I nominate Vanessa Hurta for the 06880 “Unsung Hero” award.
Vanessa is director of clinical services at the Aspetuck Health District. While a lot of her work happens behind the scenes, she made a huge difference for my husband and me recently.
We’re preparing for a trip to Africa, which involves a lot of health logistics.
Vanessa did not just hand us a standard checklist of shots and send us on our way. She sat with us, and patiently walked us through every vaccination and medication we might need.
What really blew us away was her thoroughness. She actually reached out to our own doctors to make sure nothing she was recommending would conflict with our personal medical histories. That kind of proactive coordination saved us so much stress, and made us feel genuinely looked after.
It is easy to forget what a resource we have at 180 Bayberry Lane. Beyond travel health, Vanessa leads a team that handles everything from routine screenings to free blood pressure checks.
Vanessa Hurta, inspecting a tick.
Their public health nurse, Rhea Britt, even goes out to vaccinate homebound neighbors who cannot make it into the office.
The Aspetuck Health District is also the ones tracking local disease trends, and handling those urgent tick identifications that everyone in Westport worries about this time of year. (Reminder to neighbors: If you find a deer tick, they can help get the info you need for Lyme prophylaxis within that 72-hour window).
Whether she’s giving a community talk on tick safety or personally reconciling a traveler’s medications, Vanessa’s dedication is obvious. She is exactly the kind of person who keeps this town running smoothly, without ever asking for a spotlight. I would love to see her get the recognition she deserves.
She’s got it! Thanks, Susan — and congratulations, Vanessa. Whether they realize how you’ve helped them or not, the entire “06880” thanks you.
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Luci Bango, director of health for the Aspetuck Health District, says: “Good news. Beach samples are good!”
That’s the result of yesterday’s re-sampling of Compo Beach water. Swimming had been prohibited since Thursday, due to high bacteria levels.
The results from the state lab — which have a minimum incubation period of 24 hours, with only 4 to 6 staff members processing samples — means that Compo will reopen for swimming tomorrow (Wednesday). The beach has remained open throughout, for all other activities.
Wednesday’s weather forecast is for cloudy skies, with a high of 89.
With the humidity, it will feel like 95.
Everyone into the water!
After a few uncrowded days, Compo Beach will likely look different tomorrow.
Yesterday’s closure of Compo and Burying Hill Beaches — to swimmers, not everyone else — took Westporters by surprise.
It was the hottest day of the year. But there was no rain — the usual reason for Parks & Recreation Department action.
The culprit was impossible to see: bacteria.
Burying Hill Beach, yesterday. (Photo/Seth Schachter)
And the verdict came as a result of something else few bathers ever notice: weekly testing.
Every Monday, the Aspetuck Health District takes samples from Compo and Burying Hill. (But not Old Mill. It’s adjacent to Sherwood Island; as a state park, they do their own sampling.)
A courier drives the samples from Fairfield to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, in Hartford.
It takes a day to analyze them. The results are available late afternoon on Tuesday.
If a sample shows enterococci levels of 104 per 100 milliliters, Aspetuck Health District notifies Parks & Rec.
Enterococci (not actual size). Blame these guys for beach closures.
Affected beaches are then closed to swimming, until they’re re-tested. The courier for the samples is only available Mondays and Wednesdays. So if the second test of the week comes back positive on Thursday, the closure remains in effect until the next test result — late the following Tuesday.
There are many reasons for the presence of harmful bacteria, including rain, marine life or sewage.
The reason does not matter, though. Too much enterococci means “no swimming.”
Westport closes its beaches for another reason, without testing. Any time there is 1.5 inches of rain or more, the potential exists for sewage backup or runoff. Beaches are closed, as a precaution, for 24 hours.
Though swimming may be prohibited, staff remains at beaches, says Parks & Rec director Erik Barbieri. There are plenty of other activities — especially at Compo.
So how often does a high bacteria count lead to closures?
Aspetuck Health District director of health Luci Bango — who provided all this information — confesses, “I don’t know. One summer can be perfect, phenomenal. Another year, not.
“I don’t control the climate.”
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Five years to the week after COVID slammed into Westport, our town faces another highly contagious disease.
