Arianne Kolb

‘Preserving This Treasure’: Merritt Parkway Exhibition on at New Canaan Library

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A new exhibition based on a historic local roadway has opened at New Canaan Library. Featuring artistic pieces inspired by the Merritt Parkway that emphasize its features and construction, the historical and architectural exhibition was created by the Merritt Parkway Conservancy. The nonprofit organization’s executive director, New Canaan’s Arianna Kolb, said she came up with the idea of “The Merritt: Masterwork of Design and Planning” after the library “was looking for an exhibition to honor America’s 250 birthday and celebrate this special year.”

Kolb said she believed the 27-and-a-half mile Merritt Parkway would be “perfect” for that because of its iconic reputation. 

“It’s on the National Register of Historic Places, a National Scenic Highway,” she said. “It really is one of Connecticut’s architectural treasures, in addition to being one of the country’s most impressive achievements in 20th century public architecture, engineering and landscape design.”

On display in the Lightburn Gallery through August, the exhibition includes the “history of the construction and design of the parkway and what went into it,” Kolb said. “The first part of the exhibition is mainly historical photographs.”

She added: “There was also an artist, Howard Heath, who documented the construction of the parkway in watercolors, and I was able to track down two remaining watercolors.

Dan Radman

‘We’ve All Endured Four Years of Agony’: P&Z Gives Formal Approval for 102-Unit Affordable Structure at Weed and Elm

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Bemoaning what the Planning & Zoning Commission’s chair characterized as the failure of a local developer and legal “intervenors” to negotiate an alternative project, the appointed body this week voted to approve a 102-unit affordable housing complex at Weed and Elm Streets, as required by a state Superior Court judge. In upholding an appeal last summer that had been filed on behalf of developer Arnold Karp after P&Z denied it, the court gave the town, applicant and intervenor neighbors the ability to negotiate a different project at 751 Weed St., a vacant 3.1-acre parcel. On Tuesday night, P&Z met to follow through on the court’s order and approve the original project, filed with the town under a widely criticized state law known by its statute number, 8-30g. Before the formal vote at Tuesday night’s regular meeting, P&Z Chair Dan Radman said, “As I have made clear, there have been ongoing discussions with the applicant and the intervenors—the neighbors who are part of the intervenor group—that have been going on a for a number of months with potential alternatives and compromises discussed and reviewed. But … they did not come to an agreement as to what a potential alternative can be.

Opinion

Letter to the Editor

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NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com to have them published here. ***

Dear Editor,

As New Canaanites enjoy our backyards on this quiet Memorial Day afternoon, the town seems to be breathing a collective sigh of thanks to our Town Council, for passing by overwhelming majority one of the most important quality-of-life ordinances yet: a restriction on commercial gas-powered leaf blowers during the height of summer, from June 1 through Labor Day. Commercial electric-powered leaf blowers can of course still be used all summer. The ordinance enables homeowners to continue using gas-powered blowers on patios,  pool areas, tennis courts and driveways, and lets the town continue using gas-powered blowers for storm clean-up, emergencies, and other necessary situations, while overall creating quieter streets, cleaner air, and healthier working conditions during the months when people most want to enjoy being outside. 

To understand why the switch to electric leaf blowers will be such an improvement, it’s important to know about the type of sound and pollution gas-powered leaf blowers produce, compared to electric. 

Gas-powered leaf blowers spew out one-third of the contents of their gas tanks, aerosolizing the gas itself along with the burned fuel exhaust.

Around Town

‘My Favorite Time’: The Glass House ‘Summer Party’ Set for June 6

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A world-famous architectural wonder in New Canaan- the primary National Trust for Historic Preservation Site in Connecticut- is preparing to hold its sole annual fundraiser. The Glass House will host its popular event, “The Summer Party,” on June 6. The party brings together people through art, dance, architecture and food, according to Kirsten Reoch, executive director of The Glass House. “We modeled it on the 1967 ‘Country Happening’ that happened on our site when Philip Johnson hosted this party,” Reoch told NewCanaanite.com. 

“We took that idea of having a sort of summer daytime picnic event that combines our own recreation and community building with performance art and visual arts,” she said. The Velvet Underground played at that inaugural “summer party” at The Glass House in New Canaan, Reoch noted. The modern-day event features many works of art, dance and music, she said.

Eric Thunem

Town Council Votes 8-4 To Pass Summertime Ban on Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers in New Canaan

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Following years of stop-and-go community efforts, New Canaan’s legislative body last week passed a summertime ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. 

The Town Council voted 8-4 in favor of the ban, with a handful of exemptions, during its May 20 meeting. Under the new ordinance—whose full text can be read here under “Exhibit A” (scroll down)—gas-powered leaf blowers will be banned from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Exemptions include using gas-powered leaf blowers for emergency and safety purposes, for storm clean-up, by the New Canaan Department of Public Works and “use by residents on hard or man-made surfaces.”

Violation of the ordinance will result in a warning on first offense, $100 fine on second offense and fine of at least $250 after that, under the language developed over several months by the Town Council’s Bylaws and Ordinance Committee. Just how a violation will be reported and addressed wasn’t immediately clear—under the Town Charter, the noise ordinance is enforceable by police—a concern raised by Council member Eric Thunem, one of four “no” votes. “I believe the ordinance as drafted is over-reaching and fails to recognize the burden that will be imposed upon many resident taxpayers who will see increased costs from landscaping companies providing them with services,” Thunem said at the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference.