It’s official!
And unanimous.
Last night, the Representative Town Meeting unanimously approved a new Long Lots Elementary School.
The long — and long-delayed — project got the final go-ahead, after recent approvals from a variety of other town bodies.
Artist’s rendering of the Long Lots Elementary School courtyard.
Work remains — including putting the $103.2 million contract out to bid.
The only delay would be a townwide referendum, based on the cost. A petition would need to be signed by 10% of registered voters — 1,860 people — by June 27.
But when the vote was over last night, town officials — including selectwomen, RTM and Board of Education members, and the Long Lots School Building Committee — headed the short distance from Town Hall to the Spotted Horse, to celebrate.
(Photo/Andrea Moore)
From left: Don O’Day, Jay Keenan, Tim Wetmore, Joe Renzulli, Kevin Christie, Srikanth Puttagunta, Liz Heyer. All are on the Long Lots School Building Commitee, including ex officio members Christie (Board of Education) and Heyer (Board of Finance). (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
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Curious about The Hamlet — the controversial Saugatuck residential/retail/ hotel project?
“06880” hosts a special Instagram Live at 5 p.m. this afternoon (Friday).
Our Instagram is 0688danwoog. Dan Woog and Dave Briggs will chat with the ROAN Ventures developers — and we want your questions too.
Post them in the Comments below — or ask them live.
Artist’s rendering of The Hamlet at Saugatuck.
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The Staples High School boys lacrosse team shoots for the state championship tomorrow (Saturday).
The Wreckers — seeded #3 in the “LL” (extra large schools) tournament — take on #4 Darien. Faceoff is 12:30 p.m., at Fairfield University.
That’s the same stadium where — 3 days ago — the blue-and-whites scored a spectacular semifinal victory.
Down 9-5 with less than 5 minutes to play, they stunned #2 Ridgefield with 5 straight goals. Tristan Schaefer netted the game winner, with just 2.4 seconds remaining.
Will Fleming had tied it up 9-9, with 33 seconds to go. Adam Udell notched the 2 goals before that.
Coach Will Koshansky’s squad is gunning for their 3rd state title in 4 years. They won it all in 2022 and ’23 — the first Connecticut championships in their history.
Go Wreckers!
Tristan Schaefer (91) celebrates his clutch game-winning goal against Ridgefield. (Photo courtesy of Staples Boys Lacrosse)
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Speaking of sports: Last August, Ben Casparius was pulled up from the minor leagues, to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Two months later, he helped pitch them to a World Series championship.
This spring, the 2017 Staples High School graduate secured a roster spot with the team, as a relief pitcher.
Now he’s a starter.
According to MLBTradeRumors.com, “he’s done nothing but produce in the majors …. His 44 innings of work this season have seen him produce a 2.86 ERA with a 1.89 FIP while striking out 26.0% of his opponents and walking just 5.1%. Those numbers are nothing short of brilliant.”
Click here for the full report. (Hat tip: Tim Manners)
Ben Casparius
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The Yankee Doodle Fair — for a century, Westport’s favorite end-of-school tradition — opened last night.
It continues today and this weekend, at the Westport Woman’s Club and adjacent Imperial Avenue parking lot.
Today (Friday) it’s 6 to 10 p.m. Tomorrow (Saturday) the fair runs from 1 to 10 p.m. It winds up Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m.
In addition to carnival rides and games, there is plenty of food. And, of course, a raffle. Proceeds from the fair help the Woman’s Club fund many charitable activities and scholarships.
(Photo/Lauri Weiser)
More photos to come tomorrow, from the very talented Ryan Allen!
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Elle Michel Deran is an actor, the founder of Pussyboy Apparel, one of the nation’s leading trans influencers, and a 2013 Staples High School graduate.
Now — smack in the middle of Pride Month — she and Ezra Deran Michel are featured in a Cosmpolitan project called “Love Transcends.”
In it, the couple — who just moved from Los Angeles to a tiny town in Jalisco, Mexico — talk about why they left the US, sobriety, “how accountability can be sexy, and why both being trans makes it easier to cope whenever their relationship gets tough.”
Click here for the full story. Click here for Elle’s TikTok. Hat tip: Kerry Long)
Elle Deran
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Speaking of Pride: Tonight (Friday, 6:30 p.m.), the Westport Library hosts a night of LGBTQ+ comedy.
Jamie Machotka hosts the event, which features New York-based comic Calvin S. Cato, and award-winning comedian Mina Hartong.
