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“06880” Turns 17. Thank You, Readers!

Posted on March 2, 2026 | 11 comments

This week, “06880” turns 17 years old.

Whether you remember that first post or discovered us yesterday, we hope you enjoy our 5 a.m. lead story; the morning Roundup and evening Pic of the Day; features like Unsung Heroes, Friday Flashback, online art gallery and Photo Challenge, plus breaking news and much more, throughout the day.

“06880” is your 24/7/365 hyper-local, full-service blog. We haven’t missed a day since we began, way back in 2009.

Here’s an important question: How much do you pay for this service?

From the beginning, “06880” has followed the NPR model. We rely on your support, at whatever level you feel comfortable. (Click here to skip the rest of this appeal, and contribute directly.)

Some readers pay $50, $100 or $365 a year. A few pay more.

Some contribute $10, $20 or $30 a month.

Several “06880” readers donate through personal foundations. Others give matching grants, through their employers.

The vast majority of readers, though, give nothing.

They read “06880” every day. They love it. But for whatever reason — forgetfulness, not realizing our funding model, the thrill of getting something for nothing — they don’t contribute to Westport’s most popular source of news, events, features, profiles, history, and bad parking jobs.

Reader support allows “06880” to survive and thrive. It pays for internet hosting, computer software and IT help, insurance, freelancers — and the salary of the founder and executive editor, yours truly.

I’m 17. Well, my blog is, anyway. (Photo/Pam Einarsen)

“06880” is a labor of love. For 17 years I’ve researched, written, edited, taken and cropped photos, monitored the comments section, and answered your emails.

Along the way I’ve posted over 20,200 stories. I’ve publicized your organizations and fundraisers; helped you through blizzards and hurricanes; written about you and your kids; made you smile, cry, think and act.

With “06880”‘s growth, this is now my full-time, 8- to 10-hour-a-day, 7 days a week job.

So whether you’re a loyal supporter (thank you so much!), an occasional contributor (ditto!), or one who (ahem) prefers to spend all your money elsewhere — thanks for reading this far.

This is our annual fundraising appeal. Now just read a little bit further, to learn how to contribute to your favorite — and several times daily — hyper-local blog.

As a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, we offer tax-deductibility to the extent allowed by law. In addition to individual contributions, we can accept corporate matching funds, and foundation grants.

You can donate by PayPal or credit card: click here. It’s easy, safe — and you don’t even need a PayPal account. 

Checks can be mailed to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881.

We’re also on Venmo: @blog06880

You can even scan this QR code:

Whichever method you choose: Thank you!

And tomorrow we go back to our regular programming.

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Posted in Categories, Media, Westport life

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Karen Giblin: Westport’s New Red Hot Mama

Posted on February 19, 2026 | 3 comments

When Karen Giblin was in her 6th year as Ridgefield’s first selectwoman, she had an emergency hysterectomy.

Removal of her ovaries caused immediate menopause. She was 40 years old.

“I was moderating meetings having hot flashes,” Giblin — now a Westport resident — recalls.

“I had night sweats. I was fatigued and depressed. I felt lost.”

Karen Giblin

Searching for information and support, she found little.

Giblin’s background was in politics. She grew up in Baltimore, where her family was friendly with the famed D’Alessandro family.

After college, she worked for Mayor Thomas D’Alessandro. (His sister Nancy Pelosi moved to San Francisco, and became the first female Speaker of the House.)

Giblin knew little about medicine. But she learned quickly, and for the past 30 years has been a leading menopause educator. Her in-depth program — covering a wide spectrum of health and wellness topics — is used by hospitals across the country.

Her organization is Red Hot Mamas. That’s what her daughter Rachel called her, when Giblin — face red, suffering hot flashes — was in the throes of a hormonal reaction she knew little about.

The first meeting, at the Ridgefield Public Library, drew 50 people. They soon moved to larger quarters, in a church.

When Danbury Hospital asked Giblin to present a program, 600 women showed up.

Red Hot Mamas was off and running. Over 250 hospitals have licensed it since.

