The weather was spectacular yesterday, as 525 new fish were restocked in Lees Pond.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection effort, at the Westport Weston Family YMCA property on the Saugatuck River, will result in thousands of alewife eggs, for repopulation of the pond and river.
The Y plans to make this an annual event. For details on the effect this will have on the entire food chain — including birds of prey — click here.
State workers restocked Lees Pond yesterday …
… with help from youngsters, part of the Y’s spring break camp.
Speaking of politics: Alma Sarelli has joined the race to succeed Ceci Maher, as state senator from Connecticut’s 26th District. The district includes Westport, Weston and 5 other towns.
The Representative Town Meeting member serves on their Public Protection, Education, Parks and Recreation, and Planning & Zoning Committees. She is secretary of Westport’s Republican Town Committee, and president of Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport.
Sarelli cited affordability, local decision-making, public safety, support for small businesses, educational excellence and fiscal responsibility as areas of emphasis.
She majored in business management at Berkeley College in New York. She and her husband own an event entertainment production company.
This is her second run for the General Assembly. In 2022, Sarelli lost to incumbent Jonathan Steinberg in the 136th State Representative district race.
Every Sunday, the New York Times Business section’s “Corner Office” features an interview with a C-suite executive. He or she discussed the challenges (and, occasionally, joys) of the position, the company and the industry
Last weekend, the spotlight was on Peter Stern.
He’s the CEO of Peloton. He’s also a 1990 graduate of Staples High School (and a varsity soccer alum).
After Harvard University — where he majored in English and music — Stern co-founded Apple Fitness+, was president of Ford Integrated Services, and held high positions with Time Warner Cable.
The Times interview covers Peloton’s rapid growth during the pandemic; expansion beyond cardio into yoga, strength and other workouts; 2 rounds of layoffs; reaction to tariffs, and more.
Stern also gives a shoutout to his mother, and notes her work as a fitness instructor with the classic 1980s Westport business Nancy Strong’s Aerobic Slimnastics.
He made mixtapes for her, on his boombox. “In retrospect, it was likely a massive copyright violation,” he notes.
Giuseppe Cinque’s restaurant opposite Design Within Reach — one of Westport’s best Italian spots, in a town filled with them — builds on what was there before.
Cinque — an experienced restaurateur — upgraded the kitchen. He lightened the interior. He hired 2 very experienced chefs. He reworked the menu, taking advantage of daily trips to nearby markets.
The result shows. Finalmente is often packed.
Now that the weather is better, it should be even more popular.
Finally — finalmente! — Cinque’s dream restaurant is coming true.
From Finalmente.
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On Monday (April 20, 6 p.m., Zoom and Optimum Channel 79), the Planning & Zoning Commission will discuss Text Amendment #866.
The proposal would remove references to the maximum number of stories permittedin various residential zoning districts, and regulate building scale solely by maximum building height in feet.
P&Z director Michelle Perillie says, “The current regulation on building height is onerous to both applicants and staff. This change will simplify the process which retaining neighborhood scale.”
Click here, then scroll down to Text Amendment #866 for more information.
Is that an actual third floor?
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Leonard Bernstein — the multifaceted composer, conductor, pianist, educator, author and political activist — continues to fascinate the American public.
On April 24 — 5 years after “Bernstein’s Wall” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival — the documentary is set for its US theatrical premiere, at New York’s Film Forum.
Directed by Douglas Tirola, and produced by Susan Bedusa — both Staples High School graduates — the film uses Bernstein’s 1989 Christmas Day “Ode to Joy” concert in Berlin as a frame.
Tirola crafts Bernstein’s remarkable career entire from television interviews, news footage, home movies, audio clips and personal letters.
Variety calls it “galvanizing. (It) captures how Leonard Bernstein became the superstar of American high culture (who evolved) into a towering figure …. What the documentary captures, profoundly, is that Leonard Bernstein was a fierce hedonist who worked hard to live the life he wanted.”
