Unsung Hero #327

Alert and inspired “06880” reader John Karrel writes:

The recent “06880” reminder of expanded hours for Westport’s yard waste facility on Bayberry Lane made me think: There is no better Unsung Hero candidate than Dan Keayes.

He has overseen the site for 30 years.

His creativity was noted in a 2009 blog post. It described a handsome garden built, on a forlorn dirt pile.

Filled with sea grass, boxwoods — even a fig tree — it wraps around the entire building, behind the Westport-Weston Health District. Every living thing — plus wood chips and a birdhouse — was salvaged from nearby piles.

To those of us who look forward to our regular Bayberry Lane visits, hauling our leaf bags and loads of brush, Dan is not unsung.

He is patient, knowledgeable, cheery, and has the site open at 7 a.m., 6 days a week (closed Sundays). He is often a sounding board for visitors to the facility, answering questions and offering advice.

Dan Keayes, at the Westport yard waste facility. (Photo/John Karrel)

A longtime Monroe resident, he and his wife are proud parents of a 10-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter. In his off hours he is frequently at his mother’s home in Newtown, helping with home renovation projects.

Asked about stories of, um, Westporters being Westporters, he admits there are moments when he must defuse a situation. But there is a twinkle in his eye, and I have never seen his feathers ruffled.

Improved signage in recent years means there is far less Sunday dumping for him to clear away Monday mornings. Again, he smiles as he says that.

Asked about that 2009 post, Dan says that Martha Stewart’s landscaper brought him a fig 3 years ago. Now, in warmer weather, it yields luscious figs.

Something for me to look forward to, a few months from now.

(To nominate an Unsung Hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com)

(“Unsung Hero” is a weekly “06880” feature. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)