Westport’s Department of Public Works says, “snow season is here.”
We’ve had only a few flakes so far. But in preparation for when it comes, they offer this information.
Plow routes: There are 124 miles of roads in Westport, and only a small team of drivers to clear them of snow and ice. Main roads are plowed first, with special attention given to steep hills and difficult intersections. Then come side streets, followed by dead-end streets. Plow drivers make a single pass on side streets to keep them open, but their primary focus is to keep the main roads open for emergency vehicles and the safety of all Westport residents.
Do not pass snow plows: Never pass or follow a plow too closely. Snow plows are massive vehicles, with wide blind spots that cannot maneuver easily or stop quickly. Plowing can create a cloud of snow around the truck, limiting visibility and creating whiteout conditions for passing motorists. It can also create a ridge of snow between lanes that makes passing inadvisable. Reducing speeds when clearing and treating roads allows plow drivers to better control road salt treatments, saving taxpayer money and minimizing environmental impact.
Plow drivers:Driving a plow is challenging. It requires hours of intense concentration to navigate massive vehicles in dark, cold and difficult weather conditions. DPW thanks you for driving with caution.
Blocked driveways: Plows angle plow blades to the driver’s right. This allows drivers to direct snow off the road and onto the shoulder. Plow drivers are not able to prevent snow from accumulating in front of individual driveways while safely and efficiently clearing snow from roads. Snow that accumulates on, or at the base of, private driveways is the responsibility of the homeowner to clear.
Private plowing:The town prohibits snowplow contractors from leaving snow from driveways or parking lots on town streets. If there is no alternative to pushing snow into the street, the private driver must re-plow the street until it is safe for residents to drive. This may not mean bare pavement, but should be no worse than before the snowplow driver began plowing.
Business sidewalks: Per town ordinance, businesses are responsible for keeping all sidewalks along their property clear of snow and ice.
Mailbox damage: The town will only repair or replace mailboxes and posts struck by a plow blade. Mailboxes and posts must be able to withstand the rigors of snow removal, including the force of snow directed from the street onto the roadside. The town will not repair or replace mailboxes and posts damaged by the force of projected snow. Damage from private plowing contractors is not the town’s responsibility.
A local website reported yesterday on a letter sent to the town by the Westport Woman’s Club attorney. At issue was the Imperial Avenue parking lot, which — the attorney noted — belongs to the WWC “in perpetuity,” according to 1956 and 1968 agreements.
The Imperial Avenue lot has been mentioned as a possible site for renovation, as part of a new downtown parking plan.
The website story was illustrated with a photo of the large, paved lot — the site of the Farmer’s Market every Thursday, the former Remarkable Theater drive-in, where savvy Levitt Pavilion-goers park to make quick post-show exits, and school bus drivers hang out between runs — along with the smaller dirt lot, where the Yankee Doodle Fair is held every June.
However, that lower dirt parking area is the only one that the 2 agreements cover.
The Imperial Avenue parking lot (red balloon) is owned by the town. The smaller lot to its right belongs to the Westport Woman’s Club; their building is directly to its north. (Hat tip: Gloria Gouveia)
“06880” reached out to Department of Public Works director Peter Ratkiewich for clarification.
He said, “When we speak of redesign, and reconnecting the riverfront, we are specifically referring to the upper lot and its perimeter. We are not contemplating doing anything with the lower lot other than to maintain the status quo.”
The Yankee Doodle Fair takes place on the lower Westport Woman’s Club parking lot.
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Sure, it’s the off-season. Compo Beach is less crowded than in mid-summer.
But that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want there.
Check out this entitled driver.
Is he harming anyone?
Not really. There are enough parking spaces to go around.
But why does he (and you know it’s a guy) have to send a message to everyone else that the rules don’t apply to him.
And the photo below answers a reader who read yesterday’s Roundup item about dogs on on the boardwalk — where they’re not allowed — and commented, “I cannot imagine why dogs harmlessly walking on a boardwalk would be a priority.”