H5N1 avian influenza — commonly called bird flu — is here.
Yesterday’s “06880” Roundup included a photo of 2 dead birds in the waters of Ned Dimes Marina, at Compo Beach. Another dead bird was spotted nearby, on the Longshore golf course.
Dead birds, at the Ned Dimes Marina.
However, I reassured readers, “the CDC website shows no reported cases in Connecticut — or east of Ohio.”
Quickly, Peter Reid emailed “06880” with a message: Not so fast.
The town’s animal control officer said: “I’m afraid we do have avian flu in Westport.
“I began seeing symptoms in birds brought from Westport last month. I informed Vanessa Hurta at the Aspetuck Health District, and she has posted some excellent information in the public health section of their site.” (Click here to see, under “Helpful Links.”)
Wildlife in Crisis — where Reid also works — saw its first cases in geese last month, he says.
A pretty sight — but potentially pretty dangerous.
“Now we are seeing various scavenger species coming down with it, including crows, vultures and hawks.
“Wild canids, notably fox, are also scavenging goose carcasses in Westport and are at risk. Wild canids and cats in New York State have tested positive for flu. There are no confirmed cases in Connecticut yet.
“Domestic dogs and cats that are allowed to roam and scavenge carcasses could be at risk.”
Reid says 70 to 80 cases of flu are confirmed in humans in the United States. Hundreds of other cases are under investigation. Almost all human cases have been in people working with infected dairy herds or chicken flocks.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had been working on human bird flu vaccines, but that work has been paused, Reid notes.
A vaccine for chickens has been developed in Europe, but has not been approved by the US Department of Agriculture.
Keepers of poultry in Westport should exercise care.
Fortunately, Reid says, the risk to humans from this outbreak is very low right now. However, he warns, “we are still learning about this year’s highly pathogenic variant, and it has shown the ability to mutate.”
The information on the Aspetuck Health District website is comprehensive. Among the key points:
Our food supply is safe. Food is safe because the United States has the strongest avian influenza surveillance system in the world. We actively look for the disease and educate the public and producers on the most appropriate practices to ensure health and safety, as well as provide compensation to affected producers to encourage disease reporting.
The risk to humans is low. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk to people from HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks, and commercial poultry to be low.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its partners, including DEEP and the CT Department of Agriculture, will continue to do everything they can to support states and producers. USDA is coordinating closely with state officials and other federal departments on rigorous surveillance, reporting, and control efforts.
(“06880” will continue to follow this story. That’s our job. We do it 24/7/365. But we can’t do it without our readers’ help. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The letter said, “Our most recent service line inventory indicates that some or all of the water service line materials between the water main and your property are of unknown material classification. Unknown means that the service line may be lead.”
The Health District says: “Please note that Aquarion’s letter is mandated by the federal government’s customer lead service line inventory effort, and that much of the contained language is required by USEPA as part of evolving regulations around the treatment of lead.
“Additionally, Aquarion has indicated that it consistently complies with all federal and state water quality standards, including those for lead. Even if a customer has lead service lines, Aquarion is adjusting the chemistry in the water to prevent corrosion that could result in lead in the tap.
“Before these new rules, adjusting water chemistry was the long-standing practice to protect consumers from lead. The lead service line inventory is a belt- and-suspenders approach across the country to get lead removed from drinking water infrastructure. Aquarion has indicated that the water has been and will continue to be safe.
“Click here for a link to Aquarion’s service line inventory map. Any resident in the service territory can look up their address to see what Aquarion has on record for their service line (both customer and utility side).
“Aquarion’s website has a comprehensive set of information about lead as well.
“Click here for a link to the Consumer Confidence Report for the most recent year for the Bridgeport Main System.”
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Congratulations to the Staples High School field hockey team!
Sofia Fidalgo’s penalty corner goal with 18 seconds left in regulation time propelled the Wreckers into overtime, in last night’s FCIAC championship at Wilton High School.
She scored again with just over a minute to play in the the extra period. The 3-2 win for top-ranked Staples, over #2 Darien, was the Westporters’ first league title since 2019, when they shared it with the Blue Wave. Darien had won 6 straight FCIAC crowns before last night.
