One Canada goose eats up to 4 pounds of grass a day.
And dumps 3 pounds of fecal matter, also daily.
Multiply that by our very large and active population of geese. That’s a lot of grass chewed up on Compo Beach, the Longshore golf course, and athletic fields.
A lot of geese poop too.
(Photo copyright/DinkinESH Fotografix)
But we don’t have to take all that lying down.
Enter … The Goosinator!
A low-tech, low-cost solution to an insistent, if not high-priority, problem, our 2 machines are already in use — with dramatic effect.
A Goosinator is a remote-controlled device that mimics a bird’s predators. Seeing it gooses geese to fly away.
Geese don’t like the Goosinator’s shape, look or color.
And — because geese are not as dumb as they look — the Goosinator imprints itself on their goose brains. Soon, just seeing the device’s vehicle sends them skedaddling.
The Goosinator came to town through Erik Barbieri. Westport’s new Parks & Recreation Department had used the tool effectively in New Britain, his previous post.
Westport was using actual, live dogs to scare the geese. The owners were “great,” Barbieri says. But the Goosinator is more effective.
And cheaper.
Seeing the Goosinator (far right), and preparing to flee.
(Connecticut allows the “termination” — aka “killing” — of a certain number of geese. But, Barbieri notes, “the optics are not good.”)
Westport’s head Goosinator is Rick Giunta. Recently retired after a long career with Parks & Rec, the Westport native now spends several early mornings a week goosinating. (That’s a goose’s favorite time to eat and poop.)
Hopefully, he’ll put himself out of a regular job. According to the Goosinator website, geese eventually get the message. Regular goosinations turn into less frequent forays.
Rick Giunta at Compo Beach, with his remote-controlled Goosinator.
An added benefit: Geese who go elsewhere lay their eggs elsewhere too.
Westport’s 2 Goosinators are used now at Compo Beach, and on athletic fields (another favorite goose territory). One may be deployed on the Longshore golf course, after the season.
Barbiieri may purchase a third Goosinator, too.
See ya! (Compo Beach photos/Carmen Roda)
“No one can argue that geese droppings aren’t an issue,” Giunta says
“But the Goosinator doesn’t harm them. It just relocates them.”
Unfortuately, Barbieri notes, Canada geese no longer fly south for the winter. They stay here — eating grass, then fouling our land.
Of course, those goosinated geese have to go somewhere. That may be another town, or private property. They prefer being near water, so they can escape predators.
“My job is to protect our parks, our facilities and their users,” Barbieri explains. “We’re trying to provide a service, in the right, humane way.”
If you’re a native Westporter, you probably know Rick Giunta.
If you’re a newcomer, you may not recognize the name.
But anyone who has ever enjoyed Compo Beach or Longshore — or any other town recreational facility — has done so thanks, in large part and over many years, to Giunta.
Rick Giunta
The Westport Parks & Recreation deputy director retires next week, after 18 years with the department.
Parks & Rec — and the entire town — will miss his broad knowledge, great expertise, and strong love for his work and his community.
Giunta is that once common, now all too rare breed: a local boy who stayed true to his roots.
A Staples High School graduate (and, like so many of his era, a former Arrow restaurant employee), he worked as a compensation analyst for Champion International, and a manager/director at Pitney Bowes, before joining Parks & Rec as a customer service manager in 2007.
He’d already served his home town, as a special police officer in the Marine Division starting in 1982. He continued through 2015.
Giunta was a volunteer football coach for Westport PAL. He stayed long after his twin sons left the program, spending more than 20 years as a treasurer and trustee.
Rick Giunta and his sons: then, and more recently.
He was also a longtime volunteer with Festival Italiano.
After director Jen Fava resigned last year, Giunta was “the glue of the department,” says operations manager Carmen Roda.
“He’s been our face to the public. He oversees customer service — like beach emblem sales, and boat and kayak renewals and storage — and the budget too.”
