John McCarthy writes:
“In June, the town and Police Department contracted with a company called RequestFOIA to give a web-based Freedom of Information Act request portal, through which people could submit FOIA requests.
“It is now live and reachable by clicking on “Public Record Request” on the Police Department website. After clicking, you are sent here.
“It doesn’t look like anyone has used it yet. I have not seen any official notice of it going live.
“This could be a great tool for the town, especially if it was expanded to all other departments and commissions.”
To make a public record request through the Westport Police Department website, click on the box at the right of the home page.
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Like any good startup, Startup Westport has made a big mark in a short time.
Since its formation last winter, the citizen-led organization — a public/private partnership to promote Westport as the most attractive place in Connecticut for start-up tech companies — has brought together a diverse group of residents.
They’ve heard speakers, networked, and energetically leveraged the astonishing amount of creativity lurking here in offices, homes and coffee shops.
On Tuesday night, over 100 members partied.
Startup Westport’s first annual holiday gathering, at the Westport Country Playhouse Sheffer Barn, was a fun, festive — and intellectually fertile — event.
Founders Jay Norris, Peter Propp and Cliff Sirlin spoke. So did Dan O’Keefe, Connecticut’s first chief innovation officer (who spoke at a previous meeting), and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker.
But mostly, the evening was a chance to meet and chat with like-minded folks.
And eat, drink, and be tech-merry.
(To learn more about Startup Westport, click here.)
Scenes from Startup Westport’s first holiday party.
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When Planning & Zoning Commission chair Danielle Dobin was elected to the Board of Finance earlier this month, the Democratic Town Committee was charged with recommending a replacement.
14 “outstanding” candidates stepped up, the DTC says. Tonight, members will vote to accept the Nominations Committee’s recommendation of Amy Wistreich. The full P&Z will then vote on that recommendation, at their next meeting.
Wistreich was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals in 2019, then elected to a full term in 2021. She currently serves as secretary. She has a degree in environmental design, and spent her career working in all areas of construction, including architecture, engineering, design, planning, project management, contracts and insurance, in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors.
Amy Wistreich
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between November 15 and 29.
A man was arrested, following an investigation into a December 2020 larceny at HomeGoods. He then returned stolen merchandise, got store credit, used it to purchase other items, returned those, and got full credit baci.
Police also issued these citations:
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 13 citations
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 7
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 4
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 4
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 3
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 3
- Speeding: 2
- Driving while texting: 2
- Distracted driving: 2
- Passing a standing school bus: 1
- Following too closely: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Failure to carry driver’s license: 1
- Improper use of marker plates: 1
- Learner’s permit violation: 1
The sign probably does not work. But be warned: You can be fined up t9 $500 the first time you pass a standing school bus.
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Speaking of Westport Police:
At first glance, this looks like a major catastrophe. A cop car, ambulance and fire truck — all with flashing lights — right on the holiday-lit William F. Cribari Bridge.
No worries.
It’s a posed shot, showing Westport’s 3 vital first responders, at a site we all love.
Westport Police, the Westport Fire Department and Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service wish everyone in town — residents, business, employees, visitors — a happy, healthy holiday.
In other words: One in which their lights are not needed. And instead, we all enjoy the lights on the bridge.
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Yesterday’s story on Lucia Palmieri — the very generous Westporter who is inviting kids and parents to meet the Westport Fire Department’s Santa on December 8 — left out one very important detail: the time.
It’s “after 5 p.m.,” Lucia says.
For details on how to participate — including donations made to the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation, and how to drop off the wrapped gift for your child ahead of time (that’s how “Santa” knows what to give) — click here.
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David Bowie will have a big role at VersoFest 2024.
Sure, the English singer/songwriter/musician/actor died in 2016. But Tony Visconti — who was his producer and arranger, along with T. Rex and Thin Lizzy — will offer the keynote address at the Westport Library’s 3rd annual event.
The Saturday, April 6 discussion of Visconti’s art and career is set for Saturday, April 6 (1 p.m.). The event is free, but requires registration. Click here for tickets.
The 4-day music festival and conference runs from Thursday, April 4 through Sunday, April 7. It includes panels, workshops and performances. Further details will be announced soon.
Tony Visconti and David Bowie.
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If you’ve been wondering about “The Miyawaki Method: Microforests in the Age of Climate Change”: You’re in luck!
That’s the topic of Aspetuck Land Trust’s next “Lunch & Learn” webinar.
Set for Friday, December 8 (noon to 1:30 p.m.), it features micro-forest creator and environmental advocate Maya Dutta. She’ll discuss this unique method for reforestation, and how micro-forests can build communal and climate resilience.
Click here for more information, and to register.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is a very cool image of this week’s Beaver Moon.
Nancy Lally captured it through the trees, in all its bright glory.
(Photo/Nancy Lally)
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And finally … in honor of VersoFest 2024 — and the keynote address by David Bowie’s former producer and arranger (story above):
(VersoFest — set for next April — will be here before you know it. So will December 31. Give yourself a tax-deductible break before the New Year. Please click here, to support “06880.” Thank you!)