Topics include many effects of menopause: cardiovascular, osteoporosis, sleep, weight gain, urinary and more.

After leaving the Ridgefield selectwoman’s office, Red Hot Mamas became Giblin’s full-time gig.

She is a member of The Menopause Society, The International Menopause Society, and The Menopause Priority Setting Partnership, a global alliance of researchers, clinicians, and policy and advocacy groups from 41 countries.

Giblin runs the RedHotMamas website, edits a monthly newsletter (“The Menopause Minute”), writes books and publishes research. She has testified before Congress, and appears frequently on TV.

“Six thousand women a day enter menopause,” Giblin notes. “It’s a natural life transition, or it can happen surgically or through chemotherapy. But very few women are prepared for it. It can be mysterious and intimidating.”

Doctors — pressed for time in today’s healthcare environment — have little time to talk to women about the symptoms, moods and brain fog that can accompany menopause. Many lack sufficient training themselves, from medical school or residency.

If women don’t understand it, they may not be compliant with hormone or other therapies, Giblin says.

They may be less able too to make informed decisions about how to protect their long-term health. Osteoporosis, for example, is a common result of declining estrogen.

“Knowledge is power,” Giblin says. “If a woman is crying all the time, sad, with hair loss or hot flashes — that affects her life. We provide education.”

Funding comes from organizations that license the program. Red Hot Mamas supplies the turnkey program; hospitals provide the space and clinicians.

An important part of Red Hot Mamas is its medical advisory board.

Locally, the next chances for education come March 18, April 15 and May 20, at Norwalk Hospital. The topics are osteoporosis, sleeplessness and urinary concerns, respectively. Click here for details.

The programs are free. Spouses and significant others are welcome. “If you’re living with someone who can’t sleep and has mood swings, that affects you too,” Giblin points out. (One section of the website is called “Man Cave.”)

The hospital is next door to Westport, where Giblin moved recently. She and her husband had been in New Jersey for work, after she left Ridgefield politics.

When he retired last year, they wanted to return to Connecticut. Westport seemed like a natural choice.

It has not disappointed.

Giblin has quickly learned to appreciate the “cool blend of culture, nature, coastal charm, strong community spirit, shopping and dining. And it has less of a suburban vibe than other towns.”

Almost as soon as she moved in, Giblin attended the State of the Town meeting at the Library.

She heard about the issues affecting Westport — affordable housing, traffic, the environment — and realized they were not much different from those she grappled with more than 3 decades ago, as Ridgefield’s 1st selectwoman.

Giblin would love to find a way to get involved in local affairs. She has plenty of expertise and experience.

Let’s give a warm Westport welcome to this Red Hot Mama.

(For details on Red Hot Mamas — including the newsletter, questions for medical experts and more — click here.)

(Every day, “06880” shines a light on the people, events and organizations that make Westport special. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Categories, Local politics, Organizations

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[OPINION] Save 11 Beachside Common!

Posted on February 15, 2026 | 18 comments

The Wall Street Journal wrote about it.

So did “06880.”

Last weekend, curious residents headed over to Beachside Common, to see #11 for themselves.

An estate sale drew them to the home of biotech entrepreneur/investor/scientist Alan Walton and his wife Elenor.

They bought the 1970s contemporary overlooking Burying Hill Beach in 2000, for $6.3 million. It was expanded and “reimagined” in the 1990s — for $13 million.

One view of he exterior …

With its floating staircase, periscope skylights, rainbow glazing purple carpet — and a 150-foot multicolored tile pathway that “meanders” through the house — it was not for everyone.

Alan died in 2015. Elenor died last February. The couple was a much-admired part of their tight-knit neighborhood.

In her will, Elenor told her children to sell the property.

They did. Now it’s slated for demolition.

,,, and another …

The other day, an anonymous Westporter — calling him or herself “Concerned Quirky Citizen” — emailed the Planning & Zoning Commission, Westport Downtown Association, and various other town and state officials. The writer urged “the Town of Westport and any relevant boards, commissions, and elected officials to reconsider” the teardown.

That’s a heavy lift. The Historic District Commission can only vote to delay demolition of a structure older than 50 years, for 180 days. In theory, that buys time to find a way to save a home.

