With winds and rain walloping the region, Eversource reported at 9 a.m. that 47 Westport customers were without power. That’s 0.37% of the town.
Among those in the dark: residents of Apache Trail, off Bayberry Lane.
Stephanie Moore Girling says she warned town officials and Eversource repeatedly about a tree leaning precariously near wires.
Her prediction came true: This storm brought it down.
Tree down on Apache Trail. (Photo/Stephanie Moore Girling)
Meanwhile, Weston reported 189 outages (4.8%).
Statewide, the number lacking electricity was 85,059– 6.5% of Eversource’s customers.
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Speaking of high winds:
They usually bring kite surfers to Compo’s South Beach.
Tammy Barry spotted this one yesterday, off Schlaet’s Point on Hillspoint Road:
(Photo/Tammy Barry)
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For the second time since the Nov. 7 municipal election, the Planning and Zoning Commission is poised to appoint a new member to an open seat.
Amie Tesler, who was elected to a new, four-year term on the P&Z last month, has decided to step down.
The Republican told Westport Journal: “Family first, always. I have an amazing but demanding job. I respect my fellow commissioners and love this town but, alas, kids and work.”
According to LinkedIn, she is director of business development for Zebra.
The Republican Town Committee will recommend a replacement. the full P&Z will vote on that recommendation at tonight’s Zoom meeting.
Amie Tesler
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Here’s the scoop:
Yesterday marked the end of Saugatuck Sweets. The Riverside Avenue ice cream shop closed, after a 10-year run.
(Photo/Jason Stiber)
It will be replaced this spring by MOMU — another ice cream place. The name comes from the initials of the owners. They know the site well: They also own Kneads Bakery Café, across the street.
MOMU will make their ice cream fresh, in the store.
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The “06880” tagline is “Where Westport Meets the World.”
The other day, Westport met Tokyo.
Staples High School Class of 2008 graduate — and current resident — Galen Blumenthal recently returned from a business trip to Japan. He reports:
“On my first day in Tokyo, I met the local interpreters hired to support our discussions. It didn’t take long to realize one of the interpreters and I had something in common: We both attended Kings Highway Elementary School.
“Chie Sugano lived in Westport for a few years while her dad worked for IBM. She attended KHS ‘around first and second grades,’ lived on Rice’s Lane, and remembers the town fondly.
“She has lived in Tokyo since. She was excited to hear about the ‘06880’ tagline, and agreed we should share this story.”
Galen Blumenthal and Chie Sugano
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As traffic worsens this week — and you’re stuck at the Playhouse Square Post Road light (heading west) or the one at Compo Road (going east), look over at Winslow Park Animal Hospital.
As always, they offer a whimsical welcome to the holidays.
(Photo/Ed Simek)
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A day before the storm, the Compo Beach “Westport … Naturally” scene — not far from yesterday’s kite surfer (story above) was sunny and serene:
(Photo/June Rose Whittaker)
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And finally … in honor of today’s weather:
(“Weather” or not you realize it, “06880” relies on reader support. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
Re: the tree on Apache trail, let’s file that one in the “I told you so…” Column.
Beautiful photo!
Last week I sent a picture of this tree hanging perilously over the wires (Dan has the picture which he can post) to my 4 RTM members and the Westport Tree Warden. I also called the Fire Department, the Westport DPW, and Eversource. Initially all parties said there was nothing they could do. Eversource eventually came out with several trucks but decided it was the Town or the property owner’s responsibility — not theirs. I would suggest we sort out a process for ownership of these kinds of issues so we avoid this costly and dangerous outcome. None of the kids on Apache Trail can go to school today, the Doctors that live on my street can’t get to the hospital and one family’s daughter nearly missed being hit by the tree as she drove to the airport very early this morning.
I never understood why tree maintenance isn’t a priority, given what happens during just about every major weather event. Anyone driving around town can point out numerous examples of the next tree/branch to fall and cause this kind of turmoil with the power lines.
When a tree on private property is a problem, the town can’t take it down. As I wrote Ms. Girling when she contacted one of our district reps, it is the responsibility of the property owner – but if the owner is notified in writing that their tree presents a hazard, then the responsibility is the owner’s (as I understand our laws from previous experiences). Ms. Girling did – again as I understand it – notify her neighbor, so the issue became theirs. I don’t know the owner’s reaction, but the situation wasn’t resolved and Ms. Girling’s prediction came true to everyone’s detriment, no matter who has the legal responsibility. I’m not sure about Eversource’s position, but I advised Ms. Girling to notify them in writing, too, and I understood that she did, without action on their part. I share her frustration and concern about the danger.
PS. On reading my above response, I think it sounds as though I was the only D. 8 representative who responded. Not so – all our good representatives were concerned and involved!
Wendy is absolutely right – all of my RTM representatives replied (Wendy, Rachel, Ari and Julie) to me immediately, but they were equally powerless to get the town or Eversource to act. There is a legal process which Wendy outlined, and I and other neighbors on my street are following it, but this was an urgent situation that needed immediate attention to avoid injury to people and property. Calling in the lawyers at that point was not going to prevent this inevitable outcome.
Something is not making sense. From the web page of the Tree Warden: The Tree Warden, appointed by the First Selectwoman, is responsible for the care and control of all trees and shrubs that are in whole or in part on Town roads and grounds, even if the trunk of the tree is on private property. This includes trees and shrubs within the Town right of way.
I must disagree with Wendy’s statement: “When a tree on private property is a problem, the town can’t take it down.” One day last year, I came home to find three of our trees cut to the ground since they were in the “right of way.” I asked about why they were cut and I was told that in the “right of way”, the town can remove a tree. Assuming you do not live on a private road, it simply sounds like the town was slow to act.