Around Town

State Officials Investigate Oil Spill Polluting Bristow Pond, Bird Sanctuary

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State environmental officials are trying to find the source of an oil spill discovered Friday in an increasingly popular bird sanctuary that’s undergoing a major restoration ahead of its centennial. The New Canaan Fire Department responded at about 12:16 p.m. on Feb. 4 to the Bristow Bird Sanctuary “for and odor and visible oil in the pond,” according to Interim Chief Albert Bassett. Firefighters installed absorbent booms along the waterway to contain the oil, though the source of the spill could not immediately be determined, Bassett said. Inland Wetlands and Watercourses & Floodplain Manager Kathleen Holland said that multiple town departments continue to work with DEEP staff “to assist them in locating the source of a home heating oil leak discovered Friday flowing into the watercourse that travels under Old Stamford Road and into Bristow Sanctuary.”

“Through a process of elimination, the potential source has been narrowed down to an area between Douglas Road and Orchard [Drive] but has not yet been able to be verified,” Holland said.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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New Canaan Police at about 4:25 p.m. Monday received a report of a larceny at 16 South Ave., according to a call log. That’s the street address of the Mobil gas station. Asked about the incident, police said it involves a juvenile and is being worked out between the business owner and family. 

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A Stamford-based company, Case Study Brands, on Thursday presented a plan for Waveny House to the Board of Selectmen during a regular meeting. The company provided a broad sketch whereby Waveny gets a “luxury brand reflective of both its heritage and crown jewel positioning with the community,” with a new website and promotional materials, larger events and a staff “house director” whose responsibilities would include “concierge services.” The current online information for Waveny House lives in the Recreation Department’s area of the municipal website and “doesn’t feel glamorous” for what a bride is looking for,” officials from the company said. “It’s a little bit lacking in the glamour” compared to competitors such as the Roger Sherman Inn and Philip Johnson Glass House, they said.

Around Town

More Improvements Coming to Bristow Bird Sanctuary

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More improvements at Bristow Bird Sanctuary—including improving trails, adding more boardwalk, building a new pavilion and adding a bird blind—will soon be underway. During the Conservation Commission’s meeting on Sept. 9, Chairman Chris Schipper announced that the town is actively bidding for phase two of the project, which will be privately funded and includes the construction of footings and a pad for the new pavilion. “I was very pleased to have seen the bid notice out today for Centennial Master Plan Phase 2,” Schipper said during the virtual meeting. “Let’s hope we get some interested responders who can undertake that phase.”

Director of Public Works Tiger Mann said the contractor who won the bid for phase one has been notified that bidding is now open for phase two.

Government

Town Approves Funds for Design of Route 106 Sidewalk Extension, Parking Area for Bristow Bird Sanctuary

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Town officials this week approved a contract designed to make it easier for pedestrians and motorists to access an increasingly popular bird sanctuary that’s undergoing a major restoration ahead of its centennial. The Board of Selectmen approved a $16,000 contract with Bridgeport-based Cabezas DeAngelis Engineers & Surveyors for an extension of a sidewalk along Route 106 to the entrance of the Bristow Bird Sanctuary and Wildwood Preserve and new parking area. The firm “has done excellent work for us in the past,” Public Works Director Tiger Mann told the selectmen at their regular meeting, held Tuesday via videoconference. He referred to the design of new sidewalk on Main Street, Park Street and Richmond Hill Road. “They are aware of that entire area,” he said.

Board of Selectmen

Selectmen Approve $34,000 Contract with Local Company for Fence Work at Bristow

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The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday voted unanimously in favor of a $34,000 contract with a New Canaan-based company to repair and replace damaged sections of fence at an increasingly popular bird sanctuary that’s undergoing a major restoration ahead of its centennial. The first phase of work at Bristow Bird Sanctuary and Wildwood Preserve—a 17-acre town-owned property that’s accessible through Mead Park and Route 106—as well as pond dredging and restoration has largely been completed, according to Town Engineer Maria Coplit. 

“In order to prepare for spring plantings, it is timely for sections of the existing fence around the perimeter of the park to be repaired or replaced, either due to tree or storm damage or age,” Coplit told the selectmen at their regular meeting, held via videoconference. “In addition, the existing pedestrian gates need to be relocated, per the Bristow Centennial Master Plan.”

First Selectman Kevin Moynihan and Selectmen Kathleen Corbet and Nick Williams voted in favor of a $33,943.40 contract with Gannon Rustic Fence. Gannon “has done fantastic work for us in the past,” Public Works Director Tiger Mann said. “They’re local, which is nice, they’re New Canaan-based.