Princeton University-bound Fidalgo — who was also named tournament MVP — told The Ruden Report: “Maybe I got those two final touches, but it was really a team effort throughout, Some of our defenders don’t get that credit because they’re not the ones who put it in the back of the net. They’re not the ones who have that final touch. But from our goalie, our defense, every single player, it’s all a team effort, and so I’m just really proud of every single player. Those last 15 minutes were really high intensity, but we were able to manage our emotions and calm down, especially in overtime, and finish.”
The Wreckers — ranked first in the state in the “L” (large schools) division — begin state tournament play next Wednesday. Pairings will be announced this week.
Staples Wreckers: FCIAC field hockey champs! (Photo courtesy of VJ Sarullo)
Last night, the 2017 Staples High School grad became only the second pitcher in baseball history to make his first-ever MLB start in a World Series. (But the first, no doubt, to do it on his mother’s birthday.)
He left (as planned) after 2 innings, with his Los Angeles Dodgers up 2-1 against the New York Yankees. He has given up just 1 run in 6 1/3 innings in the post-season.
The Yanks got 4 runs in the 3rd inning. after Casparius departed, then cruised to an 11-4 victory to stay alive in the Series (they are down 3 games to 1).
Game 5 is tonight at 8 p.m., on Fox. (Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)
Ben Casparius on the mound last night … (Screenshot/Fred Cantor)
Reading is wonderful, and joyous — for many people.
For some, it is challenging and frustrating.
Jennifer Bernheim — advocate, entrepreneur, and mom to a dyslexic learner — has launched a new podcast with Verso Studios at the Westport Library.
“Right to Read” is named after the organization she founded. It offers advocacy services, IEP coaching and workshops, as well as a corporate HR benefit that provides educational resources and advocacy coaching.
The podcast offers information on community resources, best practices for dyslexic learners, legislation, and success stories.
It debuted yesterday — during Dyslexia Awareness Month — with 3 20-minute episodes. Additional episodes will drop every other week.
Speaking of the Library: If you were there yesterday morning, you got an unexpected musical treat.
The Orphenians — Staples’ elite singing group — joined a few other area high schools in an inspiring workshop, hosted by the Voces8 Foundation.
The Westport Library this morning between 9 and 11:30am was in for a musical treat. Staples Orphenians, along with a few other area high school choirs, participated in an inspiring workshop hosted by the Voces8 Foundation.
Voces8 — based in the UK — teaches chamber music to high school students worldwide. They visit “music hubs” in New York, Minneapolis and Dallas several times a year.
Last year, they added Westport as a hub.
Voces8 will sponsor another workshop this spring, followed by an evening performance.
Voces8 workshop, at the Westport Library. (Hat tip and photo/Liz Skopp)
Kenzie Hoefs has started a GoFundMe. Last weekend her brother-in law Matt Zahler of Westport lost his battle with depression, leaving behind her sister Steph and 3-year-old niece, and 3 teenage sons from his previous marriage.
Kenzie writes: “Steph owns her own business and will need to take time away from her business to make sure Winnie is supported and adjusts to a new norm, as well as cover funeral costs.
“Steph is truly one of the most selfless people I know and would do anything to help anyone. I’m asking for us to come together and give back to her to remove some of the financial stress during this very difficult time.”
Many Westporters are working to elect their preferred presidential candidate.
They’re making get-out-the-vote phone calls. They’re posting on social media. They’re contributing money.
Shonda Rhimes is in Georgia, urging voters in that swing state to cast their ballot for Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Westport resident — who, the New York Times said “became one of American entertainment’s most influential figures after she created the television hits ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Scandal” — told volunteers at a Democratic field office near Atlanta: “In any episode of ‘Grey’s’ or ‘Scandal,’ I could not make this up. I would not make this up. But this is real. We have a problem, people, and his name is Donald Trump.”
The Times story explored “how much star power ultimately matters to voters, who routinely list issues like the economy, abortion rights and crime as more essential to their choices than celebrity appearances.” Click here to read the full article.