The deadline to transfer from one political party to the other — and be eligible to vote i a state or district primary with a new party — is May 11 (4:30 p.m.).
Voters can change parties in person at the Registrars’ Office in Town Hall (Room 107), or online here.
Questions? Contact Democratic Registrar of Voters Deborah Greenberg (dgreenberg@westportct.gov; 203-341-1116) or Republican Registrar of Voters Maria Louise Signore: msignore@westportct.gov; 203-341-1117.
It’s time to toot the Jazz Society of Fairfield County’s horn — and promote their important upcoming fundraiser.
“JazzFC” presents the wildly popular “Jazz at the Post” series every Thursday. Musicians — some internationally famous — play 2 great shows at VFW Post 399. The price is low; the talent level very, very high.
But Jazz FC does much more. Among their projects: workshops for youth and aspiring professional musicians, as well as the local underserved community in senior citizen residences and community centers.
They also administer the Micky Golomb Scholarship, awarding up to $10,000 annually to students who concentrate in jazz studies.
To fund those endeavors, they’re sponsoring a “Jazz Cruise by the Saugatuck” (April 23, 6 to 10 p.m.). NOTE: It’s at the VFW, not actually on the river.
The Senior Center’s vitrines showcase a variety of sculptors. Every 6 weeks, the display changes. Ten percent of all sales support the Center.
To complement the exhibits, curator Mark Yurkiw has organized a series of talks. The first — this Friday (April 17, 11 a.m.) — features Bob Braczyk, whose work is inspired by the natural and manmade environments of New England. Call 203-341-5099 to register for the event.
Sculptor Bob Braczyk.
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Westport has hurricanes and blizzards. We’ve got superstorms and nor’easters.
We don’t have earthquakes.
Except, we do.
The eastern US has surprisingly active seismic history. And although we’re in no danger of a San Andreas Fault-sized Big One, every so often the earth shakes, the dishes rattle, and we wonder, “Was that an earthquake?”
On April 21 (8 p.m.), Professor Alan Kafka — one of the nation’s leading earthquake scientists — comes to the Westport Observatory for a lecture on “The Mystery of Earthquakes in the Eastern United States.”
Just over 2 years ago — in early April 2024 — Westporters felt a strong (for here) earthquake. (Data courtesy of Franco Fellah)
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Last Sunday was Greek Orthodox Easter.
In honor of all who celebrate, today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo shows a colorful arrangement of Greek Easter flowers, by Sophie Tricarico.
(Photo/Joan Tricarico)
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And finally … in honor of Doug Tirola’s Leonard Bernstein documentary (story above):
(There’s a place for us — right here at “06880.” If you enjoy our daily Roundup — or any other feature, our stories, photos, whatever — please click here to support our work. Cool!)
The old mantra about real estate — “location, location, location” — is true.
And when that location is Westport, this is also true: All real estate news is hyper-local.
Whatever else goes on in the rest of the country matters less — real estate-wise — than what happens in our 20 square miles.
Which is why — despite rising gas prices, increasing inflation and an uncertain economy — Westport’s real estate market is great.
If you’re selling.
Demand is sky-high. Supply is super-low. The result is exactly what you’d expect: The few homes that are for sale go very quickly.
And over the asking price.
This historic 7-bedroom home on Greens Farms Road is under contract for $3.75 million.
Karen Scott — a partner with KMS Team at Compass — puts it this way: “No inventory. Pent-up demand. Crazy prices.”
The reasons stretch as far back as COVID — when many New Yorkers and others “discovered” Westport, and commuting patterns changed.
And they’re as recent as this past long winter, which kept residents indoors and away from selling mode.
Continued limited inventory means that a new cohort has joined those who looked for homes last year, could not find them, but continue to search. That larger group is “competing ferociously,” Scott says. Often, it means homes sell for more than the asking price.
As of early April, there were just 48 homes for sale. Asking prices range from $1.035 million to $22.825 million.
The median sales price of single-family homes for the year so far is $2.345 million.
