The nor’easter washed out Jan Pucci and Lew Pennell’s outdoor wedding, at Sherwood Island State Park.
But the VFW — Westport’s great veterans’ club and multi-purpose community center — happily hosted the couple’s big event Saturday.
It was a very appropriate venue.
Jan is an avid member of the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s popular Aqua Fitness classes — taught by VFW senior vice president Patty Kondub, and Auxiliary president Joan Evon.
And Lew is a Navy veteran.
Making this a true Westport affair: Andrew Colabella — American Legion Post 63 leader, Representative Town Meeting member and a justice of the peace — served as the officiant.
“06880” joins the VFW in wishing clear skies and smooth sailing to the newlyweds.
Newlyweds Lew Pennell and Jan Pucci, with officiant Andrew Colabella.
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Speaking of the nor’easter: Eversource made good progress last night, addressing outages.
At 6 a.m. today, 49 Westport customers remained without power. That’s 0.38% of the town.
Weston reported only 9 outages (0.23%).
Statewide, 2,728 customers still had no electricity. That’s 0.21%.
United Nations Day is October 24. Westport has always hosted an event that day, honoring the founding of that international body.
This year, the date is October 6 (7 p.m.; reception at 6 p.m.). That’s when a high-level diplomat comes to the Westport Library.
The UN Secretary-General’s representative in Washington, William Davis, will speak “The United Nations’ Path Forward in a World in Crisis.” The public is invited to attend and admission is free. Click here to register.
The event is part of the Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen Memorial Lecture Series, sponsored by the United Nations Association of Southwestern CT (unaswct.org) in cooperation with The Westport Library.
Davis represents the UN Secretary-General and Secretariat to US policymakers, civil society, the news media and broader public. He has a deep understanding of the complex relationship between the US and the United Nations system.
Throughout his career, Davis has championed international cooperation and public engagement with the multilateral system, forging trusted relationships across governments, international organizations, academia, civil society and the media.
Ukrainian troops have pushed back about 9 kilometers against Russian invaders.
They’ve taken 200 square kilometers in the last 10 days, in the Donetsk oblast (province).
Of course, the town still needs our help.
To donate to Ukraine Aid International — the boots-on-the-ground non-profit co-founded by Westporters Marshall and Brian Mayer — click here. Click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.)
Year after year, more and more parents pick up their elementary school students. Fewer and fewer ride the bus.
The numbers grew especially rapidly after both COVID, and the change to a later school start time.
It’s impossible, many parents say, for youngsters who take the bus to get home in time for their after-school activities.
We don’t know how Susan Garment got home, when she was a Westport kid. But she’s an adult now, and was struck by the daily afternoon scene on Post Road West, near Kings Highway School.
Not far away, this was this scene on Sylvan Road North, at Pierrepont School.
(Photos/Susan Garment)
Of course, every parent has to drive their kid there and back (or carpool).
The private school does not offer bus service.
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We’ve posted plenty of storm shots recently.
Ginormous waves, impassable roads, flooded yards — you name it, we saw it.
Here’s one more image from the weekend, as our “Westport … Naturally” featured photo.
You can’t really tell there’s a nor’easter.
But nature’s creatures gonna do what they do best: figure stuff out.
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
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And finally … well, it wasn’t Sherwood Island.
It wasn’t a chapel either.
But Jan Lucci and Lew Pennell pulled off a great wedding on Saturday, despite plenty of, um, headwinds.
Congrats!
(And finally … as we start a new week, with hopefully a lot less weather to report, we’d like to remind you: We’ve been working like dogs to cover this stuff. Please click here to support us. Thank you!)
With significant storm impacts expected to continue through today, Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department has closed all town parks, athletic fields, beaches and racquet facilities.
Staff will assess conditions, and provide an update regarding Monday operations.
Residents are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. Remain alert for downed trees, falling branches, flooding and potential power outages.
Do not drive through flooded roadways, or drive around barricades or road closures. Barricades are in place for your safety. Turn around and use an alternate route.
For additional storm information and preparedness guidance, click here.
One reason Compo Beach will remain closed today. (Photo/Eric Bosch)
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Meanwhile: It’s tough to see in this photo, but there was one surfer on Long Island Sound yesterday afternoon.
(Photo/Shelley Lowenstein)
Let’s hope he made it to shore safely.
And did not endanger any rescuers in the process.
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Congratulations to this year’s inductees in the Staples High School football program’s Wall of Fame.
Honored earlier this season were:
Ryan Bohling: In 2004 and ’05 as a running back, he helped lead Staples to 2 state championship. A 2-time All-FCIAC pick, he was a 4-year varsity player at Middlebury College. He now lives in Westchester County with his wife and 2 sons.
Ryan Bohling
Scott Clukies; Co-captain of the 1996 team that posted the first winning season in 12 yeas; 2-year All-FCIAC pick, playing fullback and outside linebacker. After playing at Bates College, Scott now lives in London with his wife and 2 daughters.
Scott Clukies
Doron Stember: Co-captain of the 1991 team; running back and special teams star; Block “S” MVP. Doron played at Tufts University, and is a urologist. He livs in New York with his family.
