Two dozen electors have petitioned the Representative Town Meeting to appoint a committee to “review the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee’s plans for both Parker Harding and Jesup Green, the scope of the work and the associated costs; and to consider the merits and costs associated with feasible alternatives to what is being proposed by the DPIC, including a parking deck at the Baldwin lot; and to report its findings to the entire membership for such action as may be appropriate.”
The petitioners note “a great deal of concern and consternation among the citizenry surrounding the DPIC proposal, focused upon both the encroachment into Jesup Green and perceived flaws in the redesign of Parker Harding.”
RTM moderator Jeff Wieser has asked the RTM Rules Committee to review the petition prior to the full body’s May 7 meeting.
Wieser says that the RTM will take up that topic at the full meeting, along with the request for design funds to propose construction drawings for Jesup Green and the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
“Various committees have met regarding the design funds,” he notes. In addition, the RTM will have field trips next week at Jesup Green to review the proposed plans.
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It’s very appropriate: WestportMoms is hosting a Mother’s Day celebration — called “MOMents that Matter” — next Thursday (May 2, 6 to 10 p.m., Birchwood Country Club).
The event includes:
- Mother’s Day shopping boutique with curated vendors
- Panel discussion “rock star local moms” (including CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, actress Stephanie Szostak, “Devil Wears Prada” author Lauren Weisberger, Melissa + Doug co-founder Melissa Bernstein and others) on balancing careers and motherhood, and the “MOMents That Matter.”
- Gift bags for 50 attendees ($100 gift card to WEST, massage at Squeeze, and much more)
- Appetizers from the new Birchwood chef, and cash bar.
Attendees are asked to bring a pack of feminine napkins, for women in need. The be donated to the Diaper Bank of Connecticut.
Tickets are $30. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
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Stacie Curran reports:
“What a wild nightyesterday at the Westport Library!
“Attendees from Club 203 members (our social group for adults with disabilities) and friends packed the Trefz Forum with a night of ‘speed friending; by TeenSLP (Staples High School’s speech and language expert Deirdre Flores), and rockin’ out with karaoke by our MC extraordinaire volunteer PJ Pitcher.
Thank you, Westport Library, for this incredible space. A special shout-out to associate director Alex Giannini, and the sound manager of Verso Studios, Travis Bell. You turned dreams into realty!”
Part of the Club 203 fun last night at the Westport Library.
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There’s a new addition to Saturday’s annual Drug Takeback Day (April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Westport Senior Center).
A Wellness Fair — sponsored by Positive Directions — will take place, along with a collection by Westport Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency of tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs.
Syringes, sharps and illicit drugs are not accepted. Liquid products like cough syrup should remain sealed in their original container.
Residents can bring expired and unwanted medications for safe disposal, then stay for “wellness fun.”
The event includes a free behavioral health screening and blood pressure check, a sensory table for relaxation, and nutrition tips.
Prevention resources include drug awareness activities (drunk goggles, liquor stickers, lock bags, Narcan demonstration), tick and mosquito prevention resources, and gambling awareness materials.
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Prep work continues for the upcoming beach season.
It’s not pretty.
But — a few weeks from now — it will be worth it.
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
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Speaking of big vehicles: Dennis Wong was surprised this yesterday, near the Westport Library:
(Photo/Dennis Wong)
It’s not new. However, it is usually parked in the lower Westport Police parking lot, near EMS. It was moved, because the lot will be swept.
The vehicle is used for high water rescue incidents, during floods.
Hopefully it’s like insurance: We pay for it, but don’t want to ever use it.
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Speaking of police: The Westport PD made 6 custodial arrests between April 17 and 24.
A 26-year-old Bridgeport woman was arrested for larceny, illegal taking of a payment card, illegal use of a credit card exceeding $500, receipt from illegal use of a credit card, and identity theft, following complaint of fraudulent credit card charges over $12,000. Surveillance footage at Walgreens determined that an employee had used the card to purchase gift cards. Surveillance footage at other locations also showed the same user.
A 52-year-old Elizabeth, New Jersey woman was arrested for larceny and forgery, and conspiracy to commit those crimes, after a $560 check was stolen from their mailbox, and fraudulently deposited for $5,500..
A 43-year-old Westport man was charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with an emergency call, following a domestic disturbance. His comments made a family member fear for their safety, then held their car keys so they could not leave and interfered with a 911 call for help
A 47-year-old Stamford woman was charged with disorderly conduct and assault, after a domestic violence incident in a Westport home.
A 33-year-old Norwalk man was arrested for illegal operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, evading responsibility, failure to obey a stop sign and operating a motor vehicle without a license, following an accident with injuries at the Compo Road North/Evergreen Avenue intersection. The driver — who fled with the passenger on foot — had failed to stop at the Evergreen Avenue stop sign. He and the passenger were quickly apprehended. The operator of the vehicle that was struck sustained minor injuries.