Giunta is “a good mentor and colleague,” Roda says. “I’ll miss our morning talks, when we get ready for the day. He fosters leadership and engagement. He’s made a mark on the people who worked for and with him, and on the entire town.
“Retirement is great for him. But Westport is losing a very important resource.
Rick Giunta (right) and Carmen Roda, at last year’s Soundview Summer Stroll. (Photo/Dan Woog)
“Rick loves giving back, and helping the community,” Roda continues. “He’s ‘Mr. Westport.’ He knows the history of places and people. He’s seen the past and the present, and knows all the trends.”
Giunta “doesn’t like the spotlight,” Roda notes. “He’s the type of guy who always puts the town and its people in front of his own needs.”
Erik Barbieri took over as Parks & Rec director just 5 months ago. But he was impressed with Giunta as early as the interview process.
“The first time I met him I saw his professionalism, and his desire to help smooth the transition. I’ve really valued his experience, with budgets and operations.
“I hate to see him leave. But I’m super excited to see him enjoy retirement.”
Giunta — who owns the house he grew up in, off South Compo Road — looks forward to spending time on his boat, with his wife Karen, his sons and grandchildren.
Rick and Karen Giunta.
His legacy will live on. Giunta’s son Michael transitioned from a summer Parks & Rec job to his full-time role, as waterfront senior foreman. (His brother Christopher is a physical therapist in Trumbull.)
Even though he’s retiring, Westport native Rick Giunta is not going anywhere.
“He told me he’s only a phone call — and less than a mile — away,” Barbieri says.
“I really appreciate that.”
Westport appreciates Rick Giunta. Well-deserved congratulations on retirement — and as this week’s Unsung Hero.
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Recreation — sports, golf, racquets, the beaches, boating — is big in Westport.
As he settles in to his new position as Parks & Recreation Department director, Erik Barbieri is meeting with many stakeholders: staff, Park & Rec Commissioners, Public Works, Police and Fire Department, school officials, youth leaders, and more.
“I’m a team player,” he says.
He’s not kidding.
The Glastonbury native had a stellar soccer career at the University of Connecticut. He won numerous awards , culminating in 1994 Big East Player of the Year. Barbieri then played professionally with the minor league Connecticut Wolves.
Erik Barbieri, with UConn and sports memorabilia in his Westport office.
At the same time, the parks and recreation management major was embarking on his parks and recreation career.
Helped by a series of mentors — and secure in the knowledge that he was most comfortable in a hands-on, outdoors profession, not sitting in a cubicle — he rose through the ranks in New Britain.
Over 3 decades — culminating in 9 years as director — Barbieri managed 7 divisions. He oversaw parks, recreation, a golf course, a large stadium, cemeteries, senior and veteran services, and disability and youth programs. He completed 2 multimillion-d0llar capital improvement projects,
The only thing New Britain was missing was water.
With the mindset of an athlete — and a team player — the challenge of learning about beaches and marinas excites Barbieri.
Since starting his new position last month, the new director has explored our facilities, and tapped the insights of people like Rick Giunta, longtime marina director.
Ned Dimes Marina at Compo Beach is one of 2 under Parks & Recreation’s purview. (Drone photo/Daniel Johnson)
Barbieri had not been looking for a new gig. But the Westport position — vacant since Jen Fava resigned last spring — intrigued him.
The more he researched, the more he realized this town has outstanding facilities. It’s serious about recreation.
And there was plenty of work to be done.
The 10-year capital plan includes the renovation of Longshore. Replacing the maintenance facility is a high priority. There is a scarcity of athletic fields, several of which are overused and not up to high standards. Contracts — including the Compo Beach concession stand, and Longshore golf course maintenance and cart fleet company — expire soon.
New Britain’s self-described “jack of all trades” is excited to dig into every aspect of his new job.
“We’ve hit the ground not running, but sprinting,” he says. He’s learning about — and where necessary, taking fresh looks at — facilities, programs, and everything in between.
