New Canaan Police Department Promotes Four, Honors Three and Gives K-9 Apollo His ‘Badge’

Newly promoted Sgt. Marc DeFelice of the New Canaan Police Department describes his uncle, Dinny Lapolla, as a man of few words. “So when he talks, he makes his point,” DeFelice told a roomful of fellow officers and their families, town officials and guests on Tuesday night. During a special ceremony that saw DeFelice officially was promoted to the rank of sergeant—his was one of four promotions made on the night, in addition to three special awards given to other officers (see gallery above for information and quotes from honorees)—the New Canaan High School graduate recalled what his uncle, himself a 30-year veteran of the force, told him on getting hired. “He said, ‘Go out there and do the right thing,’ ” DeFelice recalled from a podium in the Douglass Room at Lapham Community Center.

Did You Hear … ?

The conspicuous commercial space located at a corner of Elm Street and South Avenue, long occupied by Sallea Antiques, will not be vacant for long after that shop closes its doors in the coming weeks. Heather Gaudio Fine Art, for four years located a bit further down South Avenue, is set to move in as early as September. “We’re incredibly excited,” owner Heather Gaudio told NewCanaanite.com. “I think it’s an amazing space.” The longtime Sallea space offers Gaudio more operational space (for example, packaging), and more storage, including for wine to be used at a grand opening party that likely will come in October. Stay tuned.

Four Promoted within New Canaan Police Department

New Canaan Police this week promoted two sergeants and two officers, including some who recently had been honored by the department for outstanding performance of their job duties. “We are proud of their accomplishments and excited to see them provide leadership to our officers as they serve our town so well,” Police Chief Leon Krolikowski said in a press release of Sgt. Carol Ogrinc and Sgt. Andrew Walsh, now lieutenants, and Officers Aaron LaTourette and Marc DeFelice, now sergeants. In March, LaTourette received the first-ever Lt. Stephen W. Wood Memorial Officer of the Year Award and also was honored with a Unit Citation together with DeFelice and several other officers.

Water Main Break Heaves Asphalt, Snarls Traffic at Elm and Park Streets Thursday [VIDEO]

Water Main Break Park and Elm May 21 2015
An apparent water main break heaved the asphalt at Elm and Park Streets just before noon Thursday, snarling traffic downtown as police and public works personnel directed traffic around water bursting between cracks in the pavement. It happened at about 11:45 a.m., according to officers directing pedestrians and motorists around the busy intersection, as water streamed down Park Street toward Cherry. Police blocked off Park Street northbound just before Elm and directed traffic from all directions around what appeared to be the most damaged area in the middle of the intersection. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the apparent break. Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt.