The third time was not the charm for lights on 2 athletic fields.
The Planning & Zoning Commission once again delayed a decision on the Parks & Recreation Commission request, for the Wakeman B and PJ Romano Fields.
At last night’s Zoom meeting, Parks & Rec director Erik Barbieri and recreation superintendent Carmen Roda presented charts and graphs showing field usage, the number of participants in current programs (including those turned away because of lack of space), the impact of 50-, 60- and 70-foot poles, and the deterioration of grass fields due to overuse (without the availability of lit, synthetic turf surfaces).
They cited the support of several hundred youth sports families, and groups like the Westport Soccer Association and Westport PAL.
Rendering of 4 70-foot light poles at Wakeman B Field.
However, the majority of speakers — nearly all of them neighbors — objected to the plan. Many cited a lacrosse tournament last weekend, sponsored by a private organization, that brought noise, traffic, even outdoor barbecues to the Wakeman fields.
Other objections included the height of the poles, the effect on the environment, the length of time lights would stay on, field usage by adults and outside (non-school and town) groups, and how well Parks & Rec would manage oversight of the lights.
Attorney Joel Green, representing the ad hoc “Lights Need Limits” group, questioned whether the lights plan met the P&Z’s own requirements.
But one neighbor — John Sabino, who said he is the second-closest neighbor to Wakeman — spoke in favor of lights. The sound of children playing, even air horns, was preferable to “the deafening silence” of youngsters using cellphones and computer screens, he said.
Rendering of 70-foot light poles at PJ Romano Field.
Though 2 fields are in the Parks & Rec proposal — and the P&Z agenda included both Wakeman and PJ Romano Field, behind Saugatuck Elementary School — nearly all of the discussion centered around the Bedford Middle School property.
The P&Z voted unanimously to continue the hearing to July 20.
A lot of famous people have been honored at the Westport Library’s “Booked for the Evening” event. The list includes Billie Jean King, Martin Scorsese, Patti Smith, Itzhak Perlman, and many others.
This year’s recipient has special “Fame.”
Emmy Award-winning director, choreographer, producer, actress, educator and United States Cultural Ambassador of Dance Debbie Allen will be celebrated October 28.
She is perhaps best known as perhaps best known as dance instructor Lydia Grant in the 1982 series “Fame.” She was also the show’s principal choreographer. (Fun fact: Staples High School graduate Cynthia Gibb starred on that TV show too.)
“Debbie Allen hasn’t just excelled across disciplines — she has used every one of them in service of something larger,” says library director Bill Harmer. “She has consistently asked what art can do for a community and for a culture. We couldn’t be more delighted to honor her and welcome her to the vibrant arts community of Westport.”
“Booked for the Evening” annually honors someone whose work reflects the mission and vision of the Library: to nurture a love of learning, and enhance our understanding of the world.
Allen has earned 3 Emmys, a Golden Globe, 5 NAACP Image Awards, a Drama Desk honor, the first-ever Astaire Award for Best Dancer, 4 honorary doctorates, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
She has choreographed the Academy Awards 10 times, directed and produced episodes of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal” and “A Different World,” and was the creative force behind Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad.”
Appointed by President George W. Bush as a Cultural Ambassador of Dance, Allen spent more than 15 years as an artist-in-residence at the Kennedy Center.
In one of their quickest meetings ever, the Planning & Zoning Commission postponed last night’s discussion of athletic field lights on the Wakeman and PF Romano Fields until next Monday (June 29).
“06880” reporter Dylan Robbin says that the continuance for both an 8-24 and special permit/site plan came at the request of Parks & Recreation director Erik Barbieri.
He indicated his department was “95% there,” but sought the delay to present something completely ready for a “major decision” by the P&Z.
The 2 projects call for permanent LED lighting, to support both school and community activities.
Monday’s delay also carries procedural implications for the lighting proposals. P&Z members noted that the Municipal Improvement applications must be acted on and issued to the first selectman by June 30. If further continuance is needed by the P&Z, the current Parks & Rec applications must be withdrawn and resubmitted.
Barbieri will submit a finalized presentation to the Planning & Zoning office before next week’s meeting. He says, “the only timeline I have is the proper vetting of the topic, and for the decision makers to have all the information they need. If that requires a bit more time, then so be it.”
PJ Romano Field has temporary lights. A plan for permanent lighting there, and at Wakeman Field, was postponed to next week.
For over 40 years, the Susan Fund has quietly — but generously, and effectively — helped young cancer patients go to college.
Named for Susan Lloyd — a Staples High School graduate who died of bone cancer shortly before attending Colgate University — the organization held its 44th reception on Sunday.
Eighteen college scholarships were awarded to Fairfield County residents who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Westport recipients included former Staples Players Charlie Watson, who attends Montclair University, and Henry Baker, a rising freshman at Pace University.
Since its inception, the Susan Fund has given more than $2.2 million to over 300 people. This year’s ceremony marked a record amount.
To learn more about the Susan Fund — including how to apply for a scholarship, and donate — click here.
Students are using it — sometimes far more than teachers realize. But teachers are using it too.
What’s the future for education? How will youngsters cope — and learn?
Casey Cuny — California’s 2024 Teacher of the Year — explored the topic last night, in a fascinating Westport Library presentation. It was co-sponsored by the Westport Public Schools.
Casey Cuny, at the Westport Library. (Photo/Susan Garment)
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On Sunday morning, Saugatuck Congregational Church sent 10 young people and 5 adults to learn about — and experience — poverty and advocacy in Washington. This includes five adults and 10 youth.
They’re working with local organizations, visiting the offices of Connecticut elected officials, and also sightseeing.
Speaking of teenagers: Circle of Friends has just launched a new program for Fairfield County high school students. Successful participants earn 3 college credits.
The Solomon Leadership Program offers leadership training, community engagement, and mentorship. Students gain experience in decision-making, values-driven leadership and public speaking. To learn more, click here.
Applications are open for high school juniors and seniors. Click here, email westport@solomonprogram.org, or call 203-293-8837. The Instagram is @circlefriendsct.
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Congratulations to the Intensity Racquet Club 14U tennis boys!
On Sunday they won the USTA state championship, in West Hartford.
Four of the champs — Dylan Griffiths, Julian Kerschner and KJ Yu — are from Westport. Caleb Stapleton lives in Fairfield.
It was a long day: 12 hours (including a 30-minute rain delay). Each boy played 8 matches: 4 singles and 4 doubles.
From left: KJ Yu, Dylan Griffiths, Julian Kerschner, Caleb Stapleton.
Jazz drummer Adam Nussbaum grew up in Norwalk. He won a Grammy with Michael Brecker, and has played with artists like Gil Evans and Stan Getz.
Fans who “knew him when,” and those who had no idea of his local roots, can all enjoy Nussbaum this Thursday, at Jazz at the Post (June 25, shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7; VFW Post 399).
He’s joined by fellow Norwalk native Rob Aries (piano), plus Dave Santoro (bass), and James “Doc” Halliday and Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall (saxophones). Click here for tickets.
The Planning & Zoning Commission discussed 2 big items last night: lights on athletic fields, and the first step in the Longshore renovation project.
They deferred a decision on a text amendment that would add lights to more town fields. Much of the discussion centered, however, not on the effect of the lights themselves, but on noise that might accompany expanded practices and games.
A decision could come at the next P&Z meeting (Monday, February 10).
The board voted 4-3 to issue a negative report on an 8-24 (municipal land use change) request to relocate the equipment shed (currently located between the golf course and tennis courts, on the exit road).
The new complex would include 2 structures, with parking, in the middle of the Longshore golf course. It would encompass 35,000 square feet, with no building larger than 10,000 square feet or higher than 1 story.
P&Z commissioners acknowledged the need for a new facility. They questioned the proposed location in a flood zone; its impact on open space and the golf course, and some procedural questions regarding the proposal.
The negative 8-24 report can be appealed to the Representative Town Meeting, which could overturn it by a supermajority.
Alternatively, town officials could propose a new location for the maintenance facility.
Paul Lane Field is the only lighted field at Staples High School. The adjacent baseball, soccer and field hockey/girls lacrosse fields do not have lights. (Photo/Robin Wolfe-Scheffler)
If Saturday’s sneak preview is any indication, it’s a game-changer for Westport’s entertainment scene.
The 5 simulator bays — featuring golf, with 30 sports in all — are versatile, interactive, and tons of fun.
The 2 dart bays are state-of-the-art. Think soccer’s VAR technology, with feathers.
There’s a cool karaoke room, and another with a University of Michigan theme. (Guess where the owners, Emily and Tim Zobl, went to school.)
