Perfect Sailing Weather

Today's warm weather with a breeze made for perfect sailing conditions on Long Island Sound off Westport's Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Trout Season Underway

Today was the official opening of trout season and these fishermen were in the waters of the Saugatuck River in Westport shortly after 6 a.m. The scene is off of Ford Road. One opening-day tradition is for private fishing clubs and other groups to stage after-fishing breakfasts for their members, some stretching into lunch and beyond. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) WestportNow.com photo

It's All in the Wrist

Within minutes of 6 a.m. today, fishermen were in the waters of the Saugatuck River off of Ford Road in Westport engaging in the long-awaited opening of trout season. In some spots, fishermen camped out all night waiting to get into the water to cast their fly rods again. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) WestportNow.com photo

Getting Ready for Sunday's Seasonal Opening at the Historical Society

The Westport Historical Society Sunday celebrates the seasonal opening of its Bradley-Wheeler Barn housing the Museum of Westport History. As part of the celebration, Staples Players (l-r) Alec Galambos and Peter Stonbely will perform a short scene called “The British Are Coming" at 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Contributed photo

Westport Does Poorly on FOI Survey; Officials Respond

Westport, like many other Fairfield County communities, did not come out well in a recent survey by Fairfield University journalism students about compliance with the state's Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. But Westport officials said they had some good explanations.

The students undertook the survey to mark the 30th anniversary of the FOI Act. Last month, they visited three offices in each community – the police station, Board of Education, and city or town clerk’s office – and asked for documents defined under state law as being available to the public. The results were announced this week.

The Westport Town Clerk's Office and the Schools Superintendent's Office earned a "No" on the survey, meaning the students were denied access to documents and the department was operating outside the law.

The Westport Police Department earned a "view/restrictions" designation, meaning the students were allowed to view records with restrictions that are deemed improper by the state FOI Commission.

Not one of the 23 cities and towns surveyed had all three offices fully in compliance with the law, according to the study. Overall, 51 of the 69 individual offices, or 74 percent, were violating state regulations.

The students either were refused access to the documents, or municipal officials violated state regulations by demanding to know their name, to know the reason for seeing the documents, to see identification, to put the request in writing, or imposed other roadblocks that have been ruled improper under the FOI law, a Fairfield University news release said.

In completing the survey, the students supplied details of the responses to their requests in each town. Here is what the survey said about the Westport visits, followed by comments from the town official in charge:

Town Clerk's Office

FOI survey: "The requestor spoke to a woman at a desk. When the student asked, she said the forms, no matter which ones he wanted, were not available to the public at all. She told him bluntly he could not see them, and looked confused as to why he wanted to know."

Town Clerk Patricia H. Strauss: "The town clerk has the responsibility to protect Social Security Numbers provided on vital records of individuals. Access to Social Security Numbers can contribute to identity theft, which is of concern to us all. The requestor asked to view marriage license applications. They contain Social Security Numbers. To fill the request, it requires preparation of the documents which includes redacting the Social Security Numbers from the applications.

"The clerk asked the requestor if he was looking for anyone in particular. He said no and was informed that once the license was returned the worksheet is no longer available to the public. He said thank you and left. The clerk felt the requestor did not allow enough time for her to give him a full explanation of the process and left before the explanation was complete."

Police Department

FOI survey: "At first the requestor spoke to a secretary, who asked him why he wanted to know/see the arrest records. When he said 'I’d rather not say,' she replied, 'Well you’re going to have to give a reason to the sergeant.' An older lady then asked him which records he wanted to see, and she said the sergeant would be out in a few minutes. Ten minutes went by and he was about to give up when the sergeant walked over and dropped the arrest records from this week and said this is what he has. He asked no questions and just told the requestor he couldn’t take them with him."

Police Chief Alfred R. Fiore: "It seems to me that we are in compliance, if the person wanted a hard copy they would have to pay for it. When the press comes in they often waited 5 or 10 minutes for the Sergeant and that is when they are already expected. I wouldn't mind talking to the group from Fairfield U. about their opinion."

