L-R: Stephanie Guza, Aziza Benbouchaib, Phoebe Kurth. Contributed
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Congratulations to three area students who have been selected as LiveGirl’s annual impact scholars: Aziza Benbouchaib (Westhill High School, Manhattanville College), Phoebe Kurth, (St. Luke’s School, Villanova University) and Stephanie Guza (Sacred Heart Academy, University of Richmond).
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The Exchange Club of New Canaan this week inducted its 2020-2021 officers and directors.
Exchange Club of New Canaan board. Contributed
They are:
- President: George Benington
- President Elect: John Fulkerson
- Immediate Past President: Jim Murray
- Secretary: Chris LeBris
- Treasurer: Mark Hahn
- Director of External Communications: Jim Hennessey
- Director Membership Communications: Matthew Oldham
Directors 2019-2021
- Giora Davidal
- John Stancik
- Jeff Platt
Directors 2020-2022
- John Hompe
- Bill Acker
- Rich Carratu (Membership Chair)
- Program Chairman: James O’Hora
Jeffrey Fuhrman
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New Canaan resident Jeffrey Fuhrman has joined the Make-A-Wish Connecticut Board of Directors. Currently the president of Coastal Bridge Advisors, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Clark University and a master’s of business administration from Columbia University. Fuhrman lives in New Canaan with his wife, their two daughters and their rescue dog.
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Larcenies from motor vehicles were up fourfold through May of this year over 2019, at 20 compared to five, Police Chief Leon Krolikowski said during Wednesday’s regular meeting of the Police Commission. Psychiatric calls are up to 23 from nine one year ago, and stolen cars nearly tripled from three to eight, he said.
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The Young Women’s League of New Canaan awarded $46,000 in grants to 12 charities by to conclude its giving year, “Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Future .” They include ABC House of New Canaan, New Canaan Mounted Troop, Kids Fans of Stamford Hospital, STAR, Inc. and Urban Impact.
Members of the NCCF Young Philanthropists Program at Building One Community in Stamford, CT
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The New Canaan Community Foundation’s Young Philanthropists 2020 grant investments are ($4,000 each): ABC of New Canaan, Building One Community, Filling in the Blanks, Inspirica and Kids in Crisis.
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Click here to for some podcasts from New Canaan High School students sharing their thoughts and experiences on how living through the pandemic has affected their lives.
Clockwise from top-left: NCPA Board members Kimberly Norton Butler, John Emert, Susan Leaming Pollish and Patricia Funt Oxman.
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The New Canaan Preservation Alliance, Inc. added four new members to its Board of Directors: Kimberly Norton Butler, John Emert, Patricia Funt Oxman, and Susan Leaming Pollish. All four have been supportive of preservation in New Canaan over the years and support the recent efforts to include preservation of the 1913 library building as part of the future of our community,” the NCPA said in a press release.
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NewCanaanite.com‘s weekly podcast, 0684-Radi0, has exceeded 10,000 total downloads. It was launched last March.
New Canaan Squash players boxing donations for CitySquash in the Bronx. Contributed
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Finally, New Canaan Squash donated food and supplies to 43 families involved in CitySquash, a not-for-profit after-school enrichment program based in the Bronx that helps motivated and talented young people from economically disadvantaged households fulfill their academic, athletic and personal potential. CitySquash was unable to hold its annual fundraising event this year, known as “The Bash,” and is in need of financial donations and in-kind gifts.