Category Archives: Saugatuck

Pics Of The Day #3210

Posted on February 1, 2026 | Leave a comment

One view of the frozen Saugatuck River … (Photo/Markus Marty)

,,, and another … (Photo/Whitmal Cooper)

… and a third (Photo/John Maloney)

 

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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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Friday Flashback #487

Posted on January 30, 2026 | 3 comments

Last weekend’s snowstorm reminded longtime residents of the Old Days.

It’s been a while since we’ve had a winter like this.

When we did, artist Al Willmott painted them.

In 1994, he was on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. Not much has changed (though the trolley was poetic license).

(Courtesy of William Webster)

Nearly 2 decades earlier — in 1978 — he painted Railroad Place. It looks a bit different today — not the streetscape, but the businesses.

(Courtesy of Christopher Maroc)

(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)

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[OPINION] Cribari Bridge, And “No Thru Trucks” Ban

Posted on January 29, 2026 | 5 comments

Andrew Colabella is a Representative Town Meeting member. I-95 and Greens Farms Road run through his District 4. He has followed the Cribari Bridge renovation project closely. Andrew writes:

On December 18, Connecticut’s Department of Transportation held a “Section 106” meeting.

Engineers, and others involved in cultural resources, discussed the timeline of the Cribari Bridge design.

“Section 106” refers to public consultations held with respect to the National Historic Preservation Act. This federal law — which is utilized in the preservation, restoration and design of a new bridge — requires agencies to consider effects on historic properties for federally funded projects. The goal is to balance development, while preserving cultural heritage.

The Cribari Bridge is 144 years old … (Photo/Dan Woog)

The meeting was not entirely and correctly publicly noticed, as Valerie Seiling Jacobs and Werner Liepolt have done a phenomenal job publicizing.

Even people on the email list of those who originally sat on the Cribari PAC Bridge Committee, like myself, did not receive an email.

Many valid concerns were raised by residents from all over town about the height of the bridge off water, and height of the bridge for vehicles. There were concerns regarding traffic, navigability, signage, historic preservation and impact, the New England aesthetic, and accessibility for bicyclists and pedestrians.

… and is adjacent to the Bridge Street Historic District.

Third Selectman Don O’Day and I found a very interesting ban: “No Thru Trucks on Route 136.”

On August 21, 2007, the Connecticut State Traffic Commission ruled in favor of Rowayton, and implemented a “No Thru Truck” designation on Route 136. This finally happened 23 years after a Consent Decree was issued in Federal Court. The 1984 ruling required the state DOT and the city of Norwalk to “alleviate present levels of truck traffic through Rowayton along 136.”

Commissioner Mike Barbis and resident Andy Glazer began to seriously fight, starting in 2005. They were helped by Norwalk general counsel Peter Nolin, Norwalk Mayor Dick Moccia, Darien First Selectwoman Evonne Klein and Darien Police Chief Duane Lovello. The battle with the State Traffic Commission – an arm of the Connecticut Department of Transportation — went on for over 2 years.

The topic was eventually put on the agenda at the STC for a hearing on November 21, 2006. Engineering studies were subsequently conducted by CT DOT. On December 31, 2006, 2 of the 3 STC Commissioners retired.

On June 19, 2007 the STC was to rule on Rowayton’s application for a “No Thru Trucks” designation. Staff recommended against approval. The commission rejected staff’s recommendation, and instead tabled the request.

On August 21, 2007, after Rowayton hired their own counsel, Philip Walker, the State Traffic Commission finally ruled in Rowayton’s favor. They designated the Darien and Norwalk sections of Route 136 as a “No Thru Truck” zone.

Unfortunately, if trucks start or end their journey in Norwalk, the ban does not apply to them. The Norwalk Police Department cannot stop or ticket them, as they are not “thru” trucks under state law.

The key to the issue is Darien. Trucks use Exit 12 to get to and from Norwalk and I-95. To do so, they must go “thru” Darien on Tokeneke Road. The answer is to get Darien to enforce the “No Thru Truck” regulation.

If you know anyone who lives on or near Tokeneke Road, ask them to complain to the town of Darien and their Police Department.

Cribari Bridge connects Route 136 from the west and east banks of the Saugatuck River. To uphold the “no thru truck” traffic ban, an appropriate height would need to be applied.

In this case, the 14.3-foot height being proposed would not be acceptable —especially given that the majority of tractor-trailers have a standard 53-foot box and cab with length totaling roughly 80-85 feet. In addition, there is tight roadway space in Saugatuck, and limited heights of existing bridges such as the Metro North Bridges that are even shorter in height.

