It’s time for another installment of our “06880” Question Box.
This is the feature in which I try to answer readers’ questions.
I don’t have all the answers. But our readers — in their collective wisdom — might.
Please chime in with any additional information. Click “Comments” below.
And, as always: If you have a question for our box, email 06880blog@gmail.com.
=================================================
I have noticed a resurgence of lawn signs around town.
I thought we had a town ordinance about what types of signs can be displayed, where they can be displayed, and the number of them.
Many of the traffic islands are maintained by private or corporate entities that spend a lot of time and money maintaining and beautifying those areas are inundated with lawn signs.
Who (if anyone) is responsible for overseeing what is compliant and what is not? Can you shed some light on this? (Anonymous)
There are definitely rules. Town regulations say:
Temporary signs advertising charitable events may be placed on town property. They require approval by the chief of police, P&Z director and Parks & Recreation director (or their “designated representatives”). Qualifying organizations (“i.e., local non-profits”) must fill out a request form — including proposed locations.
There’s a maximum of 15 signs for each event. They can’t be placed more than 2 weeks before the event, and must be removed within 2 days. Maximum size is 2 feet by 3 feet.
In addition, signs cannot be placed on school property without permission of the superintendent’s office; or “within the interior of Compo Beach or Longshore”; or on Town Hall property, trees or utility poles, or in any way that interferes with traffic visibility.
Political signs are considered “an expression of free speech,” and are allowed on public property. But the guidelines above also refer to “temporary signs for political purposes.”
With a presidential election 3 months away, be prepared for an onslaught of signs. (This was the scene a few years ago — without presidents on the ballot.)
Signs on private property require owner’s approval. It is “suggested” that they be removed within 2 days after the publicized event or election.
The town does not control — and is not responsible for — signs on state property. Town guidelines say, “It is not advisable” to place signs on property, rights of way and islands on Route 1, 136, 57, 33 and the Sherwood Island Connector, or the I-95 and Merritt Parkway ramps.
The Planning & Zoning Department is responsible for enforcing the sign regulations. Several years ago, 2 members took this responsibility into (literally) their own hands.
Town and state workers also remove signs in their right of ways for grass cutting. Any sign in a sight line can be removed if it is a safety hazard.
=================================================
Were the large marble spheres atop the pillars at the Longshore entrance originally from the bowling alley that used to be where BevMax and Jordan’s Pizza are now located?
Every time I walk by Longshore and remember many evening spent at the bowling alley, I wonder. (Mary Ann Lindwall)
(Photo/Joyce Barandarian)
Interesting question — and one I never wondered about. Of course, the “bowling ball” would have been decorative, not functional. It’s a bit big and heavy to roll down an alley.
I have no idea of the answer. But I’m sure Jack Backiel — whose family owned Westport Lanes — will weigh in.
Meanwhile, look closely at this photo. It was taken from behind the entrance, looking toward Compo Road South.
(Photo/Ken Palumbo)
There was a little figure behind the ball. And one on the other side of the entrance too.
They’re “foo dogs” (aka “Chinese guardian lions”). For decades, they were a hidden Westport treasure. No one knew who put them there, or why.
Some time in 2022, they disappeared. If any “06880” reader knows the answer (or can shed light on their disappearance), click “Comments” below.
=================================================
What is the highest elevation in Westport?
Is it High Point (ha ha), or some Hill: Charcoal Hill, Bluewater Hill, Burying Hill, Turkey Hill, Clapboard Hill, Summer Hill?
My guess is somewhere in the Old Hill section. (David Squires)
Another interesting one.
I’ve always heard it’s Tower Ridge, off Bayberry Lane.
Back in the (1950s) day, that was near the Nike missile complex. The missiles themselves were housed on North Avenue, where Bedford Middle School stands. (They lined the long entrance to the school — when you think about it, it’s a strange topographical feature, right?)
The launch site itself — where the command to fire them would come (in order to destroy incoming Russian missiles targeting Bridgeport defense factories) — was on Bayberry Lane.
It was chosen because of its high location, compared to the surrounding area.
