Board of Selectmen

Superintendent: New Canaan Public Schools Grapples with Lack of Substitute Teachers

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New Canaan Public Schools’ most pressing day-to-day need is bringing in more substitute teachers, Superintendent Dr. Bryan Luizzi said last week. The number of teacher absences varies, though January-February “is typically the highest month because of flu season,” Luizzi told members of the Board of Selectmen during their regular meeting, held Jan. 26 at Town Hall and via videoconference. 

Asked by Selectman Nick Williams what number of absences “stresses you,” Luizzi responded, “Our system is stressed with more than a handful, to be honest with you, right now, because of the shortage of subs.”

Asked whether “a handful” means three or four, Luizzi said yes. “Saxe is different because of the upper/lower division,” he said. “High school is a little bit different.

Board of Education

School Security: Board of Ed Seeks To Add 10th ‘Campus Monitor’

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Saying it will make New Canaan Public Schools even safer, the Board of Education is seeking to hire an additional “campus monitor” for next academic year. Currently, the district has nine campus monitors at the public schools—one at each elementary school and three each at Saxe Middle School and New Canaan High School. The tenth monitor would allow the “lead campus monitor,” who works in a supervisory capacity, to “go around, check protocols, check buildings, do training with staff, work more closely with the principals,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Luizzi told the Board of Selectmen during a budget meeting, held Jan. 26 at Town Hall and via videoconference. The lead monitor would “be involved on a district level,” Luizzi said.

Government

Selectmen Approve $12,000 Contract To Address ADA Violation

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Addressing one of dozens of Americans with Disabilities Act violations cited by federal authorities, town officials last week approved an approximately $12,000 contract with a Norwalk-based company to replace a railing at the paddle lodge in Waveny. The Board of Selectmen during a regular meeting Jan. 26 voted 3-0 to approve the $11,900 contract with Vinny’s Custom Metal Fabricators LLC. U.S. Department of Justice officials during an investigation into ADA violations found that “this railing, unfortunately, was shorter than the ramp itself and didn’t have the necessary return at the end, as well as it didn’t have an interior railing,” Public Works Director Tiger Mann told the selectmen during the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. He referred to a railing and ramp at the front or east-facing side of the structure. 

“We have an interior railing along the porch but not an interior railing on the ramp itself,” Mann continued.

Government

Moynihan: Playhouse To Reopen in 2023; Town Approves $385,000 for Demo, Abatement

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The Board of Selectmen last week approved an approximately $385,000 contract with a Ridgefield-based firm for demolition and abatement work at The Playhouse. First Selectman Kevin Moynihan and Selectmen Kathleen Corbet and Nick Williams voted 3-0 in favor of the contract with Alden Bailey. The work will involve “selective construction, demolition and abatement services,” according to Public Works Director Tiger Mann. It includes the removal of a chimney and some flooring, abatement from two areas of the Elm Street building and creation of a new elevator shaft, Mann said during the selectmen’s regular meeting, held Jan. 26 at Town Hall and via videoconference. 

The work will take about six to eight weeks “while we finalize the design drawings that will go to Building and P&Z [Planning & Zoning],” Mann said.

Government

Town Approves $92,050 Contract for Minor Roof Work in Waveny

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Town officials on Tuesday approved a $92,050 contract with a Ridgefield-based company to do work on a pair of small roofs in a walled garden at Waveny. The Board of Selectmen during its regular meeting voted 3-0 in favor of the contract with Alden Bailey. That company will remove existing tiles on the roofs, use what’s salvageable and supply new tiles where needed, according to Public Works Director Tiger Mann. “This project has been sitting out there for quite some time, 10 years-plus I would have to say, as far as redoing this area,” Mann said during the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “It’s heavily used for weddings and just general purposing, and there’s a concern about the fact that the tiles are starting to fall and there’s a safety issue.”

The garden is located near the top of the sledding hill, east of the main house at Waveny.