U.S. Postal Service officials have the keys to their new building and say they’re hoping to open the Post Office on Locust Avenue in New Canaan “this winter.” A more specific date is not yet available.
The New Canaan Post Office on Locust Avenue. Credit: Michael Dinan
“We are ‘postalizing’ the interior by installing counters, electronic equipment, security features and other necessary items to conduct postal business,” USPS spokesperson Christine Dugas told NewCanaanite.com.
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Originally scheduled for next week, the Grace Farms application to come before the Planning & Zoning Commission will be heard at the group’s Nov. 29 meeting, officials say.
The motor vehicle that crashed into the Old Studio Road sign at the north side of Old Stamford Road, traveling northbound on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. Published with permission from its owner
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Town officials say the motor vehicle that veered off of Old Stamford Road/Route 106 on Sunday morning and crashed into the Old Studio Road sign near the sharp bend there was traveling at about 60 mph. Police, public works, fire and other officials who field requests for traffic-calming during a meeting on Tuesday noted that they’re receiving complaints of cars at low traffic times—especially heading northbound—are speeding and cutting the corner there too close, and will inquire of the state whether better signage is possible.
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New Canaan Neighborhoods Inc., the Stamford-based organization that owns Canaan Parish—the Section 8-supported apartment complex at Lakeview Avenue and Route 123—this month filed a lawsuit seeking to oust a resident who’s accused of failing to pay rent in June, July and August.
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New Canaan’s Michael Nowacki, who ran an unsuccessful bid for first selectman one year ago, re-emerged Wednesday night after several quiet months. He addressed the Town Council as the legislative body confirmed members of the newly formed Ethics Board, reading from a document titled ‘Ten Questions Which You Won’t Be Asked Tonight’ that revolved around Freedom of Information Act and other matters. The Ethics Board members, appointed 12-0 by the council, include Pat Dolson Calanca, Thomas “Tucker” F. Clauss, Tammie C. Garner, Margaret “Peggy” C. Jay and Steven M. Simon.
New Canaan Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm. Photo by Mackenzie Lewis
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A pair of mixed-breed female dogs survived a perilous crossing of Route 106 last week. The Devonwood Lane dogs somehow got out of their home and were found by a Carter Street family around 11:17 a.m. on Oct. 13, according to a police report. Luckily, the dogs were licensed, according to NCPD Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm, meaning their owner could be contacted. The owner arrived on scene and helped secure both animals safely.
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After weighing a request from St. Aloysius for one month, the Police Commission during its regular meeting on Wednesday night decided not to create new handicapped parking spaces along Maple Street. The church had been seeking one or two spaces to serve those who use the main administrative building near the corner of South Avenue. Commission Chairman Stuart Sawabini said he walked the property and found that there are safer handicapped spaces already located behind the building, with ramps and elevator access.
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Facing a shortfall of about three dozen volunteers, New Canaan’s Community Emergency Response Team put out a call to fellow Fairfield County towns for help to make sure Wednesday’s cross-country FCIAC championships ran smoothly at Waveny. In all, 36 volunteers from six towns including Stamford, Wilton and Monroe answered the call, joining New Canaan’s eight or nine CERT-trained volunteers to make sure the event came off.
Inside the former Outback Teen Center (later called ‘The Hub’) in downtown New Canaan, on July 1, 2016—when the structure officially reverted to the town after it failed to self-sustain. Credit: Michael Dinan
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Town officials are pushing back on some bills received in connection with the shuttered building in back of Town Hall that was built, occupied and formerly owned by the Outback Teen Center. Though New Canaan hasn’t yet decided whether or how to preserve and use the building—officials are seeking a third opinion on its structural integrity—it’s already receiving invoices in connection with the disused structure, according to theBoard of Finance. Members of the finance board on Tuesday night discussed parts of the $34,000-plus in invoices received in connection with a review of the center by those who designed and built it—professionals said at the time to be traveling on their own dime. The matter came up again during the Town Council‘s meeting on Wednesday, as well, and councilman Kathleen Corbet wondered whether what the finance board characterized as bills were such or just statements, requested by the town, tracking how much money has been spent studying Outback since the town inherited it.
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Here’s a slideshow spotlighting newsworthy items from around town:
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Marilyn Washington, sister of the late Wilky Gilmore, and Lou Marinelli at the Fairfield County Hall of Fame award ceremony Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. Congratulations to NCHS football head coach Lou Marinelli and the late Maurice "Wilky" Gilmore for being inducted into the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame Monday night at the Greenwich Hyatt. Now entering his 36th season as the Rams' head coach, Marinelli has had 34 consecutive non-losing seasons, 11 state titles (1982,1993, 2001, 2002, 2006-09, 2013-15) and five FCIAC championships (1993, 2000-01, 2008, 2013). He is first all time in wins of active coaches in Connecticut and third overall, and still going strong leading the No. 2-ranked Rams to a 5-0 record so far in 2016. Gilmore was without question the greatest basketball player in NCHS history, having led the Rams to three consecutive state titles (1956-58), scoring a school record 697 points as a senior. The 6-foot-6 center took his talent to the Big Eight Conference where he became a three-year starter at the University of Colorado, leading the Buffaloes to two straight conference titles in 1961 and 1962. After being drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in the 14th round in 1962, a knee injury curtailed his professional basketball career hopes. He passed away at age 53 in 1993. Credit: Terry Dinan
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L-R: Chief Jack Hennessey, Kate Cutshall and Jamie Buschmann of the New Canaan Newcomers Club, Firefighter Jim Pickering and Fire Marshal Fred Baker. The New Canaan Fire Department received a grant from the Newcomers Club of New Canaan. The money generated for the grant was from the 2015 Holiday House Tour. The grant money will be used for the New Canaan Fire Departments Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Awareness Campaign. The New Canaan Fire Department purchases detectors and provides the detectors to the New Canaan residents at no cost. To date the department has given out over fifteen hundred detectors (1500). The New Canaan Fire Department is very thankful to the Newcomers Club of New Canaan for their very generous donation.
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The LiveGirl leadership summit brought together 80 girls from across Fairfield County (including 30 girls from New Canaan). The theme was “EXPRESS YOURSELF”. The girls worked on their communications skills and were inspired by the award winning poet and author Suzanne Frischkorn, before expressing themselves in a LiveGirl poetry slam!! The next LiveGirl leadership summit will be on Tuesday, November 8 (election day) from 10 am - 2 pm at the New Canaan Nature Center. The theme is “YOUR VOICE COUNTS” and will feature our very own LiveGirl election and keynote speaker Barbara Singer, VP Advertising, ESPN, as well as a campfire and s’mores! All programs are open to girls in grades 6-8 and free-of-charge. Learn more at www.goLiveGirl.com or Facebook @goLiveGirl.
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L-R: Ms. Archer-Simons (second from left) with Bankwell Personal Bankers Humberto Navarro, Yahaira Carrion and Angela McCabe.
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The ABC House of New Canaan, held its annual fundraiser on Thursday, October 6th at The Roger Sherman Inn. Over 160 people crowded into the ballroom to hear speeches from Rajon Mitchell (Senior) and two Alumni Mom’s who all shared their ABC experiences. ABC offers minority students scholarships to attend New Canaan High School, and has been part of this community for 43 years! It is fully supported and funded by the generosity of the people of New Canaan. For more information or to make a donation, please go to our website abchouseofnc.org.
