It’s mid-August. With many Westporters away, and others’ attention directed more to the beach and barbecue grill than politics, nearly every town board has canceled this month’s meetings.
But not the Planning & Zoning Commission. They’ve got too much on their plate.
This Monday (6 p.m., Zoom), they’ll discuss a proposal for lights on the Wakeman turf field next to Bedford Middle School, and PJ Romano Field behind Saugatuck Elementary. The special permit request must be closed by August 21.
Before that item, the P&Z will consider a pre-application for the development of 606 Riverside Avenue — the site bordered by Railroad Place and Charles Street, where Spinnaker is proposing 175 apartments (and one retail space), with 283 parking spots. The Architectural Review Board heard a pre-app last month.
Click here, then scroll down for all meeting materials. For Wakeman Field, search for “70 North Avenue.” For PJ Romano Field, look for “170 Riverside Avenue.” For Spinnaker’s Saugatuck plans, click on “606 Riverside Avenue.”
PJ Romano Field
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Turnout was low for yesterday’s primaries. Just 16.9% of registered Westport voters cast ballots (9.8% in person yesterday, 5.2% early, 1.9% absentee).
Democrats renominated Governor Ned Lamont for a 3rd term. He beat Josh Elliott here, 1,402 to 236 (85.6% to 14.4%). Statewide, his margin was 67.9% to 32.1%.
Republicans chose Michael Goldstein to challenge Congressman Jim Himes for the 4th District seat, in a rematch of 2024. He won Westport over Daniel Miressi, 184 votes (72.4%) to 70 (27.6%). Those totals were very close to the entire district.
It was a quiet election. There was little buzz, few mailers, not even a yard sign.
Quiet scene at Saugatuck Elementary School. (Photo/Samira Dinkin)
A few Westporters who wanted to cast ballots yesterday found it difficult. Dr. Norman Klein writes:
“Those of us who vote at Long Lots School Elementary School had been sent notices to vote at Bedford Middle School, given the enormous construction at Long Lots.
“Upon arrival (in a desolate parking lot), the school was closed. I called the town Registrar of Voters. We had some contretemps. She claimed having sent a postcard (likely looking like so much of our junk mail) changing the venue back to Long Lots.
“I am fastidious about all my USPS mail. I never saw it; neither did multitudes. Bedford’s double doors had only one small sign at the far right, saying “No voting here today.”
“So at Long Lots — I may have actually heard crickets — I voted.
“The polling people and I had some exchanges about my sole presence being ‘the crush of voters’ (10 a.m.). So this anomalous situation resulted in even fewer voters in a mid-summer primary. Happily, I figure my single vote now counts perhaps 20x.
“I hold deep respect and gratitude to these front-line volunteers who stand sentry on the battlements of this fraught time, where our democracy is headed to life support. But I’m just sayin’…”
Voting, in the dog days of summer. (Photo/Jo Shields)
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One of the coolest opportunities anywhere is the Westport Police Department’s 9-week Citizens’ Police Academy.
Through classroom instruction, demonstrations, hands-on activities and direct interaction with department personnel, participants gain a first-hand understanding of what our officers do, how they do it, and how the WPD fits into our community.
At the same time, residents and officers get to know each other much better.
25 community members — of a variety of ages and backgrounds — receive an inside look at the WPD’s divisions and specialized units, including patrol operations, criminal investigations, emergency response, and other law enforcement functions. Participants will do a patrol ride-along, and receive Stop the Bleed training.
Instructors include officers, attorneys from Stamford Superior Court, and members of Westport Emergency Medical Services.
Graduates leave the program with a deeper appreciation for the complexity of police work, and a stronger connection to the WPD. (Click here for one resident’s first hand account of her experience.)
The program runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from September 8 through November 10.
The academy is open to Westport residents age 21 and older. Applications can be picked up at police headquarters, and are due by August 21. Questions? Email jcabana@westportct.gov, or call 203-341-6026.
Westport’s Citizens Police Academy offers an inside look into every aspect of the department.
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Madison Square Garden is not the Levitt Pavilion.
But 2 days after playing that famed New York venue, the Revivalists took the Westport stage.
And gave the crowd of 1,000 or so a high-energy, rockin’ performance just as if they were 20,000 strong.
The Revivalists (Photo/Dave Briggs)
The Levitt’s summer of entertainment continues this week, with 5 free shows. They include:
- Today (Wednesday), 7 p.m.: Joanie Lewis (Children’s Series)
- Thursday, 7 p.m.: Improvement Movement with Memo
- Friday, 7 p.m.: Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez, featuring The Sin Sisters & Guests
- Saturday, 7:30 p.m.: Logical Pretzel — The Songs of Steely Dan
- Sunday, 7 p.m.: The String Queens
Click here for more information, and free tickets.
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Every year, the Westport Farmers’ Market offers a new tote bag. Over the years, they’ve become collectors’ items.
This year — their 20th — they offer a bag that is truly memorable.
A limited edition tote is available now. To reserve yours, click here.
20th anniversary tote.
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The “Career Coach” will be in the Westport Library parking lot a week from tomorrow (Thursday, August 20), for a session covering “Tips for Resumes and Cover Letters.”
It returns September 17, for “Interview Success.”
There are 2 sessions ( 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.) each day; both are 2 hours long. Registrants can choose one.
The service is available to people who are exploring career opportunities, actively looking for a job, or seeking additional part-time employment. Click here to reserve a spot.
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The Compo Beach parking lot looks a bit fresher today.
Public Works crews were out yesterday, restriping spots, handicap icons and more.
Now there’s no excuse for bad parking! (Except for entitlement …).
(Photo/Karen Como)
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August is prime tomato-harvesting time in Connecticut.
And Tracy Porosoff proves it, with today’s mouth-watering “Westport … Naturally” photo.
(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
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And finally … Arlene Smith, the lead singer and songwriter of the Chantels, whose powerful vocal on “Maybe” helped start the “girl group” doo-wop wave in the 1950s, and influenced many others like the Ronettes, Shirelles and Shangri-Las — died last month in the Bronx, of a heart attack. She was 84.
Click here for a full obituary. (Hat tip: Michael Taylor)
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