Tag Archives: Gloria Gouveia

Roundup: More Hamlet Action, New Parks & Rec Programs, T-Mobile’s Weston Woes …

Posted on September 3, 2025 | 14 comments

Profuse apologies!

For the second time yesterday, a technical glitch prevented David Rosenwaks from joining our Instagram Live.

It was not his fault. He’s a very tech-savvy guy. The blame lies elsewhere — I’ll take it!

But the third time will be the charm. Because Dave and I will be together, in person. No issues with remote.

The date is this Friday (September 5), at 4 p.m. We’re on Instagram @06880danwoog.

Thanks for your patience!

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When the Planning && Zoning Commission voted 4-0 (with 3 abstentions) to deny ROAN Ventures’ Hamlet at Saugatuck application, many town officials and residents expected an appeal.

The developers of the retail/residential/event space project have indeed gone to court.

But another legal action is in the works too.

Gloria Gouveia — former Westport zoning administrator, and founder of her own Land Use Consultants firm — has filed a zoning amendment application with the P&Z.

Its goal is to repeal regulations adopted in 2022 — at ROAN’s request — that allowed the firm to propose the Hamlet.

Citing the length of the application process and the difficulty of determining the proposed development’s compliance with the regulation (Section 24C), Gouveia’s request includes reasons in support of the repeal, and a list of benefits to the town should the repeal be granted.

Gouveia says this is her first application to repeal a zoning regulation in her 40-plus year career.

Part of the Hamlet plan, as seen from the Saugatuck River.

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Speaking of local politics: As reported by “06880” earlier, Altice has rearranged its Optimum channels.

Government meetings are no longer available on Channel 78. They can now be found on Channel 1310.

Go figure.

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Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department fall (and winter!) program signups began at 9 a.m. this morning (September 3).

Stop reading now! Go sign up — some go fast.

Programs include fall tennis, youth soccer, baseball clinics, multi-sport clinics, youth basketball, ice skating and swimming.

Click here to see the full program lineup.

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If you’re a T-Mobile customer in Weston, you’re probably not reading this on your phone.

Weston Today reports that a sudden shutdown in cell service has resulted from the company not coming to terms with the town on a lease of a tower.

The town has reached agreements with AT&T and Verizon.

First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor notes that the decision to shut down service was made by T-Mobile, not the town. The company did so without notifying town officials or customers.

Weston Today says, “The shutdown appears to affect all Weston T-Mobile users, including students, teachers, and emergency responders. Users in nearby towns may also be affected.” Click here for the full story. 

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Neighbors and Newcomers of Westport is gearing up for a new year.

Members enjoy clam bakes, coffees, holiday parties, kayaking, barbecues, happy hours, wine tastings and TGIF get-togethers.

They play canasta. They go hiking and to movies. There is a book club, culinary group and luncheon club. There are trips to museums, baby and toddler play groups, and girls’ nights out. The group is always looking for new ideas, and very responsive to members’ needs.

It’s not just a “newcomers” group. All Westporters are welcome. Though most are women, men are active too. There are singles as well as couples.

For membership information, email membershipnnwestport@gmail.com. For events: eventsnnwestport@gmail.com. For all other questions, contact presidentnnwestport@gmail.com.

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And the winner is …

“The Edge of Water.”The multi-generational debut novel by Olufunke Grace Bankole is the winner of the 2025 Westport Prize for Literature. The award is presented annually to an original work of literary fiction that is both relevant and timeless.

Bankole will be honored at the Westport Library on November 6 (7 p.m.). She will then take part in a special conversation with Yale Review editor Meghan O’Rourke.

Copies of “The Edge of Water” will available for purchase and signing.

This is the third year for the $10,000 prize. Previous honorees were Zadie Smith for “The Fraud,” and Alejandro Puyana (“Freedom is a Feast”).

The 2 other Westport Prize finalists this year were “O Sinners: by Nicole Cuffy, and “Rabbit Moon” by Jennifer Haigh.

“The Edge of Water” follows Amina, who moves from Nigeria to New Orleans to forge her own path. But a hurricane threatens to destroy the city, upending everything she’d dreamed of and the lives of all she holds dear. Years later, her daughter is left with questions about the mother she barely knew, and the family she has yet to discover in Nigeria.