School Superintendent's Office

FOI survey: "A woman first said she didn't know whether the FOI Act covered the information. She left the requestor for five minutes and returned to tell him that the payroll woman was busy and asked if he still wanted the information. He said yes. She left for a few minutes, and came back to tell him the woman who she was speaking to was actually the payroll woman's replacement while the payroll woman was on vacation for the next three weeks. But she said she could get it to him by next Wednesday. She said the information was stuck inside the computer and there was no way for him to see it. She asked him if he was a resident, and for his name."

Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon: "The facts appear to be correct. As you know, I do not have full time coverage in my office, so, often times, coverage of the telephone during secretarial lunchtime reverts to someone else on staff. Those who provide the coverage are not necessarily informed about the terms of FOI, but do know to refer such matters to Joyce Losen's office.

"Coincidental with the request, our Payroll Clerk was on vacation for three weeks recently and the office was covered by one person who had only limited access to payroll information. Additionally, Joyce Losen comes in only for two or three days per week, at most, and she has been our FOI officer, so most FOI requests await her availability.

"Nonetheless, whomever dealt with the student informed the student that the information would be available within what appears to be the reasonable time permitted by FOI. In summary, whomever answered the telephone reacted as best she could in terms of trying to accommodate the request, but was limited in her ability to comply by the unavailability of personnel who would have had the knowledge to respond appropriately."

Today's Westport Teardown: 34 Edgewater Hillside

Today's WestportNow teardown is 34 Edgewater Hillside off Hillspoint Road. Approval of a demolition permit is pending. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Retirement Event Planned for Kathy Barnard and Judy Nelson

Two longtime Town of Westport employees are retiring soon and their friends and colleagues will honor them at a reception next month.

The event for Kathy Barnard, Planning and Zoning director, and Judy Nelson, director of the Westport Weston Health District, will be held Tuesday, May 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Inn at Longshore.

There will be hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Cost is $25 per person. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by May 17 to Lorrie Tremonte, Westport Weston Health Distirct, 180 Bayberry Lane, Westport, CT 06880, or Nancy Curcio, Westport Planning and Zoning Department, 110 Myrtle Ave., Westport, CT 06880.

Please make checks payable to the Westport Weston Health District.

Two Westport Fires Highlight Danger of Spontaneous Heating

Westport firefighters today responded to two outdoor rubbish fires that fire officials said highlighted the danger of spontaneous heating.

The first fire was at 230 Saugatuck Ave. at 2 p.m. and the second fire was at 39 Spicer Road at 8:15 p.m. Renovations were underway at both locations with wood floors sanded and refinished, according to Assistant Chief Larry Conklin.

"The sawdust debris along with sanding discs, rags and empty urethane cans were placed outside the occupancies in compact trash piles. The cause of both fires was spontaneous heating," he said.

He explained that heat accompanies any kind of oxidation and that it is possible for heat to accumulate in or about a substance when it is adequately insulated.

"Wood is a poor conductor of heat," Conklin said. "Circulation of air is inadequate in tightly packed oily rags and the sawdust debris. The heat accumulates in the debris pile until ignition temperature is reached and a fire starts."

He urged homeowners to remove all sawdust debris from a building and not to mix oily rags or "empty" stain containers with the debris.

Cans should be left open outside until the remaining contents completely dry, Conklin said. The containers can then be disposed. Rags should be draped open until they are dry. The rags can then be disposed.

Sawdust debris can be treated just like ash from a fire place. Place the sawdust in a metal trash container until it is thrown away. All debris should be kept a safe distance from the residence.

"Spring is a good time for remodeling and cleaning up your house," Conklin said. "Please do it safely."

Westport's Allen Raymond Honored

Westport’s Allen Raymond (c) was honored in New Haven today as an Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Connecticut and Fairfield County Chapters. With him are Leslie Lopez, chair of the program, and Dick Foot, executive director/CEO of the Westport/Weston YMCA who nominated Raymond for the honor. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport Fire Tests Water Tankers; May Lower Homeowner Insurance

Many of Westport's homes north of the Merritt Parkway are not near fire hydrants and in emergencies, the Westport Fire Department has to rely on water tankers, pools, or nearby streams to draw water. As a result, homeowners in these areas pay higher insurance rates.

On Sunday, the department hopes to do something that might help lower the rates – it will conduct a test of tanker shuttle operations.

