It’s a yearly ritual: the Board of Finance cuts funds for the Westport Transit District. And every year, the WTD appeals to the Representative Town Meeting for restoration.
This year, there’s a new twist.
Despite the possible loss of funding for Wheels2U, the WTD is adding new hours and destinations to the curb-to-train station, on-demand commuter shuttle.
In addition to its normal operating hours (5:45 to 10:30 a.m., 4 to 9:30 p.m.), riders will now be able to go from anywhere in Westport to the Senior Center, Farmers’ Market and Jesup Green.
Rides begin at 9 a.m. and last through 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The fare is $2 per ride.
Users should book a ride 20 minutes before they would normally leave for their destination. Once the ride is booked, they will receive an estimated time of arrival, and can track the minivan (like Uber) on the Wheels2U app. Riders must be able to meet the minivan at the curb.
Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available by request in the app. Riders requiring door-to-door assistance should continue using Westport’s services for the elderly and people with disabilities. Click here for details.
Though excited about the expansion, WTD co-director Peter Gold cautions that
funding for Wheels2U may end June 30. If the RTM does not restore funding, the one-year pilot program will end too.
After the scooter accident off Sylvan Road North this week that sent a teen to the hospital in serious condition, several readers contacted “06880.”
Each described seeing — in some cases almost hitting, or watching someone else hit — scooter drivers.
Scooters are everywhere these days, including the very dangerous Post Road.
What are the laws?
Lieutenant Anthony Prezioso, of the Westport Police Department’s Patrol Division, tells “06880”:
“First, to be considered a scooter the device must not be able to exceed 20 miles per hour.
“Riders must be at least 15 years old. Those under 18 must wear a helmet.
“The law prohibits scooters being ridden on sidewalks, highways and expressways, as well as on streets with speed limits exceeding 20 miles an hour.
“A local ordinance could further dictate how and where these scooters are able to be ridden. We do not currently have such an ordinance on the books in Westport, and therefore are solely regulated by the state law.”
Enforcement is not always easy. In an “06880” story last fall about e-bikes, Prezioso noted that police do not want to make a dangerous situation worse.
Teenagers can panic, and try to flee. Officers must use their best judgment. Sometimes, they’ll simply follow the rider to his destination.
Prezioso adds: “As electric vehicle technology quickly evolves, it will continue to pose challenges to enforcement. It will likely also prompt legislators to better define the classifications of various types of electric bikes, scooters, motorcycle, etc.
“I believe the evolution of these laws will likely be a more city/town ordinance-based approach. We’ve seen the increased presence of electric scooters for rent in major metropolitan areas. In almost every case, the rules for their use are dictated by city ordinance.”
Meanwhile, Prezioso urges residents to attend an e-bike community forum (planned before the most recent accident).
The May 13 event (6:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) will cover rules and regulations (for riders and motorists), street awareness, and tips and resources for all ages. A Q-and-A session will follow.
With little heat — but plenty of enthusiasm — the Board of Selectwomen voted unanimously yesterday to accept the Parks & Recreation Department’s proposal to add 2 portable fire pits to Compo’s South Beach this summer.
The pits — available for use byWestport residents only, for $150 from 4 to 10 p.m. every day except the fireworks and July 4 — are an added amenity, says Parks & Rec director Erik Barbieri. Several area towns already offer them.
Westport’s Police and Fire Departments fully back the proposal. The fire pits will be monitored by Parks & Rec employees, who will be trained in their use. When the beach closes they’ll be extinguished, and moved to a locked site.
For more details on the Compo fire pits, click here.
First run in 2014 to raise money — over $200 million! — for ALS research, it’s resurfaced in 2025 as a fundraiser for Active Minds, a national youth mental health nonprofit.
Since the first bucket was poured on March 31, it’s collected over $300,000.
It swept through Staples High School. Then I got swept up in it.
Dave Briggs — the TV journalist who contributes great video reels to “06880” — nominated me.
On Tuesday (yeah, I waited a day until it got warm), I took the challenge.
And then I passed on the challenge to 3 other Westporters: 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore, and Police Chief Foti Koskinas.