Bill Kashetta: One of the greatest athletes in Staples history (football, basketball, baseball). First team All-State in football; earned a Division I scholarship to the University of Idaho. A stalwart Staples sports fan who died in 2020, his 2ons David and Daniel also played for the Wreckers.
Bill Kashetta
Jack McFarland: Joined the football staff in 1994; with coach Marce Petroccio, their teams won 3 state championships and 5 FCIAC titles. As head baseball coach since 2005, he has won 3 state and 4 FCIAC crowns. A grade level assistant at Staples, he lives in Monroe with his wife and 4 daughters.
Jack McFarland
Jesse McCray: Joined the football staff in 1993; with coach Marce Petroccio, their teams won 3 state championships and 5 FCIAC titles. Now the head girls track and field coach, his teams have won 3 state and 4 FCIAC championships. A grate level assistant at Staples, he lives in Hamden with his wife and 2 sons.
Save the date: CraftWestport returns to the Staples High School fieldhouse November 7 and 8.
Over 165 artists and makers will be there, for “handmade holiday shopping.”
It’s a major fundraiser for the Women’s League of Westport, which provides financial support to area non-profits.
One of over 165 booths at CraftWestport.
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Longtime Westport resident Fausto Carusone died peacefully. surrounded by his family. He was 78.
Born in Italy, in 1969 he married Stefana.
For more than 30 years, Fausto was a Connecticut state marshal. He was respected for his strong work ethic, professionalism, and dedication to public service.
He is survived by his sons Salvatore (Sarah), Fausto Jr. (Rachel) and Steven (Athena), and grandchildren Madeline, Eugenio, Lia, Isa and Christian.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday (September 30, 10 a.m., Assumption Church). Entombment will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday (September 29, 4 to 7 p.m., Harding Funeral Home).
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Fausto Carusone
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Many Westporters hunkered down in yesterday’s storm.
Diane Lowman was out — and spotted this creature by the Cribari Bridge, posing for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And finally … on this date in 1825, the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives — the Stockton and Darlington — was opened. The engine “Locomotion” pulled wagons with coal and passengers from Shildon to Darlington to Stockton.
A reader writes: “The Ned Dimes Marina, and the pumps there, are still operating only on generator power.
“Eversource has yet to restore power to the marina (since the marina construction project). Why Eversource hasn’t restored power there in all of this time is crazy.”
“06880” contacted Public Works director Larry Roberts. He replied quickly:
As part of the Compo marina project, new switch gear was to be installed — this is the exterior cabinet containing the circuit breaker panel and other equipment that receives power from the Eversource transformer, and distributes it to the marina’s sub-panels.
“Load calculations performed during the design phase showed the new switch gear would not exceed what it was replacing; in fact, the calculated amperage called for a smaller panel than the existing one.
“During construction, we learned that Eversource would require a new transformer regardless of the smaller switch gear. That triggered a requirement to ‘harden’ the electrical service to meet updated code — for example, elevating the transformer above the FEMA flood plain.
“When we brought an appropriation request to the Board of Finance, but it was withdrawn due to inaccuracies in the accompanying materials.
“In any event, the work was not anticipated to begin until after the summer boating season.
“We’re now soliciting a competitive bid for the work, which I expect will produce savings — hopefully substantial — compared to the original request. The tradeoff is a longer timeline, partly due to design review by Eversource to confirm the new system meets their regulatory requirements.
“Our goal is to have bids returned and the work completed by late winter. Unfortunately, that means the marina will run on generator power for the rest of the boating season.
“The upside: once complete, the marina, South Beach bathrooms, and event power in the parking lot (Lobsterfest and others) will run on an electrical system that’s resilient to flooding and erosion for years to come.”
Ned Dimes Marina has used generators throughout the renovation project. (Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
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Time to get rid of your gun?
The Westport Police Department will buy it back.
On October 3 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Police headquarters, Jesup Road), Westport will participate in a statewide gun buyback and gun safe giveaway program.
It’s 100% anonymous. No identification is required.
Gift cards will be exchanged for operable firearms, while supplies last.
In addition, a limited number of free PIN-code gun safes will be available to pistol permit holders while supplies last.
Firearms must be transported in the trunk of the vehicle
Non-working firearms, black-powder weapons, flare guns, ghost guns, pellet/BB guns, ammunition, and magazine clips are not eligible for gift cards, but may still be turned in.
The program is sponsored by the Newtown Alliance Foundation. For additional information, contact Lieutenant Sereniti Dobson: sdobson@westportct.gov; 203-341-6010.
Residents who subscribe to the town’s government email list were surprised to learn yesterday that the Board of Finance is canceling 4 upcoming meetings: October 21, November 18, December 16 and January 20.
But that doesn’t mean they’re pulling a House of Representatives move, and not meeting at all.
Chair Danielle Dobin explains: “The Board of Finance traditionally meets monthly. Collectively, we decided to add a second monthly meeting to ensure that all follow-up appropriation requests could be heard in a timely fashion.
“However, we found that we were consistently canceling these additional meetings, so we are reverting to our traditional monthly schedule. Our regular monthly meetings, which were noticed this past January, remain on the calendar.
“Should a matter arise that requires more immediate consideration, the Board can always schedule an additional meeting as a special session.”
Don’t worry! The Board of Finance will continue to meet monthly, keeping an eye on all town expenditures.
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Families, friends, neighbors and individuals are invited to “Give Back Together” — and help Homes with Hope.
Next Saturday (September 26, 8 to 11 a.m., 10 Church Lane), volunteers will pack essential item bags — filled with household items, snacks and personal hygiene products — for people served by Westport’s supportive housing non-profit.
A $25 contribution covers the cost of 2 bags. All items will be provided. Click here to register. The event is sponsored by the Westport Downtown Association, FLB Law, David Adam Realty and Willo.
Westport Counseling and Therapy has just launched a new Young Adult Counseling Group. It’s aimed at people navigating the challenges of that stage of life: family and relationships, confidence and identity, stress management, communication, life transitions and change, and work-life balance.
The new group fills a gap in mental health support for young adults, who may not always have access to services designed specifically around the challenges of this period. Group counseling offers a supportive, confidential space to gain perspective, deepen self-understanding, develop effective coping strategies, and build meaningful connections with others who are navigating similar questions, experiences, and transitions during a pivotal life stage.
Lapde wanted to create a client-centered practice that accepts insurance, making quality mental health care more accessible to the communit. She and her 5 clinicians offer in-person counseling, as well telehealth,
Lapde’s team takes an integrative approach to therapy, drawing from psychodynamic, CBT, EMDR, solution-focused therapy, person-centered, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and more. .
Westport Country Playhouse is famous for producing 2- and 3-week shows.
But they’ve gotten into 1-off programming too.
Up soon: “Rent Control” (September 28, 7 p.m.).
The Off-Broadway comedy, written and performed by playwright/actor Evan Zes, is based on his own story.
The play follows a struggling New York actor who devises a seemingly clever moneymaking scheme — only to watch it spiral wildly, and hilariously, out of control.
Zes finds himself caught up with a cast of internet scammers and low-level gangsters. In this wild-but-true tale of greed, survival and redemption, Zes brings 25 characters to life.
“Rent Control” enjoyed back-to-back sold-out runs, at its 2016 New York International Fringe Festival debut and the Fringe Encore Series at SoHo Playhouse. Zes has since taken the production internationally.
The Weston History & Culture Center kicks off their new speaker series, “Backstories & Breakfast,” with a bewitching topic.
Three days before Halloween (October 28, 10 a.m.), the topic is “Witches of Connecticut.”
Rebecca Gavin, director of education at the Connecticut Museum of Culture & History, will share stories of some of the women (and men!) accused, tried and executed as witches — and describe how Connecticut ultimately controlled the spread of accusations.
The trials and executions here predated the more famous Salem witch panic by over 40 years.
Fresh on the heels of their a cappella camp for kids, Westport musicians Danielle Merlis and Robert Kwan have organized a group of adulsts.
Aimed at people who love to sing, learn music and connect with others, A Cappella Central is for you.
All are welcome: former college singers, seasoned musicians, those who have not sung in years, and anyone brand new but eager to try.
There is no audition. All voice parts are invited. The group will be fun, supportive and friendly.
An open house (with pizza!) is set for September 30 (7 to 8:30 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, Southport. The group will continue meeting there on WEdesdays, at the same time.
Just in time for Halloween, Westport native Charlie Greenwald has published “Jeff O’Lantern.”
Aimed at kindergartners through 2nd graders it’s a “funny, heartwarming picture book about a shy little pumpkin.” (Jeff O’Lantern — Jack’s younger brother — is not quite as spooky.)
Readers can discover that being shy or gentle is not a weakness. and that kindness can be its own kind of bravery.
PS: Charlie will entertain young readers October 25 (1 p.m.) at Barnes & Noble, with a special Storytime session.
Don’t miss it. He’s as entertaining as the book!
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At least once a week, someone sends a photo of an eagle perched atop the communication tower by the Westport Police station.
Look! they say. How cool is this?!
It would be more cool if it were an actual eagle.
Unfortunately, it’s a decoy. It’s there — and has been for months, if not years — to keep other birds from flocking to the equipment.
Judith Katz was the latest reader to excitedly send in that photo.
Sorry ! replied. It’s a decoy.
But she followed up with the entire, uncropped image. It showed a second — and real — bird, nearby.
Maybe — after all this time — the birds have gotten wise to the WPD ruse.
(Photo/Judith Katz)
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A 2-car accident at 5:40 p.m. yesterday closed Imperial Avenue for a short time.
Westport firefighters, police officers and EMTs were on the scene, through 6:50.
Imperial Avenue (Photo/Westport Fire Department)
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Dave Briggs lends his substantial MC talents to many causes.
One of the best is Hero to Hero, the non-profit dedicated to transitioning servicemembers.
They, and the team behind the upcoming film “Blue Bunny,” host their 2nd joint fundraiser, “An Evening of Honor and Service,” on October 2 (6:30 p.m., Fairfield Theatre Company).
Guests will enjoy a sneak peek of footage from “Blue Bunny,” personal appearances from stars of the film, and powerful firsthand accounts from veterans whose lives intersect with the mission of Hero to Hero.
The evening also features food, wine, beer, and a specialty Hero cocktail. creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere in support of a meaningful cause.
But families still flock to Compo Beach, on weekend nights.
This was the scene last evening. If that’s a limbo stick, they have to lower it considerably.
(Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
Today, nearby, South Beach will be packed with 1,500 guests, and 200 volunteers.
It’s the Westport Rotary Club’s annual LobsterFest.
If you don’t have tickets … you’re out of luck. It’s been sold out since August.
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Bees are our friends!
As Jeff Manchester’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows, they are one of the best ways to eradicate spotted lanternflies.
Isn’t nature amazing?
(Photo/Jeff Manchester)
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And finally … in honor of the Weston History & Culture Center’s upcoming discussion of Connecticut witches:
(It’s not magic. Just click here to support “06880” — your hyper-local blog. We won’t put a spell on you if you don’t. At least, we probably won’t. Thank you!)
The good news: Eversource has restored power to more than 90,000 customers since Saturday night’s storms. Almost all the remaining 34,000 — about 2.6% of all Connecticut customers — will have electricity by Tuesday night, “most sooner” the utility says.
The bad news: The percentage out is higher in Westport.
And much higher in Weston.
As of 7:50 a.m. today, 627 Westport customers — 4.9% of the town — remain without power.
In Weston, it’s 1,262 customers: a whopping 32.1% overall.
Damage on Hazelnut Road, off North Avenue. (Photo/Tommy Greenwald)
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Woodstock came to Westport last night. And man, it was groovy.
Back to the Garden 1969 — a Woodstock tribute band — packed the Levitt Pavilion. Channeling every band from The Band, The Who and Jefferson Airplane to joe Cocker, Santana and Sly & the Family Stone, they had the crowd dancing and flashing peace signs.
Going down to Yasgur’s farm. (Photo/Susan Garment)
But the highlight was Michelle Pauker. The 2013 Staples High School graduate (and Staples Players star) joined the group 6 months ago. Her Grace Slick and Janis Joplin performances were every bit as good as those legends were, nearly 60 years ago.
And … it was her 31st birthday.
She celebrated it in style. With, of course, a little help from her (Westport) friends.
Michelle Pauker, singing Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart.” (Photo/Miggs Burroughs)
As Sly & the Family Stone say: Dance to the music! (Photo/Susan Garment)
Verso University — the Westport Library’s lifelong learning and education initiative — does not take the summer off.
Their July/August offerings range from vibe coding and songwriting to beer tasting. Here’s the full list:
Mah Jongg Open Play in the Library Café (July and August, Thursdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m.; $5).
Vibe Coding: Build a Website with AI (July 9, 16, 23 & 30, 6:30 to 8 pm; $40).
Fairfield University Art Museum Curator’s Tour (July 15, 1 to 2:30 p.m.; Quick Center for the Arts/Walsh Gallery & Ballarmine Hall Galleries; $5).
History of American Beer/Beer Tasting/America 250 (July 17, 3:30- to 5:30 p.m.; samples from Fox Farm Brewery included; $10).
Women Laughing Film Screening & Panel Discussion with Liza Donnelly & Roz Chast(July 20, 7 to 8:30 p.m.; $5)
Book Event: “A Daring Enterprise,” moderated by Daniel Gross(July 22, 7 to 8 p.m.; free)
GarageBand Music Lab for Tweens (Monday-Thursday, August 3, 4, 5 & 6, 10:30 am to 12:30 p.m.; $25). Need equipment? Email jconnon@westportlibrary.org.
Moss & Mingle Creative Workshop (August 5, 6 to 8 p.m.; all material provided, plus wine and light snacks; $15).
Songwriting: 3-Evening Intensive with Jack O’Neill (Thursdays, August 6, 13, & 20, 6:30 to 8 p.m.; $25).
Mah Jongg Instruction (Beginner: Tuesdays, July 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; July 14 & 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m; Advanced Beginner: Tuesdays, July 7, 2 to 5 p.m.; July 14 & 21, 2 to 4 p.m.; $125).
Writing Sprints (Online)(Tuesdays with Tessa Smith McGovern, 12 to 1:30 p.m; Wednesdays with Alexandra Soiseth, 6 to 7:30 p.m.; free).
In its century of existence as Connecticut’s first state park, Sherwood Island has maintained much of its natural look.
Including — as shown in today’s “Westport … Naturally” image — its weeds.
(Photo/Wendy Levy)
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And finally … in honor of the Westport Library’s Verso University class “GarageBand Music Lab for Tweens” (story above), here are 3 of the best garage bands ever:
PS: “06880” connection: ? and the Mysterians played at the short-lived Nines Club discotheque. We know the former ice skating rink today as the Westport Tennis Club.
Last night’s brief but intense storm caused numerous power outages.
They persist today.
At 4:30 this afternoon, there were still 809 customers — 6.3% of Eversource’s total — without power in Westport.
Weston fared worse. 498 customers remain out (12.6%).
Though Eversource has brought in crews from Canada, Governor Lamont says that full restoration in Connecticut might take “several days.”
His full remarks:
Last night’s severe storms left thousands of homes in the region without power, and while utility crews immediately began working on restoration, they believe that repairs in certain areas may take several days due to the scale of damage across the area.
The utilities have called down additional crews from Canada to help restore power in Connecticut as soon as possible, and our administration will do anything in our ability that can help expedite power restoration.
Additionally, the state’s emergency response team remains in contact with every affected town and stands ready to send additional support the moment a municipality requests it.
Connecticut has been through storms like this before, and we get through them by looking out for one another. Stay safe, and we’ll keep you updated.
Amid the cleanup, Tommy Greenwald sent a photo, from his driveway off North Avenue.
But, he noted — channeling Francis Scott Key — “our flag was still there.”
Here’s another downed limb, this one at Assumption Cemetery on Greens Farms Road:
(Photo/Carrie Kuhn)
The Westport Fire Department offers this advice for generator safety:
Always operate generators outdoors, never inside a home or garage.
Keep generators at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents.
Never refuel a generator while it is running or still hot.
Install working carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
A few additional things residents can do, according to state officials:
If you rely on medically necessary equipment and lose power, or if you have an emergency, call 911.
Stay clear of any downed power lines. Always assume they are live and dangerous; report them to your utility right away.
For real-time updates on state road closures, visit org. Obey all signage when approaching road closures. The Connecticut Department of Transportation and municipalities are coordinating with utilities to clear roads of downed trees and power lines.
Check on elderly neighbors, family, and anyone who may need a hand.
For non-emergency help, contact your town’s local officials. You can also visit 211ct.org or call 211 for more information.
Last night’s brief but powerful storms brought down tree limbs — and power lines — all over Westport and Weston.
And across the state.
Dramatic lightning at Compo Beach. (Photo/Meredith Holod)
At 7:30 this morning, Eversource reported 778 Westport customers — 11.6% of the town’s total — without service.
Another 455 Weston customers (6.1%) lacked power.
The map did not offer restoration times for most outages.
Statewide, the total number of customers without electricity was 71,965 (5.5%).
Last night, “06880” reader Tracy Porosoff sent this report: “We were at the Levitt Pavilion, and saw the lightning from Norwalk before it got to us and closed down the concert.
“Roads were full of branches and debris. Seems like it’s going to be a messy storm.”
She sent this photo too, of a non-functioning traffic light at the Compo Road South/Greens Farms Road/Bridge Street intersection:
The Staples High School Class of 1961 was the first to spend 3 years at the then-sparkling new North Avenue campus.
More than 6 decades later, they’re still trailblazers.
For their 65th reunion, Peter Kelman organized a unique virtual event. In late June, nearly 50 alums gathered via Zoom.
For over 2 hours, they shared stories, memories, insights and more.
To keep things from going off the rails, Peter instituted some simple rules. There was a 2-minute time limit for each speaker (he suggested timing them beforehand), and 6 specific topics:
Pre-school and elementary School years
Junior high years
High School years
Post-high School lives
Remembrance classmates who died
Current lives as octogenarians.
There was even tech help available, for men and women whose Staples days included slide rules and blue book essays, not computers and AI.
For security reasons, the video is unlisted. “06880” readers can view it by emailing Peter (phkelman@gmail.com), with details on why you’re interested.
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Westporters of a certain age remember Linda Blair.
She was a 14-year-old Staples student in 1973 — and had been working as a model and actress for years — when she was chosen from 600 others for the role of Regan in “The Exorcist.”
She earned a Golden Globe Award, was nominated for an Oscar — and received death threats for her “blasphemy.”
What’s she up to now?
For one thing, she’s old enough for AARP. (As are, to their surprise, many other people.)
The June/July issue of AARP magazine has a short update.
At 67, she has survived pneumonia and sepsis. She’s devoted her adult life to the rescue, rehabilitation and “rehoming” of dogs.
Several readers have expressed disappointment at the lack of patriotic decorations on Westport homes. Even with a house décor contest underway, flags and bunting is hard to find.
One place to see it: Compo Hill.
Rick and Totney Benson are flying the colors at the exact site where, 249 years ago, colonists and the British battled in one of our town’s most historic events.
The view coming up Compo Hill …
… and at the top, on Buena Vista Drive. Rick participated in the OpSail tall ships event 50 years ago, during America’s bicentennial. (Photos/Rick Benson)
The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence — written, of course, with a quill pen — is a great connection to today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
Jerry Kuyper collects these feathers on his Rayfield Road property. As the image shows, that’s a self-evident truth.
And finally … on this date in 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered his “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” speech at a meeting organized by the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society in Rochester, New York.
(The Independence Day holiday continues. So does our “06880” blog. We’re here 24/7/365, because that’s what hyper-local blogs do. If you like our work, please click here to support us. Thank you!)
People, organizations, events, businesses, history, photos, entitled drivers — if it happens here, we post about it.
We throw an occasional bone to Weston too. Keith Richards, José Feliciano, Devil’s Den, the Museum & History Center — all are worth covering.
Very occasionally, we’ll mention something about Fairfield (their 8-30g battles) or Norwalk (Stew Leonard’s, Wegmans) — provided there is a clear and important connection to “06880.”
