“Students Speak” offers Westport teenagers a chance to share their thoughts and insights with the broader “06880” community.
Emme Dorfman is a junior at Staples High School. She is a member of the varsity soccer, ski and lacrosse teams. While working on a speech for her Rhetoric and Persuasion class, she realized she could actually make this idea happen.
She’s launched a survey (link at the bottom of this story). Emme writes:
I technically only have one sibling. But in my heart, I have three.
One is a freshman. The other two have 4 legs. They spend their days chasing tennis balls and begging for food. Their names are Bode and Ozzie.
Emme Dorfman, and “siblings.”
As much as I love my dog Bode, if he sees a squirrel, I’m done for. In fact, I almost broke my arm while chasing after him at Winslow Park because there was no fence to stop him.
While I did get some good cardio in, it was one of the scariest days of my life. Ever since, I’ve been very distrustful of letting Bode off leash anywhere in Westport.
According to the Animal Humane Society, about 10 million pets run away from their owners each year. That’s millions of families facing horrible moments that could be prevented.
If there were more places for dogs to safely run around and play, this number would drop drastically. For a town that prides itself on being safe, family friendly and community-oriented, it’s bizarre that Westport doesn’t have a single fenced-in dog park.
Although we have public areas for dogs to run around, like Winslow Park, Sherwood Island and Compo Beach, there isn’t one secure, fenced-in dog park, which almost every town around us has.
Dogs love Compo Beach. But they can’t be fenced in there. (Photo/JC Martin)
Weston has one, New Canaan has one, Trumbull has one. It’s time Westport has one too.
Just like humans, dogs love their social time. They need to be able to run around freely to get the mental and physical stimulation they need to stay happy.
Without it they can develop bad behavioral patterns like barking, leash-pulling or anxiety. Not only would this space be amazing for dogs, but it would also be creating a place for residents to connect and bond with one another.
So today, I’m asking that our town representatives consider my proposal to build a fenced-in dog park in Westport.
The average size for a fenced-in dog park is about ¼ of an acre. Winslow Park is 29 acres. With all that space, doesn’t it make sense to dedicate just a small portion to something that would bring so much value to our community?
Winslow Park has fences. But not the kind that keep dogs from running wherever they want. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
To see how a project like this would move forward, I talked to Planning & Zoning commissioner Michael Cammeyer, who expressed his full support for the idea.
While you might argue that constructing it would cost the town a lot of money, the reality is that a dog park doesn’t have to be a financial burden on the town. With all the money our residents spend on dog walkers, doggy care, let alone just toys, we would be able to come up with the funds through a combination of grants from the town and community donations.
This proposal is very realistic, and it fits directly into Westport’s community goals. Two primary objectives of our town’s Plan of Conservation and Development are to enhance the development of our town, while also encouraging sustainable patterns of land use.
To add to that, part of the Parks & Recreation mission statement is to achieve the standards that Westport residents expect of parks. By building a fenced-in dog-park, Westport would be fulfilling both of these missions and prioritizing the desires of its residents.
I understand the feeling of having to stare down your dog anytime you let them off leash, and that’s why I know how relieved dog-owners would be to have a place their dogs can socialize safely.
I’m hopeful we can build Dog-Port, a place where dogs can finally play freely and owners can actually relax. It’s time that Westport takes this idea off-leash, and makes it a reality for our four-legged siblings!
(To submit a “Student Speaks” — or for questions about this feature — email 06880blog@gmail.com. We will work with students — at Staples, private schools or home-schooled — to help craft their story. Anonymity, if requested, is assured.)
Final preparations are underway for this Saturday’s Westport Downtown Association/”06880″ Holiday Stroll.
Among the attractions: Savvy + Grace is sponsoring an Airstream photo booth, and a “Letters to Santa” station. All supplies for letters will be provided. And (if there’s a return address) Santa will personally answer all letters.
The Holiday Stroll (Saturday, December 6, 4 to 7 p.m.) also includes caroling with the Staples Orphenians, selfies with Santa and Westport’s favorite piglet, face painting, a DJ, giveaways from restaurants and retailers, and 6 dozen store specials.