I don’t mess around. Check out the video below (or click here):
Representative Town Meeting (RTM) member Andrew Colabella offers a list of spots around town that could use a bit (or a bit more) of tidying up.
They include:
Elaine Road
Greens Farms train station embankment
Greens Farms corridor
Sherwood Island Connector corridor
Merritt Parkway exit 42 Park & Ride
Longshore parking lot F (coastline)
Saugatuck train station parking lot 4
Sipperly Hill Road
Ford Road
Bottom of Clapboard Hill at Greens Farms
Riverside Avenue
Andrew adds: “In addition to these places, anywhere else that needs clean-up is great.
“If you see an area that is unsafe and unreachable due to lack of buffer from the road, or on a blind curve, call the Public Works Department: 203-341-1120.”
Cleaning up Elaine Road (near the Saugatuck River boat launch, animal control headquarters and sewage treatment plant), 2024.
The auction for A Better Chance of Westport’s Dream Event gala (Saturday, April 26, 6:30 p.m.) is live. All funds support the non-profit’s work, offering educational opportunities and more in Westport to teenage boys from underserved communities. Click here.
A few tickets to the event — which includes excellent food and drinks, inspiring speeches from the scholars, and a chance to meet some very cool present and past ABC folks — are still available. Click here to purchase.
The 2021 Staples High School graduate — and within-a-month University of Michigan alum — made his Broadway debut last night in “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”
Reviews were mixed, for the “prequel” to the hit Netflix series. Among the critics who raved: Emlyn Travis, of Entertainment Weekly: “Immersive, heartfelt, and exhilarating, ‘First Shadow’ is a must-see spectacle for the Stranger Things obsessive as much as it is for the theater aficionado who wants to see the medium pushed to new heights.”
Jamie Mann with his parents, Jill Johnson Mann and Ben Mann, at Tavern on the Green Tuesday night.
Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between April 16 and 23.
A 38-year-old Westport man was charged with voyeurism, after a complaint about a hidden camera placed in a shared bathroom of an apartment. He was released after posting a $50,000 bond.
A 35-year-old Stamford man was charged with failure to respond to a payable violation, after a traffic stop.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Driving while texting: 21 citations
Distracted driving: 4
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 4
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 4
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 4
Failure to renew registration: 4
Speeding: 2
Improper use of markers: 2
Driving while texting (2nd offense): 1
Traveling unreasonably fast: 1
Failure to obey stop sign: 1
Failure to obey traffic control signal: 1
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 1
Yale University Law School professor Paul Kahn’s recent book, “Democracy in Our America,” focuses on what happens when national politics enters a small Connecticut town.
It’s not about Westport — but it could be.
On Tuesday night, the Democratic Women of Westport hosted Kahn at the Westport Woman’s Club.
A full crowd listened intently to his insights. The event included Jeff Wieser and Velma Heller — present and former RTM moderators — and was led by Board of Finance member Allyson Stollenwerck.
Saving democracy, at the Westport Woman’s Club. (Photo/Andrew Colebella)
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The Westport Rotary Club learned all about the Norwalk Art Space on Tuesday.
Duvian Montoya and AnnaDea Chavez spokek about the non-profit, located in a former West Avenue church, which provides free art education to underserved youth.
It also offers free studio space to adult artists, in exchange for teaching classes to youngsters. Last year, there were over 70 classes.
A gourmet café is run by Bill Taibe, of Whelk, Don Memo and Kawa Ni fame.
And finally … in honor of both the new Compo Beach fire pits, and the new/old ice bucket challenge (stories above):
(Compo, cops, Broadway — just another day in Westport. But there’s always something different in our “06880” Roundup. If you like this daily dose of town news, please click here to support us. Thanks!)
After the recent Zoom-bombing of the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting — an attack that included pornography, Nazi symbols and the video of a beheading — the next meeting will be in person.
It should draw a large crowd.
The P&Z agenda for next Monday (April 28, 6 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) is about the proposed Hamlet at Saugatuck retail/residential/hotel/marina development.
The public hearing includes input from residents.
A 65-day extension has been granted for this phase of the regulatory process. The final date for a decision is now June 18.
Aerial rendering of the Hamlet at Saugatuck proposal.
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Another meeting discusses another long-debated project: the new Long Lots Elementary School.