Take the maintenance facility and golf pro shop. Both have Americans with Disabilities Act compliance issues. Machines and golf carts are stored outside, in the salt air.
Erik Barbieri’s “fresh eyes” will take a new look at Longshore, and all town recreational facilities.
“Westport has great people,” he says. His Parks & Rec staff, and those in Public Works — with whom his department works closely — “really make things happen.”
Returning to his “team player” analogy, Barbieri says “we have to prioritize needs. We’ll do it together: our staff, the first selectwoman, Public Works, Board of Finance — everyone.”
Also on his agenda: hiring a new parks superintendent. Michael West left that crucial role in January, to become assistant director in Ridgefield. Barbieri begins interviewing candidates for that position soon.
On his first day, Barbieri says, he told his staff: “I have an open door. Feedback is important.” He, Giunta and operations manager Carmen Roda, “are here to listen to you.” And, he emphasized, “community feedback is important.”
Barbieri calls himself “high energy. I like to get things done. There are good projects ahead, to make Westport an even better place than it already is.”
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When Jen Fava resigned as Parks & Recreation Department director this spring, deputy director Rick Giunta — a native Westporter — took over as interim director. The transition was smooth and productive.
Giunta tells “06880”: “It has been both an honor and a privilege to serve as the interim director over the past 5 months. However, due to personal reasons, I have chosen to step back into my role of deputy director.
“I’ll continue to support the department to the best of my ability, as the search for a permanent director continues. I’m looking forward to working with and supporting the future leadership of the department as we move forward.”
A new director has not yet been named.
Rick Giunta
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Westport 10 — the town’s networking and social organization for Black men and their families — met yesterday, at Jay Norris and Chirag Shah’s Content Studio in Saugatuck.
Guests includes State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, and Police Chief Foti Koskinas.
Westport 10 — whose numbers are far more than that — has an active fall planned.
Among the activities: a meeting with merchants through the Westport Downtown Association (October 23), Halloween masquerade ball (October 30), holiday party and more.
At yesterday’s Westport 10 meeting (from left): Ted Parker, Adam Moore, Trey Ellis, Gene Massie, Jay Norris, Chirag Shah, CD Glin, Rene Hart, Anil Nair, Police Chief Foti Koskinas.
“Westport Uncorked” — the Sunrise Rotary Club wine tasting event (with great food, and non-alcoholic beverages) that has become one of our town’s most popular events, returns to The Inn at Longshore on October 24 (6 to 9 p.m.).
Attendees can taste 100 wines, curated by The Fine Wine Company of Westport. (Well, there will be 100 wines available, anyway.)
Fine Wine Company experts will be on hand to answer questions. Any of the wines can be ordered for delivery.
Every dollar raised goes to charities supported by Westport Sunrise Rotary. Tickets are limited. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
In other Sunrise Rotary news, the club hosted 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker yesterday morning.
She asked members what issues they were most interested in hearing updates about. Among them: affordable housing, traffic, downtown plan, schools, handicapped access, Longshore upgrades, the Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve, Cribari Bridge, Saugatuck River dredging, and road and sidewalk construction in town.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, at the Sunrise Rotary Club.
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The Westport Library has launched its 2024-25 annual appeal. The fundraising goal of $325,000 would secure full funding for the Library’s operations, and allow it to continue to provide the vast majority of programming for free or low cost.
The town of Westport funds 77% of the Library’s operating budget. The remaining 23% is raised through special events and private donations, like those provided during the annual appeal.
The Library welcomes 350,000 visitors a year. The theme for this year’s appeal is “Invest in Lifelong Learning.”
Click here to donate to the appeal, and for more information.
The 1st anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel will be honored with a community gathering tomorrow (Sunday, October 6, 12 to 3 p.m., Compo Beach).
The event includes words and songs (1:30 p.m.). 101 chairs will represent the hostages still held in Gaza.
The public is invited.