Yesterday’s Unsung Heroes feature gave a shout-out to the Department of Public Works crews who every year install the nearly 200 international flags for UN Day (today!) and jUNe Day, as well as the American flags that fly proudly on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge all summer long.
A couple of hours later, Bill Hass — president of the United Nations Association of Southwestern Connecticut — sent a long this great photo, of the guys who did the work this year.
Thanks again, for connecting our town — colorfully and symbolically — with the rest of the world. Happy UN Day!
Every year, Westport kids get a jump on Halloween, at the downtown parade.
This year’s event is on Tuesday (October 29). Children (and parents) meet at the Post Road East/Main Street intersection at 3:30 p.m.
The event — geared toward youngsters 8 and under — is sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department, Westport Downtown Association, and Westport PAL.
The parade includes trick-or-treating along Main Street, then on to Avery Place and Myrtle Avenue. It ends at Veterans Green at 4 p.m., with entertainment, refreshments and a small gift.
Seen at a previous Halloween parade.
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If you missed Tuesday’s forum, featuring candidates for Westport’s 3 General Assembly races: No problem.
The sponsoring Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce taped the Westport Library event.
Click below to see Kami Evans and Ceci Maher (State Senate, 26th District), Jonathan Steinberg and John Bolton State Representative, 136th District 136), and Peter Bang and Dominique Johnson (State Representative, 143rd District).
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Got drugs?
This Saturday (October 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Senior Center), the Westport Police Department partners with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, for the 26th annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Residents are asked to look in medicine cabinets and drawers for medications that are no longer needed, or out of date. This includes tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.
The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.
Take Back Day has removed 9,285 tons of medication from circulation since its inception.
Collection sites cannot accept illicit drugs, needles or sharps; only pills or patches.
Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container, with caps tightly sealed.
Vape pens with removable batteries can be disposed of at the take-back site. Vape pens without removable batteries are not accepted.
A year-round collection bin is available in the lobby of Westport police headquarters. Prescription drugs can be disposed of any time there. Click here for more information.
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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between October 16 and 23.
A 19-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with burglary and larceny of a motor vehicle; conspiracy to commit those crimes, illegal transfer/purchase of a pistol or revolver; carrying a pistol without a permit; illegal possession of a firearm with an illegible serial number, and illegal possession of a large capacity magazine, following the May theft of an unlocked 2024 Audi from a driveway.
The keys were left in the vehicle, but it was equipped with tracking software. It was located parked at a Bridgeport residence that day. A ghost gun and large capacity magazine were found in the suspect’s home. He was held on a $75,000 bond.
A 30-year-old Bridgeport woman was arrested for breach of peace, following a domestic violence altercation at the Westport train station parking lot. She was held on a $10,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 5 citations
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How busy has the Department of Public Works been this summer?
One very visible project: the new sidewalk and re-paved 0.6 miles of Hillspoint Road, from Greens Farms Road South to Old Mill. It’s getting raves for both its quality of construction, and the safety it provides.
The summer paving program resulted in upgrades and safety enhancements on 4 miles of roadways and Town properties, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker reports.
This includes Imperial Avenue and the Staples High School and Bedford Middle School parking lots and sidewalks.
Construction and improvements continue on and around Cross Highway. It includes:
Began reconstruction of the sidewalk from Compo Road North to Roseville (0.48 miles).
Made sightline and safety improvements at the North Avenue intersection.
Installed illuminated stop signage at the Bayberry Lane intersection.
The DPW managed and oversaw:
Completing sewer extensions projects at the Evergreen Avenue/ Tamarac Road and Whitney Street neighborhoods.
Sweeping 125 miles of roadway, 25 miles of sidewalk, and all municipal parking lots.
Installing and upgrading equipment for various pump stations, including installation of new generators, lining 3,500 linear feet of sewer pipe, and installing new elevators.
