Government

August Rain Storm Caused $16,000 in Damage to Bristow Park

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The major rain and flooding that hit New Canaan in August, causing property damage throughout town, also required nearly $16,000 in repair to a public park that marked its centennial this year. The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved a $15,665 contract with a New Canaan-based company that provided emergency work to address the extensive damage done to Bristow Park during the Aug. 18 storm. “All the trails got washed out,” Public Works Director Tiger Mann told the selectmen during their regular meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Selectmen Steve Karl and Amy Murphy Carroll voted 3-0 in favor of the contract with Peter Lanni Inc. The funds are available in DPW’s storm account.

Board of Selectmen

‘Family Fourth’ at Waveny To Be Held Friday, July 4; Selectmen OK Fireworks Contract

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The Board of Selectmen this week approved a $35,000 contract with a Douglassville, Pa.-based company to provide fireworks at this year’s Fourth of July celebration in Waveny. The Family Fourth will be held Friday, July 4 with a rain date of July 5 and a backup rain date of July 12, according to Tom Stadler, chair of the committee that long has organized the hugely popular family-friendly event. “This is our normal contract,” Stadler told the selectmen at their regular meeting, held Tuesday in Town Hall and via videoconference. “That’s the same amount as last year. It’s not gone up a dime, but the show will be just as good.”

First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Selectmen Steve Karl and Amy Murphy Carroll voted 3-0 in favor of the contract.

Government

Town Appoints Local Internist as New Medical Director

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The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a New Canaan resident who already has been lending her expertise to the community as the town’s medical director. Dr. Jamie Ruszkowski, who also has worked for the past 18 months as an internist in New Canaan, succeeds Dr. David Reed in the appointed role. 

Jenn Eielson, the town’s health director, told the selectmen at their regular meeting that the Health Department had been introduced to Ruszkowski by Dr. Harrison Pierce, chair of the Health & Human Services Commission. “She’s been volunteering her time working with my staff and she works closely with my nurse Ellen [Samai] and [Sanitarian I/Health Program Planner] Shannon [Vallerie] and I think she’s going to be a natural fit to this role,” Eielson said at the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. She continued: “We’re looking forward to having her aboard as the medical director.”

According to Ruszkowski’s resume, she earned a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology from the University of Connecticut, a medical degree from Albany Medical College, and completed her internship at Yale. After working as an internist in New Canaan, Trumbull and Westport, she returned to town in April 2023 as principal of Comprehensive Care of New Canaan P.C., located in The New Canaan Medical Groups on East Avenue.

Government

Fitness Stations at Waveny To Be Removed Next Month, Making Way for New Equipment

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The broken and outdated equipment in a fitness area located on a grassy, tree-shaded island across the Orchard Field parking lot in Waveny will be removed next month, officials say. Set for a widely anticipated replacement, the 60-by-60-foot all-abilities fitness area often draws children who mistake it for playground equipment, according to Selectman Amy Murphy Carroll. “Multiple times, men and women are trying to use it, and it’s swarmed by kids,” Murphy Carroll said during Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. 

She added that no one is blaming the kids for doing so. “I know the actual equipment has little signs on it, which every kid in the world would ignore,” Murphy Carroll said. “And the parents probably don’t even see it, to be fair.

Government

Town To Purchase Additional License Plate Readers, Security Cameras for NCPD

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Municipal officials this week approved a $67,500 contract to purchase five license plate readers and eight security cameras for the New Canaan Police Department, to be installed around town. The contract with Flock Group Inc. will “supplement what we currently have” at NCPD, according to Police Chief John DiFederico. “We currently have 10 cameras,” DiFederico told members of the Board of Selectmen at their regular meeting, held Tuesday at Town Hall and via videoconference. “This is to get into a contract for five more and eight video cameras. This will be in addition to the 10 we currently have with the company.”

First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Selectmen Steve Karl and Amy Murphy Carroll voted 3-0 in favor of the contract. 

The funds are coming from a state grant that the town’s grant writer, Greg Reilly, was able to secure, DiFederico said.