Submissions for the 2025 prize were read and vetted by a team of nearly 50 volunteer readers. The best-reviewed books advancing to a jury, for final selection.

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As summer vacation ends, Saugatuck Church hosts a “Welcome Back Sunday.” It’s this week: September 7.

The 10 a.m. service includes a “blessing of the backpacks” — a perfect way to start the new school year.

A coffee hour, with food and refreshments, follows. All are welcome.

Last year’s Blessing of the Backpacks.

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Adam Frank is an expert on life in the universe.

And death.

On September 16 (8 p.m.), the University of Rochester astrophysics professor offers a Westport Astronomical Society lecture on “The Search for Life in the Universe.”

The WAS calls him “a leading expert on the final stages of evolution for stars like the sun. (His computational group) has developed advanced supercomputer tools for studying how stars form and how they die. A self-described ‘evangelist of science,’ he is also committed to showing others the beauty and power of science, and exploring the proper context of science in culture.”

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“06880” reported in July that Soleil Toile was closing.

The Post Road East lingerie/swimwear/accessories/and more shop is now fully gone. All that remains:

(Photo/Amy Schneider)

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Westport town attorney Ira Bloom, a senior partner at Berchem Moses, recently received the Marvin J. Glink Private Practice Local Government Attorney Award from the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA).

It recognizes “an exceptional private practice attorney serving municipal clients who demonstrates the traditional qualities of excellence in the practice of law, along with providing outstanding service to the public, and who possesses an exemplary reputation in the legal community, the highest of ethical standards, who is devoted to mentoring young lawyers, and who is devoted to educating lawyers in local government law.”

Bloom has been Westport’s town attorney since 1998. He holds similar positions in New Canaan and Weston. He is also town counsel for Wilton, and counsel for Easton.

Ira Bloom

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Many of us in Westport take for granted the greenery that surrounds us.

Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image from Compo Cove reminds us of the lushness everywhere, at this time of year.

(Photo/Richard Fogel)

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And finally … in honor of the blessing of the backpacks (story above):

(Happy new [school and activity] year! Help us celebrate, by clicking here to make a tax-deductible contribution to “06880.” Thanks — and have a great one!)

 

 

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Roundup: Compo Dogs, Elementary Redistricting, Breast Cancer Detection …

Posted on October 1, 2024 | Comments Off on Roundup: Compo Dogs, Elementary Redistricting, Breast Cancer Detection …

Compo Beach is going (back) to the dogs.

Starting today, canines are welcome.

They must be leashed, except in the off-leash area south of the pavilion (including South Beach).

Dogs are not allowed in the pavilion, playground and on walkways. Humans are required to pick up their pets’ poop.

Violators of any of the regulations are subject to a $77 fine.

Enjoy the next 6 months. Fido and friends will be barred from the beach again, on April 1.

Yogi Bear and Daisy played by the rules yesterday. Today, they get their paws sandy. They look forward to seeing old friends, and meeting new ones. (Photo/Cathy “Cat” Malkin)

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A new redistricting “map viewer” is available on the Westport Public Schools website (click here to see).

It’s part of the dedicated “Redistricting Resources” page (click here for the page).

Families can use both locational services, or search by address, to explore the interactive map.

At the September 19 Board of Education meeting superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice recommended “Scenario A1 — Phase 1,” with formal board action to be taken in November.

Screenshot of the elementary school redistricting plan. Saugatuck is in the middle (pink). Clockwise from top: Coleytown, Long Lots, Greens Farms, Kings Highway.

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Longtime Westporter Gloria Gouveia — former town zoning administrator, now a highly respected land use consultant — is the newest member of the Connecticut Mirror community editorial board.

Her first opinion piece for the statewide non-profit journalism cite is powerful, personal, and very timely.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins, Gloria shares her own experience with the disease.

She also advocates for access to mammograms and breast cancer care for all women, regardless of income or insurance coverage.

Click here to read “Reach Out for Help With Early Breast Cancer Detection.”

Gloria Gouveia

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On the 1-year anniversary of the October 7 massacre in Israel, the Jewish Federation of Fairfield County will sponsor an interfaith “As One We Come Together” gathering.

