Monthly Archives: October 2019

Pic Of The Day #918

Posted on October 22, 2019 | 13 comments

Halloween house, Imperial Avenue (Photo/Katherine Bruan)

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Saugatuck Center Phase II Moves Forward

Posted on October 22, 2019 | 7 comments

More than a decade ago, the Gault family’s bold plan kick-started the renaissance of Saugatuck.

Two plazas with restaurants, shops and apartments brought new life to one of Westport’s oldest neighborhoods. It’s a vibrant, fun and walkable area, with only one chain store in sight. (Dunkin’ Donuts. At least it’s not Starbucks.)

Now, a new development will soon begin.

Last week, the Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously in favor of Phase II of Saugatuck Center. It consists of residential apartments on Ketchum Street — the humpback road connecting Riverside Avenue and Franklin Street.

Aerial view of the Phase II apartments (white and green).

Three of the apartments will be affordable, based on town regulations.

Thirteen units will be in the area near the office building that houses the Hub workspace, Bartaco corporate headquarters and a financial firm. That building will remain. Parking is underground.

A small office building on Ketchum near Franklin, as well as the post office mailbox building, will be removed. Four more townhouse-style units will be built there.

The streetscape will be similar to the apartments already further east on Ketchum, with trees, sidewalks and matching lamps. Bruce Beinfield is the project architect.

An artist’s rendering of the apartments. View is northeast, from the corner of Franklin and Ketchum Streets.

The project also includes work on the parking lot at the existing office building, as well as 518 Riverside Avenue. That building houses Landtech, the engineering and environmental firm that’s working with the Gaults on Phase II.

The P&Z was the final town body needed for approval.

Groundbreaking takes place in early spring. The first residents move in in in 2021.

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Posted in Local business, Local politics, Real estate, Saugatuck

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Pic Of The Day #917

Posted on October 21, 2019 | 2 comments

Compo Beach sunrise (Photo/Carolyn McPhee)

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Woodmen Spared That Tree!

Posted on October 21, 2019 | 14 comments

Over the years, “06880” has reported on too many tree removal stories.

This is not one of those.

Over the past months, there’s been an effort in town to improve the intersections and cross streets on Myrtle Avenue.

One victim of this modernization project was to be the island in front of Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, by Sconset Square. The plan was to remove everything, to form a “T” intersection.

The site is lovely. It’s also historic.

It’s where the Disbrow Tavern was located, back in the 1700s. George Washington is said to have had some ale there, and maybe even a room for the night.

The original Myrtle Avenue traffic island was much larger. (Photo courtesy of Morley Boyd)

A tree sat on the island for centuries, until the 1960s. It was removed in an earlier modernization project.

Church members took it upon themselves to inform the town of the site’s history and beauty, and the utility of the island and tree.

In the mid-’60s, parishioners planted what they called the new “Trinity tree.”

Fifty years later, that history has been forgotten by — or is unknown to — many Westporters. Construction has decreased the size of the island, and damaged the roots. All of that endangered the Trinity tree.

Some area residents and members of the Planning & Zoning Commission worked through a variety of town agencies to save the tree, and the island.

Over the last couple of weeks, a contractor hired by the town has loosened the soil, injected it with mulch and nutrients, trimmed the branches — and removed campaign signs.

The tree, after trimming last week. (Photo/Chip Stephens)

Thanks to tree warden Bruce Lindsay and others, the Trinity tree now has a good chance of adorning, and shading, the island for another 50 years.

That is, if people don’t tramp on the island and its roots, while putting up signs.

Lindsay placed 4 small signs on the island, asking people to stay off and give the tree a chance.

A campaign sign appeared this morning. Town officials say they’ll remove them, as long as the tree is convalescing.

This is not about politics. It’s just about common sense.

And the history and beauty of a downtown tree we all love, admire and respect.

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Posted in Downtown, Environment, religion

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Pic Of The Day #916

Posted on October 20, 2019 | 2 comments

Frosty morning yesterday, at Longshore (Photo/Carolyn McPhee)

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Photo Challenge #251

Posted on October 20, 2019 | 10 comments

There are 2 types of Westporters: those who know that the cannon in front of the VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 building on Riverside Avenue is an original from Compo Beach.

It was vandalized in 1957. The Rotary Club restored it in 1999, and presented it to the VFW. The cannon at the beach today is a replica.

The 2nd type of Westporters are those who drive by every day, and never notice it.

