If there is one thing Westporters agree on, it’s that our traffic light system is broken.
This light stays red too long. This one is not green long enough. Why isn’t there a left-turn arrow here? Why can’t I go right on red there?
And, always: Why doesn’t the town do something about it?
The answer is frustratingly simple: It can’t. They’re not our lights.
According to Representative Town Meeting member Andrew Colabella, there are 123 miles of town roads. 66 miles are private, and only 18.5 miles belong to the state.
But nearly every traffic light in Westport hangs over a state road.
Post Road East and West. Saugatuck and Riverside Avenues. Wilton Road. Easton Road. You name it: If there’s a light on it, odds are astronomical it belongs to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Call Town Hall about a traffic problem? They’re not our lights!
In fact, Andrew says, the only traffic lights the town controls are on Main Street at Avery Place and Myrtle Avenue, the Saugatuck fire station, and — because it’s a special, controllable light — the one at Fire Department headquarters.
So, if you have concerns — immediate (a light is out) or long-range (change the timing), the state DOT is the agency to call.*
But it’s a bureaucracy, so (of course) there are 2 separate jurisdictions.
The state DOT garage (next to Walgreens, across from Patio.com) handles all work orders from their driveway westward (to the Norwalk line). Their number is 203-227-7692.
Everything east of the state DOT garage is done by the Trumbull garage: 203-380-3836).
Traffic light concerns or electrical issues? Call 203-878-1869.
*Looking for ideas? Here’s one. Make each cycle at the Post Road West/ Riverside Avenue/Wilton Road cluster**** green for one side only, and red for the other three.
In other words, if you’re on Wilton Road, with Bartaco on your left, you get a green light to go any direction — left or right on the Post Road, straight ahead onto Riverside — while traffic is stopped in the other direction.
Then the cars coming down the Post Road West hill get their own green — to turn left or right, or go straight over the bridge — while everyone else stops.
Etc., etc.
It’s the only way to prevent back-ups, while cars wait for those in front to turn — but they can’t, because vehicles coming from the opposite direction are trying to do the same.
Hey, it’s worth a try. The current system is broken.
Right now, an entire cycle can pass with cars waiting for one to turn in any direction from Wilton Road, Post Road West or Riverside Avenue.
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39 Staples High School scholar-athletes were honored last night, at a unique dinner.
The coach of each varsity sport nominates one candidate, for his or her combined academic and athletic achievements. Each is given one question to answer on the spot, involving their interests, activities and passions.
Topics last night included flying as a solo pilot at age 16, overcoming a gymnastics neck injury to compete again, and experiences in clubs like Girls Who Code, Females in Finance, and AWARE.
Congratulations to all the scholar-athletes:
Fall sports: Charlotte Moody (fall cheerleading), Ben Lorenz (boys cross country), Emma Morris (girls cross country), Kathryn Asiel (field hockey), Troy Toglia(football), Jeremy Rosenkranz (boys golf), Avery Mueller (boys soccer), Coco Crombie (girls soccer), Libby Turner (girls swimming), Isabella Rivel (girls volleyball), Ronan Waddhwani (boys water polo).
Spring sports: Luke Oakley (baseball), Erin Oldale (girls golf), Ryan Skolnick (boys lacrosse), Caroline Cooper (girls lacrosse), Kellen Archibald (boys rugby), Katelyn Bouchard (girls rugby), Caitlyn Schwartz (sailing), Carley McGarry (softball), Jared Even (boys tennis), Sarah Marron (girls tennis), Luke Rabacs (boys outdoor track), Valentina Davis (girls outdoor track), Mason Siskind (boys volleyball), Kira Tomoda (girls water polo).
In addition, Staples athletic director VJ cited 2 coaches for career victory milestones: Laddie Lawrence (track, 2,000) and Jack McFarland (baseball, 300).
Sarullo also presented Bud Titsworth with a Block “S” award, for his longtime service to Staples athletics.
Bud Titsworth (left) and Staples athletic director VJ Sarullo, at last night’s Scholar-Athlete dinner. (Photo/Mark Sikorski)
Brendan Donohoe — known to many generations of Westporters as a friendly, knowledgeable and passionate maître d’ at several local restaurants, most notably his decades at Chez Pierre (now Nômade) — died suddenly on Thursday.
He was 88, and lived in Wilton.
The Newry, Ireland native joined the Merchant Marines as a young man, and traveled the world. He often recounted adventures from those days.
Brendan immigrated to the US in the 1960’s. He settled in Westport, and began his restaurant career.
He was a lifelong history enthusiast, especially that of Ireland and the Celtic tribes. He followed political and financial news, and was an officer and investor in several gold mining firms.