Installing a new cardboard compactor, and rehabilitating and reconstructing main waste compactor #1 at the town transfer station.
Tooker says: “Many thanks are due to our hard-working highway crews and public works employees who kept these projects on track, and on budget. And thank you to everyone who remained patient while the construction work was occurring. The upgrades to Westport’s infrastructure are worth it.”
Part of the sidewalk project, at Old Mill Grocery & Deli.
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Yesterday morning, the last of 5 kittens — trapped in a storm drain with their mother, underneath a grate on Post Road East — was rescued.
They’ll be named soon (based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, courtesy of the foster family’s 5-year-old daughter).
They will soon be vetted, and available for adoption through Wilton-based Animals in Distress.
Additional information and photos will be posted on WASA’s Facebook,
WASA thanks Katherine Reid of Animals in Distress, the Westport Fire Department (particularly Engine Company No. 5 and Jennifer Petrosinelli), Bryan Thomas and Ralph Ramos of Westport’s Public Works Department, Schulhof Animal Hospital, the kind staff of Mattress Firm (adjacent to the storm drain; they allowed WASA to use their business to transfer the kittens and wash volunteers’ sardine-scented hands as a result of trap baiting), and special WASA helpers Sandy Young and Jess Zullo, who spent countless hours setting and monitoring the trapping operation, despite family and work demands.
Rescued!
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Congratulations to the Staples High School boys golf team.
On Thursday at Longshore, they beat the team record — by 3 strokes.
And Philip Sullivan set a new school individual 9-hole match record. The junior shot a scintillating 30.
The top 4 scorers count for the team score. Besides Sullivan’s, they were George Targowski (34), Gus Palmer (36) and Tommy Riley (36). Chris Taylor came in 5th, with a 38 — but that still would have been good enough to secure Staples’ record.
The future for coach Pete Caligiure’s Wreckers is bright. All 5 golfers are juniors.
The American Parkinson Disease Association Connecticut Chapter’s 10th annual Optimism Walk is in Westport next month.
And a Westport volunteer will be honored there.
The event is set for Sherwood Island State Park on September 21 (10 a.m.). When it’s done, Holly Betts — assistant director of the Westport Senior Center — will receive the Tiedemann Award, for her support of the APDA.
Gladys Tiedemann volunteered for APDA CT for more than 30 years.
Holly schedules weekly Parkinson’s exercise classes, support groups for those diagnosed with the disease and their care partners, as well as wellness programs for the Senior Center and greater community.
For the past several years, Holly has led a fundraising team of Senior Center members called “Stand by Me,” at the annual Westport Optimism Walk. Click here to support her team.
The APDA Westport Optimism Walk is a family-friendly event. It includes a short walk of up to 1.5 miles, as well as educational opportunities, raffles, sponsor activities, music, kid’s crafts, fall risk assessments, Tai Chi, and camaraderie.
Holly Betts
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Big Y moved one step closer to opening this week.
Their shopping carts have arrived, at the Post Road East store.
(Photo/Dave Shea)
Enjoy the photo.
No matter how different the new supermarket may be from Stop & Shop, Trader Joe’s, Stew Leonard’s and any other store, the end result will be the same.
These carts will soon end up all over the lot.
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Here is our first X-rated “Westport … Naturally” photo ever:
(Photo/Jay Walshon)
In case you don’t know: It’s 2 moths mating.
Normally, we wouldn’t invade their privacy.
But they did it in public.
Or at least, on Jay Walshon’s back door screen.
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And finally … congratulations again to the record-setting Staples golf team! (Story above)
(Happy Labor Day weekend! While you’re relaxing, “06880” keeps working to serve you. We love what we do — but we rely on your support. Please click here to help your hyper-local blog. Thanks!)
There is no snow in the forecast (though it looks like a rainy Sunday and Monday).
But soon enough (unless we have a repeat of last winter), flakes will fall.
