Profuse apologies!
For the second time yesterday, a technical glitch prevented David Rosenwaks from joining our Instagram Live.
It was not his fault. He’s a very tech-savvy guy. The blame lies elsewhere — I’ll take it!
But the third time will be the charm. Because Dave and I will be together, in person. No issues with remote.
The date is this Friday (September 5), at 4 p.m. We’re on Instagram @06880danwoog.
Thanks for your patience!
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When the Planning && Zoning Commission voted 4-0 (with 3 abstentions) to deny ROAN Ventures’ Hamlet at Saugatuck application, many town officials and residents expected an appeal.
The developers of the retail/residential/event space project have indeed gone to court.
But another legal action is in the works too.
Gloria Gouveia — former Westport zoning administrator, and founder of her own Land Use Consultants firm — has filed a zoning amendment application with the P&Z.
Its goal is to repeal regulations adopted in 2022 — at ROAN’s request — that allowed the firm to propose the Hamlet.
Citing the length of the application process and the difficulty of determining the proposed development’s compliance with the regulation (Section 24C), Gouveia’s request includes reasons in support of the repeal, and a list of benefits to the town should the repeal be granted.
Gouveia says this is her first application to repeal a zoning regulation in her 40-plus year career.
Part of the Hamlet plan, as seen from the Saugatuck River.
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Speaking of local politics: As reported by “06880” earlier, Altice has rearranged its Optimum channels.
Government meetings are no longer available on Channel 78. They can now be found on Channel 1310.
Go figure.
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Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department fall (and winter!) program signups began at 9 a.m. this morning (September 3).
Stop reading now! Go sign up — some go fast.
Programs include fall tennis, youth soccer, baseball clinics, multi-sport clinics, youth basketball, ice skating and swimming.
Click here to see the full program lineup.
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If you’re a T-Mobile customer in Weston, you’re probably not reading this on your phone.
Weston Today reports that a sudden shutdown in cell service has resulted from the company not coming to terms with the town on a lease of a tower.
The town has reached agreements with AT&T and Verizon.
First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor notes that the decision to shut down service was made by T-Mobile, not the town. The company did so without notifying town officials or customers.
Weston Today says, “The shutdown appears to affect all Weston T-Mobile users, including students, teachers, and emergency responders. Users in nearby towns may also be affected.” Click here for the full story.
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Neighbors and Newcomers of Westport is gearing up for a new year.
Members enjoy clam bakes, coffees, holiday parties, kayaking, barbecues, happy hours, wine tastings and TGIF get-togethers.
They play canasta. They go hiking and to movies. There is a book club, culinary group and luncheon club. There are trips to museums, baby and toddler play groups, and girls’ nights out. The group is always looking for new ideas, and very responsive to members’ needs.
It’s not just a “newcomers” group. All Westporters are welcome. Though most are women, men are active too. There are singles as well as couples.
For membership information, email membershipnnwestport@gmail.com. For events: eventsnnwestport@gmail.com. For all other questions, contact presidentnnwestport@gmail.com.
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And the winner is …
“The Edge of Water.”The multi-generational debut novel by Olufunke Grace Bankole is the winner of the 2025 Westport Prize for Literature. The award is presented annually to an original work of literary fiction that is both relevant and timeless.
Bankole will be honored at the Westport Library on November 6 (7 p.m.). She will then take part in a special conversation with Yale Review editor Meghan O’Rourke.
Copies of “The Edge of Water” will available for purchase and signing.
This is the third year for the $10,000 prize. Previous honorees were Zadie Smith for “The Fraud,” and Alejandro Puyana (“Freedom is a Feast”).
The 2 other Westport Prize finalists this year were “O Sinners: by Nicole Cuffy, and “Rabbit Moon” by Jennifer Haigh.
“The Edge of Water” follows Amina, who moves from Nigeria to New Orleans to forge her own path. But a hurricane threatens to destroy the city, upending everything she’d dreamed of and the lives of all she holds dear. Years later, her daughter is left with questions about the mother she barely knew, and the family she has yet to discover in Nigeria.
Submissions for the 2025 prize were read and vetted by a team of nearly 50 volunteer readers. The best-reviewed books advancing to a jury, for final selection.
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As summer vacation ends, Saugatuck Church hosts a “Welcome Back Sunday.” It’s this week: September 7.
The 10 a.m. service includes a “blessing of the backpacks” — a perfect way to start the new school year.
A coffee hour, with food and refreshments, follows. All are welcome.
Last year’s Blessing of the Backpacks.
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Adam Frank is an expert on life in the universe.
And death.
