Town Getting New Cell Antenna, Surveillance Equipment, Employees, Paving and a Shine [Update]

[Editor's Note: Item No. 2 was changed to reflect the fact that the discussion about Verizon Wireless wanting to add a cell antenna to the water tower behind West School was purely informational. The Selectmen did not vote on the issue. Patch regrets the error in the original article.]

Following are five decisions made at the Board of Selectmen Meeting on Tuesday, May 10. First Selectman Jeb Walker and Selectman Rob Mallozzi III were in attendance. Selectman Sally Hines was absent.

1.  When the MTA ticket agent left the New Canaan train station in 2010, Town Administrator Tom Stadler set about looking for a tenant for the building, which the town leases from the CT Department of Transportation. On Tuesday morning, Stadler requested and was given approval to sign a lease agreement with Robin R. Carroll, doing business as Shine Time. Stadler said Shine Time, which also has a location at the Stamford train station, will offer watch and jewelry repairs as well as shoe repairs and shoe shines. “I now will not have to take the train to New York to get my shoes shined,” said.

2.  The Selectmen were informed that Verizon Wireless would like to put a cell antenna atop the water tower next to . Town Attorney Chris Jarboe said Verizon has an agreement with Aquarion Water Company, which owns the tower. Jarboe told the Selectmen the request is consistent with the state’s recommendation for shared use of utilities, and said the tower will be surrounded with a “shroud,” so the antenna will not be visible.

“It will look like a traditional water tower,” Jarboe said.

Verizon will use the same accessway  that Aquarion uses to service the antenna.

Tom Stadler said he informed Director of Finance and Operations for New Canaan Public Schools, who in turn sent information about the request to the Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Abbey and West School Principal Dr. Jill Corrrenty. Stadler said no negative comments had been received.

The request will be presented to the at its meeting on May 18.

3.  The will be installing video surveillance equipment in its interview room so police will have a record of interviews. A contract with Reality Video Surveillance for $5,000 was approved by the Selectmen.

“How has it been handled up to now?” Mallozzi asked.

“It hasn’t,” Capt. David Bender said.

4.  Two new employees will be joining the town payroll.

Director of Human Resources Cheryl Jones said Michael McCargo won out over 97 applicants to serve as a part-time Parking Enforcement Officer. McCargo has been working for the Bridgeport police department.

David Kennedy will join as Assistant Animal Control Officer. Jones said Kennedy, who has an associate degree in criminal law, is trained as an EMT and is a volunteer fire fighter with the Springdale Fire Department.

5.  Beginning in June, 20 town roads will be getting a micro-thin overlay, as part of the Town’s Pavement Management and Improvement Program. Department of Public Works Assitant Director Tiger Mann said the overlay will help prevent oils from seeping out of the pavement, which causes roads to dry out and crack. Applying the overlay will extend a road's life by five to seven years, Mann said.

The Selectmen approved the DPW request to enter into a contract with New York Bituminous for $215,000 (plus a contingency of $35,000) for a total project of $250,000.

The following roads are on the DPW list to receive the micro-thin overlay:

1. AlanLane
2. Amy's Lane
3. Bartling Drive
4. Bittersweet Lane
5. Charter Oak Drive
6. Clearview Lane
7.  Driftway Lane
8. Four Winds Lane
9. Glen Drive
10. Hunters Creek Lane
11. Knapp Lane
12. Norholt Drive
13. Osborn Lane
14. Pond View Lane
15. Proprietor's Crossing
16.  Reeder Lane
17.  Soundview Lane
18. Squires Lane
19. St. George Lane
20. Stonehenge Drive
21. Sturbridge Hill Drive
22. Tommy' s Lane
23. White Fall Lane