Representative Town Meeting moderator Jeff Wieser has responded to John McCarthy’s allegation that a petition submitted by 20 electors will not be on the October 3 agenda. The moderator says:
“As a former RTM member, John knows that posted agenda items do not carry exact wording of items to be discussed. Resolutions are more specific and they are posted closer to the meeting.
“However, our October 3 agenda very clearly states that Mr. McCarthy’s petition is on the agenda as Item number 6, and he has been told many times that the RTM Rules Committee will meet regarding the petition at its October 2 meeting, in the auditorium at Town Hall.
“There is no reason for this inflammatory letter.“
The agenda item states: “To take such action as the meeting may determine, upon the request of at least 20 Westport electors, to clarify for all Westport residents the meaning and intent of “Sec. A162-6.- Agenda” of the “Representative Town Meeting Rules of Procedures” as found in Exhibit A of the “Code of Ordinances of Westport Connecticut.”
A large, heavy concrete sign — with the Y’s old, triangular logo — sits inside Anthropologie. The clothing/accessories/home furnishings store occupies the former Bedford Building, where the YMCA began here in 1923. (The benefactor’s name lives on, in the retail complex known as Bedford Square.)
That was an easy one. Ron Japha, Richard Hyman, Bonnie Strittmatter, Rick Benson, Andrew Colabella, Jeff Jacobs, Cathy Malkin, Beth Krane, Shirlee Gordon, Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Beth Berkowitz, Amy Schneider, Molly Alger, Bobbie Herman and Jonathan McClure all knew where (and “Y”) the big sign can be found. (Click here to see.)
This week’s Photo Challenge comes courtesy of Sunil Hirani. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
John McCarthy wrote to Representative Town Meeting moderator Jeff Weiser, deputy moderator Lauren Karpf and Town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton:
“I was surprised to see that the below resolution was not placed on the RTM Agenda for its October 3 meeting:
‘RESOLVED, that the full Westport RTM at its October 3, 2023 meeting affirms that the meaning of the term ‘Shall’ in ‘Sec. A162-6. – Agenda’ of the ‘Representative Town Meeting Rules of Procedures’ as found in Exhibit A of the ‘Code of Ordinances of Westport Connecticut’ is to be ‘construed as being mandatory’, per the definition of the word ‘Shall’ in ‘Sec. 1-2. – Definitions and rules of construction’ and that ‘Sec. A162-6. – Agenda’ compels and requires the Moderator, or in the event of the Moderator’s inability to act, the Deputy Moderator or, in the event of the inability of both, the Town Clerk to place on the RTM meeting agenda such matters as petitioned by at least 20 Westport Electors not less than 14 days prior to a Representative Town Meeting.”
A petition with over 20 electors was certified by the town clerk on September 5, McCarthy says.
He adds, “I trust that this was merely an oversight and that a corrected version of the agenda with the requested resolution will be issued shortly.”
CraftWestport returns to the Staples High School fieldhouse November 4-5. Over 175 vendors kick off the holiday shopping season, with thousands of products in mediums like ceramics, textiles, woodworking, jewelry, glass art and more.
Plus food items like bourbon-barrel aged maple syrup, hand-painted chocolates, teas, honey, cheese spreads, curds, baked goods, and skincare products, soaps, candles, etc.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All-weekend admission is $11; seniors $10, children 12-18 $5, children under 12 are free. Click here for more details. CraftWestport is presented by the Westport Young Woman’s League.
“Chapter Two: Spanning From Retail to E-Tail” — a benefit supporting expansion of Westport Book Sale’s employment and job training program for adults with disabilities, to its eBay online sales business — is set for October 25 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library).
The event will include live music, light bites, a paddle raise, and a live and silent auction of a sample of what the Book Sale sells on eBay.
Click here to see auction items. They include a first edition of Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince; 2 copies of The New Yorker in Westport donated by authors Eve Potts and Andrew Bentley; books signed by Laura Linney; a poster autographed by Sylvester Stallone; art donated by Nina Bentley, Miggs Burroughs, Kirsten Rao, Norm Siegel, and Rowene Weems, and more.
Participants in the online sales business will learn computer, data entry and office skills, broadening their work experience and marketability.
Eager beavers will be excited about this year’s Aspetuck Land Trust Haskins Lecture.