His rituals included breakfast daily with friends at Orem Diner, and a weekly lunch at the Sherwood Diner. He attended mass every Sunday.
Brendan was an avid runner. He completed over 30 marathons throughout the United States.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Butler; siblings Marie, Veronica, Kevin and Dermot; many nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog Gigi. He was predeceased by his sister, Shelia Barr.
Visiting hours will be held at Harding Funeral Home, Westport on Wednesday (June 5, 5 to 7 p.m. A Memorial Mass is set for at Our Lady of Fatima in Wilton on Thursday (June 6, 10 a.m.).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Fatima.
Yesterday, Major League Baseball celebrated its 4th annual Lou Gehrig Day.
The event — a joint effort of all 30 clubs, along with broadcast partners, and digital and social media — raises both awareness of ALS, and funds for research.
Also is also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease. MLB remembered the New York Yankees hero, and all who have been lost to the disease.
MLB’s strong advocacy for the project is due in large part to Chuck Haberstroh. The former Staples High School basketball star — whose mother Patty, a beloved Westporter who touched many lives through her work with the Department of Human Services, and who was afflicted with ALS — c0-chaired a committee that developed the league’s several initiatives.
MLB honored Patty Haberstroh yesterday, in their publicity for Lou Gehrig day.
PS: A special fundraising auction is underway now, through June 12. Click here for items, and to bid.
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If you missed the first showing of Homes with Hope’s 40th anniversary documentary: Don’t miss the next one.
It’s Sunday, June 9 (2 to 3:30 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church’s Branson Hall).
The free event showcases the non-profit’s 4 decades of housing the homeless, feeding the hungry, and offering hope to neighbors whose lives are not as fortunate as others’.
Former Westporter Livio Sanchez’s documentary film uses interviews and archival material (including long-ago video), to trace Homes with Hope’s history, from a controversial concept (with plenty of NIMBY and it’s-not-our-problem opposition), through its move from a drafty firehouse to an old maintenance shed on Jesup Road (now the Gillespie Center), and its current array of multi-pronged programs.
Jim Gillespie’s family will be honored at the showing. He played a major role in the founding and development of the Interfaith Housing Association, the original iteration of Homes with Hope.
The Gillespie Center was named in his honor Dr. Gillespie, a clinical psychologist, was killed when struck by a car in France in 1988.
The Gillespie Center. Dr. Gillespie’s family will be on hand June 9, for the showing of a documentary on Homes with Hope’s first 40 years.
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Temple Israel found a unique way to celebrate Pride yesterday.
Members baked rainbow challah, then handed them out at Jesup Green.
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
Meanwhile, here’s another great shot from yesterday. Their t-shirts and smiles say it all:
The future of pedestrian safety may be seen on Myrtle Avenue.
There — at Evergreen Avenue — pushing a button lights up the crosswalk.
It’s a bright, startling sight for drivers. They immediately slow down.
I’m not sure why this hasn’t gotten more publicity. But it seems like a relatively inexpensive, high-return solution to one of Westport’s biggest concerns.
This photo does not do justice to the crosswalk lights. (Hat tip and photo/Carl Addison Swanson and Jo Ann Miller)
This is a photo of lighted crosswalk (not in Westport). The “Xing” sign is also not in Westport.
Staples High School’s senior prom was Saturday night, at the Greenwich Hyatt Regency. “06880” received this photo, of attendees at a pre-party:
(From left): Michael Belpedio, Nate Goodman, Lucas Fischel, Jack Marshall, Aidan Kogan.
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The next Westport Book Shop Short Story Book Club meeting is June 27 (6 to 7:30 p.m.).
Attendees will read 2 selections from Alice Munro’s “Runaway” collection. “Soon” and “Silence” are connected stories that relate different stages of a character’s life, and explore themes including relationships, family and loss.
Copies are available at the Westport Library. The Westport Book Shop has 1 copy, for borrowing.
Registration is required. Call 203-349-5141 or email bookshop@westportbooksaleventures.org.
Westport Book Shop, on Jesup Road.
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Alexanderina “Ina” Lozyniak of Westport died on Friday.
A native of Aberdeen, Scotland, she came to the US as a teenager. She was a long time Westport resident.
Ina was an active member of Saugatuck Congregational Church. She enjoyed bingo at the Senior Center, movies and having lunch with friends. Ina was an avid reader, and loved challenging word puzzles.
