First Selectman: Playhouse on Elm Street Likely To Get New Movie Operator This Year

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The town-owned Playhouse on Elm Street likely will have a new movie theater operator installed this year, New Canaan’s highest elected official said Tuesday. 

Vacated as per the termination of a agreement by longtime tenant Bow Tie Cinemas, the iconic 1923-built movie house will undergo some sorely needed capital work and then likely will get “an independent operator right now, in the next year, as far as a movie company,” according to First Selectman Kevin Moynihan. “I think there are people that are interested operating [The Playhouse],” Moynihan said during a regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen, held via videoconference. “Not one of the big chains. So I think that is what we are most likely looking at. A different kind of model.”

The comments came as the selectmen reviewed a termination agreement from Bow Tie, which had been expected to rent the largest commercial space in the cupola-topped building through 2022, under the lease, with an option to renew through 2027. 

However, the theater was ordered closed in March as the COVID-19 pandemic set in and then “when they did get the order that they could open, they can’t open,” according to Bill Oestmann, building superintendent in the New Canaan Department of Public Works.

Board of Selectmen

Moynihan: Vacant Town-Owned Building in Kiwanis Park Could House Animal Shelter

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First Selectman Kevin Moynihan said Tuesday that a town-owned structure in Kiwanis Park could be converted for about $50,000 into a shelter for housing stray and neglected domestic animals. Moynihan said he and members of the Parks & Recreation Commission are “investigating” whether a vacant house in the Old Norwalk Road park could be used for a New Canaan Police Department Animal Control shelter. He told fellow members of the Board of Selectmen that the elected body should decide on a use for the vinyl-sided single-story building as it starts the budget for next fiscal year. The New Canaan YMCA used the house as a base of operations for its summer camp in Kiwanis in 2020, “and we are also in discussions with the Y about possibly having a public-private partnership with respect to the operation fo Kiwanis during the summer,” Moynihan said during a regular Board meeting, held via videoconference. 

“We have to make a decision as to whether or not we need to make a change before we commit the Kiwanis house to the YMCA for their summer use, which would be an 8-week to 10-week use in the summertime,” Moynihan said. “It’s a house that could be converted into an animal shelter with the benefit of having an outdoor run, which makes sense.”

The comments came during the selectmen’s discussion of general matters before the town.

Board of Selectmen

Legal Bill: Town Has Spent More Than $15,000 in Legal Fees on God’s Acre Issue Since July

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Town officials on Tuesday approved payment of more than $8,300 in legal fees incurred during the month of November regarding the proposed terrace at God’s Acre. 

With the the Board of Selectmen’s 3-0 vote to pay the legal bill, the God’s Acre-related fees now total more than $15,500 in the current fiscal year, records show. The town in September hit a roadblock regarding plans for a year-round flagstone terrace at the top of God’s Acre when the Congregational Church of New Canaan asserted that it has legal rights to the property as its own church cemetery. First Selectman Kevin Moynihan has called for the question of who owns God’s Acre to be resolved, though it’s unclear whether he’s still pushing for the town to establish ownership in the face of church opposition. 

Selectman Nick Williams asked about the newly legal fees, which appear to have been incurred throughout November, even after the church had made its position clear. “What is the nature of that?” Williams asked, referring to the $8,289.50 charge issued by the town attorney’s firm, Berchem Moses PC. Moynihan said in response, “Well, you know have been researching, Nick, and I have encouraged both you and [Selectman] Kathleen [Corbet] to talk to the town attorney.” 

When Williams then noted the fiscal year-to-date costs, saying he “just was wondering,” Moynihan responded, “I would encourage you to talk to town attorney, as Kathleen has.”

According to an itemized list inside the bill, town officials between Nov.

Government

New Modular Building Planned for Transfer Station

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The Board of Selectmen at its most recent meeting approved a $1,200 contract for a Woodbury-based architect to plan for the foundation of a new pre-built modular building at the dump. It’s unclear what purpose will be served by the future structure planned for the Transfer Station. The director of the New Canaan Department of Public Works has talked recently of the need for a dedicated building to store road salt. 

The selectmen voted 3-0 in favor of the contract with Gary Nurnberger, Architect LLC at its Dec. 15 meeting, held via videoconference. The funds were approved as part of a standing Board agenda item on contracts valued at less than $10,000.

Board of Selectmen

COVID-19: Moynihan Cautions Residents on Christmas Gatherings 

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New Canaan’s highest elected official on Tuesday urged residents to avoid the types of Christmas gatherings that will lead to yet another spike in COVID-19 virus cases. First Selectman Kevin Moynihan noted during a regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen that New Canaan continues “to see the effects of Thanksgiving gatherings.”

“And we are approaching Christmas season, where we are going to see another wave of Christmas gatherings and travel,” Moynihan said during the meeting, held via videoconference. “Governor [Ned] Lamont’s comments [Monday] at his press conference, I think were very much on target, that we have the ability to control what’s going to happen, whether we are going to keep our stores open and our schools open, or whether we are going to close down like many others states and many countries,” Moynihan continued. He added, “We would like to avoid another shutdown, but it’s going to be wholly dependent on whether people are going to be responsible and don’t have Christmas gatherings that are going to increase a January spike, which are probably coming in any event because of our neighboring states.”

The comments came on the heels of what Moynihan described in a town-wide outcall Monday as New Canaan’s “highest case total to date” with 41 new positive COVID-19 cases in four days. The spike was “not unexpected due to the timing after Thanksgiving gatherings,” he noted, adding, “Residents should refrain from unnecessary gatherings of any size to help reduce community transmission.”

According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s latest figures, released Tuesday afternoon, New Canaan has had 577 cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19—up 10 from the day before and 30 from Friday.