There is one agenda item: the Hamlet at Saugatuck. With public input closed, the P&Z is now discussing the fate of the residential/hotel/retail/event space project.
Commissioners are in the midst of a 65-day period, in which they’ll render a verdict.
Hamlet project, as seen from the Saugatuck River.
The developers — ROAN Ventures — said last month that if they do not gain approval, they would file a pre-application for an 8-30g housing development on the site. The area encompasses Riverside Avenue from Charles Street to Railroad Place, part of Railroad Place, and Charles Street from the office building to Riverside
The 8-30g proposal would include over 500 housing units. Thirty percent would be deemed affordable, under state standards.
The 70% that comprise market rate units would be a mix of condos and rentals.
Three buildings, 8 stories tall – 6 floors of housing, above 2 for parking – would be constructed on the Hamlet footprint.
And – because it’s an 8-30g development – the town would have virtually no say regarding parking, conservation or other issues.
Artists’ rendering of possible 8-30g housing.
What would that mean? Here is a comparison of the Hamlet project, and the 8-30g.
Units:57 housing units, 57 hotel units; vs. 500+
Height:60 feet; vs. 100 feet (current design; no limit under 8-30g)
Setbacks:Enforceable under 8-30g; vs. can go up to property line under 8-30g
Mixed use:Restaurants and retail walkng paths; vs. residential only under 8-30g
Affordability:20% (at 80% of mean income = 14 units within 1/4 mile; vs. 30% (15% at 80% mean income, plus 15% at 60% mean)
Architectural design:Yes; vs. no under 8-30g
Artists’ rendering of The Hamlet at Saugatuck.
Sightline to river: Yes; vs. no
River access:Yes; vs. no
Marina:Public access with transient spots; vs. no marina required under 8-30g
Parking:Underground to preserve look and space; vs. above ground under 8-30g (no minimal requirements)
Traffic improvements:Upgrades, including traffic lights and turning; vs. no traffic upgrades required under 8-30g
Proposed traffic improvements, in the Hamlet plan.
Remediation: Will remove soil and remediate land; vs. only cap soil while leaving toxins under 8-30g
Drainage:Improvements, including filtering; vs. no drainage plan required under 8-30g
Sewer use:114 total keys online (57 + 57); vs. 500+ units may require additional expenses
Tax revenues:$6 million+ added to Grand List; vs. could generate more costs than revenue under 8-30g
School costs and impact:Minimal impact from 57 units; vs. likely large impact from 500+ units
Police Department:Minimal impact from 57 units; vs. greater impact from 500+ units
Fire Department:Fire chief signed off on fire lanes; vs. new equipment may be needed under 8-30g
Connectivity to Main Street:Shuttle provided; vs. no connectivity under 8-30g
Walkability:Mixed use, with boardwalk connection to Gault development; vs. no river access likely under 8-30g
Community use:Marina, paths, kids’ club, local food court; vs. not required under 8-30g.
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!)
For months, Westporters have wondered about the incidents that led to the non-renewal of Staples High School boys soccer head coach Russell Oost-Lievense, by superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.
A few details emerged during the coach’s appeal hearing in May, before the Board of Education.
But many other details were not made public. Scarice and/or the mediator for the Board objected to 7 witnesses, and dozens of emails and other evidence. The mediator also objected to every attempt by Oost-Lievense’s attorney to introduce information that, she said, would prove that the non-renewal was “arbitrary and capricious.”
Much of that information is contained in a lawsuit brought by Oost-Lievense, against the Board of Education. It was filed in Stamford Superior Court.
Russell Oost-Lievense
Oost-Lievense levels several charges against the BOE, including violation of his rights during the appeal.
His complaint details a 2022 incident, in which the coach addressed bullying by freshman and junior varsity players.
It also describes in detail an incident before the 2024 season, during a team-building retreat; Oost-Lievense’s handling of it; a complaint filed nearly 2 months later about it; and the post-season banquet that resulted in a charge of “insubordination” against the coach.
Oost-Lievense’s suit also includes information about false allegations made against him at a public BOE meeting; the roles of the Board’s “mediator” and their regular attorney, who at the appeal hearing represented the superintendent, Staples principal and athletic director; exclusion of evidence and witnesses; conduct of the BOE during the hearing; alleged conflicts of interest by 2 members, and more.
Oost-Lievense is seeking damages for loss of income, reputational harm, emotional distress, punitive damages — and a reversal of the non-renewal decision, or a fair appeal process.
Beaches. A town-owned country club. A historic Playhouse and popular Pavilion. A kick-ass library. A wide array of interesting restaurants, a vibrant downtown and high-achieving school district.
And when out-of-town friends and family want to enjoy any of that — a show, shopping, graduation, whatever — they settle into a hotel in … Southport.
