Government

‘I Think This Helps’: Three Loading Zones Downtown To Become 15-Minute Spaces

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Saying there’s an increased need for quick visits to downtown New Canaan restaurants and shops, and that delivery trucks often double-park anyway, town officials this month approve a proposal to convert three loading zones to 15-minute spaces. The Police Commission at its March 16 meeting voted 3-0 to convert loading zones on Forest Street (just past the diner), on Main Street at East Avenue and on Elm Street near the intersection with Park Street into 15-minute spaces. Laura Budd presented the concept to the Commission in her dual roles as executive director of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce and chair of the Parking Commission, which adjudicates parking ticket appeals. “Obviously our number-one goal is always public safety,” Budd said during the meeting, held via videoconference. She said there are some loading zones in downtown New Canaan that get frequent use and “should not be touched,” such as one on South Avenue at Elm Street, and another on Burtis Avenue.

Around Town

Police Commission Approves Use of Former ‘Pop Up Park’ for June 4 ‘Art in the Windows’ Kickoff

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The appointed municipal body that oversees road closures in New Canaan this month voted unanimously to approve use of the former “Pop Up Park” area at Elm Street and South Avenue for an all-day art celebration in June. The Police Commission voted 3-0 to approve use of the Pop Up Park from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 4 as a kickoff for the annual Art in the Windows event (rain date June 11). Presented by the Carriage Barn Arts Center and organized in partnership with the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, the annual exhibit sees dozens of pieces of art work displayed in the windows of downtown stores. 

“It’s just a fabulous event for the town,” Commissioner Shekaiba Bennett said at the group’s March 16 meeting, held via videoconference. 

Bennett, Commission Chair Paul Foley and Secretary Jim McLaughlin voted in favor of the road closure. The event will run through 4 p.m., and will require about one hour for cleanup, according to the organization’s executive director, Hilary Wittmann. Art in the Windows is the Carriage Barn Arts Center’s one big event that’s not at the organization’s headquarters in Waveny “that we do downtown,” Wittmann said.

Ching's Table
NCPD

Letters of Appreciation for the New Canaan Police Department

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New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski presented the following letters of appreciation to the Police Commission at its March 16 meeting. ***

March 1 letter from Rob Mallozzi III to the Police Commission:

“A brief note of thanks to Dep. Chief [John] DiFederico and Lt. [Marc] DeFelice. Both of these gentlemen provided extraordinary leadership and service surrounding the wake and funeral of Steve Benko and were a pleasure to work with. My compliments also go out to the men and women of the Department for all of their efforts last week as well.”

***

March 2 letter from Lt. Marc DeFelice, addressed to Ching’s Table on Main Street:

“I would like to thank you for assisting Officer [Annamaria] Ceci and the New Canaan Police Department in renting one of our residents with her family on February 23, 2022.

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Rise in Crime: New Canaan Police Request $200,000-Plus To Boost Security in Parks, Downtown

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Noting that the town is seeing a rise in crimes such as thefts at public parks and the business district, the chief of police is seeking $200,000-plus to bolster safety through a series of initiatives. The funds would be targeted toward improved security at Waveny ($25,000) and Irwin Parks ($75,000), as well as the downtown ($125,000), according to New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski. “Given the crime we have seen and the concerns expressed by our residents, I think it’s a perfect time for us to build on what’s been done and improve on it,” Krolikowski said during the Feb. 16 meeting of the Police Commission, held at police headquarters and via videoconference. New Canaan had “an unprecedented” number of motor vehicle thefts in 2021, Krolikowski said, something police are “very concerned about”—up to 39 last year, from 27 in 2020 and just 10 in 2019.

Chris Hodgson

Police Commission Denies Officer’s Grievance Regarding Compensation

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Town officials during a special meeting last month voted unanimously to deny a grievance brought forward by a police officer regarding compensation. 

Under the contract between the police union and town, “each permanent employee of the department who is injured or disabled in the performance of his or her duties shall be entitled to injury leave with pay less workers’ compensation, from the date of the injury until such time as he or she is able to return to work,” according to a provision cited during a Feb. 23 grievance hearing before the New Canaan Police Commission. According to  John Parlon, a labor specialist for the police union, an injury sustained by Officer David Rivera “has never been disputed.”

“We agree collectively that David was out injured. So what happens when you are out injured, according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement? The employer is responsible to make up the difference between the workmen’s comp insurance and his base pay.