A 39-year-old Darien man was arrested for driving under the influence after his vehicle was stopped in the travel portion of the street, near 1655 Post Road East. Officers found the driver disoriented, unable to follow basic instructions, and with the odor of alcohol on his breath.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 3 citations
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
- Speeding: 2
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
- Interfering with an officer: 1
- Reckless driving: 1
- Distracted driving: 1
- Failure to yield to a pedestrian: 1
- Following too closely: 1
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Improper use of markers: 1
Drivers must yield to pedestrians at crosswalks like this one, on Riverside Avenue at Sylvan Lane.
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Suzuki Music Schools are best known for their violin instructions.
Sophie B. Hawkins does not play the violin.
No matter. The Westport-based singer/songwriter is the special guest performer at Suzuki’s annual gala this Friday (April 26, Aspetuck Country Club, Weston). She’ll be accompanied by Suzuki students.
The event includes a cocktail hour with open bar, dinner, and a live auction.
Last year’s gala raised nearly $40,000 to support their Bridgeport Outreach programs, to provide music lessons to children in need.
This year’s goal: raise enough funds to provide violins for those children to take home for practice.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Sophie B. Hawkins
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There was just the slightest touch of rain yesterday, for about 1/10 of a second.
But we were nonetheless treated to a sweet rainbow. Here are 2 drone views. (Apologies to all who sent photos — we can’t post them all!)
Over the Westport woods, and …
… the Merritt Parkway … (Drone photos/Paul Delano)
… and the Fairfield County Hunt Club. (Photo/Dave Shea)
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Dimitri Alatakis — a part owner of the Sherwood Diner — died last week, after suffering a heart attack. He lived in Fairfield, and was 61.
Dimitri is survived by his wife of 31 years, Donna; children Dimitri, Zoe and Alexei; mother Galatia and brother Stephen. He was predeceased by his father Andreas.
Services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604, to benefit the preschool program.
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We don’t often post a nighttime “Westport … Naturally” photo. Here’s an exception: Jerry Kuyper’s image, “minutes after the moon hit full.”
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
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And finally … on this day in 1792, “La Marseillaise” — the French national anthem — was composed by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle.
(“06880” — your hyper-local blog — relies on support from readers like you. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
In the late 1950s, I used to be a “ horse walker.” After a rider finished, I’d walk his horse up and down that driveway. I’d earn 25 cents.
Dan and community,
thanks for always posting the rainbows. I was seated in my book club when I saw that sunny shower. I wanted to sprint outside to look as I KNEW there was a rainbow, yet I couldn’t! so thanks everyone!
Sure hope that the town does some cleaning at the Burial Hill Beach, they started and then they left leaving it a mess and the benches on the hill.
Plus, why is the parking lot by the attendant station so filled all the time, do those cars belong to people at Greens Farms Academy?
These. Police. Numbers. Are. Insane. Either our town has the best behaved drivers in the entire country, or our police have decided not to enforce any of the rules.
As somebody that actually drives on and walks across our roads on a daily basis, I can tell you which conclusion I’m drawing.
As per usual the RTM moderator determined to do the administrations bidding and not his electors, chooses to do as he “may” or is it shall, as he so pleases, along with his “suck ups” whom we now too often see flying in the face of public opinion.
Time for rtm’ers to poll their constituents, as several have and the response has unanimously been a big fat NO !
Who wants jesup destroyed ?
Nobody !!!!!
What’s happening here ?
This is the absolute bulldozing through a plan with hardly any support and a collaborative effort by the “suck ups” to utterly ignore the best of who we are !
I understand the agenda is to “rebrand “ us.. that’s the FSW and second select woman, agenda…
did we need rebranding ? No ! We do not.
I’ve lived here for 22 years with my 4 children. I’m happy with our brand !
Sorry but go rebrand another town ! Please !
“Destinations” “lifestyles” seriously ?
It’s pathetic ! We do NOT want to be Nantucket or the Hamptons.
This is our home, not some cheesy resort.
Leave our town to function beautifully as it “mostly “ has..
none of the suggestions are improvements.
They are all disasters.and they know it.
The moderator “as usual” has switched the May 8 meeting to the 7th , behind a possibly lengthy budget discussion.
Why you ask your self ?
Budget on 7th
RTM appropriation on the 8th.
Here’s why !
By combining the 2 he dilutes the pub opinion that should have been on the 8th to the 7th, by potentially causing the public to have to stay until 9 pm or later to discuss the $630,00 appropriation, AFTER THE BUDGET.
Meanwhile he also causes the budget to possibly not get discussed thoroughly as it should on the 7th.
He was asked by many many rtm’ers to keep AS WAS The SCHEDULE, both meetings on 2 different days.
The 7th and the 8th.
As per usual this is skullduggery.
It is getting extremely old and tiresome.
I call utter BS !
Gosh, Ciara is very acurate with her analysis, see above.
I’ll have what Ciara’s having.