Today is one of those days.
Manresa Island is that piece of land we see from Compo Beach. Its most prominent feature is a power plant.
Manresa Island (smokestack in the distance), can be seen on a clear day from Compo Beach.
In fact, the reason the island has grown from its original 23 acres to its current 144 is because Connecticut Light & Power (now Eversource) filled in the titdal flats with coal ash.
One view of Manresa Island …
The plant — converted from coal to oil (which subsequently spilled, causing significant environmental damage) — was sold to NRG Energy in 1999, and severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. It closed the next year.
Manresa Island has a fascinating history.
At one time, it was owned by the Jesuits. The established the Manresa Institute, a retreat for prelates and laymen.
… and another.
For a sight so prominent in our vista, most Westporters know nothing about Manresa Island.
Including the fact that a year ago a non-profit organization acquired the property. They hope to remediate the coal ash and asbesetos, and turn it into a park.
That vision of a wealthy couple, Austin and Allison McChord, began as they kayaked past Manresa. They created a non-profit to carry out their dream.
The transformation would open 1 3/4 miles of Norwalk’s shorefront to the public. The 125-acre park would include trails, a canopy walk, a public beach, play spaces, boat rentals, and a lawn for concerts.
Plans for Manresa Island …
The power plant would be turned into a large space with climbing walls, an indoor water park, food vendors, enviornment educational center, and flexible event space.
Demolition of the 3 7.5-million gallon steel oil tanks that sat empty for over a decade was completed last month. The smokestack will remain.
… including new uses of the turbine building …
Proponents call the project a model for the adaptive reuse of industrial sites and resilient waterfronts globally. It is expected to be fully completed by 2030.
Manresa Island is ecologically important. Undeveloped portons include a coastal forest and intertidal estuaries — some of the last remaining undisturbed marine habitats on the Fairfield County coast.
Wetlands serve as breeding grounds for migratory birds, and are home to 200 or so bird species. Waters around the island are essential habitats for many fish.
… and outdoor educational and recreational areas.
Yet Manresa is not the only Norwalk Island in the news.
ROAN ventures — developers of the Saugatuck Hamlet project — recently bought 4-acre Betts Island and 1.5-acre Calf Pasture Island. Plans for the islands are unclear.
Those for Manresa Island, on the other hand, are very clear.
Even if many Westporters — just a couple of miles across Saugatuck Shores and Long Island Sound, as the gull flies — have absolutely no idea what lies next to the smokestack.
Or what lies ahead.
(To learn more about Manresa Island’s future, click here.Hat tip: Janine Scotti)
Yesterday’s power outage at Post Road East and Myrtle Avenue seemed to come out of the blue.
But there was a good reason for it. A retired former Connecticut Light & Power director explains: “A little wind — actually just over 40 mph — but the real culprit is the very tall trees growing above the 3-phase primary.
“The company has been trimming its circuits on 4-year cycles for many decades, and patrolling all backbone primary circuits each of the 3 interim years between major cycle trims, looking for signs of trouble in any of the trees growing above the circuits.
“But in most parts of the country the utility trims all branches that are above these circuits, so there is nothing but blue sky above when standing beneath the circuits and looking up.
“Unfortunately, Westport historically denied trimming to that extent. So when a strong wind takes an overhanging tree limb, or sometimes an entire tree is uprooted, you get a major outage as occurred there Friday — keeping 597 customers out of power for hours.
“This brings back memories of major storm-related outages in town: Isaias (early August, 2020 when 97% of customers lost power, some for nearly 2 weeks!), Super Storm Sandy (October 2012), Snowtober Storm (Halloween 2011), Storm Irene (August 2011), March nor’easter (March 2010), Winter Double Nor’easter (mid-January 2006), “Perfect Storm” (late fall 1991), Hurricane Bob (August 1991), Hurricane Gloria (October 1985) … all had strong winds and with its tree cover, Westport was usually one of the worst towns in the state as measured by percentage of customers out of power at the peak of the storm.”
Eversource crews working on the outage (with tree cover above). (Photo/Mark Mathias)
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Speaking of the environment: We’re #1!
At least. Westport and Weston are in terms of electric vehicle ownership.
CT Mirror reports today that while just 2.7% of all vehicles in the state are electric, the figures are 10.4% and 10.1% respectively, for our 2 towns.
Every Thursday, the Imperial Avenue parking lot teems with vendors offering fresh ways to prepare fresh food (and not just produce — there’s meat, baked goods and more). Musicians perform. It’s fun, funky and alive.
There’s a lot to do, and see. It’s a photographer’s paradise too.
Which is why, for nearly a decade, the WFM has run Young Shoots: a digital photography competition for students ages 5-18.
Local artists will judge the entries, by age group. There’s a show on August 20 at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center. Winners will be announced (and receive cash prizes).
New this year: Every week, a new photo will be featured on “06880” (and displayed at the Imperial Avenue market).
Take it from Miggs Burroughs, noted local artist and Young Shoots co-chair: “Not only does this contest give young talent an opportunity to shine like ripe tomatoes, but it nourishes the community with a feast of photographic goodness!”
