A representative of the Main Street outlet inferred to “06880” that the entire chain is in liquidation. She passed our contact info on to the national office, which never called back.
Lisa Seidenberg read yesterday’s Roundup item about renumbering the Merritt Parkway exits with interest. She writes: “This is historic for those of us who are Merritt fans.
“In 2008 I made a documentary, ‘The Road Taken …The Merritt Parkway.’ So now that film truly becomes a time capsule.
“Actually it already was, as many of those I interviewed in the film are no longer with us. The list includes Henry ‘Buzz’ Merritt (a grand-nephew of Schuyler Merritt, the Stamford congressman the parkway is named after), and humorist Alan Abel, a longtime Westport resident.”
Interested? Click here or below, to watch this 33-minute fascinating video.
Alert — and environmentally conscious — “06880” reader Rick Benson writes: “Someone is dumping mussel and oyster shells, with lemons and forks, into Sherwood Mill Pond by the kayak launch, and at Old Mill Beach by the boat ramp.”
(Photo/Rick Benson)
Definitely not cool.
Rick suggests “neighbors should report suspicious activity to the police.”
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VFW Post 399 reaches out to veterans in many ways.
Next up: a Veterans Benefits Luncheon on July 17 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
It’s free, and open to all veterans as part of an ongoing effort to check in on all veterans’ welfare, and connect them with the benefits and support they earned.
Representatives will answer questions, and provide information on services and assistance available to veterans.
RSVPs are encouraged (but not required). Email vfw399ct@gmail.com, and include the number of attendees, or call (203) 227-6796.
PS: If you’re not a veteran, but know one: Please pass the word!
All veterans are invited to the VFW’s free June 12 luncheon.
And finally … Dave “Baby” Cortez — whose 1959 song “The Happy Organ” was the first instrumental song to top the Billboard Hot 100 — died 3 years ago.
But his death — and his burial in a Bronx potter’s field — only recently came to light, thanks to the work of a 15-year-old doo wop fan in Australia. Click here to read the full story, and obituary.
One of Westport’s favorite restaurants will soon become a different favorite spot.
On August 16, Don Memo will serve its last meal. In early September, it reopens as Massi Co.
Named after owner Massimo Tullio, and backed by the Don Memo oand Whelk team, the new restaurant in the iconic stone building (Westport’s original Town Hall) will feature a “deeply personal Italian-American” concept
It will include Neapolitan brick oven pizzas, house-made pastas and craft cocktails. Chef Zach Hinman is in charge of the kitchen. (Hat tip: Dave Briggs)
Massimo Tullio (Photo courtesy of The Connecticut Edit)
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For as long as the Merritt Parkway has existed — nearly 90 years — Westport has had 2 exits: 41 and 42.
Soon, they’ll be gone.
In their place will be Exits 20 and 21.
The new numbers conform to federal standards, which mandate that exits show the approximate mileage from a starting point. With the Merritt, that’s the New York border.
New signs will be installed on the parkway beginning July 28. There will also be signs noting the “old exit” numbers. They’ll be in place for at least 2 years.
Other state highways have already been renumbered. The “Connecticut Turnpike” (I-95) will follow, either next year or in 2027.
So say goodbye to the Exit 42 cluster****. Soon, it will be the mess at Exit 21.
And Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department wants to make sure no one misses out on any action. For example:
Beach volleyball:Middle and high schoolers, all levels. Led by Brendan Giolitto, Staples High School coach.
Youth tennis (including peewees): All levels; fundamentals, technique and match play.
Swim lessons: Beginners and advanced; Stroke development, water safety and confidence.
Football skills and drills: Non-contact; focusing on speed, agility and position-specific drills. Led by LST Pro staff.
Baseball: Hitting, fielding, base running and teamwork; led by LST, in partnership with Westport Little League.
Tot N’ Play Camp: A week of sports, crafts, beach time and class camp, for pre-schoolers. Flexible scheduling, with a focus on friendship, teamwork and adventure.
Skyhaws Volleyball: Fundamentals like passing, setting, hitting and serving, in a fun, beginner-friendly environment.
