Gas Leak at Staples Shuts Down Construction Site

Workers crushed a high-pressure gas line today at the Staples High School constuction site, shutting down the $74 million renovation and expansion project for almost an hour, fire officials said.

Firefighters ordered the school and site evacuated after a construction crew backfilling a trench accidentally crushed a three-inch line, according to Asst. Chief Larry Conklin.

The incident occurred near the cafeteria area and about a dozen people in the building, mostly in the pool area, were evacuated, he said.

Gas company crews responded immediately after the 3:07 p.m. incident and had the line shut down by 3:55 p.m., Conklin said.

Today's accident was the latest in a series of gas and water line breaks at the project since work got underway last summer.

Downtown Sidewalk Sale Underway

Westport's annual Downtown Sidewalk Sale began today and runs through Sunday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Shays Mentioned as Possible New CIA Director

Rep. Christopher Shays, the veteran Republican 4th District congressman facing Westport Democratic First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell in November's election, is mentioned in today's Washington Post as one of those under consideration as the new CIA chief.

Quoting a "senior Bush official," the newspaper said Shays is on a list that includes Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage, deputy national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley, former senator Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), and Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Calif.).

"I was reading the article and was surprised to see my name," Shays told WestportNow.

He said while he has been in regular touch with the White House on Iraq and the war on terrorism, "no one ever said we might be looking at you for the (CIA) job."

Shays said his first choice would be Armitage. "He has done a lot to improve the State Department as deputy secretary and knows where the bodies are buried," he said.

The congressman added, "Would I like to take on the challenge (of CIA director)? Absolutely. It's one of the most important jobs in Washington."

The Washington Post cited those under consideration for CIA director in a story about departing Director George J. Tenet telling CIA employees not to be distracted by criticism in a new congressional report about intelligence failures in Iraq.

Friday, July 9, 2004

10 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Main Street - Westport Downtown Sidewalk Sale
6 p.m. - 11 p.m. - Saugatuck - Italian Festival
6:30 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - Opening reception "The Big Show 2004, Part 1" members' exhibition
8 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Irish House Party, Highland Rovers join forces with Gaelic American Club, step-dancers and guests
8 p.m. Town Hall -- Westport Community Theatre presents "Space Pockets" comedy improv

Italian Festival Opens

Weatport's Italian Festival opened tonight to good crowds and ideal weather. The festival runs through Sunday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

A Man With a Message

Among the marchers in tonight's Italian Festival parade was this man who carried his sentiments on his sign. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A Hug from the First Selectwoman

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell gives a hug to longtime Westporter Bob Iannacone at the start of tonight's Italian Festival parade. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Strike Up the Band

The Westport Community Band was among participants in tonight's Italian Festival parade. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Teddy Bear Goes Italian

A teddy bear perched on a small car brought smiles to watchers of tonight's Italian Festival parade. See more photos on COMMUNITY page. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Federal Judge Denies Martha Stewart's Bid for New Trial

A federal judge today denied a bid by Westport's Martha Stewart for a new trial. The action cleared the way for her sentencing next week on her conspiracy and obstruction of justice convictions.

U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum in New York also affirmed the conviction of Stewart's former Merrill Lynch & Co. broker, Peter Bacanovic.

She rejected a claim that alleged perjury by a government witness deprived them of a fair trial.

Stewart's lawyers sought a new trial after a U.S. Secret Service laboratory director was indicted for perjuring himself during Stewart's first trial.

The technician testified as an expert witness about ink on a worksheet kept by Martha Stewart's stockbroker.

"Because there is no reasonable likelihood that this perjury could have affected the jury's verdict, and because overwhelming independent evidence supports the verdict, the motions are denied," the judge said in a 43-page ruling.

She also denied a hearing on the matter.

The lab director, Larry Stewart, who is not related to Martha Stewart, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The government accuses the technician of lying on the stand when he said he had conducted certain ink work tests himself, when the tests were actually performed by someone else.

Prosecutors previously said requests for a new trial should fail because the defense cannot show the false testimony had any effect on the jury's verdict.