Or Norwalk. Or Stamford.
Not counting the dozen or so rooms at the Inn at Longshore — now being renovated — Westport has had zero hotel rooms.
There were 100 or so until a couple of years ago, when the Westport Inn closed. But they were decidedly meh. (Though they were a step up from their predecessor, the really forgettble New Englander “Motor Hotel.”)
That puzzling hole in our hospitality heart has now been filled.
Last week, guests began arriving at the Delamar Westport.
Delamar Westport.
The newest addition to a small group that includes boutique properties in Greenwich, Southport, West Hartford, Mystic and (why not?) Traverse City, Michigan, the Delamar Westport will quickly become one of the buzziest spots in town.
Earlier this week, before the soft opening — only about half the rooms are ready; the restaurant won’t open until next month, the pool next year — I got a quick tour.
My mind was in New Englander/Westport Inn mode. I should have been thinking Delamar brand.
Each room — there will be 86 when finished — is big, but homey. The goal was to combine “classic New England hospitality and modern luxury,” and — at least in the rooms I saw — the designers succeeded. From hardwood floors to the definitely non-Hyatt bathrooms, these are not typical hotel rooms
A Delamar Westport room.
Three of the most luxurious are luxury suites. They were created by Christian Siriano.
The internationally known fashion designer has stepped successfully into a new realm. He also designed the lobby, a fun and welcoming space that includes a whimsical sketch wall.
Siriano did not have far to go for this project. He lives 2 miles away.
Christian Siriano, in the lobby.
The Westport Inn was in Westport, but never really part of it. The Delamar hopes to be very involved in the community. There are meeting rooms and private event spaces, for corporate meetings, weddings and special occasions.
They flank the restaurant, called Dandelion. The cuisine will be “coastal Mediterranean,” with Moroccan influences. It’s a stunning space, with outdoor seating. It’s at the back of the property, with plenty of greenery all around.
Dandelion restaurant.
Also in the works: a bocce court and fire pit nearby. And, in the atrium, a giant olive tree.
Besides filling a (desperate) need for a hotel, the Delamar will benefit from its location diagonally across the Post Road from The Clubhouse.
The golf and other sports simulators, huge-screen TVs and rooftop lounge attract the same type of guests who will enjoy the hotel.
As the first guests arrive, workers are putting finishing touches on the Delamar. They, and the staff who will be the public face, seem genuinely excited for the reveal.
When Westporters step inside, they’ll be excited too.
Finally, we won’t have to send out-of-town guests out of town.
Once upon a time, there were phone booths everywhere.
In the Staples High School parking lot. At Ned Dimes Marina, and near the Compo Beach bathhouses. In Parker Harding Plaza. In front of Coleytown Elementary, at the Easton Road/North Avenue intersection.
Very few remain. A couple of stalwarts — at the Merritt Parkway Exit 42 commuter lot, and Sherwood Diner — have been the subject of previous Photo Challenges.
Another one popped up last week. It’s on the Little Pub at Dunville’s porch. (Click here to see.)
If you know, you know … and Dave Eason, Brian Taylor, Regina Kiska, Dan Vener, Andrew Colabella and Ali Godfrey Woods did. Congrats!
This week’s Photo Challenge is another that may be “hidden in plain sight.”
If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
Now alert “06880” reader Jamie Walsh has seen his first Candela — all-electric — boat. It was moored yesterday at Compo Beach’s Ned Dimes Marina.
(Photo/Jamie Walsh)
Jamie says: “Pretty cool! Those 3 things protruding in the air are the hydrofoils. They lower into the water as the boat accelerates, greatly reducing drag and rocking normally associated with most boats.
Last fall, I had myself scanned — and underwent other tests — at Longevity Powered by DexaFit.
The company — nestled inside Sherpa. the personal fitness and training gym across from Border Grille (not their health food partner) — uses those analyses to help people understand their bodies, and improve fitness.
A Dexa scan is a quick analysis of body composition, detailing muscle mass, bone mass, fat and visceral fat. The report provides insights into a person’s T-score (bone density), ALMI, FFMI, A/G Ratio, and BMC (bone mineral content).
If you don’t know what all that means — neither did I.
But manager Amy Julien explained it all.
The other day, I went back for a follow-up. I had taken some of Amy’s recommendations to, um, heart — and the results showed improvements in areas like muscle gain.
Whew! My improved fitness regime had paid off.
Plus, I did not want to disappoint Amy.
I had not taken up a couple of her other recommendations though, like walking with a weighted vest. She (very) gently tsk-tsked me, and provided a few options.
The good news: I’m in pretty good shape.
On the other hand, I’m not Mr. Olympia.