Click here for details. The deadline is August 8. The contest is a partnership between the Westport Farmers’ Market, the Artists Collective of Westport, and the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center.
There were honors galore, at the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s 101st annual meeting this week. They include:
Lee J. Edelstein Volunteer of the Year: Kristin McKinney
Allen Raymond Legacy & Impact Award: Rosemary Halstead
Edward T. Bedford Outstanding Youth Award, Dani Schwartz, Grant Slippen
Star Employee Recognition Awards:
Paul I. Becker Employee of the Year: Patrick Freeman
Above & Beyond: Victoria Walters
Commitment to Mission: Brian Ference
Relationship Champion: Alison Ligi
Rookie of the Year: Miles Grinnell
The event concluded with US Paralympic athlete Matthew Torres’ surprise appearance to present competitive swimming director Ellen Johnston with the Order of Ikkos. The prestigious honor is awarded by Olympic and Paralympic medalists to the coach or mentor who most influenced their success.
Ellen Johnston receives her Order of Ikkos from Matthew Torres. (Photo/Emily MacDaniel)
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Congratulations to Michael Ances!
The Staples High School graduate — and longtime Monroe Public Schools music teacher — is the district’s Teacher of the Year.
Ances — now serving as Masuk High band director — has taught in nearly every school in Monroe.
He goot his start as a 5th grade trumpet player, under the tutelage of Nick Mariconda at Saugatuck Elementary School.
Ances — who also serves as musical director and pit band conductor of the annual high school musical, and the district’s performing arts coordinator — has never forgotten his Westport roots.
In a long story in the Monroe Sun, Ances recalls playing at Radio City Music Hall with the Staples band.
And when Mariconda — who went on to lead the SHS band — retired, Ances and fellow trumpeters Andrew Wilmott and Jon Owens celebrated him with “Bugler’s Holiday, at the annual Westport Pops Concert.
One character tells another that there is a hierarchy of humanity: “#1 Lesbians; #2 Gay Men.”
Then he says: “Imagine a world without us. Clothing, interior design, hair, makeup, choreography, art, theatre, food, topiary. Basically, you’d be left with the gray, ugly world of Eastern Europe during the Cold War or, worse, the soul-searching blandness of, say, greater Westport, Connecticut.”
Despite — or perhaps because of — lines like that, it’s got a 4.6 rating on Amazon. (Hat tip: Amy Schneider)
Barn swallows fly quickly, in and out of the parking garage at the Riverside Avenue medical office complex. Every year, they nest above the lights.
Johanna Keyser Rossi caught one of the birds, in a rare still moment, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … Lou Christie died Wednesday, at his Pittsburgh home. The falsetto singer was 82.
Best known for his #1 song “Lightnin’ Strikes,” he had several other hits. His follow-up to “Lightin'” — “Rhapsody in the Rain” — was banned by many stations, due to its explicit lyrics about “making love in a storm.” (“And in this car, our love went much too far …”) You get the idea.
(It’s a hot weekend in Westport. But whatever the weather, “06880” is here — 24/7/365. If you appreciate our hyper-local coverage of our town, please click here to support our work. Thanks!
“06880” reader Marc Lemcke lives across from Aquarion’s North Avenue water tanks. He keeps a close watch on the utility. He writes:
Did you know that our water provider is being sold again?
It’s a big deal, one that defies logic. Eversource’s shareholders are celebrating — and we should be worried about our water supply in the years to come. Our water bills will soon double, and likely rise from there.
But you can do something. You can join the public comment session of the state’s regulator Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) on June 25, and ask the regulator and our state representatives for a better deal.
In July 2017, Westport’s water provider, Aquarion, applied for a permit to replace the small water tank on North Avenue with 2 significantly larger ones.
During a presentation to our Planning & Zoning Commission, Eversource — our energy provider — announced it had acquired the water company for $1.7 billion.
Together, these 2 firms are by far Westport’s largest taxpayers. They had outsized influence — and wielded it.
In 2025, for the fourth time in about 20 years, Aquarion is being sold. This time it is to publicly owned South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) for $2.4 billion.
PURA has invited public comments on June 25 (register here), as it must approve the deal. There may be little public comment, but the deal’s importance should not be overlooked by Westport residents. Here’s why:
Water matters more to Westport than most towns. Eversource/ Aquarion is Westport’s biggest taxpayer; Aquarion as a standalone entity is in the top 10.
While Aquarion’s facilities generate significant tax revenue, town leaders have often looked the other way on issues such as PFAS contamination, lead pipe risks, and concerns about fire protection gaps.
With the town soon to become one of more than 60 municipal owners of Aquarion, this cozy relationship must be redefined. Taxes paid by Aquarion will not increase any more, and this will potentially impact Westport’s credit rating over time.
On the bright side, the critical issues of water infrastructure will now be discussed more openly.
We might see a test soon. A judge has ordered a hearing in the PFAS class action suit against Aquarion for July 24.
Aquarion is accused of knowingly selling PFAS-contaminated water above the 4-ptt threshold. Westport has 2 of Aquarion’s contaminated wells.
Aquarion lists those wells under different system names, so most people don’t realize they are actually located here.