These chairs at Compo Beach represented the hostages held last November, a month after the Hamas attack. (Photo/Mia Bomback)
Long time resident Jo Ann Miller has put away her paint brushes and is pounding away at the keyboard.
Her initial novella. “Terrorist Vengeance,” is doing so well that she is out with another short story. “Eulogy” describes the passing of a wannabe billionaire who is hardly praised by his 4 wives and 4 children at his funeral.
“Funny, witty and a super read,” praises the Houston Chronicle. It will be available on Amazon soon.
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Today (Saturday, 11 a.m to 1 p.m.), the Westport Weston Family YMCA celebrates its 10th anniversary of the Bedford Family Center at its Mahackeno site.
The family event includes bounce houses, crafts, live entertainment with a magician, refreshments including birthday cake, and giveaways.
Now that the presidential and vice presidential debates are over, you can watch another one, live and in person, right here at Town Hall.
On Thursday (October 10, 7 p.m),, Westport’s League of Women Voters hosts candidates for State Senate District 26, and State Representative District 136.
Questions can be sent in advance to lwvwestportct@yahoo.com.
The debate is co-sponsored by the PTA Council, Westport Sunshine Rotary Club, Y’s Men, Y’s Women and Westport Rotary Club.
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The Joggers Club has moved back to Compo Beach.
All members are welcome; no beach sticker is needed.
The group meets every Saturday at 8 a.m. Weekly runs can be found on their Strava, Facebook and Instagram pages.
Dues are $50 a year. New members get a free Lululemon shirt ($68 retail). Click here for more information.
Longtime Westport resident Barbara Macieski died peacefully at home on Wednesday. She was 89.
The Bronx native earned a degree in history at the University of Bridgeport, where she met her future husband Ford Macieski.
They were great dance partners. Barbara was also known for her excellent taste in shows to stream and books to read.
Barbara had a career in commercial lending, but her true joy were her 6 children, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Her family says, “She guided us, nurtured us, healed us, admonished us, and cheered with us our individual and collective good fortune. A confidante, a therapist, a financial advisor, and an ear to hear our trials and tribulations. We all checked in with her daily.”
Barbara was predeceased by her husband Ford and daughter Katy. She is survived by her children Lisa Mann (Russ), Robert, Daniel (Karen), Joanne Carpenter (husband Rick) and Jessica Aysseh (Alex); grandchildren Katy Mann (Ben Bien-Kahn), Samuel Macieski, Kevin Carpenter (Maggie Rogers), Benjamin Macieski, Becky Wiezik (Don), Maggie DelPresto (Jeff), Ellie Mann, Maddy Mann, Coco Aysseh and Lilly Aysseh, and great-grandchildren Ford Wiezik, Leo Mann, Theo DelPresto and Ford Carpenter.
Memorial contributions may be made to LIV IT UP, which provides support services and programming for neuro-diverse adults.
Barbara Macieski (4th from left), with her children.
And finally … in honor of Westport Sunrise Rotary’s “Uncorked” fundraiser October 24 at The Inn at Longshore (story above):
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This is not the first “Unsung Heroes” award that Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department has earned.
It probably won’t be the last.
But once again, the men, women and young employees of this very important, public-facing town agency should be singled out, and thanked profusely.
Recently, I worked closely with Parks & Rec on 2 projects.
The 1st-ever Soundview Summer Stroll took a ton of planning. From the moment Kristin Mott Purcell, Sunil Hirani and I met with the department, months ago, the question they always asked was: “How can we help?”
Parks & Rec handled every aspect of the Stroll with efficiency, energy, creativity and smiles.
Moving stanchions? Setting up tents? Finding a generator? No problem!
Staff members picked up trash all afternoon. Interim director Rick Giunta and operations chief Carm Roda were everywhere — and always just a text message away.
All day, both officials said how happy they were that attendees had fun.
Parks & Rec helped throw a party for 3,000 people. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
Three days earlier, a smaller event — the annual “06880” blog party — was another success.
