On Saturday, Westporters received their municipal tax bills.
They’re driven, of course, by the mill rate.
In this week’s edition of “Westport … What’s Happening,: 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker discusses that mill rate. How does it affect property owners? How does it compare with neighboring towns?
Click below to listen. The podcast is a service of the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston.
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Animal Control officer Peter Reid had a busy Friday.
Both highlight the need for residents to be more careful about what they toss in their yard, and use to handle “pests.”
On Friday he fielded a call about a groundhog in distress. Its head had become stuck in a discarded peanut butter jar.
Groundhog with a peanut butter jar …
Peter wrapped the trapped creature in a towel, and carefully removed the jar. The groundhog ran happily away.
Later that Friday, he received a call about a robin caught in a trap that was placed in a yard, perhaps to capture a chipmunk, squirrel or mouse.
… and robin, snared in a trap.
Peter freed the bird. Wildlife in Crisis is now caring for its broken leg.
Julie Loparo — a longtime local animal advocate — says, “In both instances, human carelessness caused great duress. We can do better. And I am very appreciative of a responsive town Animal Control, and having such a great resource such as Wildlife in Crisis in our back yard.”
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A rescue of a different sort took place yesterday. Jonathan Prager reports:
“A boat was stranded on a sandbar between Compo Beach and Longshore for the better part of an hour.
“After the ‘women and children’ were successfully evacuated by a passing motorboat, TowBoat US arrived to push the boat safely to the nearest yacht basin.
“It’s nice to know recreational boaters enjoy the Sound with ample support.”
Help arrives! (Photo/Jonathan Prager)
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Club 203 — Westport’s social club for adults with disabilities — plans an exciting summer.
“Art Explorations” at MoCA are set for July 10 and August 14 (6 to 7:30 p.m.; $10). It’s a chance to relax, create art, hang out with friends and meet new ones. Click here for details and registration.
Members are also invited to a book club at the Fairfield Library. It meets every other Tuesday (4 to 5 p.m.). Email club203ct@gmail.com for details.
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It’s been a banner year for dogwoods.
Rick Hochman shot today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo this past weekend, at the Weston Historical Society.
(Photo/Rick Hochman)
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And finally … in honor of one of Friday’s animal rescues (story above):
(Westporters are grateful for Wildlife in Crisis. Please support it. And while you’re at it — please support “06880” too. Just click here — and thank you!)
Please can we move past the focus on mill rate: it’s the wrong metric. Mill rate is an output of Budget/Grand List. Our Grand List is really high (property values are high), our budget is also very high (great schools). What we should discuss is the spending/taxing per capita, our spending is driven by people not assets after all. Westport has the highest (or some years second highest) property tax per capita in Connecticut (i.e. we are the most profligate), that’s okay if that’s what we want but please don’t obfuscate the discussion by focusing on mill rates rather than what drives the taxes; the budget.
Get that sailor a tide chart!!
If he was any good he wouldn’t need one 😘
Hats off to Peter Reid who’s knowledge of and care for all animals is extraordinary. A thank you as well to concerned residents who call him for help when a distressed animal is seen.