In nearly every case, the owner — who presumably brought the property intending to tear it down — waits out the delay, then brings in the wrecking ball.

That will probably happen to 11 Beachside Common. But here is the anonymous resident’s plea:

“From everything that has been shared publicly, this home is not only an extraordinary piece of residential architecture, but also a physical record of technological, cultural, and artistic history.

“This property appears to represent a rare convergence of design, innovation and local heritage.

… with one view of the interior …

“The house underwent an extensive and highly considered transformation by a noted architect, resulting in a structure that functions more like a livable gallery than a conventional home. It stands out for its unconventional forms, light-filled interior spaces, and the way it integrates with its coastal setting.

“Many visitors and community members have described it as unlike anything else in the area, which suggests it may be eligible for recognition as a historically or architecturally significant resource.

“In addition to its architectural value, the home is closely associated with individuals whose work shaped modern science and technology, including contributions connected to NASA’s Apollo program and to early MRI development.

“When a building has direct ties to people whose work has had a global impact, and when that building has been consciously designed and redesigned with that legacy in mind, demolition is not just a private decision with private consequences. It is the permanent erasure of a cultural asset that could otherwise benefit the town, the state, and the broader public.

… and another …

“I fully recognize that the property is privately owned and that owners have important rights. At the same time, towns routinely treat certain structures and landscapes as part of the public good and subject them to additional review or protection when they meet criteria for historic, architectural, or cultural significance.

“I am asking that Westport, in coordination with its relevant boards and commissions, explore all available mechanisms to:

  • Evaluate whether 11 Beachside Common meets local, state, or national criteria for historic or architectural significance.
  • Consider interim measures (such as a temporary delay of demolition) to allow proper study and public input.
  • Engage with the current owner and any interested preservation organizations to explore alternatives to total demolition, such as adaptive reuse, partial preservation, sale to a preservation-minded buyer, or creative public–private partnerships.

“Preserving this structure, or even a substantial portion of it, could provide Westport with a unique cultural and educational asset. Possibilities might include limited public tours, curated events, collaborations with architectural schools or design programs, or partnerships with arts and science institutions that could interpret the technology and innovation stories embedded in the home.

… and a third …

“Many communities have successfully turned singular private properties into sources of civic pride, tourism, and long-term economic and cultural value while still respecting ownership and neighborhood character.

“Respectfully, it is hard to understand how a town benefits from losing a one‑of‑a‑kind coastal landmark that has captured the imagination of so many residents and visitors. Once demolished, it cannot be recreated. Even a modest pause, serious assessment, and transparent public conversation would be far better than allowing such an asset to vanish without a full understanding of what is being lost.

” want to be clear that I am not accusing any individual or entity of wrongdoing, and I recognize that the property may be proceeding through the standard approval and permitting channels.

“My concern is that, even when all legal requirements are followed, the loss of a culturally and architecturally significant home can still be a preventable tragedy, and I am asking that every available option be explored before an irreversible decision is carried out.

… and one more.

“At minimum, I ask that the town publicly communicate what steps, if any, have been taken to evaluate 11 Beachside Common for historic or architectural protection, and what opportunities exist for public participation in any remaining processes.

“Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your service to the community. I would be grateful for a response describing whether there are any upcoming meetings, hearings, or procedures related to this property, and how members of the public can best participate constructively.”

(Our “Opinion” pages are open to all. Please email submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com.)

(“06880” regularly covers Westport’s broad, always interesting real estate market — and every other part of local life. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Categories, Looking back, Real estate

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UnPlastic Westport: Spotlight On … Your Bathroom

Posted on February 7, 2026 | 3 comments

Last month, “06880” introduced Sustainable Westport’s newest project: “UnPlastic Westport.”

The initiative aims to reduce single-use plastics, and expand water-filling stations around town. The goal is to “turn shared intention into measurable, community-wide change.”

Once a month, we’ll help them highlight an area of daily life where single-use plastic is most common, along with practical ideas to use. This month, we head to the bathroom.