On September 16 (8 p.m.), the University of Rochester astrophysics professor offers a Westport Astronomical Society lecture on “The Search for Life in the Universe.”
The WAS calls him “a leading expert on the final stages of evolution for stars like the sun. (His computational group) has developed advanced supercomputer tools for studying how stars form and how they die. A self-described ‘evangelist of science,’ he is also committed to showing others the beauty and power of science, and exploring the proper context of science in culture.”
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“06880” reported in July that Soleil Toile was closing.
The Post Road East lingerie/swimwear/accessories/and more shop is now fully gone. All that remains:
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
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Westport town attorney Ira Bloom, a senior partner at Berchem Moses, recently received the Marvin J. Glink Private Practice Local Government Attorney Award from the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA).
It recognizes “an exceptional private practice attorney serving municipal clients who demonstrates the traditional qualities of excellence in the practice of law, along with providing outstanding service to the public, and who possesses an exemplary reputation in the legal community, the highest of ethical standards, who is devoted to mentoring young lawyers, and who is devoted to educating lawyers in local government law.”
Bloom has been Westport’s town attorney since 1998. He holds similar positions in New Canaan and Weston. He is also town counsel for Wilton, and counsel for Easton. 
Ira Bloom
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Many of us in Westport take for granted the greenery that surrounds us.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image from Compo Cove reminds us of the lushness everywhere, at this time of year.
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
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And finally … in honor of the blessing of the backpacks (story above):
(Happy new [school and activity] year! Help us celebrate, by clicking here to make a tax-deductible contribution to “06880.” Thanks — and have a great one!)
Ira, congrats! At a time when many of our law school classmates have retired, you’re still going strong—still bringing your “A” game. Good for you!
That Mr.Cantor is a matter of opinion and depends upon in which seat you sit.
And as we are still clinging to free speech in this country, by albeit by a thread, it is most certainly not my opinion.
Prime example – the Hamlet.
It is in my opinion a travesty that Ira Bloom is pushing negotiations with the hamlet.
Why ?
PZ ruled- a big fat NO ! Based upon many non conforming aspects within the application.
The residents want this to be adjusted in court.
We will win this in court.
There’s no chance hamlet wins.
And I’ll bet Ms Gouveia, has majority support in her repeal of the ludicrous zone change.
Yet the award winning town attorney wants to negotiate ?
I think not what majority of this town wants.
And last I checked majority rules. ( or used)
Adjudicated not adjusted.
Ciara: Quite frankly, I haven’t paid close attention to all of the details re the Hamlet.
But, re your statement that “We will win this in court. There’s no chance hamlet wins.”: Attorneys with experience in litigation will tell you that, even where you believe the law and the facts are very much on your side, there are cases that will go against you. (And 8-30g raises its own level of unpredictability if that should be an element that can come into play.)
So, yes, it is not uncommon for attorneys to recommend exploring negotiations in litigation matters.
Interesting to see who blinks first:
TMO may have too few (albeit affluent) customers on that tower, relative to VZW & ATT) to make the rent demanded by the town be cost-effective, and not mind the noise from customers stampeding to the Verizon store.
Weston on the other hand may face the decision to accept some revenue from TMO as opposed to no revenue from TMO.
Simply unbridled capitalism at work.
Good for you Gloria. Now try getting it on the schedule.
Cathy, share with our town newcomers your credentials in town government please. I want the public to know how valued your opinion should be in this matter.
You mean the same Cathy Walsh behind an 8-30g application a few blocks away?
https://westportjournal.com/government/another-8-30g-project-with-pz-entanglements-set-for-hiawatha/
I will add that Cathy said the town should not approve the Hamlet with conditions and they did not! Why would our town start a negotiation first.
The Hamlet can drop their complaint and resubmit their application.
great idea for reversing the zoning amendment.
and a comment on tmobile… i know for a fact verizon wireless was trying to fix coverage in certain areas of town with micro cells on utility poles but received push back, IIRC from residents maybe the town. people complain about coverage/bandwidth availability (i am one of the complainers – it is a real issue in some areas such as saugatuck especially during peak season). can’t have it both ways. the vzw issue would’ve been fixed in saugatuck shores area years ago. did tmobile provide any advance notice about shutting down the tower to subscribers/first responders?
I’m disappointed. I came here for your weekly, ‘..it took me over 30 minutes to get from one side of the train station to the other….’ rant.
Well the day isn’t over I am currently sitting in traffic trying to go from ferry to riverside, been sitting 20 minutes on one side of the station on ferry almost at the water. Today might be more than 30 minutes maybe 45?! To go one mile… I can walk faster….way faster…
Thanks, Gloria, for your push to overturn the destructive “Hamlet Amendment.”