After a day-long debate, and several changes, an omnibus housing bill was adopted 84-67 yesterday, by the Connecticut House of Representatives.
CT Mirror reports that important changes made from last week’s version include an assurance that “litigation couldn’t be used as an enforcement tool, and adding in a process for towns to contest their assigned numbers.”
The legislation “also includes a proposal from Gov. Ned Lamont’s office that would offer towns easier pathways to moratoriums under 8-30g. The decades-old housing law offers developers court remedies if their affordable housing proposals are denied, unless it’s for a reason of health or safety.
“Towns can get moratoriums under the law by showing they’re making progress toward increasing their percentage of designated affordable housing and are exempt from the law if at least 10% of their housing stock is designated affordable.”
The bill now heads to the State Senate, for a vote.
The full CT Mirror story is available here.
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More than 200 Westporters of all ages, and many faiths, gathered on Jesup Green yesterday evening.
The vigil was a show of solidarity with the Jewish community, following the murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington last week.
The interfaith event included remarks by Rabbis Jeremy Wiederhorn, Michael Friedman and Yehuda Kantor of Westport; Rev. Heather Sinclair of the United Methodist Church, and past Carl McCluster from Bridgeport, who was recently in Israel.
Congressman Jim Himes — who knew Sarah — called her a “shining light.” Senator Richard Blumenthal also spoke, as did 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker. She assured the Jewish community that Westport is a safe place for all.
“06880” will run a full story on the vigil soon.
Rabbi Michael Friedman of Temple Israel speaks. Behind him, from far right: Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn of TCS, Congressman Jim Himes, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Senator Richard Blumenthal. (Photos/Dan Woog)
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Yesterday’s “06880” included a calendar of upcoming meetings for the suddenly fast-tracked Long Lots Elementary School building project.
Add one more.
The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) Finance and Education Committees hold a joint meeting tonight (Wednesday, 7:15 p.m., Zoom).
They’ll hear an update from the Long Lots School Building Committee, in anticipation of an upcoming funding request. (Hat tip: Toni Simonetti)
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Yesterday’s Roundup included news about a GoFundMe campaign for Joseph Oyebog.
Friends of the popular local tennis instructor, who opened a tennis academy in his native Cameroon that changed the lives of thousands of youngsters, were raising funds to medically evacuate him to the US, for treatment of life-threatening complications.
Joseph died last night, before he could be airlifted here.
Organizers say: “As we grieve this unimaginable loss, we also celebrate the powerful legacy he leaves behind. “For over 25 years, he poured his heart, soul, and every resource he had into building OTA. The tens of thousands of students he lifted up are a living testament to the impact one man can make.
“Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared, and supported Joseph on this journey. Your kindness meant the world to him; now, it means everything to those he leaves behind.
“We are keeping this campaign open to honor Joseph’s memory by covering remaining medical and funeral expenses, supporting his family during this difficult time, and ensuring the continued operation of the Oyebog Tennis Academy—his life’s work.
The GoFundMe campaign continues here.
Joseph Oyebog, with youngsters at his tennis academy in Cameroon.
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Westport is filled with many interesting and multi-faceted people.
Take Dan Bikel. A prominent computer scientist and AI leader at Meta, he’s also part of the founding team at StartUp Westport, our public/private tech, innovator and entrepreneurship networking/mentoring group.
He’s a singer, songwriter and composer. And, oh yeah: He’s the son of Theodore Bikel, the legendary folk singer who played Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” over 2,000 times.
Dan takes the Westport Library stage this Saturday (May 31, 7 p.m.). His original songs on piano and guitar explore themes of family, love, loss and joy. He’ll also perform the second movement of his Piano Concerto No. 1 — a glimpse into his classical side.
Tickets include a complimentary margarita, paloma or agua fresca at Don Memo.Click here for tickets, and more information.
Dan Bikel
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The Westport Transit District has reached a milestone: 100,000 rides.
Natalie Lloyd — a nanny who lives elsewhere and commutes to Westport, using Wheels2U to travel between the train station and her job — was the 100,000th rider.
She calls the service “the best thing ever. It’s reliable, reasonable and so worth it..
Wheels2U — the on-demand commuter and community shuttle service — recorded over 2,500 rides last month alone. That follows a recent switch to a new service operator; smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, and the launch of a downtown pilot program that expands midday service to the Senior Center, Farmers’ Market and Jesup Green (Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.).
Riders book $2 rides through the Wheel2U app. Average wait times are about 10 minutes. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available.
Wheels2U
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My Lucky Penny — the fun children’s shop at 8 Church Street South (behind Little Barn) invites everyone to their grand opening this Saturday (May 31, noon to 5 p.m.).
It’s a “make and take” event. Customize any item in the store, and save 30% off regular-priced clothing.
Plus Jim’s Ice Cream truck, cookies, and more.
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Leave it to writers to come up with a catchy name for the Westport Writers’ Workshop’s annual fundraiser.
“Lit & Wit” is a night of comedy. The laughter is for a good cause: the organization’s outreach program, through which underserved populations participate in pro bono writing workshops.
Headliner for the June 4 event (7 p.m., Saugatuck Rowing Club) is Jane Condon (“an upper crust Roseanne,” according to the Associated Press).
She’s joined by another dozen comics: Olivia Barbulescu, Christine Zalewski, Calder Stokes, Brad Bruckner, Alyssa Katz, Mat Orefice, Kim Berns, Craig Lottner, Ivy Eisenberg, Liz Austin, Aline Weiller, and John Bennett.
Tickets includes popcorn and pretzels, and are available here. Walk-ins are welcome. The Macho Taco food truck will be on site starting at 6 p.m. There’s also a cash bar, comedy trivia for prizes, and a gift basket.
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One more “Westport … Naturally” rainbow photo.
This one is over Sherwood Mill Pond, on Memorial Day.
(Photo/Nikki Gorman)
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And finally … in honor of the Staples Class of ’25 party at The Clubhouse (story above):
(As we do every day, “06880” informs, enlightens, and helps you plan your Westport life. If you appreciate these daily Roundups, please click here to support our work. Thank you.)
Those of us who wrote emails to our Representatives asking them to vote Nay on HB 5002 should now write Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, who did so – and thank him. 😊
I believe Dominique Johnson voted for it. Surely this makes her unelectable in the next race.
I’m not sure other than extreme far left thinking beings and blood thirsty contractors, of course, who she thought she was representing.. and how she thought this cudgel was a good policy for towns to have to deal with.
It is politicians like this who give the Democratic Party a bad name, and have caused many of us moderates to now vote republican.
Keep it up and Connecticut will be a red state in jig time.
Keep pulling the Blue lever, eventually Westport will become Yonkers.
Dan, I’m not sure if this is allowed (and delete if not), but here is a link to an incredible article that is relevant to both the new state law you discuss above, and the Hamlet, and other development matters that affect our town. I highly recommend this article.
https://apple.news/A4hU5pEexTkC-y6bJ96s7jg.