After several hours of debate, the Representative Town Meeting voted 25-10 last night to appropriate $630,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to proceed with the redesign of Parker Harding Plaza and Jesup Green.
A majority of members felt that the vote was necessary to move the project forward.
They noted that specific votes on, for example, removing trees from Jesup Green and adding a parking deck at the Baldwin lot or elsewhere could come later, once the funds have been appropriated.
Many RTM members indicated that although they approved this appropriation, they would not vote for removing trees from Jesup Green.
RTM moderator Jeff Wieser told “06880”: “We are 36 people and we seldom come away all happy from a discussion. We reached a place which 25 of us could support, and we kept the process going. And before one chain saw is started, we will have a chance to stop it.
‘The RTM expressed great concern about touching Jesup Green. The RTM got a commitment from the (Tooker) administration to look at the feasibility of parking structures in 3 locations.
“The RTM was told that it would be a year before any plans were solidified to begin construction. The RTM was told that the design will be coordinated with the current review of options for the public safety facilities — which could involve the relocation of the Police Department.”
Meanwhile, a new twist in the downtown parking saga was introduced Monday at Superior Court in Bridgeport.
A lawsuit filed by the owners of 3 downtown businesses — Nômade restaurant, Honeydo Family and Elixir Spa — asked the court to overturn and deny the Planning & Zoning Commission’s recent approval of the town’s 8-24 request to redesign the Parker Harding and Imperial Avenue parking lots.
The lawsuit has a return date of June 4.
Redesign of Parker Harding Plaza may be slowed by a lawsuit.
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Six days after a gasoline tanker fire shut I-95 — and 3 days after the highway was reopened — traffic backups returned to Westport.
This time an accident in Fairfield snarled backroads like Long Lots throughout the east part of town. This was the scene crossing Morningside Drive South on Hillandale Road, in heavy rain:
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
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Ah, technology!
I included the wrong link yesterday for our new video feature, hosted and produced by Dave Briggs.
It showed just a snipped of the JL Rocks Instagram — not the full 90-second story. Click here to see what I meant to post. Click here for yesterday’s story, introducing Dave’s great work.
Voting is still open to choose a name for our new feature: Which do you prefer: “Vide-06880” or “0688Vide-0“? (The final choice won’t include the hyphens.) Click “Comments” below.
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The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee holds a public meeting tomorrow (Thursday, May 9, 8:30 a.m., Town Hall Room 201). Remote and in-person comments from the public will be received as time is available. The email address is DPIC-comments@westportct.gov.
The agenda includes the downtown lots design master plan; Parker Harding status, and the Jesup and Imperial lots.
The Parker Harding Plaz plan.
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The bear that was spotted near Merritt Parkway Exit 41 a few days ago — or perhaps another one — was seen yesterday morning around Evergreen Parkway and Tamarac Road.
At both places, it — or they — knocked over bird feeders.
Screenshot from Jeffrey Cuff’s Ring video.
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The Staples High School Skate Club appreciates the Compo Beach Skate Park.
But they know it needs work.
Members, and advisor Jesse Bauks, have worked with Westport Parks & Recreation parks superintendent Mike West, and the owner of Rampage Skate Equipment, to demolish and replace the large ramp.
They also took time from practicing tricks and flips, to raise funds. Among their projects: concerts at Toquet Hall, with local bands The Corduroys and Dulcit.
The Skate Club is donating $1,000 to Parks & Rec for additional repairs and maintenance.
Staples Skate Club (top row, left to right): Tiffany Cheng, Olivia Zhou, Julian Saitz, Kelpin Ramos, JC Ubaldo, Nicolas Blanco. Bottom:: Kimberly Cheng, Freddie Aldridge (president), Juan Nieves, Ally Russell-Laga, Tiffany Cheng, Nora Ismael-Bakkali.
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Does Mom want a box of farm-fresh food for Mother’s Day? (It’s Sunday, dudes!)
The day before — Saturday, May 11 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), everyone is invited to Double L. The Post Road East market — beloved for its commitment to clean, healthy goods from local farms and artisans — hosts a “Build a Box” event.
Everyone is invited to create a special food box, from a curated mix of signature products (“boxed in a thoughtful presentation”).
Double L Market.
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The Westport Garden Club has a long history at Grace Salmon Park.