The Building Committee meets tonight (6 p.m., Town Hall Room 201/201A) for a project update. There will be time for public comment.
Three views of a possible new Long Lots Elementary School.
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E-bikes are e-verywhere.
To raise awareness about safety, the Westport Police Department is sponsoring a community forum.
The May 13 event (6:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) will cover rules and regulations (for riders and motorists), street awareness, and tips and resources for all ages. A Q-and-A session will follow.
The evening will feature law enforcement officials and safety director Charles Foster of SCBC Safe Rides.
Class 3 e-bike.
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Speaking of transportation: The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) Transit Committee and Westport Transit District meet jointly tonight (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Westport Library Room 210).
The agenda includes:
A recommendation to the RTM on the 2025-26 budget request for railroad parking, including a discussion of railroad parking permit revenues.
A recommendation to the RTM on the 2025-26 Transit District budget.
A recommendation to the RTM on a supplemental appropriation of $55,000 for transportation services for the elderly, and people with disabilities.
A discussion on expanding Wheels2U service to the Senior Center, Farmers’ Market, and Jesup Green/Westport Library, beginning next month.
Yesterday’s Roundup gave an incorrect location for the memorial to Max Harper.
It’s at the western end of South Beach, near the trees and benches across from Ned Dimes Marina.
It’s a beautiful spot, for a loving tribute.
The Max Harper memorial stone, on Compo’s South Beach. (Photo/Pam Docters)
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There may be no such thing as a free lunch.
But there are free tree saplings.
the Westport Tree Board will give them away this Friday (April 25, 3 to 5 p.m., Town Hall back parking lot).
The gifts are in honor of Arbor Day. There’s one per family — choose from Virginia pine, river birch, red cedar or lilac.
Tree Board sapling giveaway, in 2022.
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A reminder: One of the most inspiring — and fun — galas of the year is this Saturday.
The A Better Chance of Westport Dream Event raises funds for the non-profit that creates educational opportunities, and changes lives, for exceptional young men from less advantaged communities.
As always, the highlight will be speeches from the graduating seniors, and an ABC alum. This year’s returning grad is Yoel Hooper-Antunez. Click here to read his amazing back story.
The Dream Event also includes excellent food and drinks, a silent auction, and a chance to hang with some of the most accomplished young people in town. Click here for tickets, and more information.
The current A Better Chance of Westport scholars.
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Also at the Library: the return of Andrew Wilk’s Medical Series.
The topic for 2025 is oncology. Longtime local internist Dr. Robert Altbaum moderates each of the 4 sessions, and introduces experts.
Tonight (Tuesday, 7 p.m.), Dr. Richard Frank, chief for clinical and translational cancer research at Nuvance Health, describes recent advances in cancer, including chemotherapy, targeted DNA treatment and immunotherapy, and explores the diagnostic, therapeutic and psychological challenges of treating advanced cancer
Dr. Robert Altbaum
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Dylan Robbin knows hoops.
Last week, the Staples High School freshman was featured on the House of Highlights YouTube channel.
The 90-minute segment included a debate between 10 Gen Z sports podcasters and Jermaine Womack, who runs the popular YouTube channel Chill Town Hoops.
At 14, Dylan was the youngest participant by at least a decade.
A clip of his conversation with Womack about whether Steph Curry is the best point guard of all time went viral on Instagram.
Click below to see the full debate. You can follow Dylan on Instagram and TikTok: @drsportstakes.
Frank Rosen is probably the 50th reader to send a photo of the bald eagle that perches regally on the communications tower at the Westport police station.
But he’s the first to realize — without me telling him — that the bird is a wooden fake.
(Photo/Dylan Rosen)
“We killed about 30 minutes in the beautiful sunshine, taking in it’s majestic beauty,” Frank says.
“I waited so long for it to fly away — only to realize it’s not real.”
No one else who sent similar images to “06880” over the past month realized — until I told them — that the reason the eagle stood so still for their photo is because it never moves.
Reactions range from laughter to anger. Most common, though, is embarrassment.
To whoever placed America’s national bird atop the tower: well played.
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A new guest has been added to CT Against Gun Violence’s annual spring benefit “Be the Hope” luncheon (May 15, 11:30 a.m., The Inn at Longshore).