The time is 7:30 p.m. Click here to register

The day before (Sunday, October 6, noon to 3 p.m., Compo Beach), a ceremony will remember and honor the 101 people still held as hostages by Hamas. The public is invited.

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The Public Works Department’s fall paving program begins next Monday (October 7). It runs through the end of November.

These roads will be paved (though not in this order):

  • Poplar Plains Road
  • McMahon Lane
  • Riverfield Drive (north section)
  • Nutcracker Lane
  • St. George Place
  • Salem Road
  • Salem Lane
  • Colony Road
  • Burr Farms Road
  • Long Lots Road
  • Bauer Place Road and Extension
  • Church Street South
  • Center Street
  • Hillspoint Road
  • Fresenius Road.

Questions? Call 203-341-1120.

Coming soon, to a street near you.

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As Broadway fans everywhere mourn the death of Gavin Creel yesterday at 48, from a rare form of cancer, Westport Country Playhouse staffers and audiences had special reasons to remember the Broadway and West End star.

In January 2022, PBS broadcast “Stars on Stage,” a special performance taped 4 months earlier at the Playhouse. Click below for a short clip:

Eight months later, when Renée Elise Goldsberry headlined the WCP benefit gala, Tony and Olivier Award winner Gavin Creel offered “coffee and conversation” as a silent auction item.

Creel was a graduate of the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theater and Dance, about a decade before Staples High School 2003 graduate Justin Paul.

But when Paul and his musical theater songwriting partner, Benj Pasek, were just starting their careers, Creel gave them a boost by performing their songs.

Staples Players co-director Kerry Long posted this 2008 clip on social media:

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And the winner of the Botanical Arts Photography Award at the Westport Garden Club’s “Westport’s Town Treasures” last weekend is … former president Kelle Ruden.

No, the fix was not in.

Judging was blind. Officials did not know who submitted what.

Kelle was “gob-smacked” to learn her image — “Pollinators,” taken at Sherwood Island State park — took the top prize.

But see for yourself (below). It’s a winner!

“Pollinators” (Kelle Ruden)

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The Staples boys soccer online auction is live.

Items include New York Yankees tickets, a ski on/off weekend at Stowe, a private wood-fired pizza party, clinics with varsity players, a chance to announce the starting lineup at a match — and a VIP day at a concert with Old Dominion, the award-winning country band whose guitarist/vocalist, Brad Tursi, is a former Staples soccer star.

Click here to see all the items, and bid. The auction ends Sunday (October 6, 10 p.m.).

Brad Tursi — former Staples soccer star, now a country music idol.

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Jazz singer and noted Westporter Melissa Newman kicks off JazzFC’s first annual “Girls’ Night Out Festival” — 4 weeks of female jazz artists — this Thursday (October 3), at VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399.

It’s part of Jazz at the Post. Shows are at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner service begins at 7. The music cover is $20 ($15 for veterans and students).

Melissa will be joined by guitarist Tony Lombardozzi, bassist Phil Bowler and drummer Bobby Leonard. Click here for tickets, and more information.

Melissa Newman

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“ColleCTomania: The Outsized Influence of Swiss Posters” — a collection of Tom Strong’s archives — has been extended, at MoMA CT.

The exhibition — including a diverse range of poster from the 1930s through the present, plus a short documentary video — now runs through December 29.

For details, click here.

Posters from the MoCA show.

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Creatures of all kinds often take center stage in our “Westport … Naturally” daily feature.

Today though, the focus is on all the quiet beauty around one little friend.

(Photo/JD Dworkow)

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And finally … welcome to a new month!

(Another day, another “Roundup” filled with news about education, health, politics, and of course dogs and golf balls. If you like this eclectic, daily mix, please click here to support our work. Thanks!)

Comments Off on Roundup: Compo Dogs, Elementary Redistricting, Breast Cancer Detection …

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Gloria Gouveia: Land Use Pioneer Plans For The Future

Posted on January 8, 2024 | 16 comments

In 1978, Gloria Gouveia was hired as Westport’s zoning enforcement officer.

The news made headlines. She was believed to be the first woman in that role, anywhere in Connecticut.

Gloria Gouveia, age 26

She was just 26 years old.

Gouveia was certainly well qualified. She had studied architecture and construction in college; led a planning study that identified every apartment in Norwalk, and worked for the South Norwalk Redevelopment Agency.