They also said there was "overwhelming" evidence that Martha Stewart and her former broker were guilty and the evidence was "wholly independent" of the lab director's testimony.

Stewart was found guilty on March 5 of conspiring with her former Merrill Lynch stockbroker to hide the reason behind her sale of shares in the biotech company ImClone Systems Inc. on Dec. 27, 2001.

She was convicted of one count of conspiracy, two counts of making false statements and one count of obstruction of agency proceedings.

Legal experts predict she could get a prison term ranging from 10 months to two years for her crimes when she is sentenced July 16.

Today's decision was the second time Cedarbaum has rejected a new-trial request from Martha Stewart and Bacanovic.

In May, she rejected a new-trial motion based on defense allegations that a juror lied on his jury questionnaire in order to get on the panel.

Westporter Registered Kerry/Edwards Web Site 18 Months Ago

Westporter Allan Hoving says he feels like he won the lottery.

The 47-year-old Roseville Road resident registered the Internet domain name www.kerryedwards.org in January 2003 as a way to boost a Democratic ticket he thought could be a winner.

Hoving, who describes himself as a "long-term political junkie," said Tuesday morning's announcement by Sen. John Kerry that he had chosen Sen. John Edwards as his running mate was "almost like a dream come true."

Hoving said he called his Web site co-founder, David Bain, in Arlington, Va., and asked, "Now what do we do?"

The site has been promoting a Kerry-Edwards ticket without any official link or association with the Kerry or Edwards campaigns.

In the months leading up to Tuesday's announcement, visitors to the site were able to register their support for a hypothetical Kerry-Edwards ticket by pledging their time and money.

Hundreds of site visitors pledged their time and over $115,000 in increments as small as $25, Hoving said.

The site also sponsored a nationwide poll of college Democrats which it said illustrated overwhelming support among young Democrats for the Kerry-Edwards ticket.

Hoving, who has been a magazine editor and publisher, said he and Bain have had some unofficial contacts with people in the Kerry camp but no one has approached them about selling or turning over the domain name.

He said the two might give it up "under the right circumstances" but would not detail exactly what those were.

Hoving said he originally tried to register www.kerryedwards.com "but it was taken by some guy named Kerry Edwards."

Meanwhile, the Westporter said he and his partner are enjoying the brief notoriety their Web site has caused and look forward to getting together to figure out their next steps with the venture.

Thursday, July 8, 2004

7 p.m. - Fire Headquarters - Public Site & Building Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - Planning & Zoning Commission
7:30 p.m. - Riverside Avenue - Parade marking opening of Italian Festival
8 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Llan de Cubel, masters of Celtic music from Spain

Board of Ed Tours Staples Construction Site

Members of the Board of Education Tuesday toured the Staples High School construction site, accompanied by Schools Supt. Elliott Landon ( r) and construction officials. The $74 million revnovation and expansion project is on schedule with the first phase expected to be ready by year's end. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Staples Parking Lots Get Makeover

Part of the Staples High School construction project includes reconfiguration of parking lots. Large pipes were installed to improve the drainage from the parking areas. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Taking Shape

The interior hallways are starting to take shape at the new Staples High School. Board of Ed members toured the site Tuesday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Westport P&Z Rezones Winslow Park for Passive Recreation

The Westport Planning and Zoning Commission, by a 6-1 vote, has rezoned Westport's Winslow Park to a new zoning designation that essentially continues use of the 29-acre facility for passive recreation purposes.

The commission acted at its July 1 meeting and made available its detailed reasoning for the zoning change in documents received by town officials today.

The commission changed the park from its "Residential A and General Business District" designation to a new designation, "Dedicated Open Space and Recreation District #1" – meaning the park may not be used for housing or commercial purposes.

First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell and the Parks and Recreation Commission, which she appointed, argued that the park should be given an alternate designation ''"Recreation District #2."

This would have given the town "more flexibility" in use of the park and permitted more active recreation and structures such as playing fields, playgrounds, and tennis courts, they said.

But the P&Z sided with many town residents who said the park since being acquired by the town in 1987 has been used for open space and should continue to be used that way.