Next Generation Skateboarding: From beginners to advanced: skate and shred safely and confidently.
The Grit Ninja: Obstacle courses challenge youngsters physically and mentally; build strength, agility and grit in an exciting, supportive setting.
Squirt & Parent ‘n’ Me programs: Introduce little ones to soccer, t-ball, lacrosse, track and field and more, with a helping hand. Build confidence and coordination in a playful, comforting environment.
Outdoor Fitness with Andrew Berman: An invigorating bodyweight workout class at Compo Beach. Focus on strength, balance and mobility, in a beautiful setting.
Jay Schadler is a noted journalist, photographer and artist.
For more than 3 decades he traveled the world as a correspondent and anchor for ABC News, “20/20,” “Nightline,” “Good Morning America,” National Geographic TV and others. His work has been featured too on Bravo and Discovery.
His new gig: podcaster, with Verso Studios at the Westport Library. Through intimate interviews, he tells stories of Westporters’ life transitions.
Many names are familiar. The 5 episodes in Season 1 include living a life with no memory, with Doug and Patti Brill; the grief of loss and the gift of love with Jenny and Anthony Capalbo; a new heart and a new life with Gerardo Lambert; turning tragedy into legacy with Jim Kudzo, and exploring talent and opportunity with Andrew Wilk.
In Westport, Paul Newman’s home overlooked the Aspetuck River. His New York apartment has a view of Central Park’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. (Photo/Evan Joseph Studios, courtesy of the Wall Street Journal)
Hitch & the Giddyup are heading to Weston. Yee haw!
The country/bluegrass/soulful American band plays at “Music at the Barn” — the Weston History & Culture Center’s outdoor summer series — on July 27 (5:30 p.m.).
Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members; children under 12; click here or purchase there. Bring a lawn chair, food and drinks (no food truck!).
Francesca “Franny” Cenatiempo died at home, surrounded by her family. She was 33, and hahd battled cancer.
Francesca was born on July 4th, 1992 to Carmine and Sandra. At age 7 she was enrolled in Saint Catherine Academy; then as an adult, at Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs.
She loved school and her program, and was celebrated, cared for and loved by the staff. She was surrounded by friends who reciprocated her unique love. At Saint Catherine Francesca met her longtime caregiver, Sonia Vielot, who became an integral part of her family.
Her obituary says, “Francesca had a gift for deeply touching the lives of everyone she met. She greeted people with open arms, accompanied by the biggest hug and an unforgettable smile. Her laughter echoed everywhere she went, as she saw the beauty and joy in every person and part of this world. She was a pasta lover, a Disney fanatic, and had an eye for all the cute boys. She enjoyed music, dancing, and splashing around at the beach.”
Francesca is survived by her loving parents, Carmine and Sandra Calise Cenatiempo; siblings CJ and Charlotte Cenatiempo; grandparents Michael Calise, Sally Palmer and Barbara Mehle; aunts and uncles Filippo and Pina Cenatiempo, Leonardo Cenatiempo, Alfredo and Rosa Cenatiempo, Stefano Cenatiempo, Giulio and Gabby Cenatiempo, Catherine and Don Lawson, Maria and Jon O’Herron, Bettina and Michael Colleen, and Frank and Robin Calise, and many cousins.
A celebration of her life is set for tomorrow (July 12, 11 a.m., St. Francis of Assisi, Weston). Donations may be made in her name to Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs. Condolences for the family may be left online.
Francesca Cenatiempo
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Frances Mande — a Westporter for nearly 70 years — died Wednesday. She was 103.
Born in Russia in 1922, she came to Brooklyn with her family when she was 7. She and her husband Irving met when she was 17, and married when she was 19.
Fran and Irv moved to Westport in 1956. They raised 3 children in the house where she lived until passing. The couple traveled the world together, until Irv’s death in 2006.
Fran loved attending shows at the Westport Country Playhouse, and taking her children and grandchildren to Compo Beach and Mario’s restaurant. She was a regular at the Senior Center, Westport Library and Levitt Pavilion.
She also enjoyed the Westport Road Runners program. Her photo was in the Westport News after finishing a 10-mile race, in her 70s.
