One task of the Historic District Commission is to “take such action as the meeting may determine to oppose the issuance” of demolition permits, and “require the full 180-day delay,” of homes more than 50 years old.
The idea is to allow time for alternate plans to be developed.
That rarely happens. Whether immediately or after 180 days, developers almost always demolish.
Next Tuesday’s HDC meeting (7 p.m., Zoom) includes an especially large number of “delay” requests.
The first is for 125 Riverside — the Coley-Crossman home diagonally across from Assumption Church.
The others are:
- 2 Windy Hill Road
- 10 Bauer Place
- 32 Webb Road
- 21 Long Lots Lane
- 158 Compo Road North
- 159 Easton Road
- 33 Oak Street
- 20 Blue Ribbon Drive
- 35 Evergreen Parkway.
125 Riverside Avenue
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“06880”‘s newest feature wants to hear from any and all Westport “teens and tweens.”
This is your chance to share your thoughts, ideas and insights with our world.
Every kind of experience is welcome: good or bad, happy or sad. You can talk about local issues: what’s going on at school, with your sports or arts or other activities, the skate park, Community Gardens, downtown or anything else.
You can talk about what you love about Westport. Or what you hate.
You can talk about bigger issues: how the debate over Israel and Gaza affects you. What the upcoming election means to you — or why you don’t care. Ditto for climate change.
And you don’t have to limit yourself to writing. If you feel more comfortable expressing yourself through a video, podcast, music or art — send it along.
All submissions, in all mediums and styles, are welcome.
If you’d like your name used with your submission: great! If you prefer anonymity: also great! Just let us know.
The goal is to get your voice heard.
To start, click here; then fill out the short form. We’ll take it from there.
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Tammy Barry had a great experience yesterday, at the Greens Farms post office.
There were no $1 stamps available. So Paul helped her place 3 stamps each, on all of her daughter’s wedding invitations.
Then he hand-stamped them all, preventing them from any possible damage in the machine.
In addition, Tammy says, “he was so friendly with all the patrons. He called many of them by their first names.
“His frequent saying is ‘I got you!’ He’s the best!”
Their loyal customers will probably kill me (and Tammy) for revealing the secret, but the Greens Farms post office is a great alternative to the downtown one.
There’s seldom a line. And always a parking spot.
Paul (right) and colleague Frank, at the Greens Farms post office. (Photo/Tammy Barry)
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Karen Mather had a great experience yesterday too.
It did not start out that way, though.
Driving down Greens Farms Road, she saw a adorable — but listless — baby raccoon, perilously close to the street.
She called Westport Animal Control (203-341-5076). Officer Peter Reid arrived quickly.
He told Karen that the mother had most likely been killed; the baby was looking for her.
Fortunately, Peter said, the little critter was just very hungry. It could be saved at Wildlife in Crisis in Weston — where his wife volunteers.
He brought it right over.
The non-profit facility accepts over 5,000 wounded, ill and orphaned animals each year. The goal is to heal them, then return them to their natural habitats.
Who you gonna call if you see a creature needing help? Westport Animal Control or Wildlife in Crisis.
They’re both local life-savers.
Peter Reid, saving a raccoon.
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Rhone — the men’s clothing store on Main Street and a longtime champion of mental fitness — is hosting an evening dedicated to the topic.
Tomorrow’s event (Thursday, May 30, Westport Woman’s Club, 5:30 to 8 p.m.) includes inspirational speakers, a silent auction, and a “Mind & Muscle” experience led by Eric Johnson. It combines dynamic workouts with mental health discussions, combining physical and mental well-being.
Speakers will share personal reflections of recovery, suicide prevention, and the importance of mental health,
Rhone co-founder and CEO Nate Checketts will deliver the keynote. Other speakers include professional trainer Zac Clark (“Bachelorette” contestant and Scarlett Johansson trainer), and Staples High School boys basketball coach Dave Goldshore.
All proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction will go to Positive Directions. In addition, a generous donor will match funds up to $15,000.
There’s more: Rhone will donate 10% of proceeds from all purchases between May 31 and June 2 to Positive Directions.
Click here for tickets, and more information. Click here to bid on silent auction items.
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“Art in Bloom” — a celebration of the Westport Public Art Collections, with drinks, light bites, art sales, a silent art auction, and a special exhibit of flower-themed works — is set for June 6 (7 to 9 p.m., Westport Woman’s Club).
This is the first fundraiser for Friends of WestPAC is 5 years. They welcome old and new friends, to ensure the continued growth, care, display and educational uses of the collections. Works are exhibited in public building throughout town, including schools, Town Hall, and municipal offices.
Artists include: Shirley Black, Paul Camacho, Leonard Everett Fisher, Hardie Gramatky, Clement Kamena, Lisa Daugherty, Jak Kovatch, Philippe Lejeune, Estelle Margolis, John Mavroudis, Howard Munce, Susan Malloy, Fred Otnes, Nancy Reinker, Walter Dubois Richards, Barbara Rothenberg, and others.
Those are some great names. Their work is varied, and outstanding.
Click here for tickets, sponsorship information, and donations.
“Dream Town” (Lisa Daugherty)
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Staples High School Class of 1997 graduate Lisa Marie Giallanza Sweeting died peacefully of natural causes at Danbury Hospital earlier this month. She was 45.
Her family moved to Westport from Georgia in 1983. Lisa began playing the violin in 4th grade. She played in the orchestra and sang in the choir at Staples.
She graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in broadcast management.
Lisa was the regional president of the MOMS club (Moms Offering Moms Support). She worked as the admissions coordinator at St. Joseph’s School in Brookfield, then as the office administrator and athletic director at St. Rose of Lima School in Newtown, Connecticut.
Lisa loved camping and annual trips to the Outer Banks.
She is survived by her husband, Russell Sweeting; children Lily, Ryan and Evelyn; parents Tom and Patricia, and brothers Tom Jr., and Michael.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Rose of Lima School, 40 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470.
Lisa Marie Giallanza Sweeting
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Father’s Day is next weekend.
But this papa couldn’t be prouder, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo. He admires his young ones, in their nest in John Richers’ drainpipe.
(Photo/John Richers)
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And finally … in honor of Peter Reid’s nice save yesterday:
(As today’s Roundup shows, Westport is filled with helpful, caring people. That includes “06880” readers! Please join the generous folks who support this blog. Just click here — and thank you.)
I think we need to redefine what comes under the HDC’s purview.
Treating all houses that are at least 50 years old as “historical” includes those built as recently as 1974! Of those on the list for this upcoming meeting, for instance, all but three are post-1950 and have no apparent architectural merit. While I’m against the rapid pace of development (particularly spec development) in Westport, I’d rather we find other ways to directly address that problem and allow the HDC to focus its efforts on houses that really do have historic and architectural merit and contribute to the look and feel of the town – primarily, those built before WWII, and especially those built pre-1900. But the HDC also needs better, stronger tools to do that than just 180-day delays.
I’d love to hear from the HDC on what powers would help them on their mission.
Richard, 125 Riverside was built in 1756.
Greens Farms Post Office is the “Cheers” of post offices. It is always a pleasure to go there.
The baby raccoon looks adorable in the purple towel!
#SAVE1756.