The Nike missiles were (thankfully) never launched. The soldiers’ barracks became what is now the Aspetuck Health District office. The concrete launch site was transformed into the Westport Astronomical Society’s observatory.
Is Tower Ridge next door higher than some nearby Bayberry Lane property?
I don’t know. But that’s the story I’ve heard, and I’m sticking to it.
The Westport Astronomical Society hosts public events, like eclipse viewing parties. The observatory no longer bears the Rolnick name. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
==================================================
Back in the 1980s — or maybe even the ’70s — someone spray painted these words on the stone wall where Soundview Drive meets Hillspoint and South Compo Roads: “I’m not giving up, Smedley.”
I ran by that wall multiple times a week. Those words became my mantra, including during Ironman training and company building.
They are my “rosebud.” I even named one of my companies “I’m not giving up, Smedley.”
I was in Westport a few weeks again. I ran at Compo Beach, and the remains of that spray painting are still there, 40 or 50 years later.
Do you have any idea who spray painted that on the wall? (Jeff Matlow)
That’s a new one on me! I never saw it, or even heard of it.
But I’m sure someone in Westport has the back story. If you knew Smedley, click “Comments” below.
The “Smedley” wall. (Photo/John McCarthy)
(Question Box appears regularly on “06880.” If you enjoy this — or any other feature — please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
Five years ago this week, Westport was just settling into the new reality of COVID.
The weekend’s nice weather had brought large crowds to Compo Beach, though the parking lots were closed. Town officials — worried about close contact (even outdoors), and cars parked all along Soundview Drive — scrambled to react.
Soundview Drive, the first weekend after the lockdown. Town officials quickly cracked down on parking there.
The Trader Joe’s line wrapped along Compo Acres Shopping Center storefronts. Only a few shoppers were allowed in at a time. The checkout line was — like every other part of life — dictated by “social distancing.”
Schools desperately tried to figure out “distance learning.”
Trader Joe’s enforced social distancing rules — with their own very recognizable font.
And that was just the first couple of weeks.
Five years later, how have we changed? What effects linger — negative or perhaps positive? What do you remember most about those uncertain, frightening days?
Earlier this month, “06880” asked readers to weigh in. Here’s what you said.
================================================
In May we decided to move to a senior housing domicile. It was beautiful, and well-maintained. My beloved husband lived there for 5 days; then he passed (from his heart condition). A few weeks later, I was diagnosed with COVID and quarantined for 15 days in a new home, where I knew no one and was totally isolated.
So I can’t say that the pandemic treated me favorably. I’ve gotten all the shots I could possibly need to protect me against the next outbreak of something — I hope. — Bobbie Herman
=====================
We were raising our son in a 1- bedroom apartment in Greenwich Village. Wanting more space and family, we gathered a few things and our cat, and went to stay with my mother in my hometown of Westport. We expected to be there a few weeks, a month at most.
As spring and summer passed, my husband and I got used to the spaces, the beach, the green. We got spoiled with multiple bathrooms, a convenient washing machine and drive-thru Starbucks. We got to know the town better, the stores, the people, and eventually looked into the schools. When we saw that a cute house was less than a decent 2-bedroom in our neighborhood (crazy, this was 2020) we decided to stay.
Five years later I miss New York terribly. I miss my community, and easy access to all that culture. But I am happy with our decision to stay. We have settled nicely, embraced the town that has changed so much since my childhood yet is so familiar. I knew we were settled in when we did something I would not do in the city: adopted our dog. — Juliet Koskoff Diamond
Late March, 2020: Starbucks’ drive-through was one of the few places that seemed normal. So long as you didn’t get out of your car. (Photo/Rob Hauck)
======================
Not for all, but it was a glorious time for my husband and I. We started the pandemic as new grandparents. Our daughter and her husband moved from the city into our home, thinking it was only temporary.They ended up purchasing a home in Fairfield. Now we have 5 grandchildren, 4 of whom were born during the pandemic (the first was 5 months before. That’s how our life changed, all for the better: It gave us an immersion of love and family time.
And we never got COVID — until last July. — Dorothy Robertshaw
======================