Roundup: Traffic Lights, Teen Honors, Sorelle Gallery …

An alert and traffic-conscious “06880” reader emailed us the other day.

He included links to stories about “adaptive traffic signals” — lights that detect real-time traffic conditions and use a fiber-optic network to adjust timing — that have been adopted in Norwalk and Greenwich.

He wondered: Why not in Westport?

Why not indeed?

“06880” reached out to 1st Selectman Kevin Christie. He says:

“Norwalk and Greenwich have implemented adaptive traffic signal technology on signals that they own and operate.

“In Westport, we only have 2 traffic signals that we own and operate: Main Street and Myrtle Avenue, and Main Street and Avery Place. All other signals are under Connecticut Department of Transportation jurisdiction.

“Based on current traffic volumes, those two town-owned signals would not be candidates for this technology at this time.

“The signals that would most likely benefit from this type of technology are along the Route 1 corridor. CTDOT is developing plans to replace traffic signal controllers and install cellular modems at select state-owned traffic signals across several Connecticut towns and cities.

“However, Westport is not included in this initial rollout, as CTDOT is still piloting the technology and evaluating its effectiveness under different state highway conditions before pursuing broader implementation.

“That said, we will continue to advocate for Westport by maintaining strong relationships and ongoing communication with CTDOT.”

Main Street and Myrtle Avenue: 1 of only 2 traffic lights owned and operated by the town.

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On Wednesday, the Westport Police Department honored Emmah Tait.

In August, the Staples High School graduate and Colorado State University sophomore rescued a man whose kayak had overturned in Long Island Sound.

The commendation cited Emmah for displaying “exceptional situational awareness and keen observation skills (and) swift and decisive action …. (She)  acted selflessly and without hesitation. Her calm, courageous response exemplified the highest standards of maritime safety and civic responsibility.”

From left: 1st Selectman Kevin Christie, Police Chief Dave Farrell, Emmah Tait, and her parents Denise and Chris Tait.

Remarkably, this was not the first commendation given to a Tait family member, for a marine rescue.

In November 1970 Doug Tait — Chris’ older brother, and a Long Lots Junior High School 9th grader — rescued 2 men from a boat that caught fire, 2 miles off shore.

A photo of his ceremony mirrors that of Emmah’s, 56 years later.

From left: 1st Selectman John Kemish, Lieutenant Joseph McAleenan, Doug Tait, Doug’s parents Doug Sr. and Elizabeth Tait.

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Congratulations to Nolan Francis!

The Staples High School senior has just been named a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar.

If that’s not familiar — well, it used to be called the Westinghouse Science Talent Search. It’s one of the most prestigious student awards in the nation.

Nolan — who has worked at Yale University’s Choate Lab, researching a rare skin condition called ichthyosis that can lead to fatal heart disease, and raised funds for research with a long-distance swim last summer — is the first Staples student to earn the honor from Staples’ new science research program.

Nolan is one of the top 300 competitors in the Regeneron program. He was selected from 2,612 students — the largest and most competitive pool since the 1960s.

Staples will receive $2,000, for use toward STEM-related activities.

Forty finalists will be announced January 21. Each receives $25,000, and be eligible for a first-place prize of $250,000.

If Nolan wins, he would be Staples’ second honoree. In 2001, Mariangela Lisanti won what was then called the Siemens Westinghouse Science & Technology Competition (then worth $100,000). She also won the Intel Science Talent Search, earning another $100,000 scholarship.

PS: A bit more about Nolan. He is on Staples’ STEM Journal editorial board, and is vice president of the Science National Honors Society. He’s an AP Scholar with Distinction, founded the current iteration of Staples’ National English Honor Society, has volunteered at Norwalk Hospital’s Catheterization Lab, and was a counselor at Camp Discovery, for children unable to attend mainstream sleepaway camps due to medical conditions.

Nolan also plays violin in the Symphonic Orchestra. He was the first-ever junior captain of the boys swim team. He received the inaugural Junior Leadership Award at the Scholar-Athlete banquet. And he’s been involved with the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s Special Olympics swim program since 2018.

Nolan Francis

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A new year begins, and a new chapter unfolds for Sorelle Gallery.

Reacting to shifting trends in the art world — with clients going online more, for support and purchases — the gallery moves on January 27 from Bedford Square to a smaller, by-appointment space at 25 Sylvan Road South.

Meanwhile, they’ll expand their art advisory model. Click here for more information.

Closing soon, and moving to Sylvan Road South.

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Charlie Capalbo — a Fairfield Ludlowe High School graduate and ice hockey player whose battle with 4 separate cancers inspired friends, neighbors, the sports world and countless strangers — died 3 years ago. He was 1 month shy of his 24th birthday.

Charlie’s Westport ties were long and deep. His grandmother is the writer/poet/storyteller Ina Chadwick. Her husband, Richard Epstein (Charlie’s grandfather) is a Westport native; his parents moved here in 1958. Charlie’s mother, Jennifer Wilde Capalbo (Ina’s youngest daughter) is a Staples graduate.

The young athlete’s memory lives on. Next Wednesday (January 14, 5:15 p.m., Sacred Heart University), the Staples-Norwalk-Brien McMahon coop hockey team plays the Fairfield Ludlowe-Warde coop squad.

Fairfield has organized it as “Charlie Capalbo Night,” raising awareness of the National Marrow Donor Program, and raising funds for research.

Fairfield’s head coach is a pediatric leukemia survivor. Parents of current players supported Charlie, when he first got sick. Several years later, they continue to step up, as a community and friends.

Charlie Capalbo (Photo/Dave Gunn)

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Neighbors and Newcomers of Westport is gearing up for an exciting year.

Since 1963, the organization has brought together new arrivals and longtime residents for social events.

On the calendar this month: Couples’ Night Out; a sound bath experience at Hummingbird Healing Center, and book and cooking groups. Click here for more information.

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Pam Docters offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo from Post Road West, and adds: “Winter’s on its way out! Or maybe I’m being too optimistic?”

(Photo/Pam Docters)

Perhaps not. Today’s high is expected to be be 49 degrees. Daytime temperatures should remain in the 40s through Wednesday.

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And finally … on this date in 1788, Connecticut became the 5th state to ratify the US constitution.

But that’s not why we are officially “The Constitution State.” That refers to the   Fundamental Orders, adopted by the Connecticut Colony in 1639. It is considered by some to be the first written constitution in Western history.

So let’s hear it for us, with our official state song:

(“06880” is where Westport — and Connecticut — meet the world. If you enjoy our hyper-local coverage, connecting our town to our state and beyond, please click here to support our work. Thanks!)