Hard to believe, but voting for town officials begins tomorrow (Monday, October 20).
All early voting takes place in the Town Hall auditorium. Regular polling places are open on Election Day only.
Here’s the schedule:
DATE VOTING HOURS
Monday, October 20 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 21 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 22 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 23 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday, October 24 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 25 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 26 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday, October 27 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 28 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 29 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 30 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 31 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 1 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 2 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
ELECTION DAY: Click here for your polling place.
DATE: VOTING HOURS
November 4 6:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
SAME DAY REGISTRATION: If you are new to Westport, or have not registered before.
To register, you must show identification that includes your name and Westport address (for example, a driver’s license, current utility bill, check or Social Security card).
You can register online at voterregistration.ct.gov, at the DMV, at the Registrars Office (Town Hall Room 107) or, mail your registration card by October 17.
If you miss this registration deadline, Westport offers registration every day at Town Hall in the auditorium during the early voting period (above). Registrants will be able to cast their ballot at that time.
Registration also available on Election Day (November 4) at the Town Hall auditorium from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can register and vote during that time. Be prepared to show proof of identity and residency.
PS: Don’t know your voting district? Click here.
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The Public Works Department recently installed a radiation detection system at the transfer station. This is in response to the town being repeatedly fined at the waste-to-energy plant in Bridgeport for “hot” loads of municipal solid waste.
A load is “hot” when it contains medical waste with high radiation levels. When this type of waste is mixed in with regular MSW, the plant charges us for finding, isolating and handling the radioactive material. Each incident can cost the towm (taxpayers) over $2,000.
In response, town officials have implemented a new process:
RESIDENTS
If a resident’s vehicle triggers the radiation detection system, an alarm will sound. The vehicle that sets off the system will be asked to leave the transfer station with their waste.
The resident has these options:
- Isolate the medical waste and dispose of it at a medical waste facility licensed to take such material, or seek assistance from the health care provider that prescribed the medication. This is the preferred method, especially if the resident expects to be generating more of this type of waste.
- After 14 days, the waste can be returned to the transfer station to be re-tested by the system. If the radiation level has decreased to a level not detectable by the system, the driver may dispose of the waste at the transfer station. If the radiation level has not decreased enough, the driver will again be required to leave until it meets acceptable levels.
HAULERS (RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL)
If a hauler’s vehicle triggers the radiation detection system, an alarm will sound. The vehicle that sets off the system will be instructed not to dump at the transfer station. The station operator will try to identify the general location of the radioactive waste within the closed vehicle, utilizing a handheld detector. The driver will be asked to leave the transfer station and will not be allowed to dump.
The driver has these options:
- Isolate the medical waste at the hauler’s facility, and dispose of it at a medical waste facility licensed to take such material. It is strongly suggested that the hauler try to identify which customer is generating the waste so that they too can be notified they need to stop doing this, and dispose of the medical waste appropriately.
- See second option above, under “Residents.”
Questions? Call Joe Izzo, solid waste superintendent: 203-341-5085.
New rules at the transfer station.
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There’s always something going on at the Westport Library.
Yesterday was a workshop- and panel-filled StoryFest day.
Among them: “Coming of Age: Writing Youth, Identity, and the Search for Belonging.”
Participants (see photo below) included Charlie Jane Anders, Derrick Barnes, Lorien Lawrence, Hailey Piper, Dan Poblocki and Charmaie Gordon.
StoryFest ends tomorrow (Monday), with the 10th anniversary celebration of Shonda Rhimes’ memoir, “Year of Yes.”
Around the corner, Westport resident and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Mark Naftalin checked out the new exhibit:
(Photos/DinkinESH Fotografix)
“Art of the Album: Modern Blues” showcases a selection of LPs featuring his performances on keyboard, including with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. From Mother Earth’s “Living With the Animals” to Brewer & Shipley’s “Tarkio,” the albums capture a time when vinyl was both a canvas and a keepsake.
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I wasn’t going to post any more photos of yesterday’s “No Kings” rally.
But this one has it all: protesters on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
A passing car.
And a Westport Police officer, who was one of several doing a great job keeping rally-goers safe, and traffic moving.
(Photo/Loretta Hallock)
And this one, also from the bridge. It’s artistic — not political:
(Photo/Rowene Weems)
Meanwhile, Pam Docters and Toni Mickiewicz were not at Staples during the famous Vietnam protests of the late 1960s. They’re in the SHS Class of 1978.
But yesterday — at the No Kings rally — they looked back on the most historic Westport protest of that era. Click here or below to view their very intriguing Instagram video:
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Last night’s Chili Cook-off at the VFW was a win-win-win.
Chili- aficionados ate their fill, of everything from chorizo and Texas chili, to a vegan variety. (Plus cornbread and dessert.)
Chili cooks got to show off their chops.
And veterans and Westport’s first responders were recipients of the evening’s proceeds.
Thanks to Patty Kondub, Phil Delgado, VFW Post 399, and everyone else who helped make it a very tasty event.
Patty Kondub (middle, rear) and her crew, with a few of the 8 chili concoctions. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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“06880” does not endorse political candidates.
But we can still point out that Representative Town Meeting hopeful Harris Falk may have the best campaign slogan of anyone running for any office in Westport this year.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows yesterday’s gorgeous sunrise over Assumption Church.
(Photo/Karen Como)
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And finally … in honor of the great photo above:
(If “06880” helps you find when and where to vote, saves you from being turned away at the transfer station, or does anything else for your life, please click here for a tax-deductible donation. Thanks!)
Dan
In all seriousness- what kind of medication taken in a domestic setting creates radioactive medical sufficient that it triggers a detection device?
No mystery or hidden agenda in the question, just a genuine interest.
Certain cancer therapies have a radioactive component. There have apparently been instances in which a car containing a cancer patient who has just left the treatment facility has been pulled over by a state police officer. Since state police vehicles are now often equipped with radiation detectors, the officer making the traffic stop had reasonable cause to believe the vehicle in question contained material related to a possible terrorist plot, etc .
As an aside, this notice from the town is very unlikely to reach many of those who really need to know about it. Since other municipalities are facing the exact same problem, a better means of communication is probably needed. Certainly medical providers could be a place to start.
Just a thought, maybe if they actually check for resident’s dump stickers, this might help. With anyone able to conveniently able to come right off 95 from wherever, its a great cheap (aka free) option for people to dump whatever they want. Even medical offices offloading expensive to dispose of medical waste that may or may not be radioactive. Every other town or city verifies residents prior to dumping. Why can’t Westport?
Couldn’t agree more. So easy to check drivers licenses. You’re a resident or charge a fee for those who aren’t. Town taxes pay for the center. Why not collect additional revenue from those who find value in using the center?
It was being done, for a while
No need for stickers.
It could be done automatically with a license plate reader.
If it reads a plate not registered in Westport a bill is sent to the owner.