Leila Philip — author of the bestseller “Beaverland” — speaks at the Westport Library on October 26 (7 p.m.).
She’ll discuss the animal’s large role in American history, and even larger role in our ecological future. Books will be available for purchase, and signing.
Aspetuck Land Trust will also host 2 beaver hikes (October 12 and 22) at Trout Brook Valley Preserve in Weston. Click here for details of that, and other events.
On December 2, the Westport Country Playhouse presents a production of the young adult novel. The musical follows Percy jackson as he discovers he’s a demigod.
It’s recommended for grades 3-6. Click here for tickets ($25) and more information.
And finally … in honor of the kerfuffle over the word “shall” (story above):
(Kerfuffles, controversies — they’re all part of the local journalism you find on “06880.” Please click here to support your hyperlocal blog. Thank you!)
Peter J. Swift has lived in Westport since 1997. A master mariner, he spent 25 years at sea — including command of supertankers and liquefied natural gas ships.
He then spent over 25 years in senior shore management in international shipping, and his own maritime consultancy.
Peter is involved in international maritime charities. He is also a member of the Westport Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve, and president of the Harvest Commons Condominium Association. He writes:
There has been a lot of “water under the bridge” on the Long Lots School rebuild. Here are my observations, after speaking with local residents, civil engineers and architects., and attending many Long Lots School Building Committee meetings.
This is a much broader issue than Long Lots School.
Peter Swift
This serious problem affects all of Westport. 34% of all properties in Westport have a 26% chance of being seriously impacted by flooding.
We love our wet and rocky town. Yet brooks and watersheds, combined with rock, is a fact we have to plan for.
Obviously, some areas need special attention. The area from Long Lots Elementary School to Long Island Sound along Muddy Brook is a very serious one.
Here are a few examples.
When the lower ball field was constructed, despite engineering calculations to the contrary, considerable water ingress into Muddy Brook was experienced by neighbors.
During a 3-year delayed construction on a neighboring road, considerable increase of surface water was noted by neighbors .
Retention basins were added only after construction.
Peter Swift says, “the site is flooded because retention basin’s were put in after construction was delayed for years. Neighbors at lower elevations are left to manage storm water overflow.”
There is still concern whether this works, because it was designed only for a 25-year storm.
Recent drainage and sewer work in areas near Long Lots School revealed underwater streams, with a flow that should not be disturbed.
It’s no surprised this was once good farm land. There was water all around.
Neighbors near Long Lots report that their sump pumps run constantly. Some have 2, both running constantly.
The Long Lots retention pond often overflows the dry stone wall, which marks the boundary of Long Lots Elementary School …
Because big houses are being constructed on plots that had smaller houses, the 25-year storm standard does not work. It must be improved.
I understand that the standard planning is for each construction to retain on site the estimated water run off for a 25-year storm. There are many instances in town where this has proved to be inadequate.
In turn stressing Muddy Brook as it runs downstream to Long Island Sound. (Photos courtesy of Peter Swift)
Can Westport not consider a higher standard, especially for large taxpayer funded projects?
We all live in Westport, and pay taxes. Even if we do not us our education system, we love and support it.
Why is there such a rush to get spades in the ground within a year ?
The school is 50 years old, and has had many extensions. Let’s get this right.
Can we not allow our professional engineers time to study this before decisions are made?
Not give them a decision to work with. The cart is before the horse.
This would allow more detailed study of the long-term problems of building on ball fields and community gardens which absorb surface water, and include wetlands.
(“06880” covers all aspects of the Long Lots renovation project — and all other local news. By supporting this blog, you support local journalism. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
The Long Lots School Building Committee holds a special meeting this Tuesday September 26, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 201/201A ).
The agenda includes 15 minutes of public comment and/or questions regarding the feasibility study project, followed by a work session with the design team for project status updates, review and discussion. The public can attend the work session, but not participate.
The Long Lots School Building Committee will continue to discuss plans at its Tuesday meeting.
Another meeting of note: The Joint Committee of the Historic District Commission and Architectural Review Board will hold a public Zoom meeting on October 3 (7 p.m.). to review and comment on the proposed redevelopment of Parker Harding Plaza.
The notice says, “Comments offered at the meeting will be considered in anticipation of further zoning review and approvals.”