Here are the latest signups (new since Monday):
Brooks Brothers: 30% off nearly everything
Earthplace: 10% off Winter Solstice Campfire on December 21 (register here on Saturday)
La Source: Enter to win a $500 gift card, with every purchase of $100 or more
Il Pastaficio: Focaccia di recco, Italian hot chocolate, salame di cioccolata; gift card for 10% off purchases of fresh pasta boxes and sauces
Scout & Molly’s: Free gift with $200 purchase
American Colors by Henry Lehr: 20% off Hampton Wash and American Colors clothing
Everything But Water: Fit sessions; $25 off $150+ with Beach Club signup
Johnny Was: 40% off sale; gift with purchase; free gift wrapping.
This year, they are bringing two exciting experiences: an Airstream Photo Booth and a Letters to Santa station with all supplies provided.
“A Sherlock Carol” — the family-friendly production based on both Sherlock Holmes and “A Christmas Carol” — returns to the Westport Country Playhouse for a third great year.
There are 8 performances, from December 13 through 21.
The New York Times “Critics’ Pick” is written and directed by Mark Shanahan, Playhouse artistic director. The Westport production is one of 30 “Sherlock Carol”s happening around the world, including Australia, Canada, England and the US.
Meanwhile, over 35 vendors will pack the Senior Center December 12 (1:30 to 4:30 p.m.), for a holiday craft and gift sale.
In addition to a wide array of special items, including wood-turned pieces, pottery, fused-glass art, glass ornaments, beaded gemstone jewelry, clocks, silver jewelry, handcrafted necklaces, earrings, potholders, art and painted glass, origami, painted shells, birdhouse ornaments, holiday centerpieces, wreaths, decoupage shells, watercolor gifts, children’s books, mystery novels, painted baby shoes, quilted art, home décor, baby blankets, knits, scarves, Pearl’s famous salad dressing, holiday cards, tableware, specialty ceramic painted tiles (and much more!), there’s free gift wrapping — and cookies baked by the National Charity League.
The Longshore golf course closes for the winter this Sunday (December 7).
Parks & Recreation director Erik Barbieri says, “We are pleased to have been able to extend the 2025 season this far into December. On behalf of head pro Jon Janik, golf course superintendent Sean Charles and the entire staff, we wish all our loyal golfers a happy and healthy new year. We look forward to seeing you in the spring.”
But golfers can still swing. Two Westport businesses — The Clubhouse and Sticks — offer simulators for practice.
Two great choral groups — the Dartmouth Brovertones and Staples Orphenians — bring holiday music and more to Saugatuck Congregational Church this Sunday (December 7, 7 p.m.).
The free program includes classic pop songs, along with Christmas favorites.
As Westport’s selectperson’s race ramps up, “06880” is there.
This afternoon (4 p.m.), Dan Woog and TV journalist Dave Briggs take their InstagramLive camera into the political arena. We’ll chat with Republican-endorsed candidates Don O’Day and Andrea Moore. It’s the first in a series we’ll do, with all those running.
Find us @06880danwoog at 4 today. We’ll take your questions, and listen to your comments.
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Westport Rotary Club LobsterFest tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday), at 10 a.m.
Rotary officials sent an incorrect link, which was posted yesterday. Here’s how to get tickets tomorrow morning, starting at 10: Click here, then follow the prompts.
Yesterday morning, alert “06880” reader Mark Mathias spotted 4 of them.
(Photo/Mark Mathias)
Mark has no idea where they came from. Perhaps, he says, they’re friends of the stuffed animal at Trader Joe’s. (It’s “hidden” in the store. If a child finds it and brings it to the front, he or she is rewarded with candy or a sticker.)
There are many mysteries in Westport. (Including at Winslow — for example, the oddly symmetrical, strangely placed slightly creepy hill near the entrance.)
If you’ve got any info — or even a theory — about these stuffed animals, click “Comments” below.
On Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, Westport resident Stew Leonard Jr. threw out the first pitch, against the Minnesota Twins. It was a perfect strike.
The supermarket mogul wore a custom jersey, courtesy of the Yanks, emblazoned with #38 and “Stewie.”
It honored his toddler son, Stew Leonard III, who drowned in 1989. Stewie would have been 38 this year.
Stew was selected for the honor of throwing out the first pitch by Yankees sponsor Mike’s Amazing, in recognition of his quick action in saving a choking crew member at the WPIX Channel 11 studio on August 1.
Mayor Adams declared yesterday “Stew Leonard Day” in New York, in honor of his heroics. Click here or below for the Instagram. (Hat tip: Susan Farley)
Speaking of sports: Staples High School football is just beginning its new season. They’ve got a new coach, Matty Jacowleff.
But some things don’t change. This afternoon, the program hosts its 6th annual Murph Challenge.
It’s a culmination of their summer fundraising, for both the football program and the Catch a Lift Fund (the non-profit that helps post-9/11 combat-injured veterans regain mental and physical health).
The event begins at 4:30 p.m., with Catch a Lift veteran Andy Smith talking to the players about sacrifice, resilience and commitment.
Then the athletes take on the Murph Challenge. It includes a mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and another mile run. (With a modified version for linemen!)
Everyone is invited to Paul Lane Field, to listen to Smith’s talk, and watch the Wreckers take on the Murph. Donations are welcome by Venmo: @Staples-Gridiron.
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Westport Police made 11 custodial arrests, in the 2 weeks between July 30 and August 12.
Five New York City males, ages 31, 18, 18, 17 and 15, were charged with forgery, and conspiracy to commit forgery, after attempting to pass counterfeit bills at local businesses. The 31-year-old was also charged with risk of injury to a minor.
A 38-year-old Milford man was charged with larceny, criminal attempt and conspiracy to commit larceny, and failure to appear, after officers responded at 3:44 a.m. to a report from a homeowner that someone had entered and searched her unlocked vehicle, parked in her driveway. A nearby resident reported that items had been stolen from his unlocked vehicle too. An officer observed a suspicious vehicle parked in the middle of the road on an adjacent street. The operator fled, but at the same time another man was seen walking toward the vehicle. He admitted to entering the unlocked vehicles. He was unable to post a $10,000 bond. The second suspect’s identity is still under investigation.
A 28-year-old Bridgeport woman was charged with larceny, after complaints from 3 residents regarding missing jewelry from their homes. An investigation revealed that all 3 employed the same cleaning service. An employee of the service was pawning the jewelry. She was unable to post a $250,000 bond.
A 25-year-old Old Greenwich woman was charged with larceny, after shoplifting $14,651 worth of goods at Michells. She was released on a $10,000 bond.
A 41-year-old Stamford man was charge with larceny, after a report that jewelry valued at $10,000 was missing from a home. The suspect worked for a company that provided service at the victim’s home. He was released on a $25,000 bond.
A 43-year-old Westport man was charged with criminal possession of a firearm. He was ineligible to possess the Taurus .357 magnum handgun. He was unable to post a $100,000 bond.
A 59-year-old Stratford man was charged with failure to appear. He was released on a $10,000 bond.
WEstport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 17 citations
Driving while texting: 12
Failure to obey stop sign: 12
Speeding: 4
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 4
Distracted driving: 3
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 3
Operating an unregistered motor vehcile: 3
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
Texting while driving (2nd offense): 2
Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 2
Possession of a vicious/barking dog: 1
Permitting a dog to roam: 1
Following too closely: 1
Failure to grant right of way: 1
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
Failure to drive right: 1
Improper stop: 1
Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Failure to renew registration: 1
Failure to carry driver’s license: 1
A citation was issued for a vicious/barking dog. This is not it.
The Planning & Zoning Commission meets in executive session at 4 p.m. today, at the law office f Berchem Moses.