On the third hand, I don’t want to be. I still have my day job, which keeps me from spending 5 hours a day at the gym.
In the meantime, I’ll keep working out. I’ll follow a few of Amy’s other recommendations. I may (or may not) buy that weighted vest.
And in 6 months, I’ll go back to Longevity to see how I’m doing.
Amy Julien and yours truly. Long may we both live.
Early Clover — the former Coasters’ lead singer, and Apollo Theater favorite –brought his soul/R&B/Motown show to the Levitt Pavilion last night.
The youngsters he brought up on stage were born decades after Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole and Otis Redding were alive.
But — with a little encouragement — they got right into those legends’ classic grooves.
(Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
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Bert Reisman — an accomplished journalist, businessman, and longtime Westporter whose volunteer efforts ranged from the Library to Little League — died June 25, at his Southbury home. He was 96.
The Brooklyn native (and passionate Dodgers fan) graduated from New York University in 1941 with a degree in journalism.
At NYU he met his first wife, Sydelle Silver. They were married for 43 years before her death.
They left New York for Colorado, where he was a reporter for the Durango Hearld. Bert then wrote for the St. Joseph (Missouri) Gazette and Rochester (New York) Times Union. His feature subjects included Willie Mays, Jonas Salk and Robert Oppenheimer.
Bert left journalism in 1959 for corporate communications. He spent 30 years at IBM, where he spearheaded the public relations launch of the IBM 360.
He was also responsible for award-winning campaigns that featured Charlie Chaplin and the M*A*S*H characters.
In his final position, Bert he oversaw IBM’s advertising, media relations and market research. After reaching mandatory retirement age, he spent 6 years as a senior consultant at Burton Marsteller.
During his 35 years in Westport, Bert was active in local politics, served on the Westport Library board of directors, and was a Little League organizer, umpire and manager.
He met his second wife, Louise, when he moved to Stratford. They were married for 16 years, before her death in 2021.
Bert split his time between Connecticut and Carefree, Arizona, where his passion for golf flourished. He enjoyed being part of the Mulligans, a group devoted to golf, community service and laughter.
He is survived by his children Robin of Westport, Jodie (Mark) Naber of Sanibel Island, Florida, and Mike of Westport, and grandchildren Samantha Sydelle of Providence and Charlie Reisman of Los Angeles.
Slava Leykind died Wednesday, from complications after participating in a mountain endurance event earlier in the week. He was 43.
Born in Minsk, USSR, in 1982, he emigrated with his family to Minneapolis in 1988.
In 20024 he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
Slava joined General Mills. In 2006 he joined the boutique investment banking firm Sawaya Segalas, and rose one 3 senior partners at what became Sawaya Partners. When it was acquired by Canaccord Genuity in 2021, Slava became co-head of US consumer investment banking for the broader firm.
Yet Slava’s role as a husband and father was his greatest achievement, passion and pride. He is survived by his wife Amy Keller Leykind; children Charlotte, Eloise and Jonah Leykind; parents Art and Nelly Leykind; brothers Gene and Max; parents-in-law Bonnie and Alex Keller; in-laws Nina Leykind, Laura and Alan Isenberg, and Rachel Leykind, and nephews and nieces Deia Leykind, Coby Leykind, Jackson Isenberg, Esme Isenberg and Blake Leykind.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. July 8 at Temple Israel. A private burial will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a fund in Slava’s name is being established at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Details will follow.
Slava Leykind
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It was hard not to have fun this weekend.
And that goes not just for guys and gals. Gulls, too.
Wendy Levy spotted this pair at Burying Hill Beach. They swooped past, posing just long enough for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
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Sustainable Westport is a strong proponent of recycling.
But there’s more to helping the environment than that. Our town’s environmental advocates say:
This Plastic-Free July we are shifting the spotlight – from what we can recycle to what we can simply refuse and reuse.
It’s not just about saying no to straws or remembering our reusable bags. It’s about reimagining our relationship with plastic altogether.
It’s easy to feel like the burden of change falls solely on our shoulders. But this month is a powerful reminder: Our choices can ripple outward and influence bigger systems.
When we choose to use less plastic — and not just recycle more — we send a clear message to businesses, governments and communities that a better way is possible.
Recycling is not enough. The real power lies in refusing plastic before it ever enters our homes.
Join us in starting small, and staying consistent: always bring a reusable water bottle, say no to takeaway cutlery as supported in Sustainable Westport’s Skip the Stuff program, buy bars of soap instead of liquid soap, and avoid pre-packaged fruits and vegetables.
Each swap is a step toward a world that produces less plastic and wastes less overall.
While these swaps may seem small, they matter now more than ever. Microplastics are everywhere — drifting through our oceans, our food, our soil and the air we breathe.
