The other day, John Karrel brought his recycling to the transfer station.
The Sherwood Island Connector facility is for Westport residents only. As the town website notes:
Westport residents are required to show proof of residency to use the transfer station, or to obtain a WP sticker. A driver’s license or car registration are often used to prove residency, but new residents who may still have licenses or car registrations from out of town may use a mortgage statement, deed, lease or utility bill as proof of residency.
For the first time, John noticed a line of cars at the entrance. A “friendly gentleman” was checking IDs or registrations.
Registration, please!
Was this something new? If so, is it permanent or temporary?
I asked Public Works director Pete Ratkiewich. He says: “We are randomly assigning personnel to check residency. The random checks are permanent, as we found many violators from other towns attempting to dump in Westport.
“A bit of ID checking at random intervals offers some deterrence to those who shouldn’t be there.”
Just ask Arlo Guthrie what happens when you dump trash illegally.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo comes from deep in the woods — as deep as you can go at Sherwood Island, anyway — on Christmas Day.
Adding decorations like this in a state park probably breaks several laws.
But to whoever did it: Thank you!
(Photo/John Kantor)
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And finally … Richard Perry, a record producer with an eclectic resume, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles, of a heart attack. He was 82. Click here for a full obituary.
Among the songs he produced:
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