The bathroom is one of the rooms where single-use plastic shows up the most. From shampoo bottles and toothpaste tubes to disposable razors and cleansers with microbeads, much of this plastic is hard to recycle.

How many of these plastics are in your bathroom?

It can make its way into waterways, where microplastics accumulate in rivers and Long Island Sound, harming our wildlife and ecosystems.

This February, Sustainable Westport invites you to “Pledge to UnPlastic” by starting with simple bathroom swaps. Small changes at home can make a real difference for our waterways. Which will you try first?

  • Start using bar soap or bar shampoo
  • Select cleansing products without microbeads
  • Replace plastic toothbrushes with bamboo or replaceable heads
  • Try refillable or concentrated products
  • Opt for a natural loofah (you can even grow your own!)

Ready to pledge to UnPlastic? Already pledged and taking steps to UnPlastic? Click here — you could be featured here next month!

(“06880” keeps an eye on Westport’s environment — and every other part of town. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Photo Challenge #579

Posted on February 1, 2026 | 13 comments

Last Sunday’s Photo Challenge was appropriate.

We posted a classic rooster weathervane, atop a 4-sided wooden bell tower on a snow-covered roof. (Click here to see.)

Appropriate, because last Sunday we were in the middle of a classic New England snowstorm.

Surprisingly — because there was not much else to do that day, but curl up beside a fire with “06880” — only a few readers hazarded guesses.

A few were wrong. It was not the Westport Country Playhouse, or Wright Street.

Diane Lowman’s photo showed the roof of Bridge Square — the small plaza with popular destinations like Kawa Ni, Rainbow Thai and 99 Bottles.

Gabriela Hayes, Seth Schachter, Ben Meyer (whose office sits just underneath,  and whose brother-in-law helped repair it), Susan Lloyd and Elaine Marino all answered correctly.

Susan added some very intriguing history: She says it was the bell tower of the original Saugatuck firehouse. Today — with a different bell tower — it’s a few yards away, on Riverside Avenue.

But it’s very old. So this one, at Bridge Square, must be really old.

What’s new? Today’s Photo Challenge.

If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/John Maloney)

(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

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Andrea Moore: Life After Town Hall

Posted on January 28, 2026 | 18 comments

Andrea Moore woke up on November 5 with nothing to do.

She had not felt that way in 40 years.

After college, she had spent over 20 years in financial services, with firms like UBS, Deutsche Bank and Salomon Brothers.

Returning to Westport, the 1984 Staples High School graduate was elected to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM). Then came the Board of Finance, including vice chair. In 2021 she ran with Jen Tooker, and became 2nd selectwoman.

Moore was an active civic volunteer too. She was president of the Child’s Place preschool board, Saugatuck Elementary School PTA and Staples Tuition Grants. She served on the Westport Weston Family YMCA board of trustees, and the National Charity League’s local board.

But on Election Day nearly 3 months ago — running for re-election — she and 1st selectman candidate Don O’Day suffered a resounding defeat.

He became 3rd selectman. She became unemployed. (Though the $2,000 stipend for 2nd selectperson may not really qualify as “employment.”)

Andrea Moore, at Studio Café.

Moore was so focused on the campaign, she had not thought about next steps if she lost.

In the weeks since, she’s taken time to figure out what’s ahead.

One thing she is not thinking about is “what if…”

Republicans nationwide suffered losses in November, from the governor’s mansion to town boards and commissions. In Connecticut alone, 30 cities and towns — including Westport — shifted from Republican leadership to Democratic.

“We worked hard. But nothing Don and I did differently would have mattered,” Moore notes. “There are masses of people who never would have voted for Republicans.”

Andrea Moore and Don O’Day, on the campaign trail.

The moment the first RTM district’s results came in, Moore knew they had lost. That chapter in her life was over.

Two months earlier, Moore’s youngest of 3 daughters began her first year at Emory University. The campaign was already in full swing.

The result: Moore never had time to deal with “empty nest syndrome.” Then came the holidays, and a trip to Australia, where she had spent a year during college.

Now, in January, she has time to do things like clean closets. But she knows she’s not the type to spend “the next 30 years” doing that.

