Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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Though regular phone calls to 9-1-1 remain the best and fastest way to contact emergency services, all New Canaan Police Department officers who operate the emergency call center there have been trained in the state’s new 9-1-1 texting feature, according to Police Chief Leon Krolikowski. Anyone texting the numbers ‘911’ as a recipient on a mobile device may send a brief written message that includes the location of the emergency and what services are needed—police, fire or ambulance. The technology “is useful for the hearing impaired, during a domestic violence incident or active threat incident, and during medical emergencies that render a person incapable of speech,” Krolikowski said in a press release. More information is available here. ***

The lead sponsor of the 2018 “Chamber Cup” golf event—to be held Oct.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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The Board of Education is hiring a forensic accountant to help figure out whether the lunch ladies arrested last month for stealing nearly $500,000 in cash from cafeterias at the middle and high schools also depleted parents’ charge accounts, according to New Canaan’s highest elected official. The district is “hiring a forensic accountant, I understand, to examine the possible overcharge,” First Selectman Kevin Moynihan said during a press briefing Thursday. Noting that the district was reimbursed by an insurer, Moynihan said: “I am just a bystander, but my idea would be that the $500,000 should be used to reduce their budget next year because all of the taxpayers would benefit from that. So if they are looking for $93 million, they ought to get $500,000 less. They are going to argue that you cannot lose money out of an enterprise operation into the education side of the ledger.” It isn’t clear whether the forensic accountant has been hired yet, who it is or how much he or she is being paid—district officials could not be reached for comment.

Business

Locals Gear up For ‘Taste of the Town Stroll’ on Thursday

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Residents are gearing up for a popular event downtown that’s designed to showcase local businesses while raising food for the New Canaan Food Pantry as well as gently used eyeglasses and hearing aids for the Lion’s Club of New Canaan. The eighth annual “Taste of the Town Stroll” runs 6 to 8 p.m Thursday and will feature more than 15 stores, businesses and restaurants offering food and prizes. To earn a map of those locations and participate in the Stroll, people should bring (unopened and unexpired) goods—such as coffee, juice boxes, crackers, pasta sauce, canned stew, canned chicken, mayonnaise, tea bags and family-sized snacks—to the area out front of the Playhouse on Elm Street. 

For those seeking a one-stop shop for an appropriate donation for the pantry, Walter Stewart’s Market has generously put together bags of goods with a retail value of $30 that the cornerstone New Canaan business is selling for $20. “It is our pleasure to team up with the Chamber and support this fun event again this year,” said Doug Stewart of Walter Stewart’s. “We hope to help stock the New Canaan Food Pantry with much-needed groceries.”

Around Town

New Canaan Merchants on Keeping Up Summer Business

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As we enter the end of July and August, many New Canaan residents will bear the beach, mountain, and city traffic for annual summer vacation trips. With the decreased foot traffic, many merchants routinely describe business as slow during this time. NewCanaanite went around town to some local businesses to see how they actively avoid the end of summer sales slump. Phil Williams, New Canaan Music

“How do we deal with the New Canaan Business Clear? We’re staying open our regular hours, a lot of businesses close for a week or reduce their hours, but we keep our lessons going year round.

Biz on Biz

Biz on Biz: Club Sandwich Spotlights Walter Stewart’s, Toy Chest

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Club Sandwich has occupied its Cherry Street space for more than 30 years, and is a trusted mainstay for its tasty sandwiches, drinks and snack offerings. In 2008, Leo Gaspar took over management of the establishment with his wife Jennifer playing an active role in the business as well. Asked about her favorite products and services offered by other local businesses, Jennifer Gaspar spotlighted Walter Stewart’s Market. “We grocery shop there,” Gaspar said. “They’ve remodeled and it looks really nice.”

As a mother, Gaspar noted the high quality of Walter Stewart’s selection.