New Canaan Police are investigating the theft of hair treatment products from Walgreens on Pine Street, reported at 11 a.m. on June 1.
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Join the New Canaan Land Trust for “Fireflies Take Flight,” a season kickoff party for the Firefly Sanctuary, to be held 8 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, June 27. Tickets and info here.
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The Board of Finance during its meeting Tuesday night approved a mill rate of 16.144 for fiscal year 2025, down 14.76% from the current budget year. The amount to be raised from taxation for fiscal year 2025 will be $158.1 million, a 5.27% increase from the fiscal year 2024 amount of $150.18 million, according to a press release issued by the town. Finance board Chair Todd Lavieri said in the release: “By delivering a budget surplus of $3.9 million, we are able to return that back to the taxpayers to help lessen the amount raised by taxes. The mill rate decline will mean 1,900 properties in town will see a decrease in their property taxes on July 1st, and many will see very modest increases. Properties that saw their values increase by more than 20% will see a property tax increase. Property taxes on vehicles will also decline.”
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A bat found in a Carter Street house on June 6 has tested negative for rabies.
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New Canaan Fire Company No. 1 held its annual dinner at Waveny House, recognizing its members for outstanding volunteer service, courage and heroism on behalf of the town:
- New Firefighter of the Year: Silvana Cardona
- President’s Award for Service: Jeff Rzasa
- Firefighter of the Year: Oliver Dennis
- Lifetime Service Award: Larry Pitt
- 10yr Service Pins: Dave Bilotti and Will Garbus
- 30yr Service Pin: Ed Karl
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Police are investigating the theft of two portable generators stolen from the front walkway of a Lantern Ridge Road home, reported at 6:01 p.m. on June 2.
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The Board of Selectmen during its regular meeting last Tuesday approved making Marcella Rand, currently Adult and Senior Services Coordinator in the New Canaan Department of Human Services, the interim director. She succeeds director Bethany Zaro in the role. Zaro, who has worked for the town for 17 years, gave notice two weeks prior, officials said.
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Police are investigating a report received at 4:42 p.m. on June 5 of a check stolen from a Rilling Ridge mailbox.
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L-R: Russ Barksdale, Waveny President & CEO and Waveny Social Worker Thomas Girolamo.
Thomas Girolamo, a social worker at Waveny LifeCare Network who holds a Realtor’s license, is teaming up with his sister on a promise to donate 50% of his commissions to Waveny LifeCare Network. He recently presented his first donation of $2,175 to Waveny President and CEO Russ Barksdale, who said, “We are blessed to have such caring and giving professionals at Waveny and in New Canaan. As he continues to devote himself to the service of others, Girolamo embodies the spirit of altruism that lies at the heart of Waveny LifeCare Network.” For more information on Thomas’ philanthropic efforts, please call 203-918-5088.
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Been to the New Canaan Farmers Market yet? It runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays in the Lumberyard Lot by the train station downtown.
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Police received reports of motorists passing stopped school buses on Old Stamford Road (9:40 a.m. on June 4) and Heritage Hill Road (4:37 p.m. on June 3).
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The 2024 New Canaan Old Timers Golf Outing will be held Tuesday, June 25 at Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course in Fairfield (background here). The New Canaan Old Timers Association’s outing benefits the Vin Iovino Scholarship and New Canaan High School athletic scholarships. Shotgun start at 1 p.m., scramble format with dinner to follow—$175 per golfer includes golf, cart and dinner. Register here.
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NCHS grad Claire Ayoub’s film Empire Waist—a heartfelt comedy about teens learning to love their bodies through fashion design—will be in 200-plus theaters around the country this fall. Fill out Blue Fox’s Theater Request Form to request it here. Here’s some background on the award-winning film and here’s a recent podcast with Ayoub.
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STAR’s third annual Juneteenth celebration, “Hearts of Freedom,” is coming June 19 to the campus of the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society. The popular, family-friendly event is free and open to the community. Here’s some background with STAR Founder Fatou Niang.