When it does, the plows will come out. Some are private (new arrivals: do you have yours?).
Department of Public Works plows will be out in force too, clearing the main and “town” roads.
Coming soon? (Photo/Paul Schott)
Here — for whenever it’s needed — are some things the DPW wants Westporters to know.
PLOW ROUTES: There are 124 miles of roads in Westport, and only a small team of drivers to clear them of snow and ice.
To efficiently accomplish this immense task, plowing priorities must be implemented. Main roads are plowed first, with special attention given to steep hills and difficult intersections.
Then come side streets, followed by dead-end streets. Plow drivers make a single pass on side streets to keep them open, but their primary focus is to keep the main roads open for emergency vehicles and the safety of all residents.
DO NOT PASS SNOWPLOWS!Never pass or follow a snowplow too closely. Passing snowplows or driving aggressively near plows can be dangerous.
Snowplows are massive vehicles, with wide blind spots that cannot maneuver easily or stop quickly.
Plowing can create a cloud of snow around the truck, limiting visibility and creating whiteout conditions for passing motorists. It can also create a ridge of snow between lanes that makes passing inadvisable.
Reducing speeds when clearing and treating roads allows plow drivers to better control road salt treatments, saving taxpayer money and minimizing environmental impact.
(Photo/Luke Hammerman)
BLOCKED DRIVEWAYS: Westport snowplows angle plow blades to the driver’s right. This allows drivers to direct snow off the road and onto the shoulder.
Plow drivers are not able to prevent snow from accumulating in front of individual driveways, while safely and efficiently clearing snow from roads.
Snow that accumulates on, or at the base of, private driveways is the responsibility of the homeowner to clear, not the town. (See above: Do you have your private plow guy yet?)
PLOW DRIVERS: Driving a snowplow is challenging work. It requires hours of intense concentration to navigate these massive vehicles in dark, cold and challenging weather conditions. The Department of Public Works thanks you for driving with caution when approaching a snowplow.
MAILBOX DAMAGE: The town will only repair or replace mailboxes and posts struck by a plow blade. Mailboxes and posts must be able to withstand the rigors of snow removal, including the force of snow directed from the street onto the roadside.
The town will not repair or replace mailboxes and posts damaged by the force of projected snow. And damage from private plowing contractors is not the town’s responsibility.
PRIVATE PLOWING: The town prohibits snowplow contractors from leaving snow from driveways or parking lots on town streets. It is dangerous, and impedes the town’s snow removal efforts.
If there is no other alternative to pushing snow into the street, the private snowplow driver must re-plow the street until it is safe for residents to drive. This may not necessarily mean bare pavement, but should be no worse than before the snowplow driver began plowing.
BUSINESS SIDEWALKS: Businesses are responsible for keeping all sidewalks along their property clear of snow and ice.
Questions? Call the Public Works Department: 203-341-1120.
Ta da! (Photo/Amy Shapiro)
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Westport’s Department of Public Works is always busy.
Their latest project: repairing sink holes.
The photo below shows a pipe separation on Roseville Road that was undermining the sidewalk. DPW cemented around the pipe, then back filled with asphalt.
It’s one of those jobs that can go unnoticed. And we’ll never know what problems they avoided, thanks to vigilance and hard work.
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A large crowd attended last night’s drag show at MoCA Westport.
The 2nd annual event was family-friendly, and part of Westport Pride’s month-long Pride celebration.
Young drag queen Desmond MCed the event. (Photo/Nikki Gorman)
Jake Thaw was an All-State football and basketball player at Staples High School — and an FCIAC and NFL Foundation Exemplary Scholar Athlete.
The 2020 graduate has continued his success at the University of Michigan, where he’s a 2-time Academic All-Big 10 honoree. On July 2 (6 p.m., Pizza Lyfe, 833 Post Road East), he’ll meet fans, talk about his journey, and discuss the upcoming season.