The headline speaker is Rob Wilcox, former deputy director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
He’ll join Sandy Hook youth activist Matthew Holden, who will discuss his work. Click here for tickets.
The Compo Beach playground rebuild begins Monday. It continues through next weekend.
Volunteers are still needed. Spots are available for skilled and unskilled workers, and kids’ zone helpers. Click here for more information, and to pick your slot.
This was the scene during the 1989 Compo Beach playground construction. Will you be there in 2025?
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Sure, the Post Road construction project won’t be done until 2049.
But new traffic lights — shrouded in black for months — are new operational.
Check out these at Hillspoint Road:
(Photo/Matt Murray)
Will they help as we navigate past all those barrels, in seemingly randomly striped lanes?
We would ask someone working on the project. But they haven’t been seen since 1978.
Speaking of Hillspoint: That road, between Soundview Drive and Old Mill, may be the most popular walking route in Westport.
The sidewalk gets plenty of use. It’s also exposed to salt air, and pounded by occasional rough waves, so it’s gotten pretty beat up.
Repair work is being done now. It will be ready soon, for many more years of scenic strolling.
(Photo/Tammy Barry)
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VersoFest is over.
But the music continues at the Westport Library.
Gang of Four vocalist/founding member Jon King took to the Trefz Forum stage yesterday. He talked about his new memoir, “To Hell with Poverty! A Class Act: Inside the Gang of Four” with Chris Frantz, drummer for Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club.
Jon King and Chris Frantz, in conversation.
After a break, Gang of Four kicked off their farewell tour with a special concert.
Another Big Name is coming to the Westport Country Playhouse.
And it’s almost sold out.
Humorist David Sedaris shares a slew of clever, compelling stories — about, perhaps, his Greek heritage, homosexuality, jobs, education, drug use, obsessive behaviors, and his life in North Carolina, New York, England and France — on May 19 (7 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport has a new music director.
Whether leading youth choirs or directing adult ensembles, Micah Krajca’s goal is to make music accessible, engaging, and rewarding for all singers. He plans to open up his adult and youth choirs to community members.
He says, “Whether you’re a seasoned singer or just looking to try something new, you’re welcome to join us. Our choirs are fun, supportive groups. The singers love performing diverse and engaging repertoire.”
Along with his new position, Micah directs the Greenwich A Cappella High School Ensemble, and is a baritone with the Empire City Men’s Chorus and Choral Chameleon Ensemble.
To learn more about the Unitarian Universalist Congregation or its music program, click here or email micah@uuwestport.org.
Micah Krajca
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Alice Crowther died peacefully on March 18, after a long and graceful life. She was 97, and lived in Westport for 33 before moving to Fairfield.
The Queens native graduated from Green Mountain Junior College in Vermont. After attending secretarial school, she met her future husband, Bill Crowther.
They married in 1948. Both commuted from Port Washington into Manhattan to work in advertising.
After 6 years in Young & Rubicam’s TV/film department, she took time off to raise 3 daughters.
Soon after moving to Westport in 1971, Alice began volunteering at Connecticut Renaissance, a local drug treatment, prevention and education program based in town. Based on her skills and organizational abilities, she was hired as office manager. She stepped down in 1978, but continued to advise on special projects.
In 1982 Alice turned her love of dancing into her next part-time career. She was certified as an aerobic dance instructor at the Westport YMCA. For 8 years she taught classes to older adults. In 1990 she remained with the Fun Fitness Company when they opened their own facility.
In later decades Alice returned to volunteer work. Organizations included Save Our Strays, Fairfield’s Grasmere adult day care, and Trinity Episcopal Church in Southport.
Her family says, “as the matriarch of her extended family, her stories were cherished by all. Her sense of humor was often unexpected, disarming and adorable. Even the caregivers who helped Alice in the last few years of her life fell in love with her resilience, acceptance, willingness to always try her best, and her gentle, sweet nature.”
Alice is survived by her daughters Wendy Crowther (Teri), Tracey Maya (Christopher), Kim Manning (Jim), and grandchildren Hadley, Alison, James and Spencer. She was predeceased by her husband, Bill, in 2018, a few months shy of their 70th anniversary.