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A reminder that The Glass House’s visitation season is underway, and the first the first time ever, guests can get inside the Brick House. Ticket info here.
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The Town Players of New Canaan are putting on “Eurydice,” which runs through June 23 at the Powerhouse Theatre in Waveny.
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Finally, here are more events worth checking out (add your event to the Community Calendar here and we’ll share it with fellow residents):
Coach Marinelli To Preview High School Football Season (June 14 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am)
CarFIT Driver Safety Program (June 14 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm)
Hollywood Comedy Classics Screening: The Philadelphia Story (June 14 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
Summer Love Stories: Authors Annabel Monaghan and Amy Poeppel in Conversation (June 18 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm)
Hearts of Freedom: A Juneteenth Community Celebration (June 19 @ 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm)
I’m very sorry to read that Bethany Zaro, long time director of New Canaan Human Services, is leaving us. Years ago I met Bethany when she took regular blood pressure readings at Lapham Center. When I was a Board member of the New Canaan chapter of the American Association of University Women, we held an annual food drive in December and I had the pleasure of stacking the donations in the food pantry with her.
Bethany was an animal lover who was involved with donkey rescue. Her four therapy donkeys were gifted to the Nature Center to the delight of many visitors.
Best wishes, Bethany, and thank you for serving us with grace and style!
Yes, I’m sorry to hear Bethany Zaro is leaving. She did a terrific job running Health and Human Services during Covid when New Canaan needed her most. Thank you for your service.
I’m no math whiz, but when the town says it has a budget surplus of $3.9 million, and the Board of Ed and New Canaan Library were recently stiffed ($250,000 and $107,000 respectively), seems to me maybe those random cuts were done, oh I don’t know, out of spite?
It pains my heart to hear that Bethany Zaro is leaving. She has been a ray of sunshine for everyone who has had the pleasure of meeting her. Bethany will be sorely missed. I thank you for our chats and your heart that you shared with the New Canaan community.
Bethany will certainly be missed! She was a great asset as Director, great for the community, and she is an all around great person.
Thank you Bethany for all the years you dedicated yourself to the town and all the people you helped.
I wish her the very best in her next phase.
I met Bethany when she introduced us of a certain age to Fitbits–to get us t0 walk! She encouraged us to start with modest goals (maybe 5,000 steps a day) and that was all I needed! I ended up being a Fitbit junkie…20,000 steps daily at least. I credit her with adding to my lifespan very nicely. So happy retirement, dear friend!
With immense gratitude…
Eloise Killeffer
Eloise,
I also recall speaking with Bethany about Fitbit. I passed on her kind offer, and I opted to purchase a pedometer. 20k steps is impressive!
Here is another Bethany story:
An elderly widow fell in her yard and lay on the ground for about 40 minutes. It happened during the winter. A neighbor’s dog passed by and tugged on the leash. The dog owner found her and helped her back into her home. He offered to call 911, but she refused any medical intervention and thanked him.
When I heard about the incident from the concerned dog walker, I immediately contacted Bethany with the address and first name of the elderly woman.
“Bethany, I think she is too proud to ask for help. Can you please have someone check on her and see if she is okay? I don’t think she has many visitors. She lives alone and doesn’t drive.”
Bethany replied, “Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Betty, I will take care of her.”
Yes, we truly lost a remarkable warm person who cared so deeply about us.
I was sad to hear the new of Bethany leaving after 17 years of dedicated service to the town and it’s esidents. The programs that she developed and implemnented were a lifeline for many people young and.old. I read the
O-P by Todd Lavieri regarding the budget and new mill rate. The article mentions the town’s priorities. The HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
DEPT IS NOT ON THE LIST. THIS DEPT IS VITAL FODR INDIVIDUALS
AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. I think about what could happen next. When did we stop caring about one another ?