“It’s a relief to not wake up thinking about “the community gardens, and the comments on ‘06880,’” Moore admits.

Still, there are many aspects of her most recent role the misses.

The 2nd selectperson has no specific role, beyond serving on the Select Board. Tooker delegated important tasks to Moore, including vetting potential members for all boards and commissions.

There was a large backlog of appointments, after COVID. Then — in response to a challenge to the makeup of TEAM Westport — the town reassessed the membership of all appointed bodies.

“I got to meet so many people I never would have known,” Moore says. “I was able to help them find a place where they could put their talents and passions to work for the town.”

She met others too, like Y’s Men members, whose friendships she now cherishes.

Selectwomen Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore, at a Wreathing for Community event.

Another highlight: Helping raise — very quickly — the funds and volunteers to light the Cribari Bridge in 2024, when it seemed the longstanding holiday tradition would end.

Tooker and Moore had an excellent relationship, professionally and personally. Moore acted as advisor to the 1st selectwoman.

She also acted as a buffer, an ambassador, and a conduit.

The role suited her well. “I had an impact. But I wasn’t on the firing line,” Moore says.

Now — as Moore assesses her next challenge — she is moving slowly and deliberately. Whatever she does, it must align with her interests and skill sets.

She already said “yes” to the Westport Downtown Association. With her deep knowledge of the town, its operations and its people, she’s eagerly joining their board of directors.

“It’s a very good group. They put on great events,” Moore says. “They support local business, and they’re expanding.”

Andrea Moore, at the 2025 Downtown Westport Association’s  “Fashionably Westport” show. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Beyond that, she asks herself: “How can I use 20 years of relationships and knowledge in this town, to help create something good?”

One thing she has no time for: people who pat her solicitously on the arm and say, “I’m so sorry for you.”

“I hate that,” Moore says. “I was sad we lost. But now I’ve got a great opportunity to move ahead. I look forward to whatever comes next.”

(“06880” regularly covers town politics — and the people in it. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!) 

 

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Posted in Categories, Local politics, YMCA

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Stolen Car Follow-up: Don’t Be A Victim!

Posted on January 18, 2026 | 5 comments

In 2025, Westport Police recorded 57 stolen vehicles.

That’s more than one a week.

And that’s only part of the story. It does not include attempted thefts.

“06880” learned of 3 in the past week. One woman was surprised in her garage, as she was unloading groceries; the masked person ran away.

The same woman was followed again, a few days later. Again, he did not follow through.

In the third case, a man entered an unlocked vehicle in a parking lot. He did not realize a teenager sat in the back. The boy yelled; the attempted thief skedaddled.

Not a photo of the attempted parking lot theft. But it’s close.

The number of thefts — and attempts, like pulling on car and garage doors — has skyrocketed since COVID, says Westport Police Lieutenant Anthony Prezioso.

Despite those numbers, he says, “don’t try to take things into your own hands.” Losing a car is less dangerous than risking a confrontation.

Instead, Prezioso advises, “lock your car in your driveway. Better yet, pull it into your garage, and close the garage door behind you. Take your key fob with you.”

(He notes that on many vehicles, side mirrors folded out indicates a key is inside.)

Also: Stay with your vehicle when you pump gas. And don’t leave the car running, when you run in for snacks. Lock it, and take the key!

Car thieves can quickly jump into an unattended vehicle.

If you think you’re being followed, don’t go home. Call 911 — and/or drive to the police station.

While thieves targe no specific make or model — they are more “crimes of random opportunity” — most stolen cars are “high-end.” Plenty, of many types, are available in Westport.

Prezioso also advises, “Be the best witness you can.” Try to get good descriptions of the thieves, and of any cars lurking nearby — with their license plates, if possible.

(“06880” looks out for you. You can return the favor! Please click here, to make a tax-deductible contribution to this hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

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New Plan Could Slow Historic Home Teardowns

Posted on January 12, 2026 | 7 comments

Among Westport’s many charms, historic homes are high on the list.

But — like the venerable trees that surround many — they’re disappearing at a rapid rate.