A memorial service is set for Trinity Episcopal Church in Southport on April 26 (11 a.m).
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature goes indoors. But the “natural” theme includes Laureen Haynes’ Easter egg designs.
One is a hive with bees and a daisy. The other shows a butterfly and bunny. “A pollinator path of chocolate?” she asks.
Laureen — the owner of Chocalatieree downtown — sold out of them yesterday. Hey: There’s always next year!
(Photo/Laureen Haynes)
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And finally … Nino Tempo — the saxophonist/singer whose career included big band jazz, rock and funk (and collaborations with Benny Goodman, Bobby Darin and Frank Sinatra) — died April 10 in West Hollywood. He was 90.
(Jolantha says: “Don’t be a pig! Stop hogging all of ‘06880’ for yourself, without giving back. Click here to support Westport and Weston’s hyper-local blog.” “06880” says: “Thank you, Jolantha!”
When the Connecticut Department of Transportation clear cut dozens of trees last week along the Sherwood Island Connector, Hillandale Road and West Parish Road — in preparation for next winter’s construction of a new maintenance facility — Westporters realized they had little recourse.
It’s state land. And the state can do what it wants.
Longtime Westporters remember that back in the day, the property that includes what is now Walgreens also belonged to Connecticut.
But it wasn’t DOT property.
It was the State Police.
Troop G barracks. Bonus shot: a Minnybus. (Photo/Clint Vogel)
For decades, Troop G was headquartered there. They occupied a handsome brick building — diagonally across, quite interestingly, from both a gay bar (The Brook) and a strip club (Krazy Vin’s).
Convenient to both I-95 (via the Connector) and the Merritt Parkway (Roseville Road), their sirens sometimes gave local drivers a scare. But — as “staties” — they didn’t care about us. They used our roads to race to more important places.
Today it’s hard to tell a state police car until it’s right behind you, either to pass (phew!) or pull you over (f—!).
But in 1972, this is what we saw headed to the highways, and on them:
(Photo courtesy of Anthony Dohanos)
Troop G moved to Bridgeport in the 1980s. Krazy Vin’s closed later; the Brook followed.
In their places we have a drugstore, pet store and patio store.
And — in a couple of years — a brand new maintenance facility, very visible to everyone who drives by.
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Stina Sternberg Snow lives on Hillandale Road, not far from the Sherwood Island Connector.
Which means: not far from the clear-cutting done by the state Department of Transportation, as part of construction of a new building at their maintenance facility behind Walgreens.
Stina and her husband Matt have been in touch with the DOT. Here’s their report after a conversation with project engineer Matt Easdon.
One view of the clear-cutting at the state DOT maintenance facility (Sherwood Island Connector is on the left) …
Stina reports: “It’s clear from the way Easdon (and Scott Adkins, the District 3 engineer to whom the baton will now be passed as the project moves to the construction phase) have responded to us that they’re open to input.”
“Just the e-mails and calls they’ve received over the last 3 days have resulted in orders for new design changes to be added to the plans. It’s clear they hadn’t thought of repopulating trees before.”
Stina says she and her neighbors have learned that the construction phase of the new DOT maintenance facility — “essentially a garage for the state’s snow plows and maintenance trucks — the same function this property has held for 60+ years” — will start this summer, and last until the spring of 2027.
The number of trucks housed there now will not increase, but the new main building will be 3 times larger than the current one. It will include offices, and sit closer to the Sherwood Island Connector.
Stina also says that DOT has been told by the town that the east side of the lot (near West Parish Road) is “hands off for now,” because of the possibility of building affordable housing there.
Stina also says that the DOT originally looked for other parts of Westport for new facility — to not disrupt a residential area — but no land was available.
… and another, from Hillandale Lane. (Photos/Matt Snow)
Easdon told Stina that all the trees and brush along the connector and Hillandale Road were removed now — though construction is months away — and done quickly to avoid disrupting wildlife nesting season. That was recommended by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which has been consulted on the project.
Stina adds, “They claim to be very open to collaborating with town residents to help make the new facility as undisruptive as possible, and to listen our input when it comes to the tree situation.