After “06880” wished her a happy birthday last month, she was lifted up by emails from readers.
A funeral is set for Sunday (July 13, 10 a.m., Temple Israel of Westport). Shiva will be held at her home. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Westport Library or Westport Senior Center.
Like any good mother, this one fed her little one:
Johanna Keyser Rossi — who took today’s spectacular “Westport … Naturally” image near Fresh Market — reports, “She fed him for a long time. So I assume there is only one baby osprey.”
And finally … in honor of the new Merritt Parkway numbering system: This is the closest I could get.
(Whether you live in the 06880, 25 miles away, or 2,500, if you’re reading this, you’re part of our great online community. Thank you — and thanks too for clicking here, to support our work!)
Speaking still of transportation: The Westport Astronomical Society’s free online lecture series continues July 15 (8 p.m., Zoom and YouTube), with Dr. Bob Dempsey, director of flight operations for Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital rocket system. It’s designed for space tourism and scientific payload flights.
His talk is called “What Goes Up Must Come Down: Private Space Flight in the Era of ‘New Space.'”
And finally … in honor of the Westport Astronomical Society’s upcoming talk (story above):
(Another Monday, another week of Roundups. If you enjoy learning all about Westport — every morning, 24/7/365 — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The large, colorful flowers on Railroad Place at the Westport train station — next to the steps leading up to the westbound tracks — are gorgeous.
But, I thought, too many passengers are too rushed to notice it the arrangement.
Happily, I was completely wrong.
Last week’s Photo Challenge (click here to see) was quickly identified by Sandy Rothenberg, David Sampson, Andrew Colabella, Orlando Lehnder-Reilly, Seth Schachter, Ptti Brill, Michael Szeto, Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Jim McKay, Jeff Loechner, Micheal Simso and Mousumi Ghosh.
Nice to know that whoever is responsible for, and tends, them — I’m guessing the Westport Police Department, which oversees the station — is appreciated.
We head inside for today’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Adrian Mueller)
(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!)
As Westport debates the future of Saugatuck — including either the Hamlet residential/retail/event space/marina complex, or a 500-plus 8-30g housing complex, with 30% affordable units — Fairfield has just okayed a 478-unit development.
The Planning & Zoning Commission vote was 5-2. Commissioners said that under the state’s 8-30 affordable housing regulation, they had little choice to say yes. The development would replace the Circle Hotel on the Post Road, near Black Rock.
For 44 years, the Susan Fund has helped Fairfield County students who have been diagnosed with cancer go to college.
The low-key — but highly impactful — non-profit honors Susan Lloyd. The popular, multi-talented Staples High School graduate succumbed to bone cancer while at Colgate University, over 4 decades ago.
At its annual reception yesterday, the Susan Fund awarded 19 college scholarships to Fairfield County residents who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Among the recipients was Westporter Charlie Watson, a rising sophomore at Montclair University.
He was joined by the keynote speaker: 7-time Susan Fund recipient Ryan Caulfield. The Staples High School Class of 2017 graduate drove 7 hours — where he is finishing a doctorate in nurse anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh — for the event. (Click here for last year’s “06880” story on Ryan’s triumph over cancer.)
Ryan Caulfield
In high school, nursing — let alone anesthesiology — was not on Ryan’s radar.
He spent his 17th birthday in the operating room at Yale New Haven. A tumor completely occluded his left lung.
Several more procedures monitored the tumor. Then, in May of his junior year, his chest was cracked open. A 10-hour surgery successfully removed the tumor, and reconstructed his airway.
After a prolonged recovery, he found the Susan Fund while searching for scholarships. He said, “I realized they cared about my story and academic aspirations. Each year I looked forward to our meeting to share what was new in my life, and my plans after graduation.
“Listening to the stories of the speakers, and honoring and remembering Susan, constantly reinforce my resolve to become the best provider I can be. I never knew Susan, but her compassion and bravery is exemplified by this foundation and the opportunities that have been provided to each recipient to pursue their dreams.”
During its 44 years, the Susan Fund has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to over 900 individuals. This year’s total was a record amount.
To learn more about the Susan Fund — including how to apply for a scholarship, and donate — click here.