Shonda Rhimes, at the Westport Library. (Photo/Jerri Graham Photography)
West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes trapped in Westport. So far, no human cases have been identified in Connecticut.
The Aspetuck Health District says that with warm, wet weather conditions — favorable for breeding mosquitoes — and plenty of time before the first frost, the number of infected mosquitoes will rise, increasing potential for human exposure.
West Nile virus mosquito.
Director Mark Cooper says “there is no reason to panic.” But precautions should be taken to avoid mosquito bites.
Mosquitoes will deposit their eggs in any pool of water they find. Once they mature and fly, they will look for blood to feed on.
The Health District recommends these precautions:
Eliminate any object outside that can hold water and become a breeding place for mosquitoes.
Clean house gutters that may retain water.
Empty wading pools and bird baths every few days.
Chlorinate swimming pools regularly.
Make sure that covers on grills, boats pools, and other equipment do not collect water.
Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair, to avoid mosquito bites when indoors.
Mosquitoes breed in all these places.
Mosquitoes require a blood meal for reproduction. So:
Be particularly careful at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.
Consider the use of CDC-recommended mosquito repellents, containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, or 2-undecanone.
When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors, and wash treated skin when returning indoors. Do not apply under clothing, to wounds or irritated skin, the hands of children, or to infants younger than 2 months old.
For more information on West Nile Virus, click here.
Drivers weaving carefully (and not so carefully) through the Post Road East construction zone just west of McDonald’s have mourned the loss of a dozen or so old trees by the Linxweiler house.
They wonder too what will become of the many large rocks that made up a now-dismantled stone wall, near the trees.
Former stone wall in front of the Linxweiler house.
For once, the news is good.
A Planning & Zoning Commission site plan shows that the original stone wall will be replaced with a new one, continuing around the radius into Crescent Road.
The original was drywall. Hopefully, the next will be the same traditional type.
Congratulations are due town officials, who secured the replacement of the wall. (Hat tip: Michael Calise)
Site plans for Linxweiler house stone wall.
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One of the coolest opportunities anywhere is the Westport Police Department’s 8-week Citizens’ Police Academy.
Participants gain a first-hand understanding of what our officers do, how they do it, and how the WPD fits into our community.
At the same time, residents and officers get to know each other much better.
25 community members participate in classes on law enforcement, and get hands-on experience with equipment. They also join a “ride-along” with an officer — and receive CPR/AED certification.
The program runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays from October 5 through November 30 (except before Veterans Day and on Thanksgiving), and Wednesday, December 6.
The academy is open to Westport residents age 21 and older. Applications can also be picked up at police headquarters, and are due by September 18.
Westport’s Citizens Police Academy offers an inside look into every aspect of the department.
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Seen on social media yesterday:
“If you’re like me and all of your mail was stolen from your mailbox on Cross Highway, North Compo or Weston Rd (Friday) night, apparently some of it is floating around near the Willowbrook cemetery.
“With crime the way it’s been around here lately, I guess we should feel lucky our cars weren’t stolen or smashed. It’s just our personal information compromised.”
What a shame — and a hassle. (And for those whose checks are stolen and “whitewashed,” even worse.)
But among the responses was this, which is news to me: “Sign up for ‘USPS Informed Delivery’ free service. You get a daily email, with pictures of every piece of correspondence arriving in your mailbox.”
Not a good idea. It’s an invitation to thieves that there is mail — often a check — inside.
Yesterday’s Saugatuck Congregational Church service honoring the late Rev. Ted Hoskins was a chance for old friends to remember the longtime senior and youth minister.
It was a chance too for people who never knew him to learn more about one of the founders of Westport’s homeless shelter and food pantry. Today the Gillespie Center for men — and Hoskins Center for women, named for him — and other supportive housing and food projects are run by Homes with Hope.
Rev. Hoskins — who died last month — spent the last couple of decades of his life in Maine. But — as the turnout at his remembrance proved — his mark on Westport is profound, and indelible.
Homes with Hope representatives at Saugatuck Church yesterday (from left): Pete Powell, first president; Rev. Willie Salmond, who initiated the service for Rev. Hoskins; John Walsh, board chair; Helen McAlinden, president; Jeff Wieser, past president.