The drill will take place between 8 a.m. and noon at Bedford Middle School and Coleytown Middle School and involve fire apparatus, eight water tankers, and firefighters from 13 neighboring communities in Fairfield County and Vista, N.Y.

The department advises area residents to use caution on roads between the schools during the test as tankers will be moving between the test locations continuously that morning.

Parking may be limited at both schools in certain areas, but there will be minimal impact on sporting events and practices scheduled for that morning, according to a department announcement. Members of the public who wish to watch the drill are welcome, and there will be a safe viewing area behind barrier tape at both school locations.

Tanker shuttles are used to supply large quantities of water in areas that lack fire hydrant coverage not only for firefighting but for other purposes such as a terrorist or weapons of mass destruction incident.

The operation begins when a water tanker -- which looks like a fuel oil delivery truck -- fills up at the water source. It then drives to the scene of the fire and dumps its load into a portable reservoir.

The fire engines then pump water from this reservoir for fighting the fire. The empty tanker returns to the water supply to refill. A typical tanker shuttle operation uses several water tankers shuttling back and forth between the water source and the location of the fire.

Over the past several years, the Fire Department has worked to improve its Insurance Standards Organization (ISO) rating score. The tanker shuttle test will be documented to see if the ISO rating for parts of town that are not served by fire hydrants can be improved.

ISO ratings are used to determine the cost of residential fire insurance. These ratings measure many different components of a fire department's operations, with staffing, equipment and performance translating into lower fire insurance rates for homeowners.

The tanker shuttle drill is a performance test that will show how well Westport firefighters can deliver large quantities of water to neighborhoods without fire hydrants.

Commenting on the benefits of the drill, Westport Deputy Chief Chris Ackley said, "Many people don't realize that north of the Parkway there are many areas without hydrants. With the larger homes now being constructed, we need to ensure we have enough water fast enough to protect them.

"We've been working with the Department of Public Works and Aquarion Water Company to increase hydrant coverage in town, but that's going to take time. A tanker shuttle operation works today, tonight, whenever that next fire starts.

"And documenting a successful shuttle drill could save hundreds or thousands of dollars in fire insurance premiums for the affected areas."

Ackley said the test will demonstrate logistical coordination and communication between many different towns and will also exercise the incident command system fire departments use for major incidents.

"Westport has relied on Wilton Fire Department's tanker many times over the years," he said. "By bringing in other area departments, we increase the number of resources and quantity of water available.

"With a network of tankers, Westport firefighters will have a 'plan B' to ensure there's enough water to fight a major conflagration or an incident where large quantities of water are needed.

"We also benefit in this type of situation by working closely with the Westport Police and volunteer EMS."

In addition to Westport, departments scheduled to participate in the drill include: Weston, Vista, N.Y., Darien, Round Hill, Botsford, Stevenson, White Hills (Shelton), Wilton, Easton, Southport, Nichols, Greenwich, and Monroe.

Text of Telephone Survey Announcement

Here is the text of a news release issued today by four Westporters on a telephone survey they commissioned about the location of a new home for the Westport/Weston YMCA:

OPINION SURVEY LOCATION OF PROPOSED WESTPORT Y APRIL 14, 2005

Survey results show Westporters Want Y at Baron's South

Results of an opinion survey ("Survey") by The Marketing Network of North Haven, CT were presented at the Westport Historical Society today. Survey results showed that:

72% OF THOSE WITH A PREFERENCE SUPPORT A SITE OTHER
THAN CAMP MAHACKENO

59% OF THOSE SURVEYED SUPPORT THE LEASE OF TOWN LANDS
AT BARON'S SOUTH TO THE "Y" AND ONLY 28% WERE OPPOSED;

AMONG "Y" MEMBERS SURVEYED, 67% MORE WERE PREPARED TO
CONTRIBUTE MONEY IN SUPPORT OF A NEW "Y" AT BARON'S SOUTH
THAN AT CAMP MAHACKENO.