It’s free — and you don’t have to be a Michigan alum to go. But please click here to register (so the restaurant can plan seating). And attendees are responsible for their own food and drinks.
Jake Thaw
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We’re used to seeing fishermen on Compo Beach’s South Beach jetty.
But seldom are there as many as Karen Como spotted yesterday.
Robert Giury and Nicole Kelman were honored with “40 Under 40” business awards recently.
Westfair Business Journal cites young businesspeople. Each town in Fairfield and Westchester Counties is represented by the head of their Chamber of Commerce. Matthew Mandell handed out Westport’s honors, at the Point at Norwalk Cove.
Giury is vice president of investments for David Lerner Associates. Kelman is CEO of New England Educational Consultants.
Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell, flanked by Nicole Kelman and Robert Giury.
Yesterday’s Roundup gave a shout-out to a small group of residents. Each week, they clean up a different part of town.
Several “06880” readers wondered how they could help.
You can email organizer Andrew Colabella (acolabellartm4@gmail.com). He’ll add you to the list.
This Sunday’s clean-up is at the Sherwood Island Connector park-and-ride commuter lot, near I-95 Exit 18 (January 15, 11 a.m.).
Bring gloves and trash bags, and wear shoes or boots you’re not afraid to muddy up.
Meanwhile, one reader snorted, “Where are our people from the Department of Public Works? You know, the folks who get paid to do this?”
Andrew replies: “Our Public Works Department has been extremely responsive to areas I see that need to be cleaned up immediately and cannot wait until the weekend.
“Our Parks and Recreation Department, specifically Ed Frawley’s maintenance department, has picked up garbage in every area where a pick has done and disposed of it properly, while doing their own picks too. Shoutout to David Wilcox and Nick Rosa for removing the garbage after I called and scheduled a pick up,
“You may not seem them doing it but I, and many others have.”
Andrew adds:
“Our town is extremely proactive, because of our residents. If you see trash, pull over and pick it up. Keep a garbage bag under your seat or in the cargo or trunk area of your vehicle.
“If you’re new to town, welcome! Join us and get involved. Be proactive, get great exercise, meet new and longtime residents, socialize and clean up!”
Andrew Colabella (front row, center) and friends picked up trash last weekend at the Greens Farms train station.
He grew up here. He has made Fairfield County his home — and home base for his multi-faceted music career.
Coogan is a world-class jazz pianist; a sensitive and popular accompanist for singers; a powerhouse Gospel pianist, choir director and bandleader; a highly effective and inspiring educator, and an all-around good guy.
Saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall met Coogan shortly after moving to Westport almost 10 years ago. They share a deep spiritual attachment to American music that digs deep into its roots.
Coogan and the Jazz Rabbi join bassist Boots Maleson and drummer Jim Royle for this Thursday’s “Jazz at the Post” (January 12, shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; $15 cover; dinner at 7 p.m.).
Reservations are strongly recommended: JazzattthePost@gmail.com.
Grace Salmon Park is one of Westport’s most beautiful — and underrated — places to relax.
Yesterday, it was a classroom.
University of Connecticut master gardeners (and Westport residents) Monica Buesser, Alice Ely and Nathalie Fonteyne conducted an invasive plant workshop. It was sponsored by the Westport Garden Club.
Sixteen participants learned about the park’s top 15 invasive plants. They then broke into 4 groups, each canvasing a quarter of the site — and found several different invasives.
The next step: using the data to apply for a grant for removal of invasives from Grace Salmon.
Buesser — the conservation chair of the Westport Garden Club — plans to be at Grace Salmon Park every Thursday from 8 to 10 a.m. (weather permitting). She invites everyone interested in weeding or learning more about the park’s plants to join her.
“You can’t miss me. I wear overalls!” she says.
Grace Salmon Park is a beautiful spot. Like many in Westport, however, it is home to several invasive species. (Photo/Patricia McMahon)
The Public Works Department was out in force on Bridge Street. Workers cut back branches and brush that had encroached on the pedestrian walkway leading to Saugatuck.
