Tag Archives: 233 Hillspoint Road

What’s going on at Winslow Park?

Construction vehicles and materials are parked on the north side, by Compo Road North near East Main Street.

But no work is being done at the dog park. It’s a staging area for Burns Construction, the contractor for a sewage collection system project nearby.

The company will lay 10,000 feet of pipe, to serve 121 properties on Evergreen Parkway, Tamarac Lane, Lone Pine Lane, Gorham Avenue, Brookside Drive, and a small section of Compo North.

Because it’s a dense neighborhood with many children — and to avoid impacting residents — Burns and the town’s Public Works Department asked Parks & Rec for permission to use Winslow Park as a staging area.

(Photo/Nancy Vener)

Burns is stripping the topsoil, to avoid muddying the area. They’ll fence the section in too.

Their contract runs through December 28. However, the Engineering Department’s Bryan Thompson says, the work may not take that long.

When they’re done, Burns will full restore the area, including hydroseeding.

Signs will go up soon in the area, warning of construction vehicles entering the roadway.

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“06880” has reported on the recent work done — after 3 years — on the (too)-large house being built to replace Positano restaurant, at 233 Hillspoint Road.

As Don Bergmann points out, it’s still not quite right. He writes: “The Blight Board gave the owner … 2 weeks to remove [not lower. as ‘06880’ reported] the chimney and cupola, by March 23.

“The minutes, in draft form, of the Blight Prevention Board meeting on March 9, make this very clear.  The removal of both items was to have occurred by March 23. The draft minutes are on the town website for meetings.”

The chimney at 233 Hillspoint Road must come down completely. (Photo/Matt Murray)

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At 7:15 yesterday morning, the Westport Police Department responded to a residence on a report of a disturbing social media post.

The caller — a local student — felt concerned about going to school, based on the post.

Officers immediately identified the source of the post. Working with the School Resource Officer and Detective Bureau, they identified the person responsible.

Officers went to each school until they located the responsible party. By 8 a.m., they determined that there was no threat.

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Looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day?

The Parks & Recreation Department is sponsoring a “Clean Up Westport” event that Saturday (April 22).

Letters have been sent to more than 2 dozen civic organizations, asking for help.

Groups should call Parks & Rec (203-341-5091) before April 14, specifying the time and site of their effort. The town will then collect bagged garbage from each spot.

But you don’t have to be part of any pre-set location. Anyone can clean up any litter, anywhere in town.

Free trash bags are available at the Parks & Rec office by the Longshore first tee on April 20, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. There’s a limit of 6 bags per organization, and they must be requested by April 19.

Westport is a mess. Do your part on Earth Day (or any day, really). (Photo/Lou Weinberg)

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There were 2 sure signs of spring yesterday at Compo Beach:

Sand grooming equipment, and a kite.

Another springtime reminder: Starting Saturday (April 1), dogs are not allowed anywhere on the beach.

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

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“What’s Next in Weston” — the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston bi-weekly podcast — continues today.

It’s Part 2 of a discussion with 1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor of the the town’s grand list, mill rate, home values, and how it all relates to real estate taxes.

Click below to see:

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Did you know there is only one zoo in Connecticut?

That it’s 99 years old, features 350 animals, and is just a few miles away in Bridgeport?

The Y’s Women learned all about the Beardsley Zoo, at a presentation by curators of education Jim Knox and Carolyn Rinaldi.

They described saving species from extinction, and the reintroduction of wild species into the state and beyond.

Beardsley Zoo’s Jim Knox, at the Y’s Women meeting.

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Bassist Rich Zurkowski and his guitarist daughter Chloe bring their instruments — and voices — to this week’s Jazz at the Post.

There are 2 shows this Thursday (March 30), at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. (VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399). Dinner service begins at 7.

They’re joined by pianist Jesse Gribbon, drummer Eric Kalb and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall. Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.

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Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities — the Norwalk-based non-profit founded by former Westporter Jane Ross — has grown into an important, influential organization. They educate and empower parents of children with learning and attention differences

Like many groups, they rely on annual benefits for funding. This year’s gala —  “Minds in Bloom: Cultivating Growth for Kids with Learning Differences — is set for April 20, at Darien’s Woodway Country Club,

The evening includes a cocktail reception, dinner, and silent and live auctions.

Tickets are $250 per person, $2,500 per table; click here to purchase. For sponsorships, call Ross: 203-216-3196. For more information, click here.

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Longtime Westport teacher and devout Catholic mother and wife Mary Murphy died peacefully earlier this month in Trumbull, surrounded by her family. She was 91.

The Medford, Massachusetts native spent her life devoted to her faith, family and friends.

She served as eucharistic minister, Bible study leader and volunteer in her parishes. Mary also volunteered at CRIS radio. and taught English as a second language at the Mercy Learning Center.

Her family says, “Through hard times and happy times, Mary stayed true to her husband, family, friends and herself. She was a devoted wife to Ed for 39 years, raising their family and then caring for Ed until his death in 1993.

“As the central figure of her large family, Mary was present at just about all her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events, school activities, concerts, graduations and parties. Our family was blessed to experience Mary’s love, light, wisdom, compassion and inner strength. She was a role model for all of us on how to ‘do it right’.”

Mary graduated from Regis College, and obtained her master’s degree in education from Fairfield University. She worked for the Westport Public Schools as a foreign language teacher for 25 years.

Mary passionately followed the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team, and the Boston Red Sox. She loved to travel, read, and play bridge and golf.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated this Saturday (March 25, 10 a.m., Church of the Assumption). Interment will follow in Willowbrook Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may greet the family on Friday (March 24, 4 to 7 p.m., Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull).

Mary is survived by her children Ed (Carol) of Windham, New Hampshire, Ken (Pam) of Epping, New Hampshire, Kevin (Janet) of Sacramento, Sharon of Torrington, Maureen Burdick of Trumbull, and Terri Matsen (Eric) of LaGrange, Kentucky; daughter-in-law Kate Murphy of Newburyport, Massachusetts; grandchildren Kahley Apostolou (Mike); Erin, John and Brian Murphy; Peter, Edward and Mary Grace Burdick; Conor, Nolan, Bridget and Jack Matsen; Jillian and Shane Murphy (Marisa), and great-grandchildren Logan Burdick, and Lyla and Mason Apostolou; brothers John V. Gibbons Jr. of North Kingston, Rhode Island and Robert Gibbons of Mirror Lake, New Hampshire, and several nieces and nephews.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Ed, son Dennis, grandson Christopher Stephen Murphy Burdick, son-in-law Carl Burdick, and sister Claire Gibbons Boyle.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Down’s Syndrome of Louisville, 5001 South Hurstbourne Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40291 or Wigglewow, 10529 Watterson Trail, Louisville, KY 40299 (a natural dog biscuit company and retail center committed to providing disabled adults with supportive, purposeful employment opportunities).

Mary Murphy

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It’s not often we run a “sky” image as our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

But it’s not often a photographer captures both the moon and Venus in the same shot.

The other day, Andrew Colabella did — framed by Saugatuck:

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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And finally … in honor of the Earth Day town-wide cleanup (story above):

“06880” is your hyper-local blog. We’re a non-profit (click here for more info about our work). We rely on reader donations. Thank you!