Along with height, aesthetics was agreed upon by those who participated in the meeting. Westporters and visitors love the design with the trusses, functioning or not. A redesign or replacement could incorporate permanent lighting on the bridge like many throughout the Northeast, such as the Kosciuszko in New York, and the Pearl Harbor Bridge in New Haven.

The Cribari Bridge connects Saugatuck (top) and Greens Farms.

The committee stated that they are currently 15% underway with design. That means that Westporters have an opportunity to voice your opinion and convey your thoughts, before the February meeting. (A specific date not yet been scheduled.

Click here to see all the documents presented in 2018. These officials oversee the project:

(The “06880” Opinion pages are open to all. Email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support this hyper-local blog, please click here. Thank you!)

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Roundup: Saugatuck Water, Longshore Beer, Sporting Toasts …

Posted on January 23, 2026 | 1 comment

Saugatuck residents have coped with several hassles — road closures, delays and heavy traffic; noise and more — in the months since the Aquarion/Dave Tinker Construction water main project began on and around Riverside Avenue several months ago.

Yesterday may have been the worst. Hundreds of residents had no water for much of the morning.

The good news: The water is back on.

The bad news: The project is not yet over.

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Beer and other canned alcoholic beverages might be available at the Longshore golf course this summer.

The Recreation Commission voted 3-0 on Wednesday to approve their sale. Two seats on the 5-person board are vacant.

The proposal now goes to the Select Board, for a final okay.

Thirsty Longshore golfers may be able to buy beer this year.

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On Wednesday, we reported that Kyle Martino — the 1999 Staples High School graduate/Gatorade National Player of the Year/US men’s national team player would pitch his Street FC app on “Shark Tank” that night.

The competition was stiff. But Martino is an athlete. He knows how to win.

And he did. His app — which connects soccer players with pick-up games — was the night’s winner.

Click here or below, to watch the reveal:

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Speaking of sports: Congratulations to Sarah VonDohlen!

The Greens Farms Academy senior basketball star set what is almost certainly a state — and may be a New England record last Saturday.

Play at home in the Coyle Gym against Cheshire, she drained 11 3-point shots in the Dragons’ 76-30 romp.

With 33 points, Sarah outscored the entire opposition.

Her 11 3s were appropriate: That’s her jersey number.

PS: Want to see Sarah and her teammates in action? GFA hosts Kent this afternoon, at 5:15 p.m.

Sarah VonDohlen (#11), with teammates.

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When Mexicue closed over a year ago — after only 2 years — it left a lot of space to fill.

Beginning the first week in February, Felice will fill it.

The restaurant — next to Sushi Jin, and across Main Street from the similarly named, but also now closed, La Fenice gelato shop — is part of a New York-based chain. There are 16 locations, in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Port Chester and Florida. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)

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Stop & Shop was calm this morning, as the sun rose shortly after its 6 a.m. opening.

It won’t be for long. Westporters are probably already descending on it — and grocery stores everywhere — in preparation for this weekend’s weather.

It will be fine today, with a high of 36. But the temperature plunges to 7 degrees tonight.

Tomorrow will be mostly sunny too, with the thermometer reaching only 17.

Snow begins Sunday morning. We could get 15 inches, with a high temperature of 18.

Light snow will continue Monday morning.

Stay warm! Stay dry! And kids … the odds are good for a snow day Monday.

(Photo/John Richers)

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Bruce Brodie’s one-man art show borrows from Walt Whitman.

But it could not be more timely.

The 1972 Staples graduate is exhibiting 18 paintings at Craven Contemporary gallery in Kent, Connecticut.

The titles of the 18 paintings — all completed in 2025 — use words from the 19th century poet to invoke the seasons, sunlight, weather, heaven and earth, love, ardor and longing.

“The work was started in anticipation of changing times,” Brodie says. “It took shape amidst the persistent drumbeat aimed at consolidating power and curtailing freedoms. I looked to the skies to express my feelings, and find hope.”

The show opens this week, and runs weekends through March 15. Brodie will be at the gallery February 14 and 15. For more information, click here.

“He That Walks With the Tender and Growing Night” (Bruce Brodie)

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The other day, a bobcat wandered right up to Mark Laclair’s mudroom door.

Then he posed, for this “Westport … Naturally” photo:

(Photo/Mark Laclair)

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And finally … yesterday’s water situation in Saugatuck reminds us of:

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Posted in Arts, Longshore, Restaurants, Saugatuck, Sports, Staples HS, Weather

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Roundup: MLK Day, ACA, Cribari Bridge …

Posted on January 19, 2026 | 1 comment

Today is Martin Luther King Day.

Last week, the Westport Senior Center posted 2 of his quotes, on a bulletin board in his honor:

(Hat tip and photo: Laurie Sorensen)

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Fran Hoyte had the perfect spot for a Pilates studio.