“It’s obviously too late for the latter, but because we’ve reached out with our complaints over the last few days, Easdon’s team has already asked the agronomy side of their planning team to work on adding new trees (probably arbor vitae) along the Hillandale Road and Sherwood Island Connector sides to the plans.
An “official” pre-construction meeting, with everyone involved in the project, is set for New Haven next Wednesday (April 16).
The meeting is not open to the public, but Easdon told Stina “they will add a discussion about the community pushback and planting new trees. He will hopefully have drawings to share with us of what the whole project will look like” a few days later.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong addressed the Democratic Women of Westport’s “Souper Luncheon” yesterday.
He began with his own compelling story: after working as a youngster in his immigrant parents’ Chinese restaurant, he graduated from Brown University and the University of Chicago Law School (where he took constitutional law with Professor Barack Obama). He is president-elect of the National Association of Attorneys General.
Noting that the nation is now in a constitutional crisis, Tong described the role of sovereign states in a republic; outlined the challenges ahead, and offered ways for his audience to take action.
He balanced a sober assessment of the current political climate in Washington, with an affirmation of the system of checks and balances.
William Tong, at yesterday’s Democratic Women of Westport luncheon. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Speaking of politics: Former CNN journalists (and Westport residents) Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs have impressive Rolodexes — er, contact lists.
The latest “A” list guest on their very insightful, educational and entertaining podcasts: David Axelrod.
Camerota and Briggs chatted with the chief strategist for, and senior advisor to, Barack Obama about the current state of American democracy, national security failures, and whether Democrats are ready to lead. Click here to see, or below.
The Westport-based company — born during COVID as take-out only, which has since won Best Bagels awards in mighty Brooklyn, and opened stores in the Big Apple and elsewhere — has just hit double digits.
The 10th PopUp Bagels is now selling its wares (and schmears) at 57th Street and Lexington Avenue.
Over the next couple of weeks they’ll open 2 more, at 7 Penn Plaza, and Driggs Street in Williamsburg.
At this rate they’ll need an entirely new tagline.
From left: Jenn Geller, who originally drove from New York to Westport to buy PopUp Bagels; original investor Karen Elizaga; founder Adam Goldberg and his wife Jen; original investor Jay Ptashek.
You probably expect it every time you’re on I-95, but here’s a warning: From Monday (March 31) through April 25, the state Department of Transportation will perform bridge maintenance work, from Greenwich to Exit 50 in New Haven.
There will be lane and shoulder closures northbound and southbound, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tranquil underneath. Traffic jams on top. (Photo/Dana Kuyper)
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“Theatre People” — the current Westport Country Playhouse production — is about (duh) the theater.
Tomorrow (March 30, approximately 5 p.m., following the 3 p.m. matinee), they host a Sunday Symposium on “Theater Adaptations” — plays sourced from previous materials.
Gutets include cast member Erin Noel Grennan and Paul Walsh, Yale University theatre professor and historian. Anne Keefe, former Playhouse co-artistic director and Script in Hand curator, will moderate.
The event is free, and open to the public. For more information on “Theatre People,” click here.
For the show’s trailer, click below:
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TAP Strength kicked off its “life span and health span” series recently, with a talk about “Effortless Wellness.”
TAP founder Dr. EJ Zebro and Jennifer Boyd offered tips and insights. Click here or click on below, to see what you missed.
Ace “Westport … Naturally” photographer Lou Weinberg says: “Red-breasted mergansers are the punk rockers of the duck world. It is rumored to be the favorite bird of the Sex Pistols’ Johnny Rotten.
“They are among the fastest ducks in the world, able to fly up to 80 miles an hour. They must ‘run on water’ in order to take flight, and have serrated bills to catch and hold onto slippery fish. Because of this saw-like bill, their Latin name is mergus serrator.
“Primarily pescatarian, they are great divers. They can stay underwater for up to a minute.”
And now, without further ado, from Burying Hill Beach:
And finally … Pearl Bailey was born on this date, in 1918. The Broadway, film and TV star — and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree — died in 1990.
(Sure, it’s the weekend. But “06880” is here, with another Roundup filled with news and information — just like every day, all year long, since 2009. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
When she purchased a new Tesla Model Y in November of 2023, the Westport woman was pleased.