Ina was predeceased by her husband Steve in 1998. She is survived by her children Kenny, Robbie, Stephanie and Stephen; daughters-in-law Carrie, Laurie and Marcy; son-in-law Mike; granchildren Michelle (JR), Kim (Phil), Nicole (Bill), John (Nicole), Kenny (Dani), Courtney, Kristen, Helen, Alex, Lindsey, Stevie and Shane; 9 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are tomorrow (Tuesday, June 4, 5 to 7 p.m., Harding Funeral Home). A funeral service will be held Wednesday *June 5, 1 p.m., Saugatuck Church in Westport), with interment to follow at Willowbrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a favorite charity.
Ina Lozyniak
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo comes from the Library Riverwalk.
But it’s a scene that’s repeated all around town, these late spring days:
The Representative Town Meeting member, native Westporter and Staples High School graduate is batting about .999 in our Photo Challenges.
I think he’s been wrong once. And I can’t remember the last time he did not offer an answer.
Andrew was one of 2 readers to correctly identify last week’s image: a bench placed, for no particular reason I can figure, near the entrance to Sconset Square. (Click here to see.)
It looks out not at a lovely river or wooded scene, but on traffic racing (or crawling) by on Myrtle Avenue.
The other correct response came from Morley Boyd. He is a frequent Photo Challenge champ too.
But this time he had an advantage: He lives a few yards away.
One final note: Martha Witte commented, “Could be a good bench for watching the Memorial Day parade!”
She’s right. Perhaps it will get its first use tomorrow morning.
This week’s Photo Challenge is here. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Seth Braunstein)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
The year was 1803. Thomas Jefferson was in the White House. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States.
And — nearly 180 years ago — Westport did not even have a legitimate Main Street.
The other day, Morley Boyd and Wendy Crowther were in the Westport Library, researching our town’s stone bridges. They stumbled on a remarkable map — one that even they, despite their years as diligent historians, had never seen.
They note that while Elm Street and Avery Place are connected close to the river, Main Street is still just a “proposed road” (outlined with dashes, left side of the map).
Myrtle Avenue was part of the “King’s Highway.” There were just a scattering of houses throughout the area.
The forerunner of what later became the Westport Hotel — at the corner of State Street (Post Road) and Main Street — was called the Nichols Hotel.
That makes sense. The village on the map was still “Saugatuck.” It would not become “Westport” until 1835.
That’s another 32 years, 4 presidents, and 7 states admitted to the union later.
(“06880” has been around far fewer years than Westport. But since our founding in 2009, we’ve never missed a day of posting. Please click here to help us continue our work. Thank you!)
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker delivers her first Thanksgiving message to Westport:
“I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving, as well as a Happy Hanukkah for those celebrating.
“Westport has much to be thankful for. As we emerge from a global pandemic, we are grateful for our first responders, our town employees and staff, our teachers, colleagues and friends, and the numerous volunteers who gave unselfishly of their time, talents and resources. Most importantly, we are grateful for each other, and how we came together as a community to lift up, to help and to inspire during challenging times. Westporters are truly resilient!
“We are also keenly aware that there are those among us who need additional care and concern, especially during holidays. Theodore Roosevelt said, ‘Let us remember that, as much has been given, much will be expected…and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips and shows itself in deeds.’”
“And so, at this Thanksgiving and for the days to come, I ask that we both reflect and act; to give of ourselves in word and deed; to express our appreciation for all that we do have, and to make simple acts of kindness the norm, not the trend.
“On a personal note, my sincerest hope is that you enjoy your Thanksgiving and upcoming Holidays with friends and families, and that you have the opportunity to be thankful for the simple blessings we all share. Thank you.”
Jen Tooker is thankful to celebrate Thanksgiving with her husband Mo and her father, Bob “Pops” Salmon.
Just in time for Black Friday, “Finding Westport”‘s Jillian Elder has found local stores offering sales, customer appreciation days and more this weekend.
Click here for her list. If you prefer to shop from home, keep it local! Scroll down on her website for a list of Westport-based Etsy shops.
JL Rocks is one of many local businesses you can find on “Finding Westport.”
Yesterday morning, the Westport Fire Department helped the Westport Downtown Association put up a Christmas tree at Parker Harding Plaza, across from Starbucks.
Check out the fire extinguisher “present” — and the firefighter’s hat on top!
Al’s Angels’ annual Cribari Bridge lighting ceremony is tomorrow night (Friday, November 26, 4 to 6:30 p.m., Saugatuck Rowing Club).
There’s Santa, cocoa (kids’ and spiked), hot dogs and popcorn. It’s a ticketed event ($20 adults, $10 children — plus an unwrapped toy), with all toys and funds going to (of course) Al’s Angels.
For over 20 years they’ve brought joy to children with life-threatening illnesses (and their families). And for 20 years they’ve kept the Cribari Bridge lit.