It won’t make your drive over the Cribari Bridge any quicker. But it’s sure a boon to the many bikers, joggers and walkers who love the view.
Sure, NASA is excited about the James Webb Space Telescope.
But the Westport Astronomical Society has Cal Powell.
The former WAS president hosts the “Cal & Friends Meteorite Show & Tell Party” on Tuesday (July 19, 8 p.m.).
Cal received his first meteorite in 2010, as a going-away gift from WAS. He started collecting them a few years later. His collection of nearly 400 specimens covers most meteorite classifications.
Cal will his present his extensive personal meteorite collection, and introduce Stefan Nicolescu with rare samples from Yale’s Peabody Museum. The WAS adds: “Bring your own meteorites and assemble your meteorwrongs!” Click here for more information.
Noted local artists Miggs Burroughs and Ann Chernow hosted the third and final noir film last night, on the Westport Library’s large Trefz Forum screen.
“Nightmare Alley” was part of the series accompanying the artists’ “Double Indemnity” art exhibit, in the Library’s Sheffer Gallery. It runs through August 6.
Miggs Burroughs and Ann Chernow. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
This afternoon, 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, the Department of Public Works and Westport’s Emergency Response Team provided this information. It Includes power outages (including Optimum TV), and safety and food tips.
Most roads are passable. But some may be detoured if crews are in the area clearing debris.
Currently 0.32 percent, or approximately 41, of Westport’s Eversource customers are without power. Those customers, and others with specific outage issues are being addressed as quickly as possible.
Due to the heat wave and for those in need, the cooling center at Greens Farms Elementary School is open now until 5 p.m. Wear a face covering, and maintain social distance recommendations.
Homeowners should contact electricians to manage individual issues, such as wires that were pulled from the home or electrical panels. A certified electrician must re-attach those wires. Neither Eversource nor town DPW crews are qualified to service individual home electric panels.
(Photo/Wendy Cusick)
Cable and internet service
If your power has been restored but your cable/internet access remains down, please contact your provider. Those providers rely upon electrical restoration or pole re-installation before their services can be addressed. Some fiber cables have been compromised. Town officials are also in contact with providers to encourage facilitation of those services.
Optimum (also known as Cablevision/Altice) says that teams have been deployed around the clock restoring services as quickly as possible. The percentage of customers in Connecticut without Optimum service due to the storm has fallen from more than 44% to less than 4% today.
Optimum offers these restoration tips:
If you lost power, restart your equipment using these steps:
Unplug your equipment from its power source.
Wait 30 seconds.
Plug your equipment back into the power source
If your service does not return after restarting, it is possible that:
The power that feeds the network in your area comes from a different commercial power source than the power that feeds your home or business location, or there is another issue relating to network power that needs to be addressed. Optimum is coordinating with electric companies to identify these issues and ensure prioritization of repair or restoration.
There is damage to the Optimum network, like a downed utility pole or wire break. Crews are working to rectify this type of damage.
To check on service status:
Go tooptimum.net/support/outage Sign in with your Optimum ID and password. Next, under Support (upper right corner), click “Service status.”
Homeowners are often seriously injured trying to do their own post-storm cleanup work.
Consider consulting a professional before undertaking any major restoration or tree / large limb removal.
Do not use a chain saw if you are not experienced in properly and safely operating it, or if you are not physically fit. If you must use a chainsaw, work only on the ground, not in a tree.
Use extreme caution with ladders.
Stay safe in hot weather; hydrate; pace yourself.
The Westport yard waste site on Bayberry Lane is open fto discard tree limbs and branches.
Food safety reminders:
Any food remaining in a refrigerator or freezer during the outage should be considered contaminated. Do not rely upon appearance or smell to determine if it is safe to consume. When in doubt, throw it out.
