The Long Lots Elementary School project took one small step forward last night.
The Board of Finance discussed the project, in the first of 3 expected meetings.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker laid out the rest of the timetable, at Town Hall.
The Parks & Recreation Commission meets Monday (October 30, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium; click here for livestream), and will follow up with at least one more meeting.
The Planning & Zoning Commission will then hear an 8-24 (land use) application — most likely, not before December.
Then, a request for design specs will go to the Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting, beginning with relevant committees.
Despite being behind schedule, Tooker still aims for for construction to begin a year from now, in the fall of 2024.
The current plan for a new building at Long Lots Elementary School must be heard — and approved — by several town bodies.
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Got drugs?
This Saturday (October 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aspetuck Health District, 180 Bayberry Lane), the Westport Police Department partners with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, for the 25th annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Residents are asked to look in medicine cabinets and drawers for medications that are no longer needed, or out of date. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.
Take Back Day has removed more than 8,300 tons of medication from circulation since its inception.
Collection sites cannot accept illicit drugs, needles or sharps; only pills or patches.
Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container, with caps tightly sealed.
Vape pens with removable batteries can be disposed of at the take-back site. Vape pens without removable batteries are not accepted.
A year-round collection bin is available in the lobby of Westport police headquarters. Prescription drugs can be disposed of any time there. Click here for more information.
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As tensions mount internationally, domestically and locally, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation hopes residents can come together.
“All of us are spiritual people, no matter our personal faith traditions or religious affiliations,” the UU says. “We can find solace in community … in peace, in meditation, and in reflection.”
This Saturday (October 28, 4 to 5 p.m., the sanctuary, 10 Lyons Plains Road), Rev. Alan Tayler and others will lead attendees through a meditative experience.
“It will be a time to just be, in quiet, with one another, with a very few readings and with cellist Gunnar Sahlin offering some lovely cello pieces,” the UU adds.
All are welcome. Questions? Call 203-227-7205, ext. 10, or email beth@uuwestport.org; www.uuwestport.org.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation sanctuary.
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For over 100 years, the 1917 home at 44 Compo Mill Cove — one of the most distinctive, and most photographed homes i Westport — has weathered hurricanes and nor’easters.
It’s seen the Old Mill neighborhood change from summer shacks to multi-million-dollar properties.
Several experts thought it was too fragile to work with. But new owners Lance and Anne Lonergan wanted to preserve it.
With the help of Michael Greenberg & Associates, and a firm in Pennsylvania, they’re lifting it, renovating it, and adding on some modern features — while retaining its bones and beauty.
Here’s to another century, as the “Queen of Compo Cove.”
(Hat tip and photo/Robin Tauck)
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Speaking of saving a town icon:
Yesterday’s Roundup noted that the 2 weeping cherry blossom trees in front of Sakura have been saved from destruction.
The effort — involving the state Department of Transportation, property owner, restaurant owner, Earthplace and Eversource.
Town officials, including Representative Town Meeting members, were key parts of the negotiations.
Representative Town Meeting members in front of the Sakura trees (from left): Don O’Day, Claudia Shaum, Andrew Colabella, Matthew Mandell, Chris Tait, Jay Keenan, Seth Braunstein.
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A reader writes:
“While walking on Burying Hill beach twice last weekend, I saw huge numbers of golf balls in the water. They come from golfers practicing their chipping, into the Sound.
“From an environmental point of view, I imagine these break down eventually and pose any number of hazards. In the meantime, it is unsightly litter.
“I took over 100 golf balls out of the water. The current pulls them out and around Frost Point back towards Burying Hill Beach. The density is always thickest toward Southport.
“I know there are many many greater issues in our town, country and world, but this seems like an easy one to fix. Perhaps the person watching the sunset and ceaselessly chipping balls from their yard into the water is unaware of potential issues with the practice, or perhaps they just don’t care.
“But I do.”
Golf balls taken from Burying Hill Beach.
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This sign — spotted on Post Road West, near what may be the worst 4-way intersection in town — sums up many residents’ feelings about the ongoing I-95 Saugatuck Avenue bridge rehabilitation project:
(Photo/Stephanie Bass)
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Here’s something more than trivial:
VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 has introduced a weekly Trivia Night.
Doors open every Wednesday at 5 p.m. Games start at 6.
Trivia Night also includes drinks, food and raffles. For more information, call 203-227-6796.
Come for the food, drinks, raffles and camaraderie; stay for the trivia.
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Speaking of the VFW: If you bought tickets to Jon Gailmor’s “First Folk Sunday” appearance November 5 at the VFW, you’re in luck. As noted last weekend on “06880,” the 1966 Staples High School graduate is a special performer.
If you did not get tickets, you’re out of luck: The show is sold out.
Keep reading our Roundup, though, for future shows in this very cool monthly series.
Jon Gailmor
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So — still looking for something to do November 5?
The Westport School of Music offers “An Afternoon of Hot Jazz & Cool Classics” (4 p.m., MoCA Westport).
The law firm of Nguyen Lefft sponsors this chamber music concert. They’ll honor all Westport non-profit and public school music educators, and have invited them to attend.