Click here for tickets. You can pay at the door too,
Tomorrow’s Cribari Bridge lighting rings in the holiday season. (Photo/January Stewart)
There’s one more parking space today on Myrtle Avenue.
“Hank the Tank” — the Mercedes sedan that, since summer, sat in front of Town Hall since summer — was trucked away yesterday. He’s been donated to the Fire Department, for use as a training vehicle.
Hank has quite a back story. If you missed it earlier this month on “06880,” click here.
College girls — friends of the owner — say goodbye, moments before Hank the Tank is trucked away. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
Speaking of cars: Traffic has been terrible lately. It’s the holidays. And a paving project on Riverside Avenue by the Cribari Bridge has funneled traffic onto already jammed streets.
Today, Westporters give thanks for many things. These “Westport … Naturally” featured creatures give thanks that they’re hanging out on Colony Road, not on someone’s carving board.
And finally … I’m old enough to remember that, for my first couple of years at Burr Farms Elementary School right here in Westport, we opened the day by reciting the Lord’s Prayer (!).
In music class, we also sang “We Gather Together” every Thanksgiving — even after the Supreme Court ruled (8 to 1) that prayer and Bible reading were unconstitutional in public schools.
The things you learn when you’re young stay with you forever. I’ve always associated that hymn with Thanksgiving — and I still know all the words.
In fact, it’s one of only two Thanksgiving songs I know. Last year, I featured Arlo Guthrie. This year … well, let us give thanks, and pray.
Since summer, a Mercedes sedan was parked on Myrtle Avenue, in the closest spot to the front exit from Town Hall.
It’s been there ever since.
Alert Westporters wondered what’s up. Dust settled on the car. Street cleaners swept around it, giving it a distinctive border.
Summer turned into fall. Leaves turned and fell. Frost arrived.
Still the car sat there.
The car, last summer. (Photo/Michael Moore)
We may now have an answer — of sorts.
A two-page letter has been taped to the rear window.
“Congratulations,” it begins. “you are now standing next to Hank the Tank.”
The note tells the story of the car — nicknamed, clearly, “Hank the Tank.”
It belonged to a mother who chauffeured her daughter to school and sports.
When the teenage girl inherited the car, it went to the dump and Dunkin’ Donuts. the beach and concerts. It got a speeding ticket on North Avenue.
It carried the driver’s many friends on every road in Westport. Lots of their stuff still sits in Hank the Tank.
Page 1 of the letter …
The girl who drove the car has moved on to college, the letter explains. But “saying goodbye to Hank the Tank is difficult,” the letter continues. “Some people have a harder time letting go than others.”
… and page 2.
But, the note concludes, Hank the Tank will soon be gone.
it will be less of a bother than it is, taking up a Myrtle Avenue parking space for many months.
It will continue to be useful, however.
Hank the Tank is being donated to the Westport Fire Department. It will be used for drills and education.
There’s always a story behind the story. Thanks, Hank the Tank, for sharing yours. (Hat tip: Svea Vocke)
It’s a chance to ask anything you’ve wondered about (with a Westport angle, of course). Questions can be current or historical, concrete or abstract, deep or shallow.
I’ll attempt to answer them. If I don’t have the answer, I’m sure other “06880” readers will.
You responded quickly. Here’s the first set of questions. And — where appropriate — the answers.
Who is Grace Salmon, and why is there a park named for her? (Arlene Yolles)
According to Woody Klein’s history of Westport, Grace King Salmon was a founding member of the Westport Woman’s Club.
The wife of Frederick Salmon — Connecticut state comptroller, and president of Westport Bank & Trust — she died in 1939. She left a trust in her own name to benefit the town.
Virginia Sherwood, Westport Garden Club chairman, applied for grants from the trust and other agenciees to design a park on 3 acres of Saugatuck River landfill across the river from where the Salmons lived (now the Assumption Church rectory).
It took several years to solve the site’s environmental problems. But the Garden Club developed Connecticut’s first park built on a former landfill, and won an award for its efforts.
Today, Grace K. Salmon Park is one of Westport’s hidden-in-plain-site treasures. It’s on Imperial Avenue near Baker Avenue — a few yards from the Westport Woman’s Club, which its namesake helped found.
The scene from Grace Salmon Park across the Saugatuck River, near where the Salmon family once lived. (Photo/Patricia McMahon)
When did the junior high system start in Westport? (Joyce Barnhart)
From its opening in 1884, and for the next 42 years, Staples High School included 7th through 9th graders.