The first group thought that last week’s Photo Challenge — showing the cannon — was the easiest one ever. Specifically, it includes Tom Risch, Robert Mitchell, Michael Calise, Jacques Voris, Tom Feeley, Diane Silfen, Jonathan McClure, Mary Ann Batsell, Peter Swift, Lois Himes, Linda Amos and Nancy Engel.

If you’re in the 2nd group: Click here for the photo. Then click here for more info on the VFW — an important presence in town, for nearly 100 years. And when you’ve done that, the next time you head to Saugatuck, check out the history you’ve spent so much time passing by.

And when you’re finished doing that, you can figure out this week’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Peter Tulupman)

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Posted in Beach, Organizations, Photo Challenge

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Vote Next Month. But Register Now!

Posted on October 20, 2019 | 1 comment

On November 5, Westporters will elect candidates for a variety of important local offices, including the Board of Education, Board of Finance, Planning & Zoning Commission and RTM.

But in order to vote, you must be registered.

October 29 is the deadline for:

  • Mail-in registration of new voters (postmark)
  • Online registrations (click here)
  • In-person registration at the Registrars of Voters office, Town Hall, Room 107 (weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

November 4 (5 p.m.) is the deadline for in-person registration at Town Hall for residents who meet at least one of the following limited criteria. Between October 29 and November 5, you must have:

  • Turned 18 years old
  • Moved to Westport
  • Achieved citizenship
  • Been a member or family member of the armed services.

Questions? Call 203-341-1115 or click here.

 

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Pic Of The Day #915

Posted on October 19, 2019 | 2 comments

Classic fall scene: Across the Saugatuck River (Photo/Jen Greely)

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Remembering JoAnne Siebrasse

Posted on October 19, 2019 | Comments Off on Remembering JoAnne Siebrasse

Westport has lost another longtime civic volunteer.

JoAnne Siebrasse died last month. She was 93 years old.

She and her late husband Dick spent most of their long married life as enthusiastic Westporters. They came here after several corporate transfers, requiring 2- and 3-year semi-permanent relocations in the Midwest.

While Dick first commuted to New York as an advertising “Mad Man,” and later climbed the corporate ladder at CPC International in New Jersey, Westport remained their home for over 50 years. JoAnne invested her time and significant effort to make many long-term friends and community connections here.

JoAnne Siebrasse

Her primary focus in life was to be of service to others. She was active with the Westport Woman’s Club serving on its board  and with the Curio Cottage, Scholarship Committee, Yankee Doodle Fair and more.

JoAnne also was an avid, longtime participant in American Red Cross blood drives; Meals on Wheels; board member of Christian Community Action food pantry (now Person-2-Person); Westport Senior Center; Westport Historical Society, and community outreach at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and Greens Farms Congregational Church.

Her son Tom says, “Never one to take direction well, she always served on the boards of the organizations she joined to make her voice and enthusiasm heard. She gathered countless friends and interesting companions along the way.”

Donations in JoAnne Siebrasse’s name can be sent to CT Food Bank, Fidelco Guide Dogs or Homes for Our Troops.

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Rebecca Yormark: Abilis Ambassador

Posted on October 19, 2019 | 4 comments

For 14 years, Abilis — the non-profit that supports hundreds of people with special needs, through education, advocacy, recreational activities, life skills support, job training and residential options — has sponsored a fundraiser.

There’s a 1-mile wheelchair and stroller accessible walk, a 5K run, children’s activities like face painting, crafts and a bouncy house, plus music and food. This year’s event is tomorrow (Sunday, October 20, 9 a.m., Tod’s Point, Greenwich).

Hundreds of folks will participate and watch. The walk will be led by Rebecca Yormark — a Westporter.

Rebecca Yormark

The 22-year-old is a great Abilis “ambassador.” The organization has helped her and her family transition from a residential school to a supported apartment.

Rebecca attends Abilis’ young adult LEAP transition program. She also volunteers in the community, and is getting ready for a job.

The walk is free to participate, but a donation to Abilis is appreciated. There is a $40 registration fee for the run for adults; $20 for children 11 to 17. Prizes are awarded for the top 3 men’s, women’s and children’s run finishers; team awards go to those with the most members, and who raise the most money. Creativity awards are given for the most unique run and walk outfits.

Rebecca will enjoy the day. So will her many friends and fans.

Congratulations, Rebecca, on leading Abilis this weekend!

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