The Long Lots Elementary School project moved one important step forward last night.
The Board of Finance voted unanimously to appropriate $6.8 million, for the design phase.
As reported in the Westport Journal, the funds include $6.2 million for a design consultant, architect, engineers and other professionals; $190,000 for a construction manager; $175,000 for a town project managers; $195,000 for testing, studies and borings, and $40,000 for printing and miscellaneous.
The cost per square foot is projected to be $727. Geothermal heating and cooling could raise that to $777 per square foot.
The appropriation request now goes to the Representative Town Meeting.
The Finance Board pushed 2 other requests to its next meeting, the Journal reports: $630,000 in design money to upgrade the Jesup Green and Imperial Avenue parking lots, and $110,000 to update conceptual plans for a new Fire Department headquarters, to possibly include the Police Department and Emergency Medical Service.
A replacement for 70-year-old Long Lots School moved closer to reality last night.
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The Westport Rotary Club turns 100 years old this year.
And on March 7 — 100 years to the day that they received their charter from Rotary International — the civic-and-service-and-more organization will celebrate.
Their “First 100 Years” Centennial Gala (6 p.m., The Inn at Longshore) includes cocktails, a great meal, and entertainment, with a multimedia presentation of that first century (photos by Dave Matlow, a new video, and MC Jeff Wieser).
Everyone receives a commemorative book too, highlighting Rotary’s 100 years.
You don’t have to be a Rotarian to attend. The event is open to all.
Tickets are $100 (Venmo @Thomas-Carey-73046, or mail checks to Westport Rotary PO Box 743, Westport, CT 06881). Email: rsvp.WestportRotary@gmail.com.
The Centennial Gala is not the only way for Rotary to mark their milestone. They’re also the lead sponsor for the Compo Beach playground renovation project. It’s planned for late September — just a few days after their annual LobsterFest.
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Meanwhile, members of Westport’s other Rotary — the Sunrise Club — will be out in force this Saturday (February 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Stop & Shop) for their annual “Souper Bowl Food Drive.”
It’s a team effort, with the Westport Police Department and others. They’ll collect non-perishable food and personal care items — and cash donations — to support Homes with Hope’s food pantry at the Gillespie Center.
Among the items needed: canned tuna, chicken, meat, vegetables and fruit; hearty soup, beef stew and chili; pasta and pasta sauce; peanut butter and jelly; crackers; granola and protein bars; rice; mac and cheese; cereal; shampoo, toothpaste and deodorant.
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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between January 31 and February 7.
A man was arrested for evading responsibility (hit and run), driving under the influence and illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension, following a crash near M&T Bank. The suspect was found passed out behind the wheel, in the bank parking lot.
A man was arrested for assault with serious injury, strangulation/suffocation and unlawful restraint. Following a traffic stop for no headlights and a bumper dragging on the ground, the officer observed the driver and passengers with injuries, blood and scratches. The man had gone through the female’s phone, found messages he believed to be suspicious, assaulted her, and refused to let her get out of the car.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 10 citations
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 5
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 4
- Failure to obey stop sign: 4
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 4
- Failure to register a commercial vehicle: 3
- School zone violation: 1
- Evading responsibility: 1
- Traveling at unreasonable speed: 1
- Passing a motor vehicle stopped in a crosswalk: 1
- Failure to renew license: 1
- Failure to renew registration: 1
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Driving with a foreign license for more than 60 days: 1
- Improper turn/no signal: 1
- Failure to grant right of way: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without tint inspection: 1
Slow down! It’s the law.
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Homebuyers comparing counties know that the downside to Westchester’s closer proximity to New York City is its much higher property taxes.
But there’s another element of Westchester real estate that buyers may not realize: higher closing costs too.
Refinance costs for mortgages are much higher too.
Our friends at KMS Team at Compass say that the reason is differences in state and county regulations and requirements, along with added taxes and fees.
New York state imposes a mansion tax of 1% on purchases over $1,000,000. There is also a mortgage tax of roughly 1% in Westchester County.
We’re just sayin’ …
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Valentine’s Day is almost here.
And MoCA Westport wants you to be ready.
Today (Thursday, February 8, 2 to 4 p.m.), they offer a “Blossom + Stem Floral Design Workshop.”