The former unsightly landfill became a park in 1977 through the club’s fundraising efforts, elbow grease, and partnerships throughout the town. The club continues to maintain its gardens, and recently renovated the plantings as part of Westport’s Pollinator Pathway.
For the club’s 100th anniversary, current and past president chose Grace Salmon Park to commemorate a century of civic beautification.
With the help of Mark Bolduc of Giunta-Bolduc Mason Contractors, and Gault Stone & Landscaping, a sundial was installed in the garden this week.
As members gear up for their annual plant sale on Jesup Green this Saturday, they invite residents to stop by the nearby Imperial Avenue park, and enjoy its newest addition.
The sundial looks like it’s always been part of Grace Salmon Park.
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Yale University won its first-ever women’s lacrosse Ivy League championship on Sunday.
And they have an athlete with Westport connections to thank.
Taylor Lane scored the game-winner in overtime against the University of Pennsylvania, after the Bulldogs battled back from a 9-5 4th-quarter deficit. The tying goal came with just 5 seconds left.
Lane — a Greenwich Academy graduate — has great genes. Her father, Peter Lane, was a noted Staples High School quarterback, in the 1980s. His father — Taylor’s grandfather, Paul Lane — was the Wreckers’ longtime football coach. Staples’ stadium is now named in his honor.
One more connection: Taylor’s first cousin is Max Maurillo. He made the goal line, game-saving tackle last fall, to clinch Staples’ state football championship.
Yale starts its NCAA title quest Friday, at home (1 p.m.). (Hat tip: Chuck Haberstroh)
⬇ The game-winning goal in overtime by Taylor Lane that won us the Ivy League Tournament Championship! #ThisIsYale pic.twitter.com/ODhjHywqxr
— Yale Women's Lacrosse (@YaleWLacrosse) May 5, 2024
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Speaking of athletes: Kate Lesch was a star soccer player, in Staples’ Class of 2016. She moved to New Hampshire before graduating, then headed to Washington & Lee University.
Now she’s written her first novel. The official publication date is today.
“A Summer in Nixie” is a teen and young adult coming of age story. It’s about a girl’s last summer before college, a best friend she didn’t know she needed, back porch conversations with her mom, and a guy she doesn’t want to get involved with, but can’t get out of her head.
Click here to purchase, and for more information,
Kate Lesch, with her novel.
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Speaking of Staples: The school has announced its May Students of the Month.
Senior Logan Manchester, juniors Julianna Gallo and Willian Vanamee, sophomore Zoe Glekas and Asher Vengrow, and freshman Ellary Lueker “help make Staples a welcoming place for their peers and teachers alike. They are the ‘glue’ of the Staples community — the type of kind, cheerful, hard-working, trustworthy students that keep the high school together, making it the special place that it is.”
“Students of the month are nominated by their teachers, who are asked to think of those students who come to school regularly, are friendly to the staff and to fellow students, and make positive contributions in class as well as the Staples community. In short, these students are all-around good citizens of our school.”
From left: Logan Manchester, Asher Vengrow, Julianna Gallo, Ellary Lueker , Zoe Glekas, William Vanamee.
================================================= Sconset Square’s Penfield Collective welcomes NeverNot, a fine jewelry brand from London, for a one-day show (May 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
NeverNot’s Nina Dzhokhadze designs whimsical jewelry for everyday wear. Stock lists include The Webster, Nordstrom, Farfetch, Moda Operandi and Goop.
NeverNot says Westport was chosen because of our “fashion forward, colorful and whimsical shoppers….Our sunglasses and suitcases (will) perfectly complement the holiday vibes Westport women enjoy all year round.”
NeverNot jewelry.
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The Greens Farms Association’s annual meeting is May 15 (7 p.m.; Green’s Farms Church). The guest speaker is First Selectwoman Jen Tooker.
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Yesterday’s Westport Rotary Club speaker was Angela Pohlen, executive director of the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport.
She spoke about their high level of excellence, including a merit pay program that incentivizes teachers to excel. Almost 100% of graduates go on to college or other post-graduate education.
Angela Pohlen
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Today’s very intriguing “Westport … Naturally” photo comes from the very alert nature photographer Johanna Keyser Rossi, at Sherwood Island State Park. She writes:
“From a distance I thought these were turkeys. But then I saw the long beak. First time I ever saw these kind of birds — glossy ibises.”
