Business

‘BA Skin Lab’ Marks 10 Years in Business

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BA Skin Lab on Grove Street in March marked its tenth year in business, a major milestone for the skin care clinic. Founded by Barbara Aquino in March of 2015, BA Skin Lab’s main focus is tailoring their treatment for each individual client, a strategy which has attracted customers from all over the state, she said. “Everything we do is very different. It’s not a typical fashion place that does cookie cutter treatment,” Aquino told the New Canaanite. “We don’t even have a menu of treatments, because we are going to tailor the treatment, boosters and products based on the skin that we see, whoever comes in.

Andrew Gerber

Facing Frustrated Neighbors, Silver Hill Lays Out New Security Measures

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Silver Hill Hospital is instituting a series of security, admissions, notification and other changes following what officials at the psychiatric facility have called “concerning incidents with patients” that have affected neighbors. Addressing neighbors following a Feb. 28 incident where a patient at the hospital escaped custody, prompting those at nearby East School to shelter in place for a time during the school day, Silver Hill President and Medical Director Dr. Andrew Gerber said he’s committing “to be open and transparent about these incidents and to explain to you how we are changing policy and procedures.”

“We will be adding substantial security measures to prevent these incidents or anything like them from happening again,” Gerber said during an information session held March 26 at the Congregational Church of New Canaan. 

He continued: “Silver Hill is fortunate to be in a beautiful residential neighborhood. For 94 years, we have had the privilege of taking care of patients and families while respecting our neighborhood and supporting our community. We deeply regret jeopardizing your trust and that of our neighbors because of these incidents, and we’ll do whatever it takes to earn that back so we can continue in our mission and be good neighbors.”

After providing an overview of the hospital and speaking specifically about the patient who recently escaped custody—and, according to a CT Insider article, later was caught at JFK with a “hatchet, sledgehammer” and plans to shoot two people (more on that individual’s case below)—Gerber laid out a series of “significant changes in our policies and procedures.”

“These changes will prevent a patient with a similar history from being at the hospital, as well as minimize the risk that any inpatient would be able to get away from staff in this way,” he said.

Animal 411

Dog with Expired Rabies Vaccination Bites Local Boy at Country Club Golf Course

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A 4-year-old dog is under quarantine through Wednesday after police determined that the canine bit a local boy in the leg while roaming at the Country Club of New Canaan. The bite occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on March 23 (a Sunday) on the golf course at CCNC, according to a police report obtained through a public records request. 

There, a white female poodle mixed-breed dog named ‘Star’ bit a boy “on his leg” and damaged his pants, according to the report, filed by Officer Sean Godejohn, head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section. The boy’s mom, who informed police of the incident on the following Tuesday afternoon, told authorities that the dog’s owner works at the Country Club, the report said. Reached by Godejohn, the dog’s owner “told this officer that he lets his dog roam on the golf course” but “did not see the incident take place,” the report said. The owner added that “it was possible that his dog could have bitten” the boy, it said.

News

John George Gatti, 86

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John George Gatti, 86, a resident of New Canaan, CT, passed away peacefully in New York, NY, on March 30, 2025, after a long illness. He is survived by his children Stefanie Gatti, Teresa (John) Piontkowski and Joseph John Gatti, and grandchildren John (Jack) George Piontkowski and Tessa Carolina Piontkowski.  His beloved wife Jeannette (Civetta) Gatti predeceased him. John was a native of the Bronx, NY, where he and his wife Jeannette met and raised their family until they moved to New Canaan, CT, in 1993.  John was a longtime building contractor in New York City, through which he enhanced brownstones and improved the cityscape, among other things.  An avid golfer and card player, he had many cherished friends, including especially those at Wykagyl Country Club, the New York Athletic Club, and the Huckleberry Indians, of which he was a member of each for over fifty years. 

John graduated from Salesian High School and attended Villanova University and New York University earning a Bachelor of Science.  He received the Villanova Alumni Medal in 1991 and remained an enthusiastic Wildcat.  He was a generous, supportive and attentive father, grandfather and friend. 

A wake will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St., New Canaan, CT 06840.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 11:00 am at the St. Francis of Assisi Chapel at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY, followed by interment.  In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Mattone Institute for Real Estate Law at St. John’s Law School.  Checks should be made payable to St.

Board of Selectmen

Selectmen Approve Funds for Four More Sidewalk ‘Bumpouts’ on Elm; Timing of Project Uncertain

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Municipal officials last week approved funds for the creation of four more “bumpouts” on Elm Street—a project that will see the town regain five parking spaces. It isn’t clear just when the work will begin at the intersections of Elm Street and South Avenue (bumpouts are planned for the southeast southwest corners of the intersection) and Elm Street at the Bank of America (bumpouts are planned for each side of the crosswalk there—the Playhouse side is already done). 

Though Public Works Director Tiger Mann planned to get the project done over approximately three weeks in April-May, working on one bumpout at a time, First Selectman Dionna Carlson called for more information before committing to a start date. Specifically, Carlson said she “would like to have the least disruption to the downtown merchants” and asked if it would be better to do it in August. “Because that’s going to disrupt that [south] side of the street for three weeks at least,” Carlson said during a regular Board of Selectmen meeting, held March 25 at Town Hall and via videoconference. “And if it’s raining, it’s going to be more than three weeks because you’re going to have to extend the project… I want to approve this project, but let’s talk about what’s the best timing for this?