Her space on the lower level of Bridge Square offered a peaceful view of the Saugatuck River. It was comfortable, inviting, and — with no advertising or social media, just word of mouth — clients flocked to Saugatuck Studios.

There was just one problem: floods.

The space was inundated by storms like Sandy and irene. Sometimes, it was swamped by high tides.

After 15 years, Fran has found a location guaranteed not to flood.

And it’s just as funky as her previous spot.

Sound Pilates has relocated to 21 Jesup Road. They’re on the 2nd and 3rd floors above the Westport Book Shop. The 200-year-old building — most recently Pause + Purpose wellness center; before that an architect’s office, and earlier a home — offers sweeping (and soothing) views of Jesup Green and the Saugatuck River.

“This is so quiet. But it’s still downtown,” Fran says. “It really feels like home for us.”

Fran has also added a physical therapist. Dr. Victoria Chiappetta has trained with Fran, developing an appreciation for traditional Pilates, alignment, and intelligent movement.

Fran now offers small group classes, in addition to individual sessions. She also teaches Pilates instructors — including many now working throughout Fairfield County.

“We’re not about working until you feel pain,” Fran says of her and Victoria’s partnership. “This is always about joyful movement.”

To learn more about Sound Pilates & Physical Therapy, click here.

Fran Hoyte and Dr. Victoria Chiappetta on Sound Pilates’ 2nd floor, overlooking Jesup Green and the Saugatuck River. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Werner Liepolt — a longtime Westporter whose home is near the Cribari Bridge — is closely watching state Department of Transportation decisions involving the 145-year-old span.

Last week, he was a guest on Lisa Wexler’s WICC radio show. Click here to listen to their discussion about the bridge’s past, present and future. 

The Cribari Bridge, painted by Werner Liepolt.

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Congress did not extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits. But a Connecticut state subsidy program will replace some or all of the federal tax credits that lapsed on January 1, depending on enrollee eligibility for Access Health CT insurance plans.

Congressman Jim Himes’ office can help with questions: (203) 333-6600.

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Yesterday’s snowfall was a great chance for kids to go outside, and have some traditional (aka “non-screen”) fun.

Peter Salwin’s children did just that — with dad.

Here’s the result, on Greens Farms’ Rustic Lane:

(Photo/Peter Salwin)

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Despite yesterday’s snow and cold, Deadman Brook is not frozen over.

That was good news for these guys — the subject of today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo:

(Photo/Greg Rosen)

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And finally … we opened today’s Roundup with a tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And we’ll close it another.

The message of this simple, stirring song is as important to heed today, as it was when Sam Cooke wrote it over 60 years ago, in 1963.

Unfortunately.

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Posted in Local business, Media, Saugatuck, Transportation, Weather

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Friday Flashback #483

Posted on January 2, 2026 | 18 comments

Every Westporter knows the William F. Cribari Bridge.

Plans to renovate or replace the historic 142-year-old swing span over the Saugatuck River ensure it will be one of the top news stories of 2026.

And — for a few more days — no matter what you think about its future, you can marvel at its festive, special holiday lights when you drive over it at night.

But who was William F. Cribari?

“Crobar” — as he was universally known in his native Saugatuck — was quite a guy.

He was a World War II vet. Serving under General George S. Patton, he took part in the invasions of Normandy, Sicily and North Africa. He also served in the Battle of the Bulge.

But that’s not why the bridge is named after him.

For more than 30 years, Cribari was a special police officer. He walked the beat on Main Street, and directed traffic at both the pre-light Riverside/Saugatuck Avenue intersection, and the Post Road by Kings Highway Elementary.

But that’s not why the bridge is named after him either.

His greatest fame came when he was shifted to Riverside Avenue, at the entrance to the Manero’s (now Rizzuto’s) parking lot.

William F. Cribari

There — with a smile, a theatrical wave and more than a few dance steps — he masterminded rush hour traffic through the heart of Saugatuck. Much of it went over the Bridge Street — now William F. Cribari — Bridge.

He was much more than a traffic cop, of course. Cribari’s full-time job was tool crib operator for Nash Engineering. He was a longtime Westport PAL volunteer, and a Knight of Columbus. He attended every Army-Navy football game from 1946 on.

At 12 years old he joined the Saugatuck Volunteer Fire Department as a snare drummer. He remained a life member.

More than 30 years later, he became drum major for both the Nash Engineering Band — marching every year in the Memorial Day parade — and the Port Chester American Legion Band.

In 2003, Cribari and his wife Olga were honored as grand marshals of Festival Italiano. That annual event was held in Luciano Park — not far from where he was born at home in 1918, and just around the corner from where generations of commuters learned to love Westport’s greatest traffic cop.

And where stands perhaps the only bridge in the world named for one.