That’s up astronomically from the 12 months ending March 31, 2021 — $1.399,500 — which included the initial COVID frenzy.
There have been 59 sales, up 31% from last year. But new listings are still well below the previous year. The 102 homes that have hit the market in 2026 are 20 fewer than the same time in ’25.
Median days on market — 26 for this year — is not a true indicator of supply-and-demand, Scott notes. Many of those homes are new construction, and are not yet completed.
New construction — like this home at 16 Westport Avenue, a few steps from Compo Beach — is not yet finished. But realtors are ready to market it.
A more indicative statistic, she says, is how quickly homes go under contract. When buyers are ready (with financing in place), and eager (waiving inspections, or having them for informational purposes only), a contract can be signed within days.
What drives all this?
“Westport has always been in demand, for all the amenities and features — the schools, beaches, arts, recreation, culture,” Scott says.
“And the town is run very efficiently. Taxes are not astronomical.”
However, she says, “people are now putting higher values” on those factors. And the word is getting out.
Those who have moved here in the last few years are telling their friends — and inviting them to see for themselves.
As prospective buyers drive and walk around town, and sit at restaurants, they strike up conversations with residents. They get a very positive, community-minded vibe.
“People who are already here are the best marketers” for Westport, Scott says. “It’s organic. It’s no one thing. It’s just a vibe that people feel when they visit. They hear that people love living here. And they enjoy sharing what they love about it.”
Casual conversations at the Black Duck (above), Nômade, Dandelion, Spotted Horse — and many other restaurants in town — help sell Westport to potential homebuyers.
Meanwhile, some traditional sellers — empty nesters looking to downsize or “right size” — are not leaving. They may spend time in second homes, but they’re keeping this one, to enjoy their friends, the Library and many other activities.
Some invite their adult children — who are having a tough time entering the market — in.
And others who do list their houses are seeking even larger ones elsewhere in Westport, for multi-generational living with their children and grandchildren.
Adding to the tight supply: They don’t sell until they know where they’re going.
Before the pandemic, Scott says, sellers who were moving elsewhere in town listed their home. They waited months for a contract, and had “several hundred” properties on the market to choose from.
Now, it’s “buy first, then sell.”
So, in addition to “location, location, location,” add this to the current Westport housing mantra: supply and demand.
“It’s Economics 101,” Scott says. “It doesn’t get much simpler than that.”
Governor Ned Lamont spoke to over 150 people at the Westport Library yesterday.
It was the 4th “Your State, Your Business” event, sponsored by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
Lamont covered a lot of ground, from the stability of Connecticut’s economy and energy costs, to affordable healthcare and housing.
But the audience was interested in local issues too.
The first question — from Representative Town Meeting member Kristin Schneeman — concerned the future of the Cribari Bridge.
The governor said he was getting up to speed on the subject. He said he understands that residents are concerned, and will look to put people — including 1st Selectman Kevin Christie, and the state Department of Transportation commissioner — together to figure out a solution.
A video of the event will be available later today.
After lunch at Nômade, Governor Lamont spoke to a smaller group at the Senior Center.
Governor Lamont answers a question from moderator Matthew Mandell, director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. (Photo/Lindsay Katz)
At Nômade, Governor Lamont posed with Chef Zoli Kovacs. (Photo/Sal Liccione)
One more restaurant item: Hey Taco! has opened on Post Road East, between the Shell station and ASF.
It replaces Border Grille, which itself replace another mostly-takeout Mexican place, Tacos or What?
Chris Dobransky — aka FairfieldFoodDude — recently visited. He loved it.
He wrote about the “authentic, made-with-love tacos done right. Between the bold flavors, generous portions, and obvious passion behind the food, this place is already making a name for itself.”
Book lovers, take note: The Westport Library’s big spring book sale takes place May 15-18.
There is something for everyone — toddlers through adults — with thousands of gently used books in over 50 categories of non-fiction and fiction, including antiquarian, comic books, and vintage children’s books.