Dermatologists Dr. Nina Antonov and Dr. Marc Beuttler of Modern Dermatology will provide free full body skin cancer screenings, and/or spot checks, at the Aspetuck Health District (180 Bayberry Lane) on September 26.
Appointments are available between 9 a.m. and noon, and 1-4 p.m. Call 203-227-9571, ext. 235, and ask for Judy. Limited to residents of Westport, Weston and Easton only.
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Speaking of health: Overdose awareness and Narcan training will be held September 26 (7 to 8 p.m., Town Hall Room C201).
It’s sponsored by members of the Westport Prevention Coalition and Westport RTM.
To register and for more information, call 203-227-7644.
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It’s never too early to think about beer.
Wakeman Town Farm’s annual family Beer Garden event is Sunday October 15 (noon to 4 p.m.).
The afternoon features live music by Hitch and the Giddy-Up + Rob Morton, lawn games, bubbles, face painting, photos with mini ponies, and pumpkin crafts for the littles — and a surprise craft by LaurelRock.
Also for adults: Eco Evolution, and a massage therapist for the adults.
Lunch options include pizza by Tony Pizza Napolitano, Food Truck Refinery and Oronoque Farms.
Local beer is sponsored by Greens Farms Spirits, with ice cream from Saugatuck Sweets and Landtech. Ccider donuts and refreshments are courtesy of KMS Team at Compass.
Tickets are $10 for adults; kids are free. Click here to purchase, and for more information. Food and beverage purchases are a la carte. Proceeds benefit Wakeman Town Farm educational programs.
Recent beach closures (for swimming only) due to high bacteria counts after heavy rains have residents wondering: How do I know if they’re open?
Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department follows a directive from the Aspetuck Health District to close when rainfall reaches an inch or more within a 24-hour period. The Health District tests the water.
(Parks & Rec notes that the problem has been exacerbated recently by heavy flooding in northern New England. That’s meant a large amount of debris and other pollutants is entering Long Island Sound, from the Connecticut River.
For updated information, Parks & Rec maintains a cancellation line for all activities: 203-341-5074. You can also check the Parks & Rec page on the town website (click here).
“We want to thank all of our customers who helped,” Maria says. “We cannot get over the generosity of everyone! Mason has a long road ahead, and this will help them very much. God bless.”
Every day, town officials help make Westport a better place to live, work and play.
Now we can nominate them for an award.
The 8th annual Connecticut Conference of Municipalities’ Excellence Awards will recognize “innovative projects and individuals that have significantly improved the quality of life for citizens, established partnerships, and built community support.” Anyone can submit a nomination.
Towns and cities are recognized in 3 population categories. There’s also an award for “Innovation in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”
There are 2 individual honors too. One is for lifetime achievement; the other, for innovation.
For more information, including how to nominate, click here.
The deadline is August 25. For a list of last year’s winners, click here. (Hat tip: Dick Lowenstein)
But the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force is already hard at work. They’re collecting supplies for residents of 2 safe houses.
They need:
New (unused) backpacks
Notebooks
Pens, pencils, highlighters, crayons
New lunchboxes
Graphing calculators
Gift cards (Staples, Target, Walmart, Amazon, etc.).
Donations can be left from now through July 23 in collection bins at the Westport police station lobby (50 Jesup Road), and at ASF Sports & Outdoors (1560 Post Road East).
The Y’s Men of Westport and Weston (and guests) headed to a familiar (to them) spot yesterday: Flushing Meadows, site of the 1964-65 World’s Fair.
As the group passed landmarks like the Unisphere, Hall of Science and pavilions (GM, GE, Bell System and others), they shared memories of experiences there.
The latest in a series of historical walking tours was led by member Warren Jahn.
Y’s Men (and guests) on tour. (Photo and hat tip/Dave Matlow)
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Bunny Franco and her son Jimmy have been Westporters for 60 years.
What better place to pose Sunday than this classic spot?
PS: Jimmy is sporting Westport’s iconic 150th-anniversary t-shirt, from 1985. He’s already been here for 23 years.
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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had been working on human bird flu vaccines, but that work has been paused, Reid notes.
