Catherine Palmer, the 48-year-old Butler Lane woman arrested by warrant Sunday on felony animal cruelty charges following a months-long investigation, had been sued in housing court this summer as the landlord of two Greenwich properties, according to Connecticut Judicial Branch records.
Evidence presented Tuesday in a hearing of the town’s petition for ownership of puppies found in Catherine Palmer’s Butler Lane house included photos of the dogs. Here’s one. Connecticut Judicial Branch website
In July, a tenant paying $900 per month to rent a room in a Prospect Drive home filed a Verified Lockout Complaint and Application for Temporary Injunction against Palmer after visiting family in Florida, saying that upon his return some of his possessions remained in the house and that his personal papers and passport were missing. The subject of a New Canaan neighbor’s complaint two summers ago regarding her renting out the “South of the Y” house to transient tenants, Palmer—who is out on $10,000 bond—was scheduled to appear this week in a related civil matter after the town petitioned state Superior Court for ownership of 12 dogs (including 10 puppies) seized from the home. The next hearing in that matter is scheduled for Tuesday. The case has resurfaced some people’s concerns regarding the condition of the building at the town dump that police use as an animal shelter.
Leo Karl receiving honorary Paul Harris Fellowship award from Alex Grantcharov, Rotary Club President. Photo courtesy of Jane Fox
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Congratulations to New Canaan Rotary Club member Leo Karl III on earning an honorary Paul Harris Fellow award from the service organization for his “extraordinary leadership in successfully reinventing Lobsterfest 2020 during the COVID era.” The citation in a press release said, “In so doing, he ensured that the club will meet its annual goal to provide necessary support to local non-profits serving those in our community.” The Paul Harris award recognizes a Rotarian’s devotion to the organization’s goals.
The volunteers who decorated the firehouse, on Nov. 28, 2020. Rob Mallozzi photo
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Fire Chief Jack Hennessey told the Board of Selectmen Tuesday said that Lt. Mike Vitti retired Monday. Volunteers gathered at the Fire Department on the Saturday after Thanksgiving for the time-honored tradition of decorating the firehouse for Christmas. Volunteers also placed wreaths on the tombstones of veterans in Lakeview Cemetery.
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The New Canaan High School Choir’s Annual Grapefruit Fundraiser is accepting orders online for the remaining 70 boxes of grapefruit. More information here. Pickup is scheduled for Dec 12 and 16 in the NCHS parking lot.
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The selectmen on Tuesday appointed New Canaan’s Victor Alvarez to the Board of Finance, following the departure of Bob Spangler, and Alexandra Van Nes to the Board of Ethics, succeeding Peggy Jay in the volunteer position.
Elle Sneddon (L, the 2019 Player of the Year by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association, also has been chosen to the GameTime CT All-State Girls Volleyball first team.
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Congratulations to New Canaan High School senior Elle Sneddon on being named by GameTime CT to the All-State Girls Volleyball first team. Last season’s CHSCA Player of the Year—the first New Canaan volleyball player to earn the honor—Sneddon “led the Rams in assists in each of the past two seasons,” according to the citation. The setter “finished her career with 691 assists, 321 digs, 115 kills, and 108 aces in 48 matches” and “helped New Canaan go 20-14 during the past two seasons after the Rams were under .500 three years ago.”
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State public health officials on Thursday reported that New Canaan had 466 cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 virus—up 35 from Monday—and 32 probable cases.
Inside the “Deck The Walls” exhibit at Carriage Barn Arts Center. Photo courtesy of Hilary Wittmann
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Bidding for the Carriage Barn Arts Center’s “Deck the Walls” fundraiser closes at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. (online bidding here). It features more than 40 holiday wreaths created by artists, designers, local businesses and community volunteers. They’re on view at CBAC daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The auction includes wreaths designed by volunteers from New Canaan Cares, Spencer’s Run Dog Park, Young Women’s League and New Canaan Mounted Troop. Local designers/architects include Lauren Collins Interiors, Wadia Associates, Nantucket Monogram/Brooke Boothe, Stirling Mills Interior Design, Anderson Kenny Architecture, Puddleduck Designs and HUE Designs. And floral designers are from Bon Fleur, Earth Garden, The Cutting Garden, Arugula Tango and Floriferous Floral Design.
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Attorney Amy Zabetakis, a founding member of Rucci Law Group, published a piece titled “Navigating the Pandemic’s Real Estate Rush” on the firm’s website. It includes several tips for those thinking about selling their home.
NCHS freshman Olivia Mitchell and her winning logo. Image courtesy of New Canaan CARES
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Congratulations to NCHS freshman Olivia Mitchell on winning the New Canaan Coalition Logo Contest. It was run by New Canaan CARES, the designated Local Prevention Council or “LPC” for New Canaan. “The Coalition loved the way Olivia captured the essence of the LPC in her design,” the organization’s citation said.
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Finally, some events worth booking:
- Open House at The Children’s School—5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 4;
- Vaping, Did You Know? A Family and Community Conversation—7 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 7;
- Listen, Learn, Act—What’s Next: Post-Election Racial Healing—4 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 8.
Leo Karl III is a town treasure. He continues his family’s legacy of service in a variety of roles. Always willing, versatile and self-effacing, his fingerprints are on many of New Canaan’s most important initiatives – the Rotary Club, New Canaan Community Foundation, Waveny Care Center, Toys For Tots, Gridiron Club, etc., etc. We are fortunate to have him here in the Next Station to Heaven and the next time you encounter him please thank him for his service.