Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority continues to hear testimony about Aquarion’s construction of 2 large water tanks on North Avenue, opposite Staples High School. They replaced 1 smaller one on the same site.
Marc Lemcke has fought the water company since the tanks were first proposed in 2017. On Thursday, he testified before PURA, on behalf of Smart Water Westport and a group of neighbors.
Lemcke described his group’s investigation into Aquarion’s actions. His 4 main points:
- The Westport tanks were not needed, and Aquarion knew it.
- The tanks are part of a $200 million project that was not needed. and Aquarion knew it.
- The tanks are larger than authorized.
- Aquarion tried to conceal certain facts.
Specifically, Lemcke said, Aquarion blocked the disclosure of public records; hid payments to their Westport town lawyer’s firm, which had a conflict of interest; concealed information about contamination; knew that tank screening was not possible; engaged in illegal marketing; failed to provide “critically important” reports; violated terms of length of construction, and built the tanks without a wetland permit.
The water utility’s “questionable conduct … has critical implications for future water management, and makes the case for even greater oversight going forward,” Lemcke told PURA.
A hearing on Tuesday (June 4, 10 a.m., Zoom) will be held, covering Aquarion’s permit conditions.
Click here for the full 53-page report of Lemcke’s testimony; then click “Attached correspondence” at the bottom.
Aquarion water tanks under construction, June 2022.
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The Levitt Pavilion’s 50th season features over 50 free shows. And they started yesterday.
Tonight (Saturday) at 7:30, Boston-based Couch entertains with pop, funk, rock, R&B and soul. Click here for more information, and to reserve free tickets.
Tomorrow (Sunday, 7 p.m.), the Arun Ramamurthy Trio fuses South Indian classical Carnatic music and contemporary jazz. Click here for more information, and to reserve free tickets.
For all free shows, all available and returned tickets are distributed at the box office, first-come, first-served, beginning 2 hours before show time.
And for all free shows, audience members are free to bring in outside food and drink.
For a highlight reel of last weekend’s ticketed opening — with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Andy Frasco & The United Nations, and Dogs in a Pile, click below.
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The start of June means summer — and summer reading.
The Westport Library has every reader, of every age, covered.
Whether it’s a book for vacation, at the beach or on your couch — or for your kids or grandchildren — read on.
The 8th annual Adult Summer Reading Challenge begins today. It runs through August 31.
The rules are the same as past challenges, this year with a fresh round of 25 categories (click here to see). You can do all or only one, or anything in between. Just have fun!
There are just 2 rules:
- Categories may only be fulfilled once.
- Each book can only be used for one category.
Once you read a book that fulfills a category, submit it via the form on the Library. Then track your progress on our leaderboard.
The leaderboard is also where you can see what everyone else is reading, and give your own recommendations. You can also join the Westport Reading Challenge Facebook Group, and talk smack — er, books — all summer long.
As for kids: Starting today, children can sign up for the Library’s Summer Reading Program. It wraps up September 2.
Youngsters can read anything. Any time. And anywhere, all summer long.
Register online and keep track of minutes read. For every 100 minutes, you can decorate a summer sun that will be displayed in the Library.
Earn a treat from Shake Shack at 500 minutes. When you reach 1,000 minutes, can choose a book to keep from the Library’s selection of titles.
For more summer fun and prizes, stop in the Children’s Library to play bingo and earn more free books.
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Speaking of the Library: Martha Hodes, professor of history at New York University, speaks about her latest book, “My Hijacking: A Personal History of Forgetting and Remembering,” on June 5.
It’s a memoir about the fallibilities of memory. In 1972 she and her 13-year-old sister were flying unaccompanied back to New York from Israel. Their plane was hijacked by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and forced to land in the Jordan desert.
Too young to understand the gravity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Martha coped by suppressing her fear. Nearly a half-century later, her memories of those 6 days and nights as a hostage were hazy and scattered. Was it the passage of so much time, or that her family couldn’t endure the full story, or had trauma made her repress the experience? A professional historian, Martha wanted to find out.
Drawing on archival research, childhood memories, and conversations with relatives, friends, and fellow hostages, she re-creates what happened to her. As the hostages forged friendships and provoked conflicts, the sisters learned about the lives and causes of their captors, pondering a deadly divide that continues today.
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Westport Police officers carried the Flame of Hope along the Post Road through town yesterday. The event — from the Norwalk line, to the Southport border — showed support for Special Olympics of Connecticut.
