Roundup: Stats: Real Estate, Police, PopUp Bagels …

The hot real estate market has cooled a bit. Several indicators are down during the first 3 quarters of 2023, compared to last year.

But the median sale price is up 2.4% from January-September 2022. The current median is $2.1 million, according to KMS Team at Compass.

Other statistics, for the first 9 months of 2023 compared to ’22:

• Number of sales: 257 (down 29%)
• Total dollar value: $627,258,757 (down 29%)
• Number of new listings: 379 (down 18%)
• Average percentage over asking price: 1.67% (down 2.4%)
• Number of days on market: 29 (down 5%).

This 8,246-square foot, 4-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom on 1.35 acres on Saugatuck Avenue is listed at $13.9 million.

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Westport Police had a busy week.

There were 5 custodial arrests of adults, between October 18 and 25.

Three were charged in connection with Monday’s chase on I-95 and the Greens Farms area, ending at the Sherwood Island Connector.

Two 20-year-olds from Ansonia, and a 19-year-old from Seymour, were all charged with the same crimes: reckless driving, engaging police in a pursuit, larceny of a motor vehicle, interfering with police officers/resisting arrest, assault on a public safety officer, and reckless endangerment.

The day before (Sunday, October 22), an attempted motor vehicle theft at 4:20 a.m. led to police pursuit onto I-95, where the vehicle’s tires were deflated after stop sticks were deployed.

Two juveniles were caught at the scene. A Westport K-9 officer found an 18-yar-old from Meriden in nearby bushes. He was charged with reckless driving, improper use of marker plates, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, larceny of a motor vehicle, larceny 6th degree, conspiracy to commit larceny 6th degree, and interfering with an officer. He was turned then over to New Haven police, where he had outstanding warrants.

In addition, a 20-year-old Waterbury man was arrested in connection with last month’s carjacking inside a Bayberry Lane garage. He was charged with home invasion, burglary 1st degree, larceny 1st degree, conspiracy to commit larceny, robbery 1st degree, robbery by carjacking, assault 3rd degree, and reckless endangerment.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

• Traveling unreasonably fast: 9 citations
• Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 9
• Failure to comply with state traffic control signals: 5
• Disorderly conduct: 1
• Larceny 5th degree: 1
• Passing a standing school bus: 1
• Speeding: 1
• Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
• Following too closely: 1
• Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
• Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
• Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
• Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
• Failure to insure a motor vehice: 1
• Improper use of markers: 1

The aftermath of Monday’s pursuit of stolen vehicles. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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The “pop” in PopUp Bagels first referred to its peripatetic appearance — an underused location in Westport, then a few nearby towns, eventually New York.

It could also mean “popular.” The Westport-based bagels (and schmears) always sell out. Block-long lines waited in the city. They won 2 straight “Best Bagel” awards at the very prestigious Brooklyn Bagelfest.

Now, Adam Goldberg’s 3-year-old business has closed on an $8 million capital raise. The funding will enable future growth, and an expansion of the executive team.

The round was led by New York equity firm Stripes. Click here for the delicious details.

Adam Goldberg, with the gold.

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The private garages at Sherwood Mill Pond — behind the Old Mill homes, on the way to the pedestrian walkways to Compo Cove — are an object of fascination.

They’re old — a throwback to perhaps the 1920s.

One owner has decorated hers with seashells and baubles.

Then there is this one:

(Photo/Karen Como)

There must be a back story. Perhaps a wife said to her husband, “Honey, that is not going in the house. It belongs in the garage!”

Click “Comments,” to share your own bathroom humor.

But keep it clean. No potty mouths.

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Amy Schneider spotted these pumpkins yesterday, at the Compo brick pavilion.

(Photo/Amy Schneider)

Perhaps someone heard that the beach was a favorite spot for trick-or-treaters.

Let’s clarify: It’s the homes in the very walkable Compo neighborhood, not the beach itself.

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Longtime Westporter Paul Hammond, more recently of Fairfield, died  peacefully at home earlier this month, with his family and rector at his side. He was 82.

Paul grew up in Darien, where he was an acolyte at St Luke Church, acting in theater, and played baseball and football. His summers were spent in Chatham, Massachusetts, where his family had 300 years of history.

.After graduating from Darien High School in 1959, Paul took a gap year to work as head doorman at Hawaii’s Waikiki Hilton. He graduated from Brown University in 1965, then earned his masters degree at New York University in international development.

In 1966 he joined the Army. Paul served for 3 years as a 1st Lieutenant and executive officer of his training battalion, receiving a Commendation Medal.

He began his business career at International Paper, then worked at Emery Air Freight and All Transport. Paul started his own company, US Trade and Transport, and traveled the world selling heavy construction equipment.

He later entered market research, working for Teeton Group, Yankelovich and TRC, where he was an executive vice president and principal shareholder.

Paul met the love of his life, Paige, in 1979. They were married the next year. They settled on Saugatuck Shores, where they lived for 35 years.  Paul enjoyed lobstering, fishing, waterskiing, and spending time with Paige’s children.

The couple traveled extensively. Treasure Cay, Abaco Bahamas became their home away from home.

In retirement, Paul wrote novels and researched. He published 4 books aboutthe American Revolution.

Paul was active at Christ & Holy Church on the vestry, Fundraising Committee, and as building project manager for the renovation project. He served as a president and board member of the Saugatuck Island Owners Association.  He was also chair of the Treasure Cay Golf Club, commodore of the Yacht Club, and a board member of the Treasure Cay Medical Clinic. Recently, he served as Grounds chair and a board member at the Meadows in Fairfield.

Paul fully encouraged all his grandchildren, and rarely missed an event.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Paige Hammond; stepchildren Connie (Jamie) Widmann of Newtown, and David (Andrea) Moore of Westport; grandchildren Jimmy and Sarah Widmann, and Tessa, Janna and Ella Moore;  sister-in-law Suzanne Hammond. and many cousins, nieces and nephew.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held November 17 (noon, Christ & Holy Trinity Church).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Paul’s name to Regional Hospice, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury, CT 06810.

Paul Hammond

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Many “Westport … Naturally” photos feature an animal, plant or flower.

This one shows a much bigger scene, at Sherwood Mill Pond. It’s one of the reasons we love this part of New England so much.

Enjoy it now. It won’t last forever — or even a couple of weeks.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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And finally … (and speaking of Sherwood Mill Pond): today’s song honors a certain garage on the way to Compo Cove:

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