Meanwhile, in the other direction, Old Dominion ripped it up at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
The multi-award-winning Nashville-based band is fronted by guitarist/vocalist Brad Tursi. Westporters know him as a 1997 graduate of Staples High School — and a former soccer star for the state finalist Wreckers.
Brad Tursi (left) with Old Dominion at Mohegan Sun. (Photo/Tom Scarice)
Here’s a truly cool event: Small Car Company’s annual Air-Cooled Charity Car Show on October 8 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Veterans Green; free, and family-friendly).
It’s a benefit to raise funds and awareness for 2 non-profits: Northeast Community Cycles (which provides bikes free of charge to underprivileged children) and the Bikeport Co-Op (a program where youth earn bikes by attending bike safety and maintenance courses, and performing volunteer hours with local organizations).
The show features dozens of vintage Porsches, Volkswagens, Corvairs and other rare and special air-cooled cars and motorcycles from around the tri-state area.
In conjunction with the classic car show, Small Car Company has partnered with Westport’s Total Training & Endurance for a bike tour, starting and finishing at Veterans Green. The $40 per rider cost includes a post-ride meal. Funds benefit Northeast Community Cycles and Bikeport Co-Op.
Small Car Company does other good work too — for example, hosting students who attend skilled trade auto-technology schools in a “Mentors & Motors” program during the show.
Students meet and learn from experienced mentors from many sectors of the automotive industry, including historic restoration, modern production automotive repair, sales, design, and photography.
The Gridiron Club has announced its 2023 inductees for the Staples High School Wall of Fame.
Congratulations to former players DJ Stefkovich (2006), Brian Levine (’06), Josh Kozel (’08), Matt Kelly (’09), Rob Gau (’11), James Frusciante (’13), Joey Zelkowitz (’13), Declan O’Keefe, plus Staples assistant principal James Farnen and Westport PAL football president and former PAL coach Carmen Roda.
Congratulations to all! The ceremony takes place November 3, at halftime of the Wreckers’ game against Trumbull.
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Speaking of sports: The 10th annual Westport Police Benevolent Association Golf Tournament is October 23, at Tashua Knolls in Trumbull.
It’s a scramble format. Funds raised go to college scholarships for PBA members, as well as 2 to Staples High seniors who will pursue degrees in law enforcement.
The day includes raffles, and prizes for longest drive, closest to pin, closest to line, and the winning foursome.
Checks ($250 for one participant, $1,000 for a foursome) can be sent to Westport PBA Scholarship Fund, 50 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880. Questions? Call 203-803-0215, or email jlauria@westportct.gov.
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Eleven Staples High School seniors have qualified as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.
Congratulations to Emerson Briggs, Leigh Foran, Dania Hemdan, Peter Loranger, Ellen Ou, Surya Rao, Jameson Russell, Ella Tobben, Elizabeth Turner, Darren T Weng and Gabriel Weng.
Fewer than 1 percent of the over 1.5 million students who took the PSAT/NMSQT qualifying exam will compete for 7,140 National Merit scholarships, worth more than $28 million.
National Merit semifinalists (from left): Leigh Foran, Emerson Briggs, Elizabeth Turner, Peter Loranger, Dania Hemdan, Jameson Russell, Surya Rao, Darren Weng, Gabriel Weng, Ellen Ou. Missing: Ella Tobben.
On Thursday, the former Bridgewater CEO announced his candidacy for the Pennsylvania US Senate seat held by Democrat Bob Casey.
The Republican — born and raised near Pittsburgh — laid out his bona fides as a “7th-generation Pennsylvanian.”
But he also maintains a home on Beachside Avenue. And, critics say, that’s where he spends most of his time.
On Monday, as he sought the endorse of Doug Mastriano — the losing gubernatorial nominee last fall, who had considered a Senate run himself — flight records show that a plane co-owned by McCormick flew from Bridgeport to Harrisburg at 8:28 a.m. It returned to Connecticut that afternoon.
Click here for the Politico story. (Hat tip: Allan Siegert)
Sorelle Gallery’s next exhibition, “A Million Possibilities,” features new works by Connecticut artist Sofie Swann. It opens Friday (September 29), with a reception no Saturday (September 30, 3 to 5 p.m.).