The Library says: “Come for the comedy, stay for the community!”
Mina Hartong
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Meanwhile, next door to the Library, the Levitt Pavilion hosts 2 free weekend concerts.
Tomorrow (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.), Garth takes the stage.
The Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter/visual producer boasts over 6 million Spotify streams.
Inspired by Earth Wind & Fire, Prince, Outkast and Frank Ocean, Garth’s music fuses reggae, electronic, hip hop and R&B.
On Sunday (7 p.m.), it’s Humbird, offering “electrified, gritty, Midwest Americana, with a little magic fairy dust thrown in.
Click here to reserve free tickets for Garth. Click here for free Humbird tickets. Tickets are also available at the box office, starting 2 hours before show time.
Garth
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The Wakeman Town Farm farm stand opens tomorrow (Saturday, June 14).
It will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It features fresh produce, honey, artisanal baked goods, extra virgin olive oils and gourmet balsamic vinegars, Chaga mushroom elixirs and salsas — plus fresh cut flower bouquets and WTF logowear.
Visitors can also walk through the gardens, say hi to the animals, and chat with the farmers.
Meanwhile, Wakeman Town Farm is looking for volunteers (ages 16+) to prepare and plant gardens (Wednesdays and Fridays, 2 to 4:30 p.m.). Email info@wakemantownfarm.org.
Lots o’ stuff, at the Wakeman Town Farm stand.
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Among their many tasks, Westport’s League of Women Voters does a great job educating residents about the political process — everything from registering and voting, to why municipal elections are important.
Yesterday, LWV members got educated themselves.
The guest speaker at their annual luncheon was Stephanie Thomas. Connecticut’s secretary of the state spoke in depth — and passionately — about our relatively new early voting process. She provided background, statistics, and strong affirmation for its impact on turnout.
She also stressed the need for continuing voter education.
That’s what the League of Women Voters does constantly. And as Thomas knows, in Westport they do it very, very well.
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, at the LWV’s annual meeting at Green’s Farms Church. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Much of today’s national politics has been called a dumpster fire. We can argue that all day.
But yesterday, there was a literal dumpster fire on Hales Court.
Quick work by the Westport Fire Department kept it from spsreading to a nearby residence.
(Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
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There are still a few random spots in town — a bank and store, for example — with signs or floor decals reminding patrons of the need for “social distance.”
That COVID-era phrase is now just a bad memory. If we notice the notices at all, we just ignore them.
But what about these signs, at Fresh Market?
(Photo/Dan Woog)
When was the last time anyone called in a curbside order?
Probably the same time the sidewalk and road in front of the entrance was not under construction.
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Julie Loparo of Westport Animal Shelter Advocates writes: “We hope to find not only a possible owner, but to secure donations for a young cat’s emergency care.
“After being struck by a car on Tuesday, on Easton Road, he was taken to the VCA emergency clinic in Norwalk by Westport animal control officer Joe Saponare. He has been treated for shock, abrasions and a fractured pelvis.
“He will be released to the care of a WASA volunteer today. His emergency care to date has cost $2,750. Donations can be made here. For more information, email wasa1@optonline.net, or call (203) 557-0361.
Emergency cat care needed.
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Speaking of animals: Deer are everywhere in Westport.
Including Old Mill Beach.
Robin Tauck spotted this pair yesterday — heading in opposite directions — and sent us this photo, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Robin Tauck)
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And finally … happy Friday the 13th!
(From sports stars to trans influencers, and Wakeman Town Farm to the League of Women Voters, “06880” is where Westport meets the world. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
118 million … do what you can to stop it!
Similar parking/pickup signs at Whole Foods, Stop & Shop – everywhere. We are all ready for the next pandemic!
A long overdue appropriation and infrastructure improvement to our nation leading educational institutions.
Lauren Karpf spoke out when her first child entered the school system, and he is now in high school.
Candace Banks heartfelt words as a Long Lots parent, speaking to Stepping Stones hit home for everyone.
I went there from 95-99, and it needed help then.
The culmination of 60+ public meetings, with experts delegated through democratic style leadership, and a proven track record of overdelivering while meeting their mark on improving our school facilities through past projects, will occur again.
Our teachers could have left for another district, parents could have sent their kids to private schools, but the resiliency and heartfelt dedication from both parents and teachers is unmeasurable.
Long Lots was just ranked fifth in the state for elementary schools. I cannot wait to see in 2027 and after.
We’re finally on our way to a new school!
