Bethany Zaro

Use of New Canaan Food Pantry Rises Sharply Amid COVID

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The number of households using the New Canaan Food Pantry has risen more than 60% amid the COVID-19 public health emergency, officials said Tuesday. Pre-COVID, the town saw about 40 households availing themselves of the pantry every two weeks, according to Human Services Director Bethany Zaro. This month, more than 65 households are using it, she told members of the Board of Selectmen. “Everything has increased—the money needed, the time,” she said during the Board’s regular meeting, held via videoconference. “People are so grateful for it and it’s definitely part of the town.

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Newly Formed ‘Blight Review Board’ Elects Officials, Define Priorities

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A newly created committee designed to help residents who may be struggling to maintain their properties met met for the first time last week to elect officers and discuss its work. The Blight Review Board will help homeowners with problems such as overgrown yards, unraked leaves or deteriorating houses so they can correct those conditions rather than get punished for them, according to Chief Building Official Brian Platz, who had advocated for creation of the appointed body. First Selectman Kevin Moynihan presided over the meeting, held Thursday at Town Hall. During the 45-minute meeting, Brock Saxe was unanimously elected chairman and Paul Tully secretary. Saxe is a commerical real estate professional with Halstead and Tombrock Corporation, while Tully is a real estate and construction professional.