William F. Cribari was honored with this Westport News photo feature.

Cribari died on January 30, 2007, at 88.

Nearly 2 decades later his name lives on, through his namesake bridge.

Let’s all make sure his legend does too.

(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)

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Posted in Friday Flashback, Police, Saugatuck

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[OPINION] No Notice. No Hearing. No Say: The Cribari Bridge Story

Posted on January 2, 2026 | 18 comments

Longtime Bridge Street resident Werner Liepolt keeps a close eye on the Cribari Bridge project. Today he describes 3 meetings, over the past 2 years.

February 15, 2024

At a meeting of the Western Connecticut Council of Governments, former 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker released Statewide Transportation Improvement Program funds of $4.1 million previously withheld by former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, to the Connecticut Department of Transportation to start the Cribari Bridge Project.

May 15, 2025

At an “invitational” meeting in the Town Hall Auditorium, CTDOT, with Tooker in attendance, announced they were replacing the bridge with “a preferred option,” one that can accommodate all vehicles.

Invitations were based on the inactive-since-2018 Planning Advisory Committee list of stakeholders. This meeting was neither publicly noticed by Westport’s town clerk nor on the CTDOT Project page for the William F. Cribari Bridge. The few Westporters who learned of it had to request an invitation.

Cribari Bridge (Painting by Werner Liepolt)

December 18, 2025

At another “invitational” meeting held at 6 p.m. in Room 201 of Town Hall, Mandy Ranslow, supervisor, Cultural Resources CTDOT, confirmed their “preferred option” is to demolish the William F. Cribari Bridge. As CTDOT had determined this was an “adverse effect,” they offered to move it wherever the town wanted.

CTDOT officials said that tractor-trailer trucks would not be restricted by structural limits on the preferred option replacement bridge, and that it was up to Westport to deal with it.

Invitations to this meeting were sent to only a few consultants; several did not receive them. Attendance by elected officials depended on forwarded emails and word of mouth.

My published opinion piece in the Westport Journal and a sentence introducing Wendy Crowther’s tribute to the bridge in “06880” were perhaps the only publicity for the meeting.

The public hearing that didn’t happen

Curious as to how all this happened without any attempt to inform the public  —you — and elicit your views, which is required on federally funded projects that involve nationally registered historic properties (there are 24 on the east bank of the Saugatuck, and more across the river), I researched whether the “invitational” meetings were publicly noticed.

The 1877 Hotchkiss-Wheeler House on Bridge Street is on the National Register …

Questions and answers

Regarding the May 15 meeting, the town clerk replied: “This was not an official meeting of the Town, which is why it does not appear on the Town calendar. It appears that the State simply used the Auditorium to host the event. Any questions regarding the publication or notice of this event should be directed to the State DOT.”

I directed my question to James Barrows, the project manager. and got an answer: “Thank you for your inquiry and for your interest in the State Project 0158-0214.

“To ensure your request is handled efficiently and in compliance with the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), we kindly ask that you submit a formal FOI request through the CTDOT website. This process helps us track, process, and respond to all FOIA requests in a consistent and timely manner.”

Under federal law (Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act), the public must be informed and meaningfully involved before historic resources are evaluated, impacts determined, and alternatives narrowed.

In this case, those steps occurred out of public view. The community is now being presented with an offer of mitigation — a stage that only follows a formal finding of adverse effect — without having had the required opportunity to help identify historic resources, evaluate impacts, or advocate for avoidance and minimization.

… as is the 1932 Anna E. Dolan House. It’s the first one on the right, after crossing the river on the Cribari Bridge from Saugatuck.

Your right to be heard

I have posted a petition, which I will forward to the Federal Highway Administration, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and our Congressional representatives, asking for oversight to ensure that our rights to be heard are honored. Please sign it.

I have also filed the Freedom of Information request as suggested by the CTDOT project manager, asking for all records pertaining to the William F. Cribari Bridge Project.

Next steps

What you should do: Submit written comments to the Federal Highway Administration, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation requesting the complete Section 106 and NEPA administrative records.

Ask how and when the public was consulted prior to the adverse effect finding, and formally request that alternatives and avoidance options be reopened for transparent public review.

Contact all our local elected representatives and the Select Board, with your need to have your voice be heard.

(“06880″‘s Opinion pages are open to all. Email submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com)

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Pic Of The Day #3170

Posted on December 23, 2025 | 3 comments

Horse and buggy, Monday night on the Cribari Bridge. If a new span is built, will it be safe for this type of transportation? (Photo/Mary Beth Stirling)

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Posted in Pic of the Day, Saugatuck, Transportation

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Pic Of The Day #3167

Posted on December 20, 2025 | 2 comments

I-95 Saugatuck River bridge (Photo/JD Dworkow)

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