Plus a huge assortment of DVDs, CDs, vintage vinyl, jigsaw puzzles, ephemera, and framed artwork, from small desktop pieces to large wall pictures.
A small part of the large Westport Library book sale.
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Yesterday was the first day of the Westport schools’ spring break.
Many families have already skedaddled out of town.
But bright and early, Andrew Colabella spotted these 2 boys, at Riverside and Treadwell Avenue.
(Photo/Andrew Colabella)
“It’s 7 a.m. School is off for the week,” Andrew writes.
“Your buddy meets you at your house, fishing pole and gear ready to go. Take the long haul across the bridge to the fishing spot.
“Two kids, living in the moment. Reminded me of when I was a kid. I love this town!”
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Atla DeChamplain — a jazz vocalist, lyricist and educator known for her expressive phrasing, vocal control and authenticity — headlines this Thursday’s Jazz at the Post (April 16, VFW Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7).
She’ll be joined by her husband, pianist Matt DeChamplain, plus bassist Sameer Shankar, drummer Ben Bilello and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
Speaking of the VFW: Rock star/soul singer/multi-instrumentalist Eliot Lewis — a longtime member of the Average White Band and Hall & Oates’ band, and who has performed with legends like Joe Walsh and Todd Rundgren — brings his many talents to the VFW this Friday (April 17). He’s joined by special guest artist, Weston’s own Owen Daniel.
The doors open at 6 p.m., for an opening set by Ecoustic Rock Monster.
Tickets are $15 online, $20 at the door. Light bar food and drink specials are available.
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The daffodils — and the daffodil photos — keep on coming.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows the colorful scene, from the lower Imperial Avenue parking lot up the steps to the back of the Westport Woman’s Club.
And finally … on this date in 1912, Titanic hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic. It sank a few hours later.
1,501 passengers and crew members died; 707 were saved.
(Was there room for Jack on the door frame? Why didn’t Rose beg him to try? Who knows? But here’s one thing we know for sure: You can click here, and support “06880.” Our hearts will go on. Thanks!)
For nearly a century the Westport Weston Family YMCA has been a careful steward of their Mahackeno property, off Wilton Road.
They own the woods — and the land under the water. In effect, they own Lees Pond.
Over the past few years, Camp Mahackeno staff have noticed fewer fish in the pond. (Fishing is part of the summer program — though every catch is released back in the water.)
Last year, Y officials worked with the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) to repair the fish ladder downriver. That would help.
Lees Dam, on the Saugatuck River (Photo/Scott Smith)
But when Y CEO Glen Hale learned that DEEP has a free restocking program, he realized much more could be done.
This morning, DEEP will bring 500 to 1,000 river herring — a type of alewife — to Lees Pond.
This stretch of the Saugatuck River will be restocked today. (Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
There will be many more happy campers this summer.
But the benefits go far beyond fishing.
Juvenile river herring eat plankton. That decreases algae, and makes the water cleaner.
Alewives are an important part of the food chain. Bass and bluefish eat them, so their numbers will increase. Then birds like bald eagles and osprey feast on those fish, keeping the food chain balanced.
Today’s restocking comes at a propitious time. Westport schools are on spring break, so dozens of youngsters at the Y’s vacation camp will take part.
They’ll have their own nets to help with the project. And DEEP biologists will teach them about river herring, and the entire food chain.
River herring
Hale is excited about the restocking, and proud of the Y’s part in it.
He hopes to make it a regular occurrence.
Young fishermen — and older ones too — will be happy to hear that.
Bass, bluefish, bald eagles, osprey and many other forms of wildlife will too.
(“06880” regularly covers the environment, our waterways — and the YMCA, Westport youth, and much more. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Today’s edition of Westport homes — teardowns, and their replacements, courtesy of photographer Dave Matlow’s archives and follow-up — takes us to the Compo and Old Mill Beach neighborhoods.
Those areas have seen more changes than many in town. Among them:
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