Board of Selectmen

NCBL, Public Works To Plant 150 New Trees along South Avenue

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A major gateway to downtown New Canaan is getting a big upgrade. South Avenue will see dozens of young trees planted next month as part of an effort led by the nonprofit New Canaan Beautification League in partnership with the town. An initiative that’s been planned for several years, the “South Avenue Re-Leaf Project” will see 150 trees planted between Cherry Street and Surrey Road providing a “nice mix of color and size and shape,” New Canaan Public Works Director Tiger Mann told the Board of Selectmen during its regular meeting Tuesday. Members of the League joined local firm Keith Simpson Associates as well as DPW officials in placing orange-capped stakes along South Avenue (which doubles as state Route 124) in finding “the locations for each tree, find the best tree for the best location [and completing the] process of getting an encroachment permit with the state,” Mann said. “Our tree warden is hopeful that we can have them in before the dogwoods bloom, which is around April 15th,” he said during the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference.

Board of Selectmen

Selectmen Approve $19,000 Purchase of ‘New Canaan Brick’ for Elm Street Bumpouts

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After approving the purchase of $20,000 in granite curbing for soon-to-come sidewalk “bumpouts” on Elm Street, officials this month authorized the purchase of about $19,000 in bricks for the project. The low bidder, the Bridgeport-based Homer C. Godfrey Co. ($18,404.75), came in with a far lower price than the town’s accustomed provider, Stamford-based Paramount Stone ($31,500), according to Public Works Director Tiger Mann. “I was shocked at Paramount’s price,” Mann told members of the Board of Selectmen at their Feb. 11 meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference.

Government

Town Mulls Demolition of ‘Irwin House’

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Municipal officials say the town must decide whether to invest in the upkeep of Irwin House—needed exterior work is estimated at more than $1.3 million—or knock it down. Located in the Weed Street park of the same name, the brick Irwin House was built between 1961 and 1963 after the original 1920’s shingle-style house—once owned by IBM founder Thomas Watson, Sr.—burned down in a fire. Town officials are looking at the cost of tearing it down, according to Public Works Director Tiger Mann. In addressing a joint subcommittee of the Town Council and Board of Finance on Feb. 13, Mann said associated costs include an environmental review, environmental costs and the cost of demolition itself.

Amy Murphy Carroll

Selectmen Put Off Vote on Redo of ‘Bridegroom’s Room’ at Waveny

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Saying they need more information, members of the Board of Selectmen this week put off voting on contracts for a future “bridegroom’s room” at Waveny House. Building officials came to the Board at its regular meeting Tuesday seeking approval for two contracts that would see a chandelier installed in a former IT Department office that the town now wants to convert into the groom’s room for weddings at Waveny. The room also would be painted, but the selectmen said they first need to understand how many lower wall electrical outlets are in it, and also what color it will be. “I don’t think we’re ready,” First Selectman Dionna Carlson said of voting on the contracts, totaling about $15,000. “I don’t think we’re ready for this one.

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Town To Widen Parking Spaces in Playhouse Lot

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Town officials say they intend to widen the parking spaces in the lot behind the Playhouse this spring, and to improve the accessibility between that lot and Elm Street below. The width of the parking stalls in the Playhouse Lot currently is 8 to 8.5 feet, and the new width will be 9 feet throughout with a depth of 18 feet, according to Public Works Director Tiger Mann. The new parking stall will be “similar to what we did at Morse Court,” he told members of the Parking Commission during an update at their Feb. 5 meeting. “We’re going to hope that we do not lose any spaces on the last two stalls,” he said during the meeting, held via videoconference.