When power comes back on, clean out your refrigerator and freezer before putting new food in it. Wash the inside of the refrigerator and freezer with soap and warm water, then wipe with a mild solution of ½ tablespoon bleach in a gallon of water. Keep doors open to allow to dry. Once dry, allow the unit to get cold before placing food inside.
If you’ve lived in Westport more than 12 seconds, you know the traffic here sucks.
And it’s getting exponentially worse.
Beyond bitching about it to your friends, neighbors and on “06880” though, what can you do?
Well, you can go to a meeting with your RTM members, and representatives of the Selectman’s Office, Public Works and the Police. They want to hear your concerns about traffic — not just vehicles, but pedestrians and bicyclists too.
Sessions are set up by RTM district. So you’ll talk about your actual neighborhood — not just the usual chokepoints.
All sessions take place in the Town Hall auditorium, at 7 p.m. The schedule:
First Selectman Jim Marpe sent this email to “06880” yesterday:
Thanks, Dan, for all your coverage of the town’s snow-clearing efforts this winter. Thanks too for encouraging everyone to drive more cautiously, and clear away the snow around their fire hydrants.
The positive comments about the work that our Department of Public Works snowplow drivers have done this year are particularly appreciated. Under the leadership of Steve Edwards and Scott Sullivan, our plow drivers have worked very long hours, and slept on cots at the DPW offices on the Sherwood Island Connector when they’re on duty for more than a normal shift (which has been often this season).
Westport’s DPW snow plow crew does yeoman’s work — all over town. (Photo/Luke Hammerman for Inklings)
They are very dedicated to doing the best job possible to clear Westport’s 123 miles of public roads as quickly as practical during and after a snowstorm. Our streets get high praise from folks who come to Westport from nearby towns after a snowfall.
I regret that there were some lost mailboxes and blocked driveways during last week’s snowfall, but I know it was the result of the plow crews making a sincere attempt to clear the roads in a timely fashion. The DPW crews deserve our praise and thanks (and yes, some coffee or hot chocolate).
While you’re at it, share some of those hot drinks with our police, fire and EMS personnel who can always be counted on to respond as rapidly as possible regardless of the weather or time of day (or night), and with our Town Hall and school custodians who have the buildings ready for the rest of us — even on a “snow day.”
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Well, you can go to a meeting with your RTM members, and representatives of the Selectman’s Office, Public Works and the Police. They want to hear your concerns about traffic — not just vehicles, but pedestrians and bicyclists too.
Andrew Colabella (front row, center) and friends picked up trash last weekend at the Greens Farms train station.
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Just after 6 p.m. yesterday, the Westport Fire Department, Police Department and EMS responded to a multi-vehicle crash in front of 40 Bridge Street.
One driver was trapped, and required extrication with hydraulic tools. The patient was transported to the hospital.
No other injuries were reported. Be careful out there!
Bridge Street accident. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
Earlier in the day, the Fire Department responded to a kitchen fire on Berndale Drive.
It began when an electric stove knob was bumped accidentally. That activated a burner, which set fire to items on the stove.
“Do not store items on your stovetop,” the department emphasizes.
Berndale Drive kitchen fire. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
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Pianist Chris Coogan is a local legend.
He grew up here. He has made Fairfield County his home — and home base for his multi-faceted music career.
Coogan is a world-class jazz pianist; a sensitive and popular accompanist for singers; a powerhouse Gospel pianist, choir director and bandleader; a highly effective and inspiring educator, and an all-around good guy.
Saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall met Coogan shortly after moving to Westport almost 10 years ago. They share a deep spiritual attachment to American music that digs deep into its roots.
Coogan and the Jazz Rabbi join bassist Boots Maleson and drummer Jim Royle for this Thursday’s “Jazz at the Post” (January 12, shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; $15 cover; dinner at 7 p.m.).
Reservations are strongly recommended: JazzattthePost@gmail.com.
Greg Wall and Chris Coogan.
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