Again, Parks & Rec played a key role. The guest services staff roped off the area early, moved tables, and kept checking in to see that everything was okay.
In just a few months as interim director, Giunta has generated great spirit throughout his department. It’s clear that his employees feel like a “team.”
The result — at the Summer Stroll, the “06880” party, on the beach, at the Summer Kickoff party in June, and throughout the rest of Parks & Rec’s parks and recreational facilities — is seen and felt by everyone.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker often calls Westport a great place “to live, work and play.” The town’s Parks & Recreation Department plays an important role in — especially — our much-appreciated chances to play.
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
For the past several years the bathrooms at Compo Beach have been locked around 4 p.m. on the afternoon of the July 4th fireworks — by far, the biggest day of the year there.
After spending hours eating and drinking before the 9 p.m. show, thousands of people have waited in lines, for rows of porta-potties.
Portable toilets, ready for use last year. (Photo/Dan Woog)
It was a crappy situation.
“Among the masses are elderly, handicapped, and parents with young children,” Cheryl says.
“Sometimes a real bathroom with running water, lighting and room for several people to move around is needed.”
After several decades of fireworks, Cheryl’s mother did not want to go back this year — just because of the bathroom situation.
Cheryl understood the demands on Westport’s Parks & Recreation staff, to keep the bathrooms clean (and toilet papered) during the crush of users.
But, she wondered, couldn’t the policy be re-examined?
Earlier this week, Cheryl emailed Parks & Rec, Town Hall, and Westport PAL, the fireworks’ organizer. She copied “06880.” I followed up with a question to Parks & Rec.
Cheryl wasn’t holding her breath.
But — are you sitting down? — in less than 24 hours, we got a response.
Interim Parks & Rec director Rick Giunta wrote:
In the past, we’ve allowed the restrooms at the marina to remain open for the night of the fireworks.
However, in most recent years vandalism has become more prevalent and commonplace, forcing us to make the difficult decision to lock the permanent restroom facilities and supplement them with portable restrooms. Included with the portable restrooms were several handicap accessible units.
We do understand the frustration and inconvenience of not having the permanent facilities available during the largely attended event. However, the repairs were both time-consuming and very costly.
After consulting with operations manager Carmen Roda and parks superintendent Mike West, as a gesture of good faith and on a trial basis, for the night of the fireworks, we will allow access to the permanent restrooms located at the marina, as well as the restrooms located in the locker area.
Should there be any vandalism to these restroom facilities this year, we will revert back to portable facilities only for the fireworks event going forward.
Hopefully the vandalism phase has passed and we can all enjoy all of our wonderful facilities during these fun events going forward.
At a time when Westporters feel their voices are not always heard, this is great evidence that you can fight City Hall.
Or at least, get quick action from the new regime at Parks & Rec.
Kudos to Rick Giunta, Carm Roda, Mike West and anyone else who had a hand in hearing about a problem, discussing it, figuring out a solution, and explaining it clearly.
Now it’s up to all of us to respect the bathrooms, and make things easy for the great Parks & Rec maintenance staff.
It wouldn’t hurt to clean up after ourselves on the beach, too.
No s—.
A small bit of the tons of trash left after last year’s fireworks. (Photo/Totney Benson)
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This is the 5th story in “06880”‘s series highlighting Westport’s roads.
In 1948 a small road was built as temporary veterans housing. Named Vani Court in honor of Michael Vani — killed in the line of duty during World War II — it was expected that when Westport’s housing supply caught up with postwar demand, the small homes would be torn down.
Though basically just shells — 2 bedrooms, kitchen, living room, with kerosene space heaters, supported by 6 concrete piers, and with topsoil provided in piles for anyone desiring a lawn — they proved popular.
An early renter, in front of a Vani Court home.
A couple of years later, Westport’s Housing Authority reversed course. They offered to sell the homes to tenants.
The 20 homes were quickly snapped up. Three more were soon built.
