It’s taken over a year.
But after a Zoom meeting of more than 4 hours yesterday — and hundreds of letters submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission — the Long Lots Elementary School building project took a big step forward last night.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve an 8-24 (municipal land use) request submitted Thursday by 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker.
The request — a revision of the original — includes a “multipurpose field,” rather than a baseball diamond. The Westport Community Gardens would be located near their present site.
The compromise plan drew over 300 virtual viewers, in addition to members of the P&Z and Long Lots School Building Committee. Long Lots parents used red backgrounds behind their head shots to highlight their numbers.
While all P&Z commissioners spoke in favor of the 8-24 plan, many offered caveats and cautions. For example, they wondered about prospects for a smaller footprint (via a 3rd story), the possibility of rotating the fields’ orientation, and keeping a buffer along neighbors’ yards.
Though the meeting was for the most part respectful, members asked for greater collaboration going forward with both the Building Committee and Parks & Recreation Department.
New commissioner Amy Wistreich cautioned Long Lots parents and other attendees that the 8-24 approval is just one step in the approval process. “There’s a long way to go,” she noted.
Still ahead: consideration by other town boards, including Finance and Conservation; hiring an architect; requests for detailed site plans, and more.
The Long Lots Elementary School site plan approved last night.
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Operation Warm Hug returns to the Westport Farmers’ Market on Thursday, February 1 and 8 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Lane).
Market-goers are encouraged to donate new and slightly worn coats, hats and mittens to help clients of nOURish of Bridgeport.
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Parking is often tight at the post office.
Imagine how much more difficult it would be if everyone took 3 spaces, like this driver:
(Photo/David Meth)
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The Westport Library offers conversation groups for people wanting to practice their French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese.
But what about English?
Bien sûr!
The first meeting of the Library’s new English Conversation Group is Monday (January 29, 11 a.m., Room 210, upper level). They’ll meet every Monday from then on.
It’s a chance to practice English language conversation skills with others, in informal conversation. It is open to both non-native and native speakers. Click here for more information.
To learn more about the English language group, email englishinwestport@gmail.com.
For information about starting a group in a language not offered — email jkeller@westportlibrary.org.
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As parents begin helping their kids select school courses for next year, S4StudySkills offers a free webinar.
Among the topics covered at “Why Course Selection is Important to the College Application Process” (February 1, 7 p.m.):
- What classes reveal about focus and motivation
- Should course requirements be exceeded?
- How college admissions view a student’s high school curriculum.
The event is free, but registration is required. Click here.
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Emmy-nominated composer/pianist Steve Sandberg brings his blend of classical, world music, jazz to this Thursday’s Jazz at the Post (January 25, shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7 p.m.; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399).
He’ll be joined by bassist Michael O’Brien, drummer Jeff Hirshfield, and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
Recent shows have sold out. For reservations, email JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
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When Robin Saidov tried to buy a solar system for her Weston home, she found the process far from transparent.
She requested more than 30 proposals requested. None, she says, provided “a clear, accurate picture of the benefits for the homeowner.”
One of the largest US installers estimated her savings would be “a multiple of my investment over the next 25 years,” without disclosing their assumptions. In reality, she says, she would have overpaid more than $30,000 for electricity over that time.”
Fortunately, she was a 20-year veteran of the energy industry, and a former renewable developer. So started her own business.
Your Energy Footprint educates consumers, “to ensure that their investment of $10,000 to $100,000 is a good choice for them financially.
The number of owners interested in solar is growing, as the price of solar panels drops, Saidov says. However, “the market was established by solar installers to their advantage. It’s time for homeowners to have a trusted resource to become educated consumers.”
Saidov holds an MBA from INSEAD, a bachelors of engineering in electrical rngineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, and a bachelor of science in mathematics from New York University. For more information, click here.
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Barry Kresch describes this heron — today’s “Westport … Naturally” subject — as “patient, hopefully not frozen.”
(Photo/Barry Kresch)
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And finally … in honor of the Westport Library’s new English conversation series, which joins other language groups (story above):
(Talk is cheap. Support is real. If you enjoy “06880” each day, please support our work. Just click here — and thank you!)
Always nice to have an excuse to play TT a few (dozen) times. Thanks Dan, for the always inspired track selections!
It unfortunately took until the third hour of the discussion last night, but the Westport baseball community, including its more than 1,000 participants, is pleased that the Planning and Zoning Commission ultimately resolved to clarify that there is no intent to prohibit baseball play on the relocated multipurpose field at Long Lots or preclude design and creation of a baseball field within the confines of the proposed plan. WBS looks forward to having a seat at the table to work collaboratively with the Long Lots Elementary School Building Committee, Parks and Recreation and Planning and Zoning and other organizations going forward to share ideas and put our town first. We can best achieve this goal by operating in an inclusive manner where all viewpoints are welcome and duly considered.