Andrew, You must be mistaken. How could Long Lots be ranked 5th in the state in a dilapidated school that needed be torn down 10 years ago? Hmmmm… I guess the building wasn’t that big of a deal!
LLJH 1961.. not LilJH.. I should review before posting.
Hmmmmm – sounds like a job interview ! Lol
I haven’t worked in 18 years, but I did renew my teaching certification until I’m 86 years old. If I live that long, it’d mean I hadn’t worked in 26 years!
For Roan Developers:
A request to show all elevations of the Hamlet project including the elevation from 95 showing building heights. The elevation as you exit the train. From the exit 17 ramp. The Approach from Riverside Ave to the train station.
For the record: way to ‘Stamford-ize” Westport. I’m a solid no.
That artist’s rendering is frightening. The size of those buildings alone makes it look like NYC, not Westport.
the gridlock will certainly be like NYC… LOL!
What happens when the state of CT snubs Roan’s traffic fix requests??? Don’t say we’re just SOL!!! Roan doesn’t care what happens to traffic after it’s all said and done!
Question for ROAN. How are they going to ensure that employees park somewhere offsite??
The 200 million dollar question.
They are not.
It would be illegal to require that of your 650-1000 staff !
I can barely drive through saugatuck at certain hours of the day now … and fridays are the worst . Have the Roan team spent any car time getting around this area during Rowing Club pickup or Friday afternoons or even when the highway is backed up and folks detour???
How can we have any more cars /people / congestion here without destroying quality of life and causing major issues for our EMS and similar services to arrive quickly and prevent deaths?
Ask Roan: has anything in your plans changed since your meeting with flood and erosion control last week? If so, what exactly has changed?
Why can’t the hamlet be scaled back to the original 2022 size? The area is in need of improvement but the size of the newest proposal is far beyond what Westport wants.
Nobody is listening to the people of Westport.
Somehow, this was a specially created zone with big exceptions….a done deal with the power brokers of this town. All negotiations are going to happen within those perameters. Very sad since the citizens of Westport are being ignored.
For Roan, when you propose events of over 200 people, how long will it take to park cars using stacking system? How many cars can be waiting before they go into traffic lanes. If we are now proposing not having the tunnel for deliveries, how will that impact traffic flow. With new loading zones, how does that impact traffic? What were the number of additional cars per hour you used for your calculations? Are you anticipating additional commuters with return to work and how will that impact traffic and parking? We are also wondering if you have allocated 0 spaces for your employees and those of your tenants, what your plans might be for employees who are not on the rail line (e.g. live in Westport, Weston, Shelton, etc) or who may find cost of parking and commuting to cost prohibitive? What was the radius of your traffic study? Is there easy place where we can access the raw data for your traffic study? Concerned about ease of getting to train station and being able to park.
Town is rife with the rumor that ROAN is preparing a pre-app for a 700 unit 8-30G project. Presumably as a threat to the P and Z to approve their application. Or perhaps just spite if it is denied. Is this true? (Not that most of us won’t energetically fight that boogey man if it appears…)
Not a snowballs chance in hell !!! The properties are too expensive. The text ammendment change saw to that.
Once PZ shafted us with the text ammendment, one thing they did was GARANTEE no 8-30g is EVER coming in there. THEY WERE BASICALLY GIVEN THEIR OWN EXCLUSIVE 8-30g just not necessary to negotiate.. even affordable housing part is TBD- disgraceful..
But I’m not suggesting they wouldn’t bluff. They likely will.
I say let them !
Pz might even be encouraging them to do so.
After all this entire 💩show was negotiated behind the public’s back anyway, by PZ, members of the rtm- Izzo, Tait, Mandell… and by the town hall administration, since 2020.
And watch all the morons of investors, many of who live amongst us, encourage the same.
A very sad state of affairs.
REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER.
As someone who spent multiple years battling the 8-30g threat with Matt Mandell’s guidance and partnership, ultimately compromising with the condo complex off Sunrise Road, that threat is very real.
What I wonder though and probably missed the explanations in comments, is what happens if The Hamlet is denied and whatever this Housing Bill is, is approved?
Posted for a friend: Your development company has been successful in attracting investments from a few prominent Westporters. Can you tell us about the history of how you came to Westport and how you built this support?
Is it true that Roan is preparing their own pre-app for an 830-G as a tactic to prompt residents and p and z to push through the Hamlet? Meaning the 2025 rendition of the Hamlet not the more attractive and appealing 2022 rendition?