Residents express frustration with developers who demolish old houses, and at the Historic District Commission that cannot save them.

Part of the issue though, is regulatory. Town rules sometimes disincentivize developers from saving older structures.

This historic Frazier Peters home on Charcoal Hill Road was demolished 10 years ago. (Photo by Bob Weingarten)

Tonight (Monday, January 12, 6 p.m., Zoom), the Planning & Zoning Commission discusses a text amendment that could help keep those homes from the wrecking ball.

The language of Amendment #859 — submitted by Wendy Van Wie, on behalf of the Historic District Commission — is dry:

to delete the existing regulations and add a new … Historic Residential Structure (HRS), which clarifies and strengthens the intent to preserve and ensure continued use of Historic Structures explicitly tying incentives to Page 2 of 3 preservation outcomes; requires formal designation by the HDC before HRS application with criteria to be used by HDC; limits structures to pre-1940, with flexibility for later structures of exceptional integrity or significance; adds explicit definition of alteration for purposes of the section, as any exterior change, including enclosed historic feature; requires all exterior alterations reviewed, regardless of visibility; requires mandatory HDC review for changes impacting significant features or additions; clarifies process for ongoing review by HDC Administrator and Planning & Zoning for all future exterior changes; retains incentives but more explicitly ties them to demonstrated preservation necessity and scale compatibility; clarifies subdivision incentive, generally limited to pre1800 structures, with limited extensions for exceptional cases and prohibited in Local Historic Districts or after demolition; adds clear timelines (generally 18 months from notification) for required maintenance and repair; clarifies procedures, including 72-hour notice, repair plans, and restoration deadlines, adds explicit enforcement authority, including nullification of approvals for unauthorized alterations and permits greater flexibility in incentives provides by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Yet, Van Wie says, there is a long and interesting history to the historical homes story.

In the early 2000s — during the hot housing market that preceded the 2008 financial crisis — there were many teardowns. The land beneath some older homes became more valuable empty, than with the house still on it.

An 1803 farmhouse, in fine condition, sat across Cross Highway from Van Wie’s house (which predated the farmhouse by another 80 years).

The farmhouse sat close to the road, on 2 acres. But in a AAA zone, which permits only 1 single family house on the lot, the farmhouse had to be demolished before a new large house could be built.

Van Wie wondered why the lot could not be split in 2 — preserving the farmhouse in front, and allowing the new home to built in back.

Demolition notices are a common sight in Westport. 

In 2007, the Planning & Zoning Commission adopted a special permit regulation. Recognizing that zoning can sometimes be an obstacle to historic preservation, it allowed relief from some requirements like setbacks and coverage.

In exchange, the owner grants the town a preservation easement, to perpetually protect the historic structure.

Over time, a few situations arose where the only practical way to save the historic house was by carving out a piece of land with a subdivision that would not ordinarily be permitted. The regulation was amended to allow such Historic Preservation Subdivisions.

But they applied to very few instances.

The 1803 Cross Highway farmhouse — now long gone — would not have been saved. But the Coleytown Mill house was.

The original mill house …

It is scrunched between Coleytown Road — with almost not setback — and the Aspetuck River. No one would buy the property until it was subdivided. Then a new, large house was constructed in the field on the other side of the river. (Click here to read that 2015 “06880” story.)

… and the rear of the house, at 277 North Avenue. The original lines of the 1740s saltbox remain. 

But — frustrated by still not having enough tools to save historic houses when they came before the HDC for demolition — a few years ago the commission wrote the regulation that finally, tonight, comes before the P&Z.

The proposal has more rigorous historic preservation standards than the original regulation. But it potentially allows for more subdivisions, for the purpose of saving important historic structures.

Several preconditions must be met before a house is even considered for a historic preservation subdivision. It must have been built:

  • Before 1800
  • Between 1800 and 1940, but be of exceptional integrity and importance
  • Between 1800 and 1940, but among the last examples of its architectural style in its neighborhood.

If the HDC concludes that — under the above criteria — a house is historic, the P&Z must agree.

