Week in Review: A Gunman Scare, TCPG Controversy Continues, Coyotes, Chocolate and a Cobbler

The Board of Finance approved a $25,000 expenditure requested by the Town Center Planning Group to hire a consultant, with the caveat that the committee get competitive bids first.  Opponents' criticisms led TCPG committee member Mike Hobbs to resign. First Selectman Jeb Walker announced the resignation at a Town Council meeting, taking members by surprise.

Reports of a gunman in the vicinity of Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, where the NCHS field hockey team was at a scrimmage, led to a 30-minute lockdown in a windowless school hallway.  Turned out it was a man looking for a gun shop that had previously been located in near the school.

Animal Control received reports of 25 coyote sightings in just over a month. Columnist Laurie Cantillo thinks it's only a matter of time before a tragic run-in with the animals occurs in town.  Nature Center and Animal Control staff members explain coyote behavior, and talk about what we should do when one crosses our path.

If residents look a little down at the heels, it could be because, after 33 years in town, Anthony Marmo of Marmo Shoe Repair is retiring.  We're losing a little bit of sole, but extend a welcome to Pierre and Susan Gilissen, owners of Belgique Chocolatier, an elegant new confectionery shop on Elm St.