In Westport, she did “everything.” She issued zoning permits and certificates of compliance; enforced regulations; followed up on complaints, and testified in court.

Gouveia was particularly adept at spotting — and removing — illegal Post Road signs

She was Arnie Kaye’s nemesis. The controversial arcade owner once chained himself to Town Hall, protesting one of the zoning enforcement officer’s actions.

But Gouveia was also fair. With her encyclopedic knowledge of Westport’s zoning regulations, she knew that a section from the 1950s would aid Kaye through a review of non-conforming uses.

“Why would you help me?” he asked.

“That’s part of my job,” she replied.

For 6 years Gouveia learned all about fire, building, conservation and engineering codes, and how they fit together.

A modernization project between 1978-81 connected 9 separate buildings, into one unified Staples High School. (Photo/Steve Turner)

Because she was the official who released bonds, she learned to identify trees and shrubs — to tell if developers followed the landscape plans they’d submitted.

And she counted parking spaces, to determine whether lots actually conformed to the law.

Her job title changed to “zoning administrator.” She became am ombudsman, advising residents and developers on the many steps needed to obtain a permit.

Gouveia was there during the first modernization project of Staples High School; the construction of the first condominiums (Harvest Commons, Regents Park and Lansdowne), and the first office buildings on Post Road West.

In late 1983 she left Town Hall. Developers worried they’d lost their guide through the regulatory thicket. They asked if she would still help, as a consultant.

On January 6, 1984, Gouveia hung out her shingle. She called her new business “Land Use Consultants.” That’s a generic term now. Back then, it was innovative.

Gloria Gouveia (Photo/JC Martin)

Forty years later, she is still thriving. She advises on any element of construction and land use. Zoning permits, wetland issues, tax assessment appeals … if it involves Town Hall, the Planning & Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission (or anything similar), Gouveia can help.

She’s worked throughout New England and New York. These days — to avoid commutes — she prefers to stay in Westport.

Her office is within walking distance of Town Hall. She feels at home there — and she knows exactly what to do once she walks in.

Today’s regulations are much more complex than when she began, Gouveia says.

Water-related issues are regulated more closely now. Erosion and sediment are major concerns, for example, as waterways silt up and become both shallower and wider.

Back in the day too, no one worried about the impact of lights on the night sky.

As Gouveia has seen many changes in Westport’s attitudes toward development, among town officials and residents alike, her own views have evolved.

After approving a number of large office structures — including the controversial Gorham Island building in the 1970s and early ’80s — the P&Z took an anti-development stance.

The Gorham Island office building replaced a near century-old home.

Gouveia agreed with the new approach.

Over time, she says, Westport administrations became more pro-developer. One major reason: maintaining a strong tax base.

“When I was younger, I was not conservative about anything,” Gouveia says. “Now I see the importance of balance in a community.”

As she looks back at the history of development of Westport, she recalls the 1950s building boom in single-family houses that replaced farmland and open spaces.

“Panicked” at the thought of building so many new schools for new arrivals, the P&Z rezoned many areas. That restricted development by half, Gouveia says.

Then came the rise in gas stations and car dealerships, followed by office buildings and condos.

Today, Gouveia says, we are back to residential development — though this time, in many different forms.

What’s next?

“I see so many empty office buildings in town,” says Gouveia. “Their method of construction and infrastructure was excellent. That’s where we should be looking to build new housing — especially affordable housing.

“We have no more land. But look at Post Road West. It’s a corporate park district. There’s beautiful land, lots of parking, and they’re well built. That could be transformed thoughtfully into apartment use.”

Reflections of 315 Post Road West. (Photo/Amy Schneider)

She envisions the same thing happening at the Greens Farms Road office complex.

Even Nyala Farm. “We could provide housing there, without interrupting the commercial use — and without doing anything to the land around it,” she says.

Similarly, Gouveia thinks housing could be developed at the former Bridgewater office on Weston Road, rather than the current plan of building on the adjacent open space.

“The market for office space was dwindling before the pandemic,” she notes. “COVID just hastened it.”

It’s no longer remarkable to see a woman in her role. It’s no longer innovative to be a “land use consultant.”

For nearly half a century Gouveia has administered, adjudicated and advised Westport homeowners, developers and town officials about every conceivable aspect of land use.