If the regulation is adopted, one beneficiary may be 125 Riverside Avenue.

That’s the 1756 home near the foot of Burr Road now owned by an LLC. Lucien Vita — principal architect of Vita Design Group, whose office and own home are in historic buildings, and who is working on the Riverside project — calls the new regulation “well considered, and a big improvement. We’re very supportive of the way it could preserve historic structures.”

125 Riverside Avenue (Photo/Charles Tirreno)

For Text Amendment #859, and all related materials, click here, then scroll down.

(“06880” regularly covers local politics, real estate, town history — and their intersection. If you appreciate stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Real Estate 2025: A Very Good — But Tight — Year

Posted on January 7, 2026 | 2 comments

2025 is in the books.

Real estate-wise, in many ways it was one for the books.

Our friends at KMS Team at Compass have compiled some stats. They show a robust market — particularly at the high end.

Last year, 1/3 of all MLS-marketed single-family homes surpassed $3 million.

Limited inventory at lower price points drove prices up. Homes in the $2 million to $2.99 million range sold for an average of 103.5% of their asking price.

Those listed between $1.4 million and $1.99 million fetched 104.5% of the asking price.

But MLS may not capture every sale. In the luxury sector, KMS Team says, the need for privacy and discretion often results in off-market transactions.

Those are not included in the reported figures. The firm expects a further rise in private offerings in 2026.

Five lots on Beachside Avenue — sold together to one buyer, for $54 million — was the largest sale in Westport last year. Or any year. The listing agent was Leslie Clarke Team at Compass.

Despite record-breaking sale prices, last year saw the lowest number of single-family home sales in a decade.

The median sale price — $2.3 million — was double that of 2019, and up 7% from the previous year. The average sale was $2,746,382 — up 10% from 2024.

The total number of reported transactions was 299, down 3% from 2024. The total volume was $821,168,364 — up 7% from the previous year — while the average price per square foot was $655.

The condo market experienced significant growth too, reaching an average sales price of $833 per square foot. KMS Team says that condo demand was driven largely by buyers seeking to downsize, or buy a second home in Westport.

Looking ahead, the realtors expect a modest increase in transaction volume in all types of properties, coupled with steady single-digit price growth.

The most expensive property currently listed is also on Beachside Avenue. The asking price for the 8-bed, 8 1/2-bathroo, 9,995-square foot home on 3.55 acres is $19.8 million.

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What about rentals?

Are you sitting down?

According to MLS, the highest monthly summer rental in 2025 was a fully furnished property on Fraser Lane. It could have been yours for only $78,000 a month, though someone else snatched it up.

Five other homes rented for between $45,000 and $48,000 a month during the summer season.

Three — on Soundview Drive, Bluewater Hill South and Spriteview Avenue — offered water views.

Of the 2 that did not, one on Weston Road — with a heated pool and pool house, and “exceptional” game room — carried an off-season rate of $19,000.

A property on Hitchcock Lane featured a 40-foot saltwater pool.

According to MLS, the most expensive unfurnished annual rental in Westport was on Woody Lane. Initially listed at $35,000 per month, it closed at $30,000.

The listing described it as an “outdoor paradise with exceptional grounds,” including a 44-foot pool; tennis, basketball and pickleball courts; an outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven, and a separate-entry apartment.

This 5-bedroom, 5 1/2-bathroom, 3,770-square foot house on Compo Cove was originally listed for rent at $60,000, for the month of August. The price dropped to $50,000 — but it was never rented.

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Weston, meanwhile, remains very appealing to buyers seeking more space, both inside and outdoors.

In 2025, the average acreage of properties sold in Weston was 2.25; in Westport it was 1.05.

Weston homes offered considerably more square footage in every price category: 12.6% larger in the $3 million-plus range, 38.8% bigger in the $2 million to $2.99 million category, and a whopping 60.8% larger in $1.4 million to $1.99 million.

Weston recorded 146 sales in 2025, up 8% from 2024. The median sale was $1.399 million, up 3.6%; the average sale ($1.530,901) was up 4.2%. The average price per square foot was $385.