There is one agenda item: “Discussion of pending litigation, Roan Development Ventures LLC v. Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Westport, for property at 601, 606, and 609 Riverside Ave, 91 and 96 Franklin St, 2 and 16 Railroad Place (The Hamlet at Saugatuck).”
It is the first of many such discussions, following the filing of a lawsuit against the P&Z by the developer, following denial of its proposed Saugatuck project.
Speaking of public hearings: The Planning & Zoning Department says that scammers have contacted residents regarding zoning and/or public hearing applications.
The bad guys falsely claim that a “public hearing fee” must be paid directly to them before an application can proceed.
The town of Westport will never request payment fees through phone calls, texts, emails or payment apps like Venmo, Zelle or CashApp.
All official fees are paid directly to the town through established, secure payment methods.
Scammers may use official-sounding titles, fake letterheads, or spoofed phone numbers to appear legitimate.
If you receive a suspicious request:
Do not provide personal or financial information.
Do not send payment.
Contact the P&Z Department immediately (203 341-1030) to verify the legitimacy of any request.
Report the incident to the Westport Police Department: 203- 341-6000.
The other day, “06880” published a photo of parking signs downtown.
They showed new 2-hour limits (down from 3) on several streets. (Parking lots are not affected.)
The signs said the limits were in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. — even though the new regulation does not start until 8 .m.
In fact the erroneous signs had already been changed, by the town Highway Department.
They were clearly way ahead of “06880.”
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Speaking of downtown: The public is invited to his year’s free Japanese Fall Festival (Saturday, September 6, 1-4 p.m., Jesup Geen).
The family-friendly festival is sponsored by the Japan Society of Fairfield County. It features taiko drum performances, brief plays of Japanese folk tales, martial arts demonstrations, and traditional dancing.
We’ve reported on the success of the Fairfield Little League team — regional champs, now competing in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvan — several times, because pitcher Ben Herbst is the son of a Staples grad, nephew of another, and grandson of Mickey and Candace Herbst.
But there are other reasons to root for our neighbors, too.
Jennifer (Zeoli) Curley is a 1996 Staples graduate. Her son Colin is on the team — and her husband Tom is one of the coaches.
Britt (Horton) Dunlap is a 1999 Staples grad. Her son Boden is on the squad too.
Fairfield won their first game in Williamsport last night. They play tomorrow night (Friday, 7 p.m.) against Hawaii. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Here’s hoping they go at least as far as the 2013 Westport team — World Series finalists! (Hat tip: Chuck Haberstroh)
Boden Dunlap, Ben Herbst and Colin Curley are all in this photo.
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Pam Docters describes today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo: “Gorgeous contrast of the blue sky and the white hydrangeas on Saugatuck Shores!”
And finally … you may have predicted this, from the Police Reports (above):
(Winslow Park, Staples football, Westport police — a few of the things that make our town special, all together in one Roundup. If you enjoy features like this, please click here to support us. Thanks!)
The first 7 answers to last week’s Photo Challenge were incorrect.
Burying Hill Beach? Camp Mahackeno? More than half a dozen guesses missed what I thought was a slam dunk: the out-of-place-looking hill in Winslow Park, halfway between Compo Road North and the Playhouse parking lot.
But then you came through.
Eighteen readers nailed it. Several remarked on the oddness of the topography. One called it “funny”; another, “creepy.” (Click here to see.)
The hill might not be natural. One theory is that it’s built on remains of the mansion — later, a sanitarium — that anchored the property from the 1850s through the 1970s.
Whether or not that’s true, congratulations to Leigh Gage, Jerry Kuyper, Tom Talmadge, Regi Kendig, Karen deMille, Andrew Colabella, Cat Malkin, Chip Stephens, Daniel Maya, Sal Liccione, Sally VanDevanter, Dan Ashley, Brooks Sumberg, Robert Grodman, Duane Cohen, Mary Stewart, Matt McGrath and Sally Palmer.
You weren’t first. But you were right.
Today’s Photo Challenge is a bit more artistic than most. The game is the same, though: If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
(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!)
