Longtime New Canaan Animal Control Officer To Retire This Summer

NEW CANAAN, CT — After eight years of serving the town of New Canaan, Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm has announced plans to retire this summer.

On Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen hired Sean Godejohn as a full-time animal control officer. While presenting Godejohn to the board, the town's human resources director, Cheryl Pickering-Jones, noted Halm will be leaving this year.

"So [Godejohn] will train with her for a month," Pickering-Jones said, "and then she will be retiring."

Godejohn has previously worked for the town of East Haven and the city of Waterbury and is scheduled to begin his new position in June. He was chosen from a pool of over 50 applicants, Pickering-Jones said.

Halm confirmed to Patch she plans to retire in July due to the physical nature of her job.

"At this stage in my life," Halm said, "the physical aspect is not working."

Halm noted just this week she attempted to capture a baby fox in town, but the kit proved to be faster and outsmarted her.

"It just gets to point," Halm said, "where you have to come to terms with your capabilities...so before I get hurt or embarrass the town, it's time to leave."

Despite this, Halm said she loves her job and believes she is very good at it. She has also enjoyed working with the New Canaan Police Department and employees at Town Hall, all of whom have been very supportive to her over the past eight years.

"It's a pleasure to be employed with the town," Halm said. "The residents have been very enjoyable and understandable, willing to listen and to learn, especially about coexisting with wildlife which is one of my passions. I hope that I leave some sort of an impact regarding that educational aspect."

According to Halm, animal control does not only involve animals, but people as well.

"Actually, people are the forefront," Halm said. "You have to be reasonable and fair with everyone you deal with; be the objective observer and make your decisions from there."

Though the thought of leaving is bittersweet, Halm said it has been a pleasure being part of the New Canaan community and working with residents and town officials, as well as the media.

Though she does not have any concrete plans to share for her upcoming retirement yet, she is excited about all the possibilities afforded to her.

"It's an open book," Halm said. "I believe whatever my next chapter is, it will write it for me."