Susan Fund 2025 awardees.
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Every year, the Levitt Pavilion introduces new acts.
But they never forget old favorites.
One of the most popular shows every year is Frank Mastrone & Friends. The singer/actor (“Cats,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables” and more) always delivers a Broadway-quality show.
A large crowd braved last night’s heat to enjoy this year’s edition. Bravo!
The Levitt crowd, for Frank Mastrone. (Photo/Carleigh Welsh)
Summer just started. But the Westport Country Playhouse’s interns are already hard at work.
The quartet gain real-world experience in marketing, developing, production and education. They work closely with senior staff, and join in seminars with guest artists and industry leaders.
If you see them at a show: Say hi, and welcome!
From left: Amy Shapiro, Alli Buchanan, Ena Nomoto, Kelsey McFarland.
First Folk Sunday — the popular Sunday afternoon series — begins its third season at the Saugatuck Rowing Club on July 6, with a popular draw: a tribute to Linda Ronstadt.
For decades, Suzanne Sheridan and her sister Christine Erskine have been singing the star’s songs for themselves. Now they’ll entertain an appreciative audience with them.
First Folk Sunday producer Rozanne Gates says, “You will hear 2 voices who come as close to Linda as you will get.”
They’ll be accompanied by First Folk Sunday favorites Bob Cooper (keyboards) and Tim DeHuff (guitar).
Saugatuck Rowing Club offers a First Folk Sunday brunch menu and cocktails at each of the season’s 6 shows. Doors open at noon, for the 12:30 start.
Everything But Water has moved into the old Birddogs space, at “Elm & Main” (formerly Brooks Corner).
The Orlando-based women’s retailer specializes in designer swimwear, vacation essentials and accessories.
They operate 34 stores. Westport is their third in Connecticut. The other locations are Farmington and Greenwich.
(Photo/Sal Liccione)
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Jillian Elder — one of our Westport-merch stars — is back.
She says, “Celebrate summer in style with our newest release: ‘Red, White & Westport.’ From cozy hoodies to everyday tees, tanks, mugs and more, this patriotic collection is perfect for showing off your hometown pride.
And finally … in a salute to that very intriguing sailboat spotted yesterday on the Sound (story above):
(It’s going to be a hot one today. But the coolest thing you can do is support “06880,” with a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
The Westport Astronomical Society celebrated its 50th anniversary yesterday.
That’s an impressive run. Not quite as old as the universe — but that’s still impressive.
And they do cover a lot of territory.
The soirée included demonstrations, tours, games, a silent auction, raffles (of meteorites!), and astral photos for sale — along with the dedication of 2 new telescope domes.
They’re getting ready for next Saturday’s Great Duck Race, on Jesup Green.
The “Fun Faire” — with family-friendly games and activities — runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s free — but raffle tickets are still available for the duck race itself (1 p.m.). First prize is $5,000; there are 9 others too.
At the ungodly hour of 4 a.m. today, 15 youth and 4 adult leaders from Saugatuck Congregational Church left for their annual youth group mission trip.
This year they head to Fort Worth, Texas to help address food insecurity in the area.
Youth mission trips are open to all youth, from those entering high school in the fall to those who just graduated. Older participants can serve as counselors-in-training, while adults can be chaperones. Saugatuck Church membership is not required.
4 a.m. sendoff!
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Ospreys make their nests all over Westport. Some opt for natural surroundings (Sherwood Mill Pond, Burying Hill Beach, Longshore). Others go for a more commercial vibe, like the Fresh Market/Terrain parking lot.
This pair may have just moved — like so many new Westporters — from New York. Perhaps they want a convenient commute to the Big Apple.
Yesterday, Tom Jendrock noticed a nest in the overhead steel structure at the Westport train station. It’s perfect for our “Westport … Naturally” daily feature.
The parent was feeding chicks, and was not bothered at akk when a train passed underneath. That’s a real city bird!
And finally … in honor of the 1960s car spotted at Compo Beach (story above):
(From Compo Beach to the skies above — and universe beyond — “06880” is here for you. If you enjoy our hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Clarence Hayes is a Representative Town Meeting member, and an ardent environmentalist. He says:
I’ve written here before about Westport’s outsized contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
On a per capita basis, Westport is among the very worst polluters on the planet – higher even than the worst country: Qatar.