Born in Iran, Swann’s abstract paintings are centered around her emotional response to experiences and memories, particularly her struggle to find a place to call home after being forced to leave Iran and immigrate to the US. For more information, click here.
Artwork by Sofie Swann.
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Jay Babina earned “06880” fame as the founder/curator/mastermind of the great, creative and very wide-ranging Westport Tech Museum.
Today he returns as a contributing photographer for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
When Mark Lassoff moved to Westport, he had never thought about TV or radio. Upon graduating from Staples High School 4 years later, he’d made a major mark in both. (He also starred on the wrestling team.)
Mark’s journey took him to the University of Texas, work in the Lone Star State, then back to this area.
Mark Lassoff
He founded Framework Tech, a company that helps brands build engaging, broadcast-quality, instructional media.
Mark also produces online titles to help people learn skills like coding, design, and digital productivity.
Now he’s written a book.
“The Ultimate Guide to Creating Online Learning Video: A Comprehensive Handbook for Instructional Designers” blends professional insights, friendly advice, and light-hearted humor.
Mark gives Westport a nice shout-out in the introduction. He writes:
I took my first video production class in 1988.
My high school had a television studio. I was so excited that I enrolled in Mr. Green’s TV production class the first semester of my freshman year.
It was a different world then.
We recorded on 3/4-inch tapes. We used an analog linear editing machine. We produced graphics on a Chryon machine capable of 8-bit text. The text looked like it was being rendered by an Atari 400 in 1985. We had an Amiga 500
as well, but no one knew how to use it.
Still, we produced real video.
Early on, with my friend Evan Stein, I directed “Extra Help,” a live television
show where teachers provided homework help to students.
We had a full studio crew including camera operators, a floor manager, technical director and audio technician. None of us were older than 16.
From that crew, Emily Reich (now Emily Shem-Tov) would go on to work as a
director of product support operations for Netflix.
Evin Lowe stayed on the production side of things, becoming one of the few female gaffers on commercial television productions. Evin has worked on shows for Netflix and Stars.
As a senior I had the opportunity to work on the crew for “MiggsB on TV,” a local public-access talk show hosted by designer Miggs Burroughs.
“Miggs B on TV”
This was shot in the same professional-level studio as our local “News 12” production. I worked as the audio technician. In addition to getting yelled at by a real television director, I was able to place a microphone on female professional
wrestlers, musicians, and local nutcases.
By the time I was 18, I had produced everything from summer camp videos to local commercials. I had even had the opportunity to work on a couple of local cable news productions.
Fast forward 30 years. I now have my own studio. It’s less than 10 miles from
the high school where I took Mr. Green’s class. The Chyron machine has been
replaced with an Apple Mac and Adobe Photoshop. The expensive studio cameras have been replaced with prosumer video cameras that cost a fraction of what those old studio cameras did. The editing is non-linear, digital, and often
completed in Starbucks, using a laptop.
The world has changed… and it hasn’t.
I still feel a sense of excitement and joy when I see something I created on screen.
Sure, it’s not exactly Avatar, but I’m proud of the videos I produce and grateful I getto do this for a living.
Our little studio in Connecticut produces hundreds of hours of video each year that teach people career-defining skills like coding, graphic design, and digital
productivity.
We produce with a small crew, and without tremendously expensive equipment. Our whole studio cost less than $15,000.
We’re known in the industry for “punching above our weight,” and producing broadcast-level content with a small-scale budget.
Despite small budgets and limited resources, we’ve been successful over the last 12 years and have enrolled over 2.5 million people in our video courses.
The work we do in creating these videos helps people do their jobs, improve their careers, and learn critical skills.
The video you produce on workplace safety or chemical storage may not win an
Oscar, but it may save someone’s life.
The video you write on preventing workplace sexual harassment won’t win any Golden Globes, but it might help a new college graduate avoid painful workplace experiences.
This is important work. It’s also joyful work.
I recognize that I am privileged to do this for a living and remain forever in debt to a high school in Connecticut that introduced me to this field.
(“The Ultimate Guide to Creating Online Learning Video” by Mark Lassoff is available on Amazon.)
(“06880” often highlights the work of Staples High School students — current and past. To help us continue our work, please click here. Thank you!)
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We’re known in the industry for “punching above our weight,” and producing broadcast-level content with a small-scale budget.