She no longer had to buy gas. It was easy to maintain. The cost was only about $40,000.
“It was a no-brainer,” the woman — who asked that her name not be used — says.
Tesla Model Y
As he joined the Trump administration, the woman knew that Elon Musk — Tesla’s CEO — was “a potential danger as a human being.” But, she says, “I never thought he’d have as much power as he does.”
In the first days after the inauguration, she says, “I joked, ‘I gotta get rid of this car.’ But as he ramped up his slash-and-burn, I didn’t want to be attached to him in any way. He’s evil.”
Three weeks ago, she found a Hyundai Tucson hybrid. She sold her Tesla.
Hyundai Tucson
Worldwide, owners are talking about selling their Musk-related automobiles. This is one local woman who actually did.
“I don’t want to make a grand statement,” she insists. “I just wanted to feel better.”
No one ever said anything to her about her Tesla. No one flipped her off, or keyed her car.
Still, she says, “I didn’t want to become a target. I didn’t want controversy. There shouldn’t be controversy about the car you drive.”
But something else about her Tesla made her uneasy, beyond the company CEO’s actions she loathes.
Beginning in December, her Tesla’s menu of radio stations and podcasts suddenly changed.
There — sprinkled among her presets and favorites — were options like Ben Shapiro, Sean Hannity and “Fox & Friends.”
They’d probably been there before, she says, but much lower on the list. “I would have had to scroll way down to find them.”
She found the sudden appearance of right-wing shows “creepy. It can’t be a coincidence.”
The Westporter is happy with her Hyundai. It recharges itself. She can go 400 miles on a tank of gas.
Yet if she had a chance to meet Elon Musk, and talk face to face, what would she say?
“I just want him to stay in his lane,” she says.
“He’s a smart guy. He’s good with technology. But he’s been given so much power, because he gave Trump so much money.
“Why can’t he just stick with what he’s good at?”
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Could part of the state Department of Transportation Post Road East property still be used for affordable housing?
After the DOT revealed plans to build a new maintenance facility on the land behind Walgreens, “06880” asked 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker about earlier discussions to use some of the land closest to West Parish for housing.
“The DOT never offered the town of Westport a portion of that property,” Tooker said.
“There were discussions regarding building affordable housing on a portion of the property, in 2020 and 2021. However, the land would have been transferred from DOT to the Department of Housing for that purpose, not the town. Neither the state DOT nor DOH has advanced that project.”
Simultaneously, “06880” had asked State Representative Jonathan Steinberg — a member of the Transportation Committee — about the DOT’s plans.
Yesterday he forwarded a reply from Mary Ann Daly, who works in the Department of Transportation Office of Legislative Affairs.
After noting that the new facility is depicted in the site plan (shown at the bottom of this story), she noted another element of the plan: a parcel “which is a portion of the DOT property along West Parish Road that could be transferred for affordable housing.”
In her email to Steinberg, Daly included a note from Michael Strong, transportation supervising engineer in the DOT Office of Facilities Design.
State Department of Transportation land. The Sherwood Island Connector is at left, Post Road East at top, West Parish Road on right. The proposed new maintenance facility is outlined in black (behind Walgreens). The land considered for affordable housing is in red, at right.
Strong provides more details: “My awareness of the potential for affordable housing started in September 2019. Design supported Paul Rizzo and Mark Rolfe in reviewing documents sent to the Department and in developing conceptual site plans to identify a potential surplus parcel beyond what the Department needs to maintain operations on site.
“I was not in attendance of any of these meetings with the town or its representatives so I cannot offer any additional first-hand information other than a few E-Mails that may not paint a clear picture. The Department advanced Project No. 158-223 [the new maintenance facility] in 2023, sooner than originally scheduled, to facilitate the creation of this surplus parcel. I have heard nothing officially regarding the property transfer.”
So: Is it still possible to use the land for affordable housing?
To be continued …
Plans for the new Department of Transportation maintenance facility.
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An “official” pre-construction meeting, with everyone involved in the project, is set for New Haven next Wednesday (April 16).
They’d probably been there before, she says, but much lower on the list. “I would have had to scroll way down to find them.”