Amy Schneider was one of many drivers and passersby who slowed down and snapped photos, as the torch and flags went past.
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
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Qdoba didn’t make it.
Neither, apparently, will Salsa Fresca.
The Connecticut Scoop reports that Just Salad will replace the Mexican grill “before the end of the year.”
There is already a Just Salad location in Greenwich. Another will open in Norwalk too.
Click here to learn more about Just Salad. Spoiler alert: The menu is more than just salad. (Hat tip: Neil Markman)
A guy with Just Salad.
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Mar Jennings’ marvelous Rosebrook Gardens is one of 7 selected for the Garden Conservancy’s Fairfield County Open day (June 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
It features a garden studio, wisteria-covered wisteria, classic English Folly, and 2 parterre gardens surrounded by flowers anchored by boxwoods.
In the 1920s, the property served as the entire neighborhood’s vegetable garden.
Jennings purchased a then-new home in 1996. He transformed a once-vacant lot into his brand and business.
Tickets are $5 for Garden Conservancy members, $10 for non-members. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Mar Jennings’ Rosebrook Gardens.
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Westport Pride’s Jesup Green celebration is tomorrow (Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.).
LGBTQ Pride Month continues June 16, when Saugatuck Congregational Church sponsors a Family Pride picnic and party (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.).
The event is open to all. It includes a bounce house, lawn games, face painting, hot dogs/veggie dogs, cake and more
For more information, call 203-227-1261 or email Rev. Kari Nicewander: kari@saugatuckchurch.org.
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Gail Cohen died yesterday, surrounded by her family.
Her family says, “she was passionate about her family, the theater and canasta. She battled her terrible disease valiantly and courageously for 9 months.
“Throughout her life she inspired those around her with her passion, empathy, zest for life, and devotion to the happiness of others. Gail always led with love. She was a force and advocate for those who couldn’t advocate for themselves.”
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Eric; children Hayley, Zach and Sydney, grandson Cooper, mother Mimi and siblings Richard, Beth Steinberg Michael and Robin.
A memorial service will be held tomorrow (Sunday, June 2, 1 p.m., The Community Synagogue of Westport). Shiva will be at 32 Burnham Hill tomorrow from immediately after the burial until 8 p.m., and Monday, June (1 to 4 p.m., and 6 to 9 p.m.).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Cohen Family Scholarship Fund at Cardozo Law School/Yeshiva University, or a charity of your choice.
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It’s been a while since we’ve featured a mighty oak in our “Westport … Naturally” series.
This mighty fine one towers over Nancy Axthelm’s back yard.
(Photo/Nancy Axthelm)
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And finally … in light of the many headlines over the past 2 days:
(Sure, it’s the weekend. But “06880” never rests. Our Roundup continues, 24/7/365. If you enjoy our ceaseless work, please click here support us. Thank you!)
I think I’ve found her. I will get in touch with the Framing Shop.
Re: Water Tanks- they are up and not leaving, Aquarion should be held accountable for the allegations if proven. Preferred that they were covered with a historical art murals, turning them into a destination rather then unsightly giant tombstones. Westport has the artists and Aquarion has the money…our money
Re: Hijacking- This was a reminder how long the problem has persisted unresolved. I’m losing lost hope for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict ever being resolved.
But I do have hope for Ukraine, Europe is stepping up, now that the U.S. has, when they realized the extent of the threat. A truck just picked up 2 crates of medical hardware from my garage this morning!
Re: Musical Interlude- Yes, everything old is new again and ‘…stormy… bring back that sunny day’
with respect to Ukraine freedom and democracy if the fellon is elected I don’t see democracy in Ukraine I wish Ukraine the USA and 06880 well
felon sorry. Don fell in mud
We also have a Just Salad in Fairfield on Black Rock Turnpike! Huge fan and look forward to having them in Westport.
Marc Lemcke’s document is impressive as heck, and appalling. I hope PURA kicks Aquarion into line.
Thank you Marc!! I’m curious to know, Do Marc and other town officials feel it’s safe to drink town water?
Dan, Might you provide a current picture of the Aquarion site on North Avenue, and the extent to which the trees that have been planted between the tanks and the street do or don’t “hide” them — your image is from 2022, and evergreens grow rapidly!
If aquarion were to remove them or be told to remove them, would be a beautiful spot for Westports second community garden.