It’s time for another installment of our “06880” Question Box.
This is the feature in which I try to answer readers’ questions.
I don’t have all the answers. But our readers — in their collective wisdom — might.
Please chime in with any additional information. Click “Comments” below.
And, as always: If you have a question for our box, email 06880blog@gmail.com.
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I have noticed a resurgence of lawn signs around town.
I thought we had a town ordinance about what types of signs can be displayed, where they can be displayed, and the number of them.
Many of the traffic islands are maintained by private or corporate entities that spend a lot of time and money maintaining and beautifying those areas are inundated with lawn signs.
Who (if anyone) is responsible for overseeing what is compliant and what is not? Can you shed some light on this? (Anonymous)
There are definitely rules. Town regulations say:
Temporary signs advertising charitable events may be placed on town property. They require approval by the chief of police, P&Z director and Parks & Recreation director (or their “designated representatives”). Qualifying organizations (“i.e., local non-profits”) must fill out a request form — including proposed locations.
There’s a maximum of 15 signs for each event. They can’t be placed more than 2 weeks before the event, and must be removed within 2 days. Maximum size is 2 feet by 3 feet.
In addition, signs cannot be placed on school property without permission of the superintendent’s office; or “within the interior of Compo Beach or Longshore”; or on Town Hall property, trees or utility poles, or in any way that interferes with traffic visibility.
Political signs are considered “an expression of free speech,” and are allowed on public property. But the guidelines above also refer to “temporary signs for political purposes.”
With a presidential election 3 months away, be prepared for an onslaught of signs. (This was the scene a few years ago — without presidents on the ballot.)
Signs on private property require owner’s approval. It is “suggested” that they be removed within 2 days after the publicized event or election.
The town does not control — and is not responsible for — signs on state property. Town guidelines say, “It is not advisable” to place signs on property, rights of way and islands on Route 1, 136, 57, 33 and the Sherwood Island Connector, or the I-95 and Merritt Parkway ramps.
The Planning & Zoning Department is responsible for enforcing the sign regulations. Several years ago, 2 members took this responsibility into (literally) their own hands.
Town and state workers also remove signs in their right of ways for grass cutting. Any sign in a sight line can be removed if it is a safety hazard.
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Were the large marble spheres atop the pillars at the Longshore entrance originally from the bowling alley that used to be where BevMax and Jordan’s Pizza are now located?
Every time I walk by Longshore and remember many evening spent at the bowling alley, I wonder. (Mary Ann Lindwall)
(Photo/Joyce Barandarian)
Interesting question — and one I never wondered about. Of course, the “bowling ball” would have been decorative, not functional. It’s a bit big and heavy to roll down an alley.
I have no idea of the answer. But I’m sure Jack Backiel — whose family owned Westport Lanes — will weigh in.
Meanwhile, look closely at this photo. It was taken from behind the entrance, looking toward Compo Road South.
(Photo/Ken Palumbo)
There was a little figure behind the ball. And one on the other side of the entrance too.
They’re “foo dogs” (aka “Chinese guardian lions”). For decades, they were a hidden Westport treasure. No one knew who put them there, or why.
Some time in 2022, they disappeared. If any “06880” reader knows the answer (or can shed light on their disappearance), click “Comments” below.
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What is the highest elevation in Westport?
Is it High Point (ha ha), or some Hill: Charcoal Hill, Bluewater Hill, Burying Hill, Turkey Hill, Clapboard Hill, Summer Hill?
My guess is somewhere in the Old Hill section. (David Squires)
Another interesting one.
I’ve always heard it’s Tower Ridge, off Bayberry Lane.
Back in the (1950s) day, that was near the Nike missile complex. The missiles themselves were housed on North Avenue, where Bedford Middle School stands. (They lined the long entrance to the school — when you think about it, it’s a strange topographical feature, right?)
The launch site itself — where the command to fire them would come (in order to destroy incoming Russian missiles targeting Bridgeport defense factories) — was on Bayberry Lane.
It was chosen because of its high location, compared to the surrounding area.
The Nike missiles were (thankfully) never launched. The soldiers’ barracks became what is now the Aspetuck Health District office. The concrete launch site was transformed into the Westport Astronomical Society’s observatory.
Is Tower Ridge next door higher than some nearby Bayberry Lane property?
I don’t know. But that’s the story I’ve heard, and I’m sticking to it.