Did you know that with over $35 million, Westport is by far the #1 town for required PFAS treatments? As of now, the treatment is scheduled for 2028 and 2029.
So why did Eversource sell? The business model was dead. Under a new regulatory regime at PURA, the regulatory process is livestreamed, so residents can now easily follow the proceedings.
While it remains an opaque process, it marked the end of the rubber-stamping rate hike applications and ended the profit party. Private buyers were unlikely to step in under these circumstances.
In response, legislators held a rushed emergency session to let the RWA buy Aquarion. Most lawmakers had no idea what they voted for.
State Representative Jonathan Steinberg
A notable exception was Westport’s State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, who voted “no.”
RWA won the bid with an eye-popping $2.4 billion offer; most likely they were the only bidder.
Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber asked, “How do you pay for $2.4 billion in debt when you only make $30 million a year?” The answer: higher water bills, debt payments for the next 40 years, and new debt for infrastructure improvements.
Let’s hope RWA wins its bet on favorable market conditions and cost controls over the next 40 years. (To be fair, any private investor would have even more challenges financing $2.4 billion with Aquarion’s current business.
The North Avenue tank project was never for the reasons stated by Aquarion.Seven years after the tank construction application, we now know that itwas part of a $200 million pipeline effort, and that the project lacked any justification for Westport residents or anyone in Connecticut. The numbers presented by Aquarion in favor of the tank project in Westport were never true.
This deal seems similar: Aquarion’s balance sheet and acquisition details are considered a trade secret. First Selectman Gerber’s questions will not be answered. Essentially, the public pays Eversource’s shareholders for something it knows little about.
Why build something unnecessary? Because they can. Private utilities profit from infrastructure — the more they build, the more they earn. Building more than prudent is called “gold-plating.”
A Connecticut Department of Energy & Environment Protection study confirmed that gold-plating is a multi-billion-dollar problem in Connecticut’s utility sector.
Aquarion’s pipelines, tanks, and pump stations are all examples. The pump station on North Avenue, for instance, is designed to serve a particular area in town with 1,312 water customers, with a projected average daily water use of 1,044 gallons per day. The real average of water use in Westport is 124 gallons per day.
Construction of the water tanks on North Avenue.
We hope this practice will end with the RWA purchase, but it likely won’t.
Despite PURA’s warnings of gold-plating, Aquarion will continue spending an estimated 3 times more than what is prudent.
However, regulatory filings suggest that RWA has significantly better water quality, e.g. PFAS or lead service lines. So far, it is unclear what the new owner, RWA, can and will change about the way Aquarion’s business is currently being done.
Can gold-plating be stopped? Theoretically, yes. But it will take regulatory will to change. As DEEP states, opposing gold-plating places “an almost impossible burden on challengers.”
In its recent ratecase decision, PURA accused Aquarion of spending a total of $600 million, without clear evidence of prudence.
Why did PURA approve 93% of the gold-plating anyway? Because Aquarion is in financial distress and water service was at risk, the authority approved expenses with little to no evidence of prudence. Now the public inherits the problem — and the bill.
Interestingly, Aquarion fights at the Supreme Court for the remaining 7% of its rate hike application. The company argues that it used to get everything they asked for in the past.
The bigger picture – we’re still stuck with a broken water plan. In 2018, Connecticut approved its first State Water Plan. Thanks to private utilities, however, it was toothless — all consensus, little action.
Since then, little has changed beyond enhanced drought monitoring and some new conservation efforts, and problems are piling up. Those problems include PFAS and lead contamination, inadequate fire protection, wastewater runoff, and future strains on the existing water supply.
Many dedicated volunteers from across sectors are trying to do their best with limited resources to manage these challenges. Past leaders who were known to be cozy with the utilities have retired, and new state officials seem to make a genuine attempt to finally get things right.
In any case, real progress will take a while. Oversight of water remains opaque, and Aquarion, as the largest water company, remains a black box.
The state’s management of investor-owned utilities over the past 20 years has been costly, and undoing the damage will take time money, and effort. Still, the public option is the best of two evils.
Why don’t you hear more about this? Because it’s complicated. Because Aquarion’s public statements are legal smokescreens. Because disputes often end in settlements and nondisclosure agreements. Because ratepayer representation has very limited resources and faces private companies with nearly unlimited legal budgets; regulators are the only “competition” a monopoly has.
Currently, Connecticut’s chief regulator faces at least 4 legal challenges and a public campaign against her instigated by various private utility companies, including Eversource/Aquarion.
What’s the solution? The regulator should approve the acquisition with the condition that Eversource pays $500 million into a state water fund. and the Office of Consumer Affairs will be significantly strengthened.
This way, Eversource shareholders will not lose money on its Aquarion investment – eminent domain would cost more – and the state has resources to address critical issues of water quality and supply, and consumers have a minimum voice.
What’s next? After the regulators’ public hearing on June 25 via Zoom, they’ve scheduled a hearing on July 17, which can be followed live on YouTube. Follow the case in the PURA docket 25-04-03.
(“06880″‘s Opinion pages are open to all. Email submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com. To support this hyper-local blog with a tax-deductible contribution, please click here. Thank you!)
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