"The 1998 Town Plan of Conservation and Development recommends a policy of continued expansion of municipally-owned parklands to increase both active and passive recreational opportunities, as well as to enhance the community appearance and character and conserve natural areas," the P&Z said in its list of reasons for its decision.

"The Planning and Zoning Commission has determined that Winslow Park should continue to be used for passive recreation use," it said.

"Rezoning to DOSRD#2 would allow more intensive use of the property, and therefore is considered inappropriate at this time."

Assessor's Office Backlog Almost Cleared

The backlog of building permits in Westport's assessor's office that led to postponement of the town's real property revaluation update has almost been cleared, according to a report presented Tuesday night to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM).

Helen Garten, the RTM representative on the town's Revaluation Working Group, told the meeting that the firm hired to clear the backlog had almost completed a physical inspection of the 1,187 properties involved.

It was discovery of a backlog of about 1,700 building permits in the assessor's office – some going back to 1998 – that led to First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell's March 4 announcement she would seek to postpone the revaluation.

The state later approved legislation allowing municipalities to postpone revaluations for up to three years.

Garten, RTM District 3, said she received an update earlier in the day from the assessor's office on the status of the backlog and distributed to RTM members a list of some of the properties that had taxes due as a result of the review.

The new assessor, William Gaffney, had explained earlier that while there was a backlog of about 1,700 permits, some of the properties had multiple permits so only 1,187 properties were actually involved.

Garten said the list she distributed to RTM members included preliminary findings for 178 properties. "The additional tax revenue associated with these properties is $ 770,000 -- $479,000 for the current year and $ 291,000 of back taxes," she said.

The largest back taxes owed on the list was $37,465.68 for a property at 100 Bayberry Lane.

Garten said owners of the properties cited should be aware that the tax bills they received last week do not reflect any of the additional taxes associated with their property improvements.

"These additional taxes, for both the current and prior years, will be included in a special bill that will go out in August," she said. If property owners made more than one improvement, they may receive more than one statement.

There has been concern expressed that some taxpayers may still not be sure whether their properties are among the 1,187, Garten said.

So the affected property owners will be getting a letter from the assessor in the next week or so giving them notice that their properties have been revalued and that they will receive a special tax bill, she said.

"These letters will not say exactly how much tax individuals will owe, nor should people call the assessor’s office to find out, because the final numbers are not available yet." Garten said.

She said when these property owners do get their bills, whatever additional taxes they owe will be due in three equal installments payable over the rest of this fiscal year.

"State law does permit the Board of Selectmen to defer tax payments when there are 'unusual financial or other circumstances,'" Garten said, "and the Board of Selectmen is planning to discuss standards and procedures for deferral in appropriate cases."

She said these policies will be considered at a public meeting and that taxpayers will also have the right to appeal their new assessments.

But under state law, these appeals cannot be heard until next March, when the Board of Assessment Appeals meets again, the RTM representative said.

"There is a lot of detail to explain to affected taxpayers," Garten said.

"The Working Group meets again July 29, and we have asked to review the final draft of the tax collector’s letter that will accompany these tax bills and will spell out the rights and obligations of taxpayers."

In response to a question, Farrell told members that letters concerning back taxes owed would go out to homeowners, not to banks or other institutions holding mortgages that actually may be paying taxes to the town.

Garten said she suspected she and many fellow RTM members will be hearing from constituents with additional questions once these bills are received.

If they get a question they cannot answer, they should call or e-mail her and she will try to get a definitive answer as quickly as possible, she said.

The RTM representative said the Board of Finance at its July 20 meeting will further discuss the Working Group’s recommendation for an independent review of the policies and practices of the assessor’s office and other departments responsible for generating and monitoring the tax revenue stream.

She said that board began its discussion of the perimeters of such a review last week and will return to the issue at its July meeting.

Garten said a request for proposals for the full physical revaluation to be conducted by the town went out last month and responses are due back by July 16.

This will enable the Board of Finance -- when it meets July 20 to consider a funding request for the physical reval -- to have an actual bid in front of it, as will the RTM when it takes up the matter at its Aug. 3 meeting, she said.

"The expectation is to have the firm begin working by September so that the revaluation can be completed by October 2005, which is important from both a fiscal and a fairness point of view," Garten said.

She said members might be interested to know that if they want a sense of the size of the revaluation job, there are roughly 8,890 single family residences in Westport and 422 condos, as well as 490 commercial properties and 400 vacant lots.

"As you know, because of timing it is not feasible to do this revaluation in house, which is why we are hiring another outside firm," Garten said.

"Once the firm is place, its representatives will be introduced to the public, probably at a Working Group meeting, and there will be opportunity for people to ask questions and express their concerns early on in the process this time round."

At its meeting Tuesday night, the RTM approved an appropriation of $348,363 for renovations to the health suite and selected offices at Kings Highway Elementary School.

Approval, on a 26-4 vote, came after a lengthy debate during which some members expressed concern about the amount of money involved.

Some members also said they preferred the town's Public Site and Building Commission to oversee the job instead of the Board of Education itself.

(Editor's Note: The editor of WestportNow is also Moderator of the RTM).

Wednesday, July 7, 2004

7:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A TEAM Westport Committee
10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens brown bag lunch
4 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Beautification Committee
7 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Gary Rosen's Teddy Bear Picnic
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Flood & Erosion Control Board

Farrell Praises Kerry's Choice of Edwards as VP

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell said today she was pleased with Sen. John Kerry's selection of Sen. John Edwards as his vice presidential running mate on the Democratic ticket.

"I commend Sen. Kerry’s selection of Sen. John Edwards as his running-mate on the Democratic ticket for vice president of the United States," Farrell, a Democratic candidate for Congress in the 4th Congressional District, said in a statement.

"Sen. Edwards has a solid understanding of the challenges that face our middle class families and those struggling to reach the middle class -- such as providing good paying jobs, a strong public education system and affordable health care.

"I am proud to be running on the Democratic ticket with the Kerry/Edwards team and Sen. (Christopher) Dodd as we work to make America stronger at home and respected in the world.”

Post Road, Westport: An Artist's View

Artist Ann Kromer's oil on canvas painting "Post Rd-Westport" is one of many works to be seen in the first part of the Westport Art Center's "The Big Show 2004" opening Friday. Of the 300 artists who have submitted works for the members' exhibit, 150 are from Westport and Weston. See another photo on the ARTS & LEISURE page. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Jane Powell Joins "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" Screening Tonight

Actress Jane Powell joins filmgoers tonight as the Westport Country Playhouse's Film Series presents her musical film, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" at the Community Theatre in Fairfield.

The 7 p.m. showing will be followed by a discussion led by Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne.

Howard Keel and Russ Tamblyn co-star with Powell in the 1954 musical directed by Stanley Donen and choreographed by Michael Kidd.

Seven brothers in the backwoods of 19th century Oregon realize what they've been missing when the oldest one, Adam (Keel) brings home a wife, Milly (Powell), who teaches the uncouth siblings the manners to win wives of their own.

Lyrics are by Johnny Mercer with music by Gene de Paul.

Jane Powell sang on the radio and performed in theatre before her screen
debut in 1944.

Through the 1940s and '50s she had a successful career in movie musicals, including "Royal Wedding" with Fred Astaire.

She later had a variety of roles on stage, including the musicals "Oklahoma!" and "My Fair Lady," and a one-woman show "The Girl Next Door and How She Grew," from which she took the title of her 1988 autobiography.

Powell appeared on the Westport Country Playhouse stage in 1997 with Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara in "After-Play."

The Film Series continues with Joanne Woodward and Stewart Stern, author of "Rachel, "Rachel," discussing the film on July 20 and 22; and Keir Dullea in a conversation with Brooks Community Newspapers film critic Susan Granger after "2001: A Space Odyssey" on Aug. 3.

All films will be at the Community Theatre Foundation, with the exception of July 22 at The Ridgefield Playhouse.

Tickets are $30 for non-subscribers; $25 for subscribers; $20 balcony. General admission, no assigned seating.

For tickets, call (203) 227-4177, purchase online at www.westportplayhouse.org, or visit the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Avenue, Ridgefield, open Monday through Saturday, starting at 10 a.m.

Tuesday, July 6, 2004

7 p.m. Fairfield Community Theatre - Westport Playhouse film series "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Shellfish Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - Golf Advisory Committee
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - RTM Public Works Committee
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201A - RTM Transit Committee
8 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Representative Town Meeting (cable coverage channel 79)
8 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion -- Westport Community Band

Westport's Martha Stewart Celebrates the Fourth in the Hamptons

Westport's Martha Stewart, whose sentencing for lying about a stock trade has been postponed until July 16, spent the Fourth of July weekend in the Hamptons, attending parties and dining with friends, according to the New York Post.

While Westporters gathered at Compo Beach Friday night for the town's annual fireworks display, Stewart was in the Hamptons at a Fourth of July party thrown by advertising notable Jerry Della Femina, the newspaper said.

"The suddenly sociable Stewart buffered herself with longtime pal Kevin Sharkey, the decorating editor who was on the Mexico-bound plane with
Stewart the fateful day she took the call about her ImClone shares," the Post reported.

"Stewart made the rounds with Sharkey, and noshed contentedly on a grilled burger and a hot dog before making her exit.

"Stewart, who looked noticeably slimmer in her blue canvas wedge high-heel shoes and a khaki combat pants combo, is working up an appetite.

"On Thursday, she took nine members of her Martha Stewart Living art department to The Clam Bar on Montauk Highway, where she treated them to a lunch of lobster rolls, corn on the cob, tuna bits and Key lime pie."

Stewart's sentencing was delayed an additional week June 25 after her lawyers said they wanted the judge to have enough time to consider their requests for leniency and a new trial.

U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum granted the request, postponing sentencing from July 8 until July 16. Stewart had originally been scheduled to be sentenced June 17.

Stewart's lawyer, Robert Morvillo, asked for the delay in a letter to the judge.

He said Cedarbaum may need extra time because written arguments in a new trial request were still to be filed and the defense also planned to submit detailed court papers asking for a lighter sentence than federal guidelines require.

Compo Silhouettes

Fourth of July visitors to Compo Beach Sunday are silhouetted against the water. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Rainy Holiday on Main Street

Westport's Main Street was almost deserted early today on this Independence Day holiday. The weather kept many people away from outdoor activities. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Honoring the Fourth of July

Westport's Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge across the Saugatuck River is quiet this Fourth of July evening. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Compo Emergency

Westport police, EMS and Compo Beach lifeguards tend to a man who became short of breath while swimming at Compo today. He was transported by Westport EMS to Norwalk Hospital. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Celebrating the Fourth

Terri Stephens and son Dean, 1 1/2, celebrate the Fourth of July today outside their Bridge Street home. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Compo Lemonade

Megan O'Shea, 9, of Westport offers up some lemonade at her Fourth of July lemonade stand today on Soundview Drive along Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Longshore Takes on July 4th Holiday Look

Westport's Longshore Club Park was decked out in flags today in observance of the Fourth of July. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Festival Italiano Opens Thursday

The tents are up and preparation work was underway today for Thursday's opening of Westport's Festival Italiano. The event, which runs through next Sunday, has temporarily displaced commuter parking near the Saugatuck railroad station. WestportNow.com photo

Westport's Jeff White: Baseball at Grass-Roots and Major League Levels

Today’s The Advocate of Stamford/Norwalk spotlight’s Westport’s Jeff White and his lifelong love of baseball.

White has been president of Westport Little League baseball for 22 years and has overseen expansion of the town’s baseball fields from 12 to 20, including one named for his father on Compo Road North.

But most of the baseball world knows him for his 11-year stint as Major League Baseball’s chief financial officer and his present position – through his Fare Play Inc., -- as an advisor to the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

It has been a labor of love, immersing him at both the big-time and grass-roots levels. Through it all, White has maintained the boyish enthusiasm that has linked his aspirations to their realizations, the newspaper said.

"I've been pretty lucky," White said. "I get the best of both worlds. Part of me is that kid all over again."