The town of Westport wants to improve accessibility and ADA compliance in public spaces. Public input can help.
Whether you live with a disability, support someone who does, or care about making Westport inclusive for all, residents’ feedback is essential.
There are 2 sessions, both at the Senior Center:
- Wednesday, August 20 (6-7:30 p.m.)
- Thursday, August 21 (9-10:30 a.m.).
Click here to register for one of the sessions.
The Senior Center is accessible to all. But if you can’t attend, click here to take a short survey.
The Mobi-Mat helps make Compo Beach accessible to many people. (Photo/Patti Brill)
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The new, wide Hillspoint Road sidewalk between Soundview Drive and Old Mill Beach was finished in time for the summer.
Except for one stretch, near Schlaet’s Point (the Compo jetty). Weeks later, it remains incomplete: an unlevel patch of dirt and gravel.
Several residents reached out to town officials.
The Department of Public Works is waiting for Eversource to set a push pole at the intersection of Hillspoint and Soundview, then adjust the guy wires so they are not a hazard to pedestrians.
They utility company must reset and reconfigure some wires in several places around the corner on Hillspoint.
Once that is done, the paving contractor will return.
In the meantime, a DPW crew was scheduled to add cold patch ramps today, to ease the transition on the sidewalk.
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Harvest Fest is one of the best parties of the year.
Tickets are now on sale. But they go fast!
The September 13 food-and-wine event (6 p.m.) is Wakeman Town Farm’s biggest fundraiser.
There’s great seasonal fare by local farmers and chefs, wine and cocktails, live music, an auction (including private chef dinners in WTF’s Tim’s Kitchen, VIP trips, a stay at Watch Hill’s Ocean House resort and a wine wall, and a paddle raise for the new Farm on the Go program.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Harvest Fest scenes.
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Speaking of farms: This Friday is the deadline for submission to the Westport Farmers’ Market’s “Young Shoots” photo contest.
So there’s one more day for photographers ages 5-18 to shoot images: this Thursday (August 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot).
The contest — with cash prizes, in 3 age groups — is a partnership between the Westport Farmers’ Market, the Artists Collective of Westport, and the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center. Click here for details.
What’s the competition? Here are a few of the submissions so far:
Marcus Slomich (age 5-9 category)
Lila Boyd (age 10-14)
Sydney Handler (age 15-18)
Parker Toohey (age 15-18)
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Last week, an “06880” Roundup photo showed a large American flag, stuck in a tree branch near McDonald’s.
Yesterday, a tree removal crew freed it.
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
Coincidence? “06880” juice?
Who cares?
Long may she wave!
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International stars are frequent headliners at Jazz at the Post — the VFW’s weekly series.
But one of the favorite performers is Westport’s own Melissa Newman.
The popular talent returns this Thursday (August 7; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7; $20 music charge, $15 veterans and students).
She’s joined by other regulars: guitarist Tony Lombardozzi, bassist Phil Bowler, drummer Bobby Leonard and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Melissa Newman
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Zoe Monschein — the 2024 Greens Farms Academy valedictorian — is a physics and applied math double major at the University of California – Berkeley.
But those are not her only talents.
The other day, at the 17th annual Women’s Major Softball Championship hosted by the fabled Stratford Brakettes, Zoe — a rightfielder for the Junior Brakettes — won the batting title, with a remarkable .636 average. She was also named to the All-Tournament team.
Though Zoe does not play softball for the Cal Bears, the tournament featured a number of NCAA Division I players.
Congratulations, Zoe! (Hat tip: Fred Cantor)
Zoe Monschein
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Last weekend might have been the nicest of the summer in Westport.
Just about everyone headed to beaches, pools, or out on the Sound.
So did many non-humans — including today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured gull, enjoying a dip at Bluff Point.
(Photo/Pam Docters)
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And finally … on this date in 1962, Marilyn Monroe is found dead at her Los Angeles home, from a drug overdose. She was 36.
(From handicap access and sidewalks to Harvest Fest and the Farmers’ Market, “06880” is here for you: 24/7/365. If you enjoy our coverage, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Re the sidewalk between Compo and Old Mill. Here are some questions I asked yesterday of our elected officials. Perhaps they would like to respond here?
1. Why was the project started before Eversource had completed its work? Why wasn’t the work coordinated with Eversource?
2. Who is responsible for project management in Westport to make sure these types of inter-agency issues get resolved quickly? How do we make sure these types of avoidable problems are “avoided” in the future?
2. Did the RTM Public Works Committee as a group make inquiries and ask questions along the lines of my question #2? It does look like this falls within its “purview.” “The proper sphere of business of the Public Works Committee shall include the operations of the Department of Public Works and the Public Site and Building Commission and the budget appropriations therefor.”
3. When will the work finally be done?
Thank you John, I have the very same questions. There is no reason that the area couldn’t have been paved, and reconfigured when Eversource gets their work done. Also, why did they just noe decide to add ramps to the area almost 2 months of it having a trip hazard. Why wasn’t this done before rhe fireworks when you had thousands of people walking in the dark? Why is it just now getting attention? Is no one running the project? Does westport have no leadership? Does it take a twisted angel and a lawsuit to fix?
Why?
RTM Members….In case you’ve forgotten if you are on Public Works, here is a list of the members:
District 2: Jay Keenan, Chair
District 8: Wendy Batteau
District 8: Ari Benmosche
District 4: Andrew Colabella
District 5: Peter Gold
District 9: Jennifer Johnson
District 7: Jack Klinge
District 1: Matthew Mandell
District 3: Don O’Day
District 1: Chris Tait
For those of you calling me, If you have something to say to me about this issue, please post it here instead of calling me or emailing me. Learn to tell the entire town what is going on in Westport. Lots of people want to know. That is part of the job description of people who get elected to the RTM.
Yes, I know that Jeff and Ira tell you not to post here, they prefer only conversations they can control. And that is a huge part of the problem…..But can someone on the RTM think and act and communicate for themselves for once? Please?
Marilyn Monroe changed nudity norms forever ‼️
Way to go Zoe!!!!! 🎉🥎🎉🥎🎉🥎
Just want to point out that I believe the reason the flag was freed was because Dan posted, last week, a photo of the flag being stuck in that tree. So, we should all thank Dan for all of his posting of items that require someone to fix.
Exactly Mr McCarthy!
And why in such a vulnerable location didn’t the Town ‘demand’ the utility co put the wires in the conduit underground? Protect the lines from wind, salt corrosion, storm surge to improve grid performance … its not rocket science.
The new sidewalk along the water from Compo to Old Mill is accompanied by significant sign proliferation – sadly a walking obstacle and view limitation! But it confirms the no parking zone pretty successfully!
Unfortunately when they freed the flag it looks like they removed the whole tree too. Another one bites the dust.
Prior to and after the Hillspoint sidewalk was constructed, I had conveyed some thoughts, observations and questions to Town personnel. I did not receive a response from anyone on either e mail. I am sure these people get many e mails. At the very least, they should have told me they were too busy to respond to all e mails. Far better would have been thoughtful responses.