Eleven musicians will present jazz favorites, light French classics, 2 Strauss songs, and piano 4-hands works.
Afterwards, audience members can greet the artists, and enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres, pizza and juice.
For more information, call 203-227 – 4931, or email smiller@wsmusic.org.
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Speaking of MoCA: 2 important events have been added to their calendar.
On November 18 (7 p.m.), 2022 Heida Hermanns Competition laureate Artem Kuznetsov returns, after performing around the world.
November 21 (7 p.m.) brings the Django Festival Allstars. They’ve played top festivals and concert halls across the US, including Newport Jazz, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and 24 years at Birdland in New York.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Artem Kuznetsov
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Longtime Westporter Russell Sherman discussed his varied and interesting career yesterday, at the Westport Rotary Club’s weekly meeting.
The Staples High School graduate started out in television sports broadcasting, then was head of corporate public relations at Bear Stearns when it collapsed in 2008.
He launched his own consulting firm, which was acquired by Prosek Partners.
Sherman also hosts a podcast, “Press Profiles,” where he interviews leading business reporters, anchors and editors.
Russell Sherman (Photo/Ellin Curley)
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Claudia Sherwood Servidio captured today’s gorgeous “Westport … Naturally” image, o a recent late afternoon off Cross Highway.
(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
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And finally … following up on the Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s “come together” invitation for this Saturday (story above):
(Another day, another jam-packed “06880” Roundup. If you enjoy, learn from or otherwise appreciate this daily feature, please support our work. Click here — and thank you!)
Thanks to the pictured RTM members for saving the tree. I just wish you had all used the same amount of energy to preserve the rights of Westport citizens to petition the RTM. Only 1 of you pictured voted to uphold the long-standing right to petition the RTM, Matthew Mandell of District 1. The rest of you voted to mute the voices of those who elected you. That should matter come election day.
I want to thank the 6 members of the RTM who voted to uphold our right to be heard by the town government, and encourage people to vote for them on election day. Thank you to:
Harris Falk, District 2
Ross Burkhardt, District 3
Matthew Mandell, District 1
Ellen Lautenberg, District 7
Sal Liccione, District 9
Liz Milwe, Distrioct 1
Huh, maybe that’s why I wasn’t invited to be in that photo
Seems odd as well as unscrupulous to deny your own constituents the right to petition you. “Get away! Don’t talk to me!” Huh?
What were they afraid of? Having to vote on: The Gardens? The 44 parking places? Build vs renovate? War?
Really!? what could possibly motivate 29 “representatives” to vote for such a stupid and preposterous resolution that on its face must be out of order.
Does anyone know why they did it ⁉️
Tom, seeing how you asked, some of the reasons given by the RTM 29 include:
1. We (the RTM) need to stay in our lane.
2. What if crazy people, with crazy ideas petitioned us? Why should we have to listen to that? It would be bad for Westport’s reputation.
3. The 200 year old Town Meeting tradition, from which the RTM gets its legitimacy, is an anachronism in the 21st century.
4. We don’t care about the legislative intent when the RTM was chartered over 75 years ago (and here a few of the members cited slavery and woman’s suffrage as reason’s why legislative intent should be ignored in this case. Hard to make this up.)
5. We don’t like the tone and attitude of those who brought the petition forward.
6. We are simply supporting the RTM Moderator who, we all agree, is a good guy.
Anyone care to add anything or correct me?
Westport’s “reputation” 😂 what a lame excuse
They are infected with RTMD‼️RTMDisease‼️
“I’m elected, therefore important and I’m constantly afraid of making decisions and then not get re-elected.”
Some on that list are first to jump on their white horse and preach platitudes. Their decisions are what embarrassed Westport ‼️🇺🇸
Way ta go Lance‼️🇺🇸
The new school will cost about $2,000 dollars per student that attends Long Lots! Now that $2,000 is only for the new school and doesn’t take into consideration per pupil expenditure! You people can really spend money!
For years the town has avoided investing in the town to keep the boogieman of a slightly increased mill rate away.
Schools, Fire Department, Police Department, all have needs, not wants, needs, that have been put off for years. Interest rates were 0% and we still didn’t invest in the town.
Now, all of that is coming due.
So, yeah, costs are up, interest rates are up, and all that delay, that our responders, teachers, and children made do and suffered through, ends up costing the town much more.
There’s a reason the murderous clown is named Pennywise.
Being cheap is not the same as being financially prudent.
It would be great if the town did know how to spend money.
Maybe we could have a study
A little quick Math puts the cost at $28,100 per student at Long Lots. And , may I add, this doesn’t take into consideration any cost overrun or the cost of demolishing the 69 year old building. AND… no second opinions!
Congratulations Russ Sherman. A class act from a great family always giving back to our town. Best of luck with new venture my friend.
So Don O’Day and Jay Keenan want to destroy the Community Gardens for a baseball field, but will do a photo-op in front of one tree in front of Post Road restaurant? You can’t make this stuff. I guess that is why they’ve been too busy to answer their FOIA request.
Did it for 6 years. My rubber stamp is retired.
Did the RTM define the word “ crazy”? If so, I’d like the definition.
Jamie Walsh’s comment on today’s post gives some examples.