(Click here for detailed results)

The Marketing Network was founded in 1985 and is a full service firm offering qualitative and quantitative research and marketing consulting services. Clients include Bridgeport Hospital, the Shubert Theater, the Harvard Kennedy School of Government SBC Communications, and Aetna Insurance, among others. The Survey completed for Westport involved interviewing 400 residents of voter age with special care being taken to include a representative sample across the nine voting districts and across four age groups: 18-30, 31-50, 51-65, and over 65. Special care was made to approximate the actual demographics of Westport as closely as possible. Members of the Y were also included in the Survey and represented 30% of the total sample.

The Survey was initiated by four concerned citizens, Donald Bergmann, Ted Diamond, Roy Dickinson, and Andy Lozyniak, with different political backgrounds, but one thing in common, a concern about the development and welfare of Westport and its families. With myriad "letters to the editor" it has become difficult to determine just what "the people" really want. The sponsors of the Survey believed a non-partisan, straight forward questionnaire would help clear the air and provide a guide for both the "Y" Board and Town authorities. It is hoped that with the information developed, the "Y" and the Town can work together to find a responsible solution to the current controversy.

Andy Lozyniak has lived in Westport his entire life and his father owned a farm at the present site of the Sherwood Connector. Andy is also a past president of Dynamics Corporation of America. Ted Diamond came to Westport in 1955 and served as Westport's Second Selectman for 8 years. Ted was also on the RTM and he served as the head of the Committee to Save Winslow Park. Roy Dickinson arrived in 1968. He was a member of the RTM for 12 years and is a past chairman of both the Conservation Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Don Bergmann moved to Westport in 1979, and has become active in a number of Town wide issues. He is a regular at First Selectwoman Diane FarrelPs Brown Bag lunches. All four sponsors emphasize that they are trying to do what is in the best interest of Westport and its residents. They are supportive of the Y's desire to relocate and three of them are actually members of the "Y". They are all hopeful that the survey which they commissioned, and paid for, will be the catalyst to bring the Town and Y together in finding a place on Baron's South, near the Senior Center for the new Y facility.

The complete survey and its back up data were made available to the press for anyone interested in examining the detailed responses by voting district, sex, age range, and/or "Y" membership.

For further details contact Roy Dickinson (203-226-0322) in Westport or Frank Colangelo, President of The Marketing Network at 203-248-9751.

The Press conference will be held at the Westport Historical Society, opposite Town Hall at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Avery Place at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 14, 2005.

Telephone Survey Results Announced

Westporters favoring the Y on Baron's South today released this graphic showing results of a telephone survey they commissioned on the issue. Asked whether they had a preference for location of a new Y, 32 percent said Baron's South, 20 percent said Mahackeno, 10 percent said along the Saugatuck in the commuter lot, 11 percent said "other," and 28 percent had no preference. Click here for detailed results. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Contributed graphic

Westporters Favoring Y on Baron's South Release Telephone Survey Results

Four Westporters who favor Westport's YMCA moving to the town-owned Baron's South property held a news conference today to release the results of a telephone survey of 400 Westporters last week on the issue which they said showed most residents agreed with them. Pictured (l-r) are Andy Lozyniak, Ted Diamond, Roy Dickinson, and Donald Bergmann. Click here for detailed results. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Please Be Seated

Chairs at Westport's Wakeman Park Wednesday awaited the day's sports fans. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

Thursday, April 14, 2005

1:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Administrative Review Committee
7 p.m. - Fire Headquarters - Public Site and Building Commission
7 p.m. - Toquet Hall - Youth Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning and Zoning Public Hearing
7:30 p.m - Westport Public Library McManus Room - Spoken Word@the Library presents "Poets Among Us" - actor, television personality, and poet Ira Joe Fisher hosts this lively event in a coffee-house-like setting, where everyone is invited to read brief poems they’ve written or the work of their favorite poets
7:45 p.m. - Room 201 - RTM Finance Committee

Connecticut House Passes Civil Union for Same-Sex Couples Bill

The state House tonight passed legislation that would make Connecticut the second state to establish civil unions for same-sex couples, and the first to do so without being directed by a court.

The vote was 85 to 63 and came after six hours of debate. Westport's freshman Democratic Rep. Joe Mioli voted yes while Rep. Cathy Tymniak, a Fairfield Republican whose district includes a slice of Westport's Greens Farms section, voted no.

The state Senate overwhelmingly approved a civil-unions bill last week, and lawmakers said they expect to endorse the House version as early as next week. Gov. M. Jodi Rell said that she will sign it.

The House also passed an amendment -- favored by Rell and designed to make the bill more palatable to more conservative members -- that defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman.

Connecticut's push toward civil unions followed a national backlash after legalization of such relationships in Vermont in 2000, and of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts last year. Unlike Connecticut, court rulings prompted the changes in those states.

In November, 11 states outlawed same-sex marriage through ballot initiatives, and at least 18 have passed "defense of marriage" amendments to their constitutions, defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

The bill approved today would provide same-sex couples who form civil unions with state and municipal tax benefits now granted only to married couples, as well as hospital visitation rights and a host of other benefits, including family leave privileges.

Board of Finance Restores $300,000 to Education Budget

The Westport Board of Finance, after earlier voting to reduce the education budget by $1.2 million, tonight voted to restore $300,000 of the cut, half of what the Board of Education asked for.

The vote was 5-1 with Republican Gavin Anderson opposed. An earlier attempt to restore $400,000 was defeated.

The board voted after its chair, Steven Ezzes, repudiated comments made Monday night by Board of Education member – and former chair -- Steven Halstead. Both are Democrats.

The education panel member was highly critical of the way the Board of Finance decided to make its earlier cut, calling the process "distasteful, disrespectful, and bordering on abusive."

"I was initially personally and professionally offended by his comments," said Ezzes, who noted Halstead was not present to hear his remarks. "But after thinking about it, I gave up being offended. I just accepted it a basic naiveté on his part."

Ezzes went on to tell Board of Education Chair Mary Parmelee, who was standing at the podium ready to make her remarks, that Halstead must have missed a civics class in his youth that taught about the system of checks and balances in government.

"Apparently he (Halstead) does not believe in that," Ezzes said. "Unfortunately, those are the rules and maybe he should go back and take a look at what that means."

When Ezzes asked if any other finance members wanted to comment, Shelly Kassen said she merely wanted to praise Parmelee's last appearance before the finance board. She called it perhaps the "most civil and in-depth discussion we had."

Parmelee, responding to Ezzes' criticism of Halstead's remarks, said she did not take issue publicly with what Halstead said on Monday for two reasons – "I had such a fundamental disagreement with them that I didn't think that any conversation on it would prove fruitful, and second, I did not want to do anything which would lengthen or highlight those comments, although that apparently was not necessary based on today's paper."

She added, "I honestly doubt whether those sentiments are shared by other members of the board, certainly nobody chimed in and agreed."

Parmelee said the fact that the Board of Finance had switched around its agenda tonight in order to accommodate her late arrival so she could attend her daughter's sporting event was taken as a sign of respect that the finance board "has shown to our board throughout this entire process."

The restoration brought the Board of Finance recommended education expenditure to $78,623,190, slightly more than a 5 percent increase over last year.

The total town budget of $143,330,043 will be considered May 2 and 3 by the Representative Town Meeting (RTM).

The RTM, by a two-thirds vote, can restore the balance of the amount cut by the Board of Finance. It was not immediately known if the Board of Education would seek such restoration.

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

Westport Property Transfers April 4-8, 2005

Property transfers as reported by the Westport Town Clerk's office for the period April 4-8, 2005:

House Whisperers LLC to Jacquelyn T. Richardson, 3 Old Mill Road, $1,680,000

Jerzy Bartek Witke to Daniel Schine, 10 Northgate Lane, $628,000

Nicholas Zinzi to Joyce C. Gentilozzi, 14C Cross Highway, $460,000

Thomas J. and Maryanne E. Murphy to Joshua W. and Nicole J. Witkin, 4 Ivanhoe Ave., $830,000

Bruce D. and Diana Treitler to Laura Agostini, 104 North Ave., $1,079,000

Alan Kocsi to Stephen T. Mendillo, 4 Mill Bank Road, $1,072,500

Estate of Helena A. Ross to Timothy Romano, 26 Old Hill Farm Road, $1,055,000

1200 Post Road East Associate Limited Partnership to 1200 Post Road