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … this is Teacher Appreciation Week. Have you thanked a teacher yet?
(Today’s lesson: “06880” is free every day. But we rely on reader support to keep going. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
One thing is garunteed, every three hours there wont be 44 cars of people crossing the post road to get to main street from jesup green. Thanks for ruining our town history. All the wrong moves. I bet nobody will park there because it will feel disgusting. We need to start a campaign to fix everything as soon as possible. Probably call in the feds on a fraud probe. What a terrible idea, and decision from RTM. Obviously the the downtown merchants association needs to be re constituted.
Another step toward ruining downtown. To think that we pretend to be environmentally focused, yet all our town officials can come up with is cutting down 100 year old trees and creating more parking lots. Despicable.
I believe the RTM decision is flawed yet I understand the desire to move forward and avoid delay, delay, delay.
In order to keep everything on track and to honor its commitments the Administration should:
1. Provide a detailed analysis of how its $630,000 planning budget is to be spent and set up a contingency fund in the Town budget to cover the possibility of ARPA funds being denied or clawed back.
2. Treat a parking structure as a viable alternative and devote the necessary resources to analyze this option. While the Administration committed $57,000 (from the contingency portion of the $630,000) for this, it is a paltry sum and additional monies should be devoted, as necessary.
3. Consider charging the Public Site and Building Commission with analyzing the parking structure alternative. One of its members, architect Joe Valone, at the request of an RTM member, has already done groundwork and prepared a preliminary design. The PSBC should be able to do cost projections as well.
The Administration should not be wedded to its initial proposal as tempting as that may be. Even-handedness going forward will, hopefully, satisfy those many Westporters who feel that we have been heading down the wrong path.
Might any of the RTM members that feel confident at this point that Jesup Green is safe (I don’t, given the language in what was voted upon and approved at last night’s meeting) please have the yellow caution tape removed that has been wrapped around trees at Jesup Green? Thank you to those RTM members (Melissa Levy, District 3, Noah Hammond, District 4, Clarence Hayes, District 4, Peter Gold, District 5, Seth Braunstein, District 6, Rachel Cohn, District 8, Jennifer Johnson, District 9, Sal Licionne, District 9, and Kristen Schneeman, District 9) that listened to their constituents.
Thanks to Gault and the Westport Garden club the front part of Grace Salmon Park is lovely, but try to walk on the path around the water at your own peril! It has not been maintained by parks and rec AT ALL that we can see, with tree roots, exposed rocks and erosion everywhere. It needs work a lot more than the Imperial parking lot OR Jesup green, and is well used.
Cary Peterson
It’s cool to know that there’s a skate club now! Few know how the skate park started. Way way back a kid named Will (last name removed for privacy) kept getting in trouble by skate boarding on the step rails and side walks downtown so he came up with the idea of building a skate park at the beach. Will’s dad was in construction so that made it easier. My son helped too!
Congrats Kate Lesch, I just ordered your book! So cool to see you girls grow up and to watch all that you have and will accomplish. Change the world, we need it.
Dan – you buried the lead with Kate! I bet her family is the most accomplished athletic family in Westport history.
Her Dad Brendan played 4 years of baseball at Dartmouth. Her Mom, Jeanne LoCurto (we went on a tennis date to Longshore in 5th grade) – was the captain of the Colgate soccer team, and her brother Brendan played soccer at ND for all four years.
I take full credit for Kate’s soccer prowess as her coach from ages 6-9 on our rec team Liverpool, genes aside of course….
Thanks, David – but I disagree!
I bet Kate has spent her entire life being identified as “the son of …” or “the brother of …” (And you forgot her brother Patrick Lesch’s football accomplishments at Staples too!)
This time, I wanted her achievements to stand on their own.
So why did I identify Taylor Lane (Yale lacrosse player who scored the game-winner in the Ivy League championship) as the daughter and granddaughter of Staples football legends Peter and Paul Lane, respectively?
Because she lives in Norwalk and graduated from Greenwich Academy. Without the info about her family, it wouldn’t have been an “06880” story.
I have a feeling that Jesup Green will remain totally untouched… at least through Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Congratulations Taylor (from a distant cousin)!
Sorry RTM but you cannot justify a bad decision using moving the bad decision forward as an excuse.