Dr. Jay Walshon is the retired chair of emergency services at Milford Hospital, former New Haven County EMS director, and 3-time president of the American College of Emergency Physicians state chapter.
Dr. Jay Walshon
He is the creator, photographer and author of the “Eye See You” children’s books.
He enjoys photography, painting and sports, and plays and teaches pickleball.
A 40-year Westport resident whose 2 childrens went through the Westport school system, he writes:
Considering its crucial role, I thought it enlightening to review the Parks & Recreation Commission’s 2024 accomplishments.
Detailed examination reveals that the entirety was spent on approving charity events, park sculptures, fee increases (though without expense/revenue data), the Compo Beach playground, a tree identification program, school restrictions targeting gardeners and dogo walkers, and prohibiting non-residents (and casual Westport residents) from using our public pickleball courts – milquetoast actions at best, while numerous consequential issues remain unresolved, unevaluated, unconsidered.
These include:
A field utilization inventory (as promised), to define needs and scheduling
Prioritizing public health to ensure the safety of materials that participants, observers and neighbors are being exposed to at PRD-controlled facilities
Safe utilization of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides (including adjacent waters, wells, aquifers, residential property, etc.), and providing adequate notification of applications
Environmental stewardship, incluidng transitioning to green alternatives in accordance with the RTM’s Net Zero mandate
Identifying Parks & Recreation Department sustainability opportunities
Community Gardens stewardship and protection
Baron’s South maintenance, remediation and rehabilitation implement (comprehensive consultant analyses, recommendations, and a renovation concept was already paid for by our taxpayers
Compo Skate Park safety and replacement
The Compo Beack Skate Park comes under Park & Recreation Department purview. (Photo/Larry Silver)
Comprehensive Parks & Recreation Department audit, including expense/revenue analysis by activity
Longshore Improvement timetable implementation;
Longshore pickleball location (promised in 2023)
Longshore clubhouse design, planning and fundraising initiatives
Maintenance needs inventory, including equipment and deficient property
Compo Cove access and public parking availability
Winslow park access, maintenance, parking and utilization
Compo Beach concessionaire contract (Hook’d evaluation and renewal/ replacement)
Burying Hill flooding and infrastructure.
The list is substantial.
For example, the Parks & Rec Department’s $862,670 appropriation request (a 4-year lease of 12 pieces of gas-powered equipment) — absent the Parks & Rec Commission’s involvement and approval — illustrates their lack of initiative and failure to lead on a substantive issue.
Despite ample 2024 opportunities, not once was this important issue agendized for examination. It was a conspicuous strategy to bypass public engagement. It was a missed opportunity to initiate the exploration of viable “green” alternatives, suggesting passive rejection by town leadership of Westport’s Net Zero resolution and objectives.
While the motivation for such neglect and issue censorship can be postulated, what’s undeniable is the glaring absence of prioritized goals and objectives to direct the Commission’s energies, against which its efforts can be judged.
As 2024 reveals, the PRC remains primarily rudderless and reactionary. Organizations lacking clearly identified goals and objectives are defined by reactionary decision-making, and become vulnerable to stagnation, inefficiency, ineffectiveness, and mediocrity.
Accomplishments are constrained to items placed onto the agenda – and restrained by the lack thereof. Achievements are determined by what is discussed.
Acceding to my request would not only immensely benefit our community; it would significantly increase resident interest, and exponentially magnify the satisfaction derived by serving on this important dommission.
Considering the many neglected issues, valuable time and capabilities are not being optimally utilized. Our PRC could have accomplished more – much more.
If manpower constraints are an impediment, resident volunteers and local expertise can be recruited. The energy and capability of the RTM’s sub-committees can be utilized. Educational forums with recognized experts can be scheduled, and best practice guidance obtained. But that takes leadership, planning, and willingness to accept public guidance.
Dr. Jay Walshon would like to see items like the Hook’d contract be part of the Parks & Recreation Commission agenda.
I made this appeal at the Parks & Recreation Commission’s January 15, meeting, and in writing.