Some emissions are direct – driving big cars, heating big houses, flying to Florida. Others are indirect, like our high consumption of goods and services, each with its own carbon footprint.
I’ve also written about the town’s progress in adopting electric vehicles. Below is this year’s update, based on 2024 data, and the last 5 years.
The analysis uses the motor vehicle grand list, EPA data, and a VIN matching tool I built which leverages a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database. I determined the greenhouse gas emissions for every distinct model registered in Westport over 5 years: 34,246 models.
(NOTE: I created this tool, because I was unable to find any government or private tool. I will soon offer it to other towns in the state.)
The GHG rmissions include both “tailpipe CO2” – what comes out of the car — and “upstream” emissions. For an EV, upstream means the emissions produced in generating electricity. For a gas vehicle, it means those produced in extracting, refining and transporting oil-based fuels.
The average EV, which gets 3.6 miles per kwh, generates 80 gCO2e per mile. The average gas car in Westport generates 482 gCO2e per mile – 6 times more.
Between 2022 and 2023, Westport added 275 EVs; between 2023 and 2024, 323. The total is now up to 6.5% of all registered vehicles.
But we have a long way to go. It is easy to notice an EV, and assume they’re everywhere. But one tends to not notice all the non-EVs.
An electric BMW 17.
We still emit 5.3 tons of CO2 per Westporter from cars only. In France, meanwhile, 6 tons per person is emitted from every CO2 source – the total carbon footprint.
I didn’t own an EV myself until recently. My gas car was old, but in good condition.
And building any new vehicle carries a GHG cost. Manufacturing a Tesla Model Y emits 14 tons of CO2 — more than the 9 tons for a comparable BMW X3.
It’s the battery. It takes 16,500 miles of driving to break even in CO2 emissions. Unless you have a gas guzzler, keeping your current gas car is greener than buying anything new.
But my wife recently started a new daily activity in Redding, and one car was no longer enough. So I finally got an EV. I was surprised – it’s great!
For only $15,800, I got a mint condition used 2024 Nissan Leaf with only 5,000 miles on it, and full factory warranties. A 5-seater, I easily fit both my grandkids in the back seat and have plenty of cargo space.
Driving an EV was a revelation. Instant acceleration and engine braking make it fun to drive. It’s low maintenance, and as quick as my 2002 BMW 325i. EVs have caught up. Even the Leaf is terrific.
The market is mature. There are EVs for every type of driver, from minimalist to luxury. You can drive to Stowe or DC on one charge. And EV prices continue to come down.
Due to our high electricity prices, unfortunately, EV fuel costs are only slightly lower than those of a gas car — for example, 8.0¢/mile (at $0.29/kWh and 3.6 miles/kWh) vs. 9.7¢/mile for a gas car getting 32 mpg, at $3.11/gallon.
(Your electricity rate may differ by a cent or two. depending on your usage. Eversource offers a $300 annual credit if you program your EV to charge anytime other than noon to 8 p.m. weekdays.)
Here is a cost comparison for 2025 new cars for a range of vehicle types:
Click on or hover over to enlarge.
EVs match gas cars in size, features and performance.
If you regularly take 400+ mile trips and worry about charging, get a plug-in hybrid. Much of your driving around town will be electric; on long distance trips they get far better mileage. You will at least emit half of what you would with the average straight gas car.
Here are more EV examples – still just a subset of what you can get now:
The 86 worst-polluting cars in Westport emit the same CO2 as the 1,000 cleanest.
The choices of 70 households cancel out the gains made by the 572 others who chose EVs. And they weren’t compromising. These are nice cars: Lucid Air, BMW i4, Genesis G80, Mercedes EQ450, Audi Q4 eTron, etc..
Make your next car electric.
(Questions or interest in the source data? Email Clarence: chayes@westportct.gov)
(“06880” regularly covers the environment, transportation, and much more. If you enjoy stories like these, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Werner Liepolt lives in the Bridge Street Historic District. Valerie Seiling Jacobs is a member of Save Westport Now.