In 1926, construction of a new “Bedford Junior High School” — aided, in large part, by a $145,000 gift from E.T. Bedford — was nearly complete. Situated across a field from the original Staples High School on Riverside (where the auditorium of what is now Saugatuck Elementary School now sits), the building (now Kings Highway Elementary) included an “unusually good” gymnasium, auditorium and stage — all of which would be shared by the high school.
The 18-acre plot between the schools was planned as a well-equipped “playground” (athletic fields) for students and adults.
So 1926 was when the first junior high — for 7th, 8th and 9th graders — opened in Westport. Long Lots followed in the early 1950s, Coleytown in 1965.
Kings HIghway Elementary School was originally Bedford Junior High. Fields separated it from the first Staples High. Look closely, and you can still see “Bedford” above the front door.
Who is “Bob”? This sign (below) has hung for years on the south side of New Creek Road, opposite Maple Lane, near the Greens Farms train station. (Bill Ryan)
(Photo/Bill Ryan)
Damned if I know. This question has been posed at least once on “06880,” to no avail. If any readers know who “Bob” is — and/or who put his sign high in that tree — click “Comments” below.
What’s the story with the Mercedes station wagon that’s been parked in the same spot for months on Myrtle Avenue, in front of Town Hall? (See photo below.)
The tracks around it from the street sweeper are clear evidence it has not moved. It’s covered in dust, still containing someone’s belongings. No tickets on the windshield, or other signs of official notice, just yards from Town Hall. (Michael Moore)
(Photo/Michael Moore)
Believe it or not, I’ve never noticed it — and I drive past Town Hall every day.
But hey, “06880” readers: If you’ve lost your Mercedes-Benz, we know where it is.
If Westport is located on the eastern side of Long Island Sound, why is it not named Eastport? (Ray Broady)
Well, first of all, Westport is north, south, east and west of a lot of things.
How we got our name in 1835 — when our town was officially incorporated, carved out of the towns of Norwalk, Wilton, Weston and Fairfield — has been a matter of dispute for nearly 200 years.
One theory is that it is a port west of Fairfield (our original European settlers came to what is now Greens Farms, from Fairfield).
Another theory is that because the new town was not named Saugatuck — a state representative claimed it sounded too much like “succotash” — the name “Westport” paid homage to that neighborhood, which was a port on the west side of the Saugatuck River.
Robert Lambdin’s Saugatuck mural. The “port” was on the West bank of the Saugatuck River.
Why are Westport sidewalks not maintained, not ADA compliant, and not cleared of snow on a timely basis? Why are there no continuous sidewalks on Post Road? Why can’t I walk from Sylvan to Whole Foods? (Monica Buesser)
I asked Public Works director Peter Ratkiewich. He says:
“ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps with detectable warning pads are only required at roadways, not at driveways. The reason you see some sidewalks without ADA ramps at roadways, or with ramps that appear to be non-compliant with the current ADA regs, is that they may have not been replaced recently, and may have been constructed incorrectly, constructed to an earlier ADA standard, or constructed before the ADA regulations were made stricter. As we reconstruct sidewalks around town, we are correcting that situation by installing appropriate ramps where the ADA regs dictate.
“Currently residential properties are cleared of ice and snow by the town. There is no requirement for residential zoned properties to clear their sidewalks. Commercial use properties are required to clear ice and snow from the front of their establishments within 24 hours.
“Having said that, with approximately 23 miles of residential sidewalks, it often takes us multiple days to clear all the sidewalks after a big storm, and if we have back to back storms we prioritize the roads first, then the parking lots, then the sidewalks. We appreciate residents helping us out any way they can during the winter, by clearing the walk in front of their property.”
A new sidewalk was on North Avenue last year. It’s now ADA-compliant. (Photo/Michael Fleming)
When will the 1-lane bridge on Bayberry Lane/White Birch Road go back to 2 lanes?
Another one for Public Works director Ratkiewich. He says:
“The Bayberry Lane bridge over the Aspetuck River is tied up in federal permitting right now with the Army Corps of Engineers. We hoped to go to construction this year, but due to the Army Corps’ backlog it appears we will bid this winter. and start construction in the spring of 2022.”
When did the Westport Fire Department move its headquarters from Church Lane, next to the old YMCA (now Bedford Square) to the current Post Road site? (Dorrie Thomas)
1982, says Chief Robert Yost.
I did not ask — but probably should have — if that was the same time they discontinued their Saturday noontime horn test. It could be heard all over town. Nor do I know when the Department stopped alerting volunteer firefighters to the location of a blaze by horns. The short/long codes could be found on the inside of telephone directories. Remember them?
Former Fire Department headquarters, on Church Lane. The YMCA is on the left.
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