Last week’s meeting proved it fell on deaf ears. While our golf and fireworks charity events do require approvals, continuing an entire action agenda subsumed by such is embarrassing.
Currently there are no means for residents to agendize topics for discussion. Contact information of our PRC commissioners (other than the chair) is unavailable – even to our town clerk – insulating them from meaningful resident discourse.
While residents may share concerns at the beginning of meetings, all dialogue is strictly restricted to an agenda rigidly controlled by Town Hall.
A publicly endorsed list of goals and objectives is essential for the Parks & Rec Commission to transparently initiate these necessary discussions in earnest, and make meaningful progress in a timely fashion.
Stagnation on these imperatives must not continue in 2025. Perpetuating the status quo must not be tolerated by the public, the RTM, or the PRC commissioners themselves.
Perhaps the PRC commissioners should be elected by Westport’s residents, and thereby become accountable to them rather than to the first selectperson. However, that requires a tedious Town Charter modification.
Immediately doable remedies include
1. The above issues should be immediately prioritized and agendized to permit resident engagement.
2. There should be a reasonable mechanism for residents to get issues onto the PRC agenda for official public discussion.
3. The PRC commissioners’ contact information must be available, to enable and encourage resident discourse.
Any town deserves better. Westport deserves better.
“06880” asked Parks & Recreation Commission David Floyd for comment. Here is his response:
The “Opinion piece” criticizes the Parks & Recreation Commission for various alleged omissions to act, secret subversive actions, and a perceived inability to listen to citizens.
Unfortunately, the writer is mistaken in several instances regarding the conduct, actions and purview of the PRC. This is somewhat perplexing, considering his consistent presence at PRC meetings.
Section C30-2 of the Town Charter states, in its entirety [my emphasis]: “The Parks and Recreation Commission shall establish policy for the maintenance and use of parks, playgrounds, beaches, swimming areas, boat mooring areas, playfields, indoor recreation areas and other recreation areas and facilities owned or controlled by the Town, except those under the jurisdiction of the Board of Education. It shall recommend and approve regulations for the use of parks and recreational facilities for adoption by the Board of Selectmen. It shall cooperate with other Town officials, boards and commissions and with private and public organizations concerning recreational plans and facilities.”
David Floyd
Public comment: PRC meetings are 100% open to the public, and do not limit the length or number of citizen comments. In fact, I have often been complimented (and criticized) for allowing citizens to speak at length about issues affecting our town’s parks and recreation resources — even permitting speakers to go on tangents.
By law, we are limited to discussing properly noticed agenda items as I announce at each meeting, but all citizens are welcome to address the PRC. The writer being a frequent, lengthy commenter. I forward emails to the commissioners, as is standard practice for appointed boards and commissions in Westport.
Transparency: Anyone who lived through the Longshore Capital Improvement Plan should recognize the level of transparency sought by the PRC. Fifteen months of plans, stakeholder meetings, public comments, open houses, public meetings. Decisions made in a public forum. All for the betterment of a park we all love and use extensively. Compo Playground, Art in the Parks, WestportMoms festival, and others further illustrate this bias for openness.
There will always be a prioritization of projects and adoption of policies. Every wish or desire cannot be acted upon.
As chair, I have chosen to focus the PRC on real world projects and issues we can solve (e.g., Longshore Plan, Compo Playground rebuild, smoking/vaping policy), and encouraging a “citizens first” attitude at Parks & Recreation Department. I do not apologize for that.
The Longshore Plan is a “real worldl project” for the Parks & Recreation Commission.
The absence of a P&R cirector and parks superintendent is an unprecedented situation never before faced by a PRC and P&R Department. It has presented challenges up and down the line, but the staff (top to bottom) have adapted, taken on additional responsibilities, and moved forward.
To this end, we have a new director starting. I look forward to working with him to adjust where needed.
Thank you to my fellow commissioners, the staff at the P&R Department, maintenance crews (P&R and golf) for your support and efforts every day.
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