You’d think she’s seen it all.

Nope.

There’s always a new idea, a new use (or re-use), a new controversy, a new regulation.

And for years to come, Gloria Gouveia will be eager to examine, explore and explain them all.

(“06880” is your source for hyper-local journalism. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)

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Petitioners Ask RTM To Review Hiawatha Lane Settlement

Posted on May 19, 2021 | 3 comments

One week after the Planning & Zoning Commission agreed to a settlement with Summit Saugatuck — allowing a scaled-down 157-unit housing development to be built on Hiawatha Lane (off Saugatuck Avenue adjacent to I-95 Exit 17). seemingly ending 18 years of proposals and litigation — there is a new twist.

Earlier this afternoon — one day ahead of the filing deadline — a petition signed by over 60 electors was delivered to the town clerk. Lead petitioner Gloria Gouveia and Save Old Saugatuck leader Carolanne Curry presented the signatures.

If Town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton ascertains that there are at least 20 valid signatures, the petition will be forwarded to the Representative Town Meeting, as provided by the Town Charter. A public hearing would follow.

The RTM has 30 days from today to hear and decide the petition.

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[OPINION] Hiawatha Project: An Unexpected Next Step?

Posted on May 14, 2021 | 26 comments

Gloria Gouveia is a longtime Westporter. Since 1984 she has worked as a land use consultant, specializing in planning and zoning permit and subdivision applications, Zoning Board of Appeals applications, neighborhood opposition advocacy and Historic District compliance.

In the wake of Wednesday’s 5-0 Planning & Zoning Commission vote to accept a settlement with Summit Partners — allowing a 157-unit project to proceed on Hiawatha Lane, with modifications from the original plan — she writes:

Yogi Berra once said, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” Although he was referring to a baseball game, the same can be said for the proposed 157-unit Summit development approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission Wednesday night.

Although a neighbor’s recourse in circumstances like these is usually limited to an expensive court appeal, the Summit matter is different. Along with approvals for construction and site development, the P&Z also approved a change of a zoning boundary.

Thanks to our early lawmakers, organizations like Save Old Saugatuck and Save Westport Now, as well as the many residents who opposed Summit’s plans, may have another opportunity to challenge the developer in a public forum: the RTM.

According to the Town of Westport Charter: “The Representative Town Meeting shall have the power to review any action by the Planning and Zoning Commission adopting, amending or repealing any zoning regulation or fixing or changing the boundary of any zoning district…”

To start the process, a petition endorsed by 2 RTM members or 20 electors of our town must be submitted to the town clerk. When transmitted to the RTM it will be scheduled for hearing, where all may be heard.

So to all of the disenfranchised residents of the Hiawatha Lane neighborhood, and all of those good citizens of Westport who oppose this Brobdingnagian development: Let us join together and rally once more to ask the RTM to reverse the Planning & Zoning Commission’s decision, and save old Saugatuck.

I reached out to town attorney Ira Bloom. He responded this afternoon:

“That is correct. A petition must be filed within 7 days following the public notice of a P&Z decision.” That notice was filed yesterday (Thursday, May 13).

Bloom added, “I will certainly look carefully at any petition that is submitted.”

I spoke with Planning & Zoning director Mary Young too. She noted that the full text of the Town Charter (quoted above) says: “Any action by the Planning and Zoning Commission adopting, amending or repealing any zoning regulation or fixing or changing the boundary of any zoning district, or a negative 8-24 report by the Commission [italics mine] shall be subject to review by the Representative Town Meeting.”

Young said that the P&Z decision Wednesday night was a positive report — not a negative one.

The zoning plan for Hiawatha Lane.

A few minutes ago, Gouveia added this information:

“Summit’s project will have to be reviewed by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

“According to my reading of their permitting requirements, Summit is classified as a major traffic generator. Any project with 200 or more parking spaces meets that definition. Although housing projects with 100 cars or less are exempt, that is not the case with Summit. I can’t believe DOT is happy with any development likely to result in more backups on the exit ramps and onto I-95.”

“Also, the Planning Director may contact DOT about Summit’s approval. The DOT will immediately start the review process.”

Artist’s rendering of one of the buildings at the Hiawatha Lane development.

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