These tiny, often invisible fragments, escape recycling systems. When we say “no” to plastic from the start, we help stop the problem at its source.
Each plastic-free choice we make reduces the pollution we can’t always see, but that touches everything – from the natural world to our own health.
To dive deeper into this urgent issue, join us later this month for a special screening of Plastic People, a powerful documentary exploring the hidden impact of microplastics. It’s July 17, 6 p.m. at MoCA CT. Click here for details and tickets.
And remember: you’re not alone in this. Plastic-Free July is a global movement that empowers millions to take simple, meaningful steps toward reducing plastic waste for cleaner streets, oceans, and thriving communities. Let’s make this July the start of a shift – not just for one month, but for a lifetime.
The Westport Center for Senior Activities offers a number of wellness programs.
Three are dedicated specifically to support people living with Parkinson’s. They include:
Boxing: A high-energy class to improve balance and coordination, taught by fitness instructor and boxer Dan Lewis. Thursdays, 2-3 p.m.; July 10-September 25. $60.
Fitness: A movement-based fitness program to enhance strength, flexibility and mobility, taught by fitness instructor Beth Dalen. First 3 Wednesdays of each month, 10:15-11 a.m.; July 9-September 24.
Support Group: Guided discussions offering emotional support, shared experiences and practical strategies for living with Parkinson’s. Guest speakers address specific topics. The group is facilitated by nurse Diane Bosch. 10:15-11 a.m.; July 23, August 27, September 24.
To learn more, call assistant director Holly Betts (203-341-5096) or program specialist Joe Anastasi (203-341-1066).
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Free entertainment is on tap this weekend, at the Levitt Pavilion.
Early Clover — the former Coasters’ lead singer and Apollo favorite pays tribute to Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Otis Redding and more tonight (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.).
Tomorrow it’s Jake Swamp & the Pine, with Kali Stoddard-Imari (Sunday, 6:30 p.m.). Songs range from acoustic anthems to hoedowns to waltzes, drawing on influences from folk, bluegrass and pop.
Speaking of shows: The Old School Revue All-Stars have a great reputation. So does the Weston History & Culture Center’s “Music at the Barn” outdoor summer concert series.
So the band’s appearance on Sunday, July 13 (5:30 p.m.) should be an extra-special evening. They’ll play classic R&B, rock, soul, jazz and swing tunes.
Current and former members have toured and/or recorded with Steely Dan, the Average White Band, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, Jose Feliciano, Tower of Power, Hall & Oates, the Blues Brothers, Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin.
Bring a lawn chair, and a picnic (no food truck). Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members; purchase here or at the show.
Marina Drasnin — the photographer and artist who left Los Angeles for Westport after the wildfires, and was featured recently in “06880” — is this month’s guest exhibitor at the Westport Book Shop.
She’ll show her very personal and evocative collection, “ad-DRESSING-life,” featuring her hand-beaded and story-imbued miniature dresses. Each one represents a meditation on love, loss and memory, created during her husband’s 5-year battle with illness.
Marina studied at the Sorbonne. Her work has been exhibited in galleries in Boston, Los Angeles and Paris.
A reception is set for July 16 (6 to 7:30 p.m.).
Meanwhile, the Book Shop’s Short Story Book Club meets July 24 (6 p.m.) to discuss “A Cup fo Cold Water” by Edith Wharton (1895) and “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather (1905).
Registration is required. Call 203-349-5141, or email RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org.
Including — on the steeple, and a flag — Assumption Church.
Work has been going on there for a while. But this weekend, it really catches your eye.
(Photo/Janine Scotti)
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Thursday’s wind storm was brief, but powerful.
Especially at Robin Frank’s house. Two umbrellas on metal poles nearly crashed through the kitchen window while she was making dinner.
This one — reaching the second floor — was especially scary:
(Photo/Robin Frank)
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Leslie Byelas — a noted lawyer, and former assistant US Attorney in Connecticut — died Wednesday in hospice care, at his Fairfield home. He was 88.
The Bridgeport native received an undergraduate degree in 1958 and a law degree in 1961, both from Boston University. He served in Connecticut’s Office of the Judge Advocate, and the US Army Reserve.
Les had a longtime legal practice in Westport. He retired in 2020, after 59 years in the profession.
In addition to his wife Ellen Lubell, Les is survived by his sons Michael and Jonathan, stepdaughter Karina Lubell, sister Ruth Byelas, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Amy Bloom and Bill Mainor, grandchildren Tristan Mareuil and Axel Mareuil, and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, the Connecticut Food Bank, and Connecticut Humane Society.
Les Byelas
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We get lots of sunset photos at “06880.”
But Cabry Lueker’s image of Burying Hill Beach is particularly compelling, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
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