Both have closely followed deliberations over the future of the 135-year-old Cribari Bridge. Long stalled — like traffic heading to it — the state Department of Transportation has recently shown new interest in a replacement. Werner and Valerie write:
We’ve all seen it: traffic backed up on Bridge Street across the Cribari Bridge, distracted drivers with out-of-state plates checking their smartphones, and the line of cars clogging Riverside Avenue and Greens Farms Road.
It was bad in 2015, when the Connecticut Department of Transportation first started talking about fixing the historic swing bridge. But it’s only gotten worse since COVID.
The stream of traffic coming from I-95 is remorseless, especially in the morning. Pity parents trying to shepherd their youngsters across the street to catch the school bus. or commuters trying to get to the railroad station. A drive to Compo Beach during the summer can put you on Bridge Street for half an hour.
Bridge Street traffic: 7:40 a.m., May 29, 2025. (Photo/Werner Liepolt)
You know all this. You live here. And that’s exactly why Jim Marpe, our former first selectman, refused to vote to release the money for a DOT study.
He recognized that DOT was likely to recommend building a new, state-of-the-art bridge, one that would be tall enough to accommodate 18-wheelers and thus invite even more I-95 spillover and Waze traffic.
But here’s the rub: our current first selectwoman seems oblivious to the problem. Last year she voted to release $4.1 million to the DOT to begin work on the project.
On May 15, DOT held its first meeting in Westport about the bridge since 2018.
William F. Cribari Bridge. (Photo/Ferdinand Jahnel)
Of all the neighbors, only registered “stakeholder” Werner Liepolt was invited to attend, although the public was not. In the invitation, the DOT noted that there had been “significant developments” concerning the project.
At the meeting, however, we learned the only “developments” appear to be that:
The DOT has been asked by Tooker to do a traffic study on the Saugatuck side of the bridge only, presumably to accommodate the proposed Hamlet development, which she supports; and
DOT is now officially recommending that we build a new, bigger bridge — one that will be weight-bearing and tall enough for 18-wheelers.
Needless to say, the stakeholders in the room were outraged. We reiterated what we had said in 2018: that a taller bridge will invite more traffic and trucks when I-95 backs up.
Matthew Mandell, a Representative Town Meeting member, wanted more information on how to obtain an exemption from current building specs, a request that Valerie Seiling Jacobs of Save Westport Now echoed.
She also asked if DOT had considered the impact of increased traffic on air quality — especially given Westport’s ongoing ozone issues. (They had not.)
Maggie Dallal and other young mothers described how difficult it is to cross Bridge Street to get their kids to the bus stop.
School bus crawls along Bridge Street: 7:47 a.m., May 29, 2025. (Photo/Werner Liepolt)
John Suggs, of the Westport Preservation Alliance, reminded DOT that the bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and that Bridge Street is an official “Scenic” route, 2 designations that entitle us to special dispensation.
And Paul Lebowitz, chair of the Planning & Zoning Commission, reminded everyone that the traffic and truck problem had been discussed at the 2018 DOT meeting.
A potential solution had been floated then: building a bridge that would look like the current bridge (e.g, it would have ornamental trusses), but would not be tall enough to accommodate 18-wheelers.
What happened to that idea? Lebowitz wanted to know.
The DOT seemed flummoxed by the crowd’s reaction, perhaps because none of them had been at the 2018 meeting (all those folks have since moved on).
Still, they insisted that a new bridge would not invite more truck or other traffic. In fact, they claimed that a new bridge would actually speed up traffic and reduce idling time, apparently ignoring the fact that everyone would still need to get through the intersection at Riverside and Bridge Street.
Moreover, they seemed to think that trucks would not choose this route even if I-95 backs up.
The Riverside Avenue side of the Cribari Bridge.
Are their memories so short that they do not recall how the fiery crash on I-95 in 2024 prompted hundreds of trucks to cut through Westport? Everyone in the area remembers how our police department had to stop truck traffic due to 18-wheelers jumping the sidewalks.
