First Selectman Wants Senior Dining Hour In Reopening Effort

NEW CANAAN, CT — As New Canaan and other Connecticut communities prepare to reopen as the coronavirus slowly fades, one thing that First Selectman Kevin Moynihan would like to see is a special dining hour or two for senior citizens.

Gov. Ned Lamont has said that restaurants can reopen on May 20 for outdoor dining only, and Moynihan hopes that restaurants will offer a special hour or two for older residents, similar to what many grocery stores did around the state.

"Perhaps during lunchtime," Moynihan said on Thursday to a group of reporters during a press conference on Zoom.

Moynihan and other town officials are working with an informal group led by New Canaan Chamber of Commerce Director Tucker Murphy on how New Canaan should handle reopening, with an eye toward helping the downtown area survive. (Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.)

"There are a lot of residents who want to help the downtown area survive, the shops, the restaurants," Moynihan said.

The Department of Public Works is working on a plan for the sidewalks to allow restaurants to put tables outside, and the town plans to close parallel parking on Elm Street temporarily to turn it into a pedestrian walkway, according to the First Selectman.

Also, retail stores will be given disposal masks for their customers to wear inside the store.

Mike Handler, New Canaan's director of Emergency Management, said that the steps alone will not be enough.

"As we prepare to reopen businesses in a measured way, our success will be heavily dependent on our collective behavior," Handler said. "If we wish to continue easing restrictions that are in place for our safety, then we must follow the guidelines and rules in place. This includes wearing face coverings, washing our hands and maintaining social distancing."