The local florists will help you design your own centerpiece, for you to take home. Bring your own vase (up to 6 inches wide and 1 foot tall), or purchase a Blossom + Stem vase on-site for $25. All other supplies are covered. Click here to register.
On Saturday (February 10, 5 to 6 p.m., and 7 to 8 p.m.), there’s a “Romantic Evening” chocolate workshop.
Couples can create treats under the guidance of Le Rouge by Aarti chocolatiers — while sipping their signature hot cocoa, Champagne or a BYO beverage. Click here to register.
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Immerse yourself in the art of chocolate-making with your loved one in a romantic setting. Create delectable treats under the guidance of expert chocolatiers from Le Rouge Chocolates while sipping on Le Rouge’s signature hot cocoa, a glass of champagne, or a byo beverage.
The Westport Representative Town Meeting is seeking candidates from District 3 to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Lyn Hogan. I
No party affiliation is required, as Westport’s RTM is non-partisan. The term expires November 18, 2025.
Residents of RTM District 3 interested in being considered for vacancy should invited to send a resume by February 21 to Town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton: JDunkerton@westportct.gov.
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Sustainable Westport co-directors Gately Ross and Johanna Martell attended the recent Connecticut League of Conservation Voters Environmental Summit in Hartford.
They joined environmental leaders, lawmakers and policy experts to discuss priorities and challenges for the 2024 legislative session, and better understand their impact on Westport.
Sustainable Westport’s Gately Ross and Johanna Martell flank State Representative Jonathan Steinberg at the environmental summit in Hartford.
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Pam Docters offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo: “food left by a tree along the Library Riverwalk, for ducks, geese and seagulls.”
And, we’re sure, any other creature that comes along.
(Photo/Pam Docters)
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And finally … James Dean was born on this day, in 1931. He died in a car crash in 1955, age 24. Had he lived, the star of “Rebel Without a Cause” would be celebrating his 93rd birthday.
LOCAL CONNECTION: Phil Ochs was giving a concert in Westport on March 31, 1968. He was handed a note on stage — and told the audience that President Johnson had just announced he would not seek re-election that fall.
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One more local connection to the James Dean/Phil Ochs video: Dean was all set to play the lead, Rocky Graziano, in “Somebody Up There Likes Me” when he died in that tragic crash. Dean’s replacement was Paul Newman—and that role is generally regarded as a major breakthrough in Newman’s career.
Close. Paul was a lesser part of a boxer short story by Hemmingway that Hotchner expanded. Dean was to play the lead. Paul took the lead very reluctantly and he and Hotch became life-long friends. He did so well he was cast as Rocky later. Paul and Me…a great book book Hotch!
The Long Lots “design phase” being funded effectively means a new school is happening vs. a renovation of the existing structure. Hard to run a design phase without a spec as to what the outcome is supposed to be. Hope Westporters realize when they’re writing out their much larger tax bills in the future, that this new school decision was decided from the get-go and a renovation was never given serious thought. Sure, I’ve read the info provided which is scarce and without documented rationale. Anyone can provide numbers to justify their decisions when the numbers and narrative for how you got there are left out. Really a shame more attention was given to this much earlier. The “Garden Angst” of so many probably served the decision makers well as a welcome diversion from the more substantive issue!!
No interest in turning this into another go-nowhere debate here, but that’s a blatant misstatement of reality. The buy vs. build question was posed at the outset of the project now years ago, and ‘build’ won out based on the rigorous efforts of many qualified and dedicated volunteers in concert and with the authority granted by the relevant town bodies.
There are still many steps to go before a final cost is approved and so there will be plenty of opportunities to provide a check on amount the town spends (and, sadly, for people to continue to impugn the integrity of the people involved for the sole offense of arriving at decisions they disagree with).
Mark, I was thinking the exact same thing last night…. very perceptive
I agree
James Dean died 69 years ago, yet for some reason, his legacy lives on in spite of his only being in three movies. Maybe the fascination with him stems from the way he died at such a young age?
I can not imagine any neighbor would prefer a three story building. Mary hates Staples and calls it a “ dump“, so there is one opinion from the garden crowd. Perhaps she would like us to spend what was spent on her own kid’s school building, you know, the private school one on the waterfront.