Thousands of people had a blast at last night’s fireworks.
There was wonderful community spirit. Friends met; strangers mingled; joy filled the air.
The one downside: Not everyone picked up after themselves.
Totney Benson notes: “Substantial debris was left behind. Most impressive was the carefully piled and bagged trash and pizza boxes a mere 15 steps from the trash bins!”
(Photo/Rick Carpenter)
So Public Works and Parks & Recreation Department employees were out in force, all night long and right through dawn, making sure Compo Beach and Soundview Drive look perfect for the weekend.
(Photo/Rick Carpenter)
Thanks to all who helped — those who cleaned up after themselves, and those who cleaned up after those who did not.
And if you left a mess: Just think about the message you sent to Westport.
Especially to your kids.
(Photo/Karen Como)
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The Long Lots School Building Committee posted this on Facebook:
“The LLS Building is working through the feasibility phase of the project. The committee, along with an architectural design firm and construction management company, is still evaluating and discussing all three options for the future of LLS.
“Options include: 1) Renovate the existing school as new, 2) Renovate the existing school as new plus build additions, or, 3) Build a new school building. With all three options, the existing school needs to remain open and in use during construction.
“No recommendations or decisions regarding how to proceed have been made. The committee expects to make a recommendation to the Selectwoman’s office in August.
“The committee is taking great care to evaluate all aspects of the site to find the ideal location for a new building or additions, while respecting the residential neighborhood, maintaining town fields, ensuring adequate parking, and preserving or relocating town assets such as the community gardens – it is a challenging balance!
“While the school is the priority, the committee fully appreciates the beauty and value of the community gardens, as well as the importance of town fields and maintaining a symbiotic relationship with neighbors. At this point, the committee is considering all options before making its recommendation. We know the town governing bodies and Westport residents would want and expect nothing less.
“The LLSBC will hold its next scheduled meeting on Friday, June 30 at 10 a.m. All Building Committee meetings are noticed on the Town website. The public is welcome to attend and there is time for public comment/questions at the meetings.”
The Long Lots Elementary School campus. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
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Westport celebrated the 4th of July with fireworks last night, on June 29th.
But there are still 5 days to go until the holiday. And many Westporters will be thinking of more pyrotechnics.
Westport Fire Marshal Terry Dunn says, “The public has been overwhelmed with advertisement, signs, and sales pitches of so-called fireworks. The only legal ‘fireworks’ items in Connecticut are sparklers.
Sparklers are non-explosive, non-aerial devices that contain less than 100 grams of pyrotechnic material. They can be legally used only by persons aged 16 or older.”
Novelty items like party poppers, snakes, smoke devices and anything that emits a flame are not legal for private use in Connecticut. In addition to being illegal, exploding devices can cause painful, debilitating injuries.
Sky lanterns (small hot air balloons made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire burns) are also illegal in Connecticut. They can cause fires and injury. The flaming lantern can travel long distances and drop onto roof tops, fields, trees and power lines.
Our area has experienced dry conditions, making it very easy for fireworks, sparklers and fountains to cause brush fires. Extreme caution must be exercised even with campfires, as the fire danger has been elevated.
Possessing or causing to explode fireworks can result in a fine or incarceration.
Sparklers are legal — but only for people 16 and older. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between June 21 and 28.
A woman was arrested for larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny, identity theft and conspiracy to commit identity theft.
A companion had been arrested on similar charges earlier. They stemmed from the complaint of a First County Bank customer, after a fraudulent check of hers was cashed for $2,940. Her car had been broken into, and her purse stolen.
Police also issued these citations:
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 4 citations
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
- Larceny: 1
- Distracted driving: 1
- Driving with a foreign license for more than 30 days: 1
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
- Violation of readable plates: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Failure to drive right: 1
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Over 30 Y’s Men of Westport & Weston members, and their guests, were treated to a tour of Prospect Gardens on Wednesday.
Owners Melissa and John Ceriale welcomed the visitors, who were led by curator/landscape designer/master planner Cindy Shumate.
The Prospect Road property includes nearly 9 acres of flowers, shrubs, lawns, walking paths, meadows, orchards, trees and more.
Y’s Men and guests, at Prospect Gardens. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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If you missed Alison Stewart’s WNYC “All of It” interview about the Westport Library’s first-in-the-nation record label vinyl release — no problem.
You can hear it — including an interview with sound engineer Travis Bell, artist Dani Capalbo, and some of the music recorded at the Library’s Verso Studio — by clicking here.
Travis Bell, at work.
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The year is winding down for the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club. On Wednesday, new president Liz Wong was inducted.
They’re still smiling over last weekend’s Great Duck Race. More than 3,000 plastic ducks “competed,” raising more than $70,000 that the club will donate to charities.
Here’s the entire event, in just 42 seconds:
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Stacy Prince offers an intriguing close-up, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Stacy Prince)
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And finally … Bobby Osborne, a singer and mandolin player whose bluegrass band flouted convention by using drums, electric bass, pedal steel guitar, twin banjos and string sections — and were the first to amplify their instruments — died Tuesday near Nashville. He was 91.
The Osborne Brothers are best known for their 1967 record, “Rocky Top.” Click here for full obituary.
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog — and a non-profit. Please click here to support our work, with a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
All the environmentalists in town should be at the beach this morning cleaning up the mess they left behind.
Pathetic that folks won’t even clean up their trash. I hope that goofy mylar balloon didn’t make it into the water- dangerous to marine life. So much for community spirit….maybe the town should have left the trash there so the beach goers would see it all today.
Every time I see a story about trash on the beach, I’m reminded of my late mother who, when we would pack up to leave Compo after a day in the sun, would always say: “OK, kids, police the area!”
10am and the beach was packed from one end to the other with selfish massive ghost encampments of unoccupied beach chairs and towels, as people prepare leave to trash wherever they want.
We have a nice beach, but I guess we can’t keep it it, just like our republic. Is the best we can do?
All through the day, I, me, mine, I, me, mine, I, me, mine.
Why should you be surprised? I ‘m appalled by the refuse I see daily during my walks about town, frequently with litter left within feet of a plainly visible trash container. I pick up what I can but it is a puny effort with little effect. Last night’s accumulation was more of the same but on a much larger scale. With the concern over the environment so much a focus you wouldn’t suppose there would be an increased need to belabor the issue but there obviously is.
Guest services, a few lifeguards, myself, and PD/FD employees stayed late picking up trash, long into midnight.
This morning, Maintanence division started at 5AM raking the beach with trash pick up starting at 6am. The litter and trash left behind was not only far worse than it was in the last few years, but it took over 4.5 hours this morning alone at the beach.
Lifeguards did their pick from point to point and back to the grilles, still finding trash.
Guest services are still picking up trash.
What is so hard about doing that?? We all say we’re environmentally conscientious, actions speak louder than words.
Carry in, carry out.
That is insane!! In twenty+ years living in this town I have never seen this before… new arrivals anyone? — I was there last night and could see groups of young people literally throwing their empty soda and a beer bottles to the curb by longshore golf as they walked…. Who are these people???! Sad sad sad.
I’m sure it was all out-of-towners.