The large bar and dining area serves excellent pub food and cocktails. The 22-foot video wall there can show just about anything, in a variety of ways. (The simulator bays can be reserved for viewing big games too.)
Sunday’s Super Bowl is already nearly fully booked. A couple of tables and bar stools can still be reserved. (Call 203-292-3169 or email connect@theclubhousewestport.com.)
Bookings are already strong for corporate events, parties and bar and bat mitzvahs.
Oh, yeah: The rooftop opens in April.
Fore!
Staples High School junior Will Briggs drives, at The Clubhouse. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Speaking of sports: “06880” reported yesterday that Adam Behrends has stepped down after 6 years as Staples’ head football coach. He’ll be taking a position at the University of New Mexico.
Last night, the state champion-winning coach described his new role as “offensive analyst with quarterbacks and wide receivers.”
He’ll be joining a new staff that includes Luke Schleusner, who was Behrends’ coach at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Schleusner will be New Mexico’s offensive coordinator.
We’re less than 3 months away from renovation of the Compo Beach Playground.
To prepare, the playground will close March 1. It will reopen at the end of May.
A “community build” April 21-26 will include new accessible equipment for children of all abilities; widened walkways; safer surfacing around the swings, and replacement of the weathered fence.
Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department and the Compo Beach Playground Committee seek volunteers for Build Week.
They also seek donations, to purchase new pickets ($500), replacement pickets ($250).
As you chow down at a Super Bowl party: Remember those who can’t.
This Saturday (February 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Stop & Shop), the Westport Police Department and Sunrise Rotary Club host a food drive.
All donations with support the Homes with Hope and Westport Department of Human Services food pantries.
Police officers and volunteers will accept non-perishable food items and cash donations.
Suggested items include breakfast bars, baking goods, BBQ sauce, macaroni & cheese, canned vegetables and fruit, coffee, canned meats, canned stew, noodles, cereals, gluten-free foods, granola and protein bars, grated Parmesan cheese, hamburger and tuna helper, hearty soups, instant mashed potatoes, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, oatmeal, cooking oil, pancake mix and syrup, pasta and sauce, peanut butter and jelly, rice, spices, salad dressing, shelf-stable milk, and snacks. (No glass jars.)
Suggested personal care and household items include
body wash, Clorox wipes, deodorant, dish soap, laundry detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, razors, shampoo and oothpaste.
To volunteer, or offer a large pickup, call Anna Rycenga at 203-763-9656.
Last November, Alan Bartus was a last-minute pianist substitute, for Jazz at the Post.
He sight-read the music, and blew everyone away.
Jazz at the Post founder Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” saw Bartus in a duo concert with Dave Brubeck’s long time saxophonist (and Wall’s early mentor) Jerry Bergonzi at the Dave Brubeck Room of the Wilton Library.
The audience — including Brubeck’s son Chris — was floored. Bartus’ compositions were “sophisticated, emotional, and quite worthy of sharing the program with the venue’s namesake,” Wall says.
This Thursday (February 6, 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner service begins at 7; VFW Post 399), Bartus takes center stage at Jazz at the Post.
Along with Wall, bassist Raul Reyes Bueno, trumpeter Michael Cruse and drummer Antonio Cerfeda, he’ll play his own music, and Brubeck’s.
Tickets for the 7:30 show are $20; $15. All tickets for the late show are $10. Click here to purchase, and for moreo information.
And finally … on this date in 1846, the first Mormon pioneers left Nauvoo, Illinois, on their way to the Salt Lake Valley.
(Whether it’s a new Clubhouse, an annual food drive, or a weekly jazz concert, “06880” is where you read about it all. But we can’t do it without readers’ help. Please click here to support us. Thank you!)
A week from tomorrow, the Planning & Zoning Commission will review an amendment to allow lights on town athletic fields.
There will be provisions to limit the number of events held on the fields — which much be at least 20 acres, and include at least 200 parking spots — as well as permits for practices only until 9 p.m.
In years past, proposals like this have created Super Bowl-like interest. Supporters praised lights as the greatest thing since Genesis; detractors warned that lighted athletic fields would mean Armageddon.
This time around, there’s been barely a peep. Does that mean lights are an idea whose time has come?
Or, rather, an idea whose time has come in the midst of far darker concerns?
The Staples High School football field, without lights.
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