Vani Court, from 1,000 feet. The Compo Road South entrance is not shown; it would be on the left side. (Aerial photo/Carl Hamann)
The original owners’ names include a who’s who of Westport: Romano, Van Zandt, Benos, Feeney, Bowes, Dorta, Baker, Verina, Giunta.
Nine of the original World War II veterans who lived on Vani Court.
Seven decades later, Vani Court — nestled next to the railroad tracks off South Compo Road, on the right just past the bridge as you head to the beach — remains.
Nearly every home is an original. Only a couple have been torn down. (Longtime residents were nervous when that happened. But, one says, “the newcomers roll with Vani Court.”)
The road is one of Westport’s last old-fashioned true neighborhoods. It’s not just a place where kids ride bikes and play games up and down the cul-de-sac, and wander freely in and out of friends’ homes.
It’s a place where families stay, and put down roots. Children move into parents’ homes, and raise their own children there.
Many residents like their roads. Vani Court residents love theirs. And they are intensely proud of it.
Vani Court, via Google Earth View.
Elaine Daignault grew up in Greens Farms. She and her husband Jesse moved to Vani Court in 1997. Their children grew up there, and — like Elaine — graduated from Staples High School.
Jackson Daignault wrote his college application essay about Vani Court. He said that on the close-knit street he “learned how to comfortably interact with all kinds of people, to observe without judging, and to go with the flow in a community where so many strive to appear perfect.”
Playing basketball in the street, riding out a hurricane with several families in one house, and growing up knowing every neighbor’s name gave him “an understanding I never could have reached living in my own wing of a mansion.”
In fact, Jackson said, “the sound of the commuter train, just steps from my kitchen window, has been the soundtrack that shaped who I am today.”
Kids of all ages play together on Vani Court.
Elaine — who is Westport’s director of human services — appreciates from a mother’s perspective the comfort of knowing neighbors looked out for her kids, just as she did for theirs.
“Anyone who needs helps can knock on any door,” she says — and that goes for any age. “Literally, if someone needs a cup of milk, we’ll bring it over. And if someone takes a tree down, everyone comes over, chops wood and brings it home.”
Jonathan Greenfield lives near — but not on — Vani Court. When his dog Buddy was lost, neighbors rallied around to find him. Here they are together again, on the road.
Vani Court is located a few steps from one of Westport’s true hidden gems: the Saugatuck River railroad bridge pedestrian walkway. Linking South Compo with the train station, it’s a great amenity for residents who commute — or want to walk to Saugatuck. (It’s also a wonderful place to watch the fireworks.)
Just as great, Elaine says, is that kids can ride their bikes from Vani Court to the beach without ever crossing South Compo.
She is amazed — but not surprised — that families raised several children in the small homes. On the street’s private Facebook group, she sees photos of kids waiting for school buses in the 1950s. The images are similar to those of her own kids — and now, the younger families moving in.
Easter on Vani Court. This photo could have been taken years ago — or this year.
Elaine mentions the Boone family. Jon Boone’s in-laws — the Kappuses — moved to Vani Court decades ago.
Jon — a noted youth coach — bought that house. After he died suddenly last year, neighbors rallied round. They celebrated his life together by erecting a large screen and sitting outside, in the rain, watching football.
Though most owners (and even renters) stay for years, their ties don’t break when they move. The other day, the entire street headed to Fairfield for the birthday party of a 10-year-old girl whose family has relocated.
Over the years, owners have remodeled, renovated — and enlarged — their homes. This one is at the end of the cul-de-sac.
A number of Vani Court residents worked, or still work, for the town. Rick Giunta — whose parents were original owners — is a longtime Parks and Recreation Department employee. His sons work there too.
For a while, 3 generations of Giuntas — Rick’s dad, he and his wife, and their boys — lived together on Vani Court. He calls it “a blessing” to have watched his kids go to the same schools he did, play the same kickball and whiffleball games on the street, and enjoy the comfort and security only an “extended family” like the road could provide.
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