In Weston, the upward trend in prices is slowing. KMS anticipates modest growth in 2026.

The most expensive property listed in Weston right now is this 5-bedroom, 7 1/2-bathroom, 11,450-square foot home, on 2.07 acres on Old Redding Road. The asking price is $3,999,999.

(Not ready to buy a home today? No problem. But you can click here, to make a tax-deductible contribution to “06880.” It’s also a good investment — and a lot cheaper.)

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PrepZone: Staples Sports Site Says “Game On!”

Posted on December 19, 2025 | 2 comments

A few years ago, Steve Divino’s son wanted to play volleyball at Staples High School.

Despite its success — and the excitement, camaraderie and fun of the game — volleyball is not on most students’ radar. There was concern there might not be a junior varsity team.

Steve and his son reached out to local media (not “06880!”) to showcase the program.

They were told: “Volleyball doesn’t get clicks.”

Staples volleyball: 2019 state champs — but not always well covered by media. (Photo/Jan van Arsdale)

Steve’s wife reminded him that years before, they had helped Earthplace Nursery School build a website. The visibility spurred its growth.

Why not do the same for volleyball? she asked.

Steve began covering the team: telling athletes’ stories, shooting videos, posting  highlights.

Players loved it. Parents loved it. Interest in the program grew.

And PrepZone was born.

Steve added other sports. Soon, he covered every boys and girls varsity team — all 40 of them — every day.

Steve added interviews, spotlights, hype videos and podcasts. He introduced a morning feature, filming himself walking as he offered wrap-ups from the day before, and previews of contests to come.

Steve Divino, walking and talking.

PrepZone became must-see viewing, for students, parents, teachers and coaches. It was the one place to get news and information not only on the big sports — football, soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse — but all the others too, whose athletes work just as hard, with much less recognition: cross country. Swimming. Hockey. Skiing. Wrestling. Golf. Water polo.

And volleyball.

(There are other excellent sources for sports news of course, including the Ruden Report and GameTimeCT. But they concentrate on the major sports. They’re behind paywalls. And they don’t focus exclusively on the Staples Wreckers.)

This past fall though — as the boys soccer team drove to a state championship, the field hockey squad reached another state final, the football team welcomed a new coach, and all the other sports swung into action — PrepZone petered out.

Divino no longer chatted knowledgeably, during his early morning walks. Coaches were no longer interviewed. Back stories went untold.

In past falls, PrepZone chronicled the ups and downs of teams like boys soccer every day. (Photo/Ryan Allen)

It wasn’t for lack of interest. Divino cared as deeply as ever about Staples sports — even though his own sons have already graduated.

The reason was simple: “Prep Zone needs real money and resources to operate,” Divino says.

“This September, it became apparent we didn’t have the final means to continue to operate at the level we expect of ourselves.”

Divino has a full-time job (and 2 kids in college). “I had to shift back to my other work,” he says. “Not ideal. Not what I wanted. But necessary.”

This fall, PrepZone left a void in Staples athletics.

This winter, Divino hopes to bring it back. “Fully,” he promises. “And stronger than ever.”

He wants to cover Staples sports “the way our teams and our kids deserve — with high-quality, college-level content.” That includes game coverage, player and coach interviews, player features and senior spotlights, hype reels, podcasts, “and everything that elevates the student-athlete experience.”

But, he says, “for PrepZone to be consistent, sustainable and impactful, we need community and team support.”

Without pressure or obligation — “just partnership from teams, families, fans and local businesses” who believe in his project’s mission — he is asking for donations.

He’s created a GoFundMe for PrepZone.

PrepZone’s “Student-Athlete of the Month” is a popular feature.

A number of individuals — and several booster clubs — have already contributed. As of yesterday, PrepZone had raised more than $10,000 of its $50,000 goal.

“Every piece of content does something real: It makes kids feel seen,” Divino says.

“It brings families together. It builds school spirit.  And it strengthens every program we touch.”

Divino created PrepZone to help one team survive. Now it helps an entire school thrive.

“Thank you truly, “Divino says in his appeal, “for believing in this community.

“And in the kids we get to highlight every day.”

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