The Westport Astronomical Society hosts public events, like eclipse viewing parties. The observatory no longer bears the Rolnick name. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
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Back in the 1980s — or maybe even the ’70s — someone spray painted these words on the stone wall where Soundview Drive meets Hillspoint and South Compo Roads: “I’m not giving up, Smedley.”
I ran by that wall multiple times a week. Those words became my mantra, including during Ironman training and company building.
They are my “rosebud.” I even named one of my companies “I’m not giving up, Smedley.”
I was in Westport a few weeks again. I ran at Compo Beach, and the remains of that spray painting are still there, 40 or 50 years later.
Do you have any idea who spray painted that on the wall? (Jeff Matlow)
That’s a new one on me! I never saw it, or even heard of it.
But I’m sure someone in Westport has the back story. If you knew Smedley, click “Comments” below.
The “Smedley” wall. (Photo/John McCarthy)
(Question Box appears regularly on “06880.” If you enjoy this — or any other feature — please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
Question????…..How many Staples Class of 1961 would be up for an informal Compo Beach reunion next summer 2025????? Please respond to 06880!
Thanks Dan!!
-Tower Ridge,was part of my Grandfathers farm, many years ago.
I remember being told the hills on Sturges Highway near Catamount was the highest point in Westport.
I found a website called Peakbagger and on their page of Connecticut Town High Points, for Westport they cite West Catamount Hill, at 284 feet.
https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=110235
Great find!
I spoke with the Selectwoman’s office 2 years ago about the yard sign issue — specifically, the number of yard signs from commercial businesses. I was told, “We rely on the honor system for these types of signs, because we do not have the personnel to focus on removing unauthorized temporary signs on certain town property. If a sign installed on Town property is clearly posing a safety hazard, causing decreased sightlines at intersections, or is oversized for examples, town public safety or road crews will remove it. The Planning and Zoning Commission does have the authority to remove such signage.”
I suggested that a single phone call from the Selectwoman’s office to the offending business asking them to remove the signs would likely solve the problem. The phone number is usually on the sign. Eileen Francis, the office manager, responded: “Absolutely, and a great suggestion. I agree that there are those who simply are unaware and once they are told politely, they will follow the rules. I will make those (hopefully informative and pleasant) calls ASAP.”
So, if you see a signs from commercial businesses that you think should be removed from town property, take a picture and send it to the Selectwoman’s office – selectwoman@westportct.gov.
For signs from nonprofit orgs that are too plentiful or hanging around too long, I suggest contacting the nonprofit or helping them out and picking up the sign, if the event has passed.
As for political signs — Stay Calm & Carry On!
I have no idea what happened to the foo dogs at the Longshore entrance but they went missing separately.
One can google for several sites offering free downloadable topographical maps of Westport.
A correction
The Nike Ajax, Version 1 and Nike Hercules, Version 2, were antiaircraft missiles to protect against Russian bombers not missiles. The Westport site was a part of a ring to protect NYC not just Bridgeport. The Ajax was conventional warhead. The Hercules had a nuclear warhead.
As the original co member, Al Gratrix the other, of what became to be known as the Westport De-signers, we proudly took on the task of code enforcement officers and spent a day a week DE-SIGNING, the multiple Illegal signs that covered the landscape. We’d leave them at the transfer station for people to pick up which they didn’t and they ended it in the garbage. And we did it for two good years. That was until certain town officials that belong to some TOWN organizations were offended because they were putting out tens of signs, sometimes it looked like hundreds and they claim med that they were not under the town ordinances. It got political and we ended our journey. But it sure did look cleaner back then.
Okay… the bowling ball question. We did have a huge bowling ball at the entrance of Westport Lanes and I believe in the post “Bowling with the Backiels “ there might be a picture of it! As far as this picture is concerned, the huge ball could represent a golf ball because if it represented a bowling ball, it’d have three holes in it representing where the bowler’s fingers would go. My guess it’s a golf ball. We did own Westport Golf Range too.
One more thing I’d like to mention. My father had a very close relationship with those working at Longshore because we had related sports establishments. We also let the Staples golf team practice for free. This was probably early 1960s.
It was just pointed out to me that the huge bowling ball at the entrance of Westport Lanes didn’t have three holes in it, as this one doesn’t have any holes either. I guess it’s in the eye of the beholder.
Please leave those political signs alone. Instead of basing my vote on issues and positions, I am going to base it entirely on the amount of yard signs on each corner.