It’s true that the DOT reps at the front of the auditorium “duly noted” many of the concerns we raised, implying that they would look into those matters. At the very end of the meeting however, in a complete ambush, the chief DOT engineer for the project — who had apparently been in the audience all along but had not previously identified himself — took the microphone and made it clear that DOT intends to build a new bridge that will accommodate all truck traffic — thereby making a mockery of his junior colleague’s “duly noted” promises.
At this past Thursday’s Traffic and Pedestrian Safety meeting, we stood together with residents of the area and insisted that the Westport Traffic Authority demand comprehensive surveys and plans for traffic abatement and resident safety from DOT before any decision is made about the Cribari Bridge.
We must stand together as a community, and tell our first selectwoman and DOT that anything less is unacceptable.
We deserve to have a voice in what happens in our community.
(If you agree, please email contactsavewestportnow@gmail.com to add your name to the roster of residents who will save the town from this hasty, dangerous, foolish plan.)
(The Opinion pages of “06880” are open to all. Please send submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com)
Representative Town Meeting (RTM) member Andrew Colabella attended last night’s Traffic & Safety Task Force meeting.
Members provided an update to residents. The group meets twice a year publicly, but are always available to address concerns and asnwer questions. Andrew reports:
Since their inception in April 2022, the Traffic & Safety Task Force has been very active. Among their achievements:
Grants
Safe Streets for All: The Safety Action Plan is complete, and the implementation grant application is in preparation.
STEAP Grant: The Greens Farms Elementary School sidewalks contract has been awarded, and construction is complete.
LOTCIP Projects (Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program):
Main Street – Compo Road North sidewalks: Construction is complete.
Compo Road South sidewalks (from Post Road East to Bridge Street): Final design plans are being reviewed by the state Department of Transportation. Construction is expected this fall or next spring.
Easton Road sidewalks (from Weston Road to Coleytown Road).
BIG Project: The Compo Road North sidewalk project is underway. Other potential incidental projects include a demonstration project that closes Taylor Place to vehicles, creating a pedestrian-only area. This has been approved as a LOTCIP project for funding. Preliminary talks are underway with various departments, including CDOT.
Town Projects
Cross Highway Traffic Improvements:
Phase 1: Signage has been installed. There have been many positive comments from the public.
Phase 2: Construction of the sidewalk from Wakeman Farm Lane to Bayberry Lane is 95% complete.
Phase 3: Construction of the sidewalk from North Avenue to Wakeman Farm Lane is scheduled for this year.
Phase 4: Construction of the Cross Highway culver over Deadman Brook is scheduled for the summer of 2026.
New signage at Cross Highway and Bayberry Lane includes flashing lights.
Compo Road South at Longshore, near Compo Parkway: Construction of the crosswalk and rapid flashing beacon is almost complete.
Imperial Avenue at Baker Avenue: Retrofit of the crosswalk and rapid flashing beacon is underway. CTDOT is finalizing the design. Construction is scheduled for this year.
Riverside Avenue improvements in Saugatuck Center: Funding has been approved for mid-block crosswalks and traffic signals. The design is in progress.
School Zones across town: Signage has recently been installed in school zones.
Stop sign on Edge Hill Lane: This stop sign is being addressed.
Stop sign to replace yield sign on Salem Lane at Salem Road: This is also being addressed, with MPH and curve to be included.
Approval for mid-block crosswalk and rapid flashing beacon on Easton Road at Wisteria Lane: The design is in progress. The project is working with property owners.
Riverside Avenue at Railroad Place: A new stop sign is being installed to replace the yield sign.
Morningside Drive South at Hillandale Road: Hillandale has become a 4-way stop.
New chevrons installed on Old Hill Road and Kings Highway North.
Signage improvements are underway on Roseville Road at Whitney St. to increase visibility.
CCGP Projects (Community Connectivity Grant Program):
Hillspoint Road (Compo Hill Avenue to Hales Road): Construction is 99% complete. Shared Lane Marking Route: A grant application has been submitted.
CT DOT Projects (Ongoing and on schedule)
Post Road East improvements (Crescent Road to Roseville Road, and Stop & Shop through Bulkley Avenue North and South).
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