Government

Town Adds ‘Veterans’ Category to Discounts at Popular Facilities

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Municipal officials are adding a new category to those who get discounted fees for using popular town facilities such as the Steve Benko Pool at Waveny and pickleball courts at Mead Park. Following a unanimous vote by the Board of Selectmen at its most recent meeting, veterans will now enjoy the same discounts as seniors, including free access to Kiwanis Park and $80 season passes to the pool, Mead Park pickleball and tennis courts and Waveny paddle tennis courts. Parks & Recreation Director John Howe, in proposing an updated slate of fees to the selectmen at the Nov. 18 meeting, called it “the biggest change” to the rates. “We added a ‘veterans pass’ where we’ll give veterans a discount to the regular individual rates,” Howe told the selectmen at the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference.

Government

Selectmen Vote 2-1 in Favor of Inland Wetlands Commission Appointment

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In what is typically a quick approval, the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday cast a divided vote in appointing a resident as a regular member of one of the municipality’s volunteer commissions. First Selectman Dionna Carlson, while introducing an item to appoint Don Mastronardi to the Inland Wetlands Commission, noted that she had spoken with the candidate “because he has been unable to attend regularly as an alternate member.”

“And he said that he was having some staffing issues at his businesses, but that that issue has been resolved,” Carlson said during the selectmen’s regular meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “And I explained to him that attendance is mandatory. That if you miss too many meetings that this Board can take you up to say that we would like you to step down.”

Selectman Amy Murphy Carroll said she wasn’t comfortable voting in favor of Mastronardi’s appointment as a regular member because of his attendance record as an alternate on the Commission. “People in this town are very generous with their time and we appreciate it, but when people raise their hand to be on a board, even as an alternate, it is the expectation that you participate,” Murphy Carroll said.

Government

Town Adding ParkMobile, Passport to Mobile Parking App Options

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Town officials last week approved contracts with two companies that have popular mobile parking apps. The decision to offer motorists ParkMobile and Passport in addition to the town’s current mobile app for parking, PayByPhone, comes as the town prepares to change over to paid parking on the one-way stretch of Elm Street and sections of South Avenue downtown. 

The town hopes to have the changeover completed by the end of this month, according to Parking Manager Stacy Miltenberg. Under the town’s plan, which is designed to free up coveted spaces for shoppers and diners, the Park Street Lot will switch to free parking. Bringing in two more mobile apps to pay for parking “gives the consumer a choice,” Miltenberg told the Board of Selectmen during its regular meeting, held Sept. 16 at Town Hall and via videoconference.

Government

‘I Love the Community’: New Canaan’s Parking Manager To Retire After 22 Years with the Town

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Stacy Miltenberg’s first job in New Canaan was as a police officer. She joined the New Canaan Police Department in 2003, after working as a cop in New York City for 20 years. 

Seeking a schedule that worked better for her, Miltenberg took a position in 2005 as an administrative assistant in the New Canaan Parking Bureau. “I love the community, I always have” Miltenberg told NewCanaanite.com on Wednesday afternoon, speaking through the Parking Bureau window at Town Hall where she interacts with town residents and visitors all day. “When I used to commute from my job in Queens, in the Bronx, I’d always come through New Canaan. My youngest son went to the Y when we first moved up here [to northern Westchester] for childcare, so I’ve known New Canaan very well.

Around Town

‘Let’s Never Forget the Ones We Lost’: Town Marks 9/11 at Ceremony

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Fire Chief Albe Bassett remembers waking up on Sept. 11, 2001. It “started out as a routine day,” Bassett recalled from the front steps of Town Hall on Thursday morning, addressing a crowd that gathered for the community’s annual 9/11 ceremony. “Not even taking a minute to enjoy the weather, which is probably the same as it is this morning,” Bassett said. “An hour or so later, the tragedy started and the events that we’ll never forget took place.”

New Canaan lost three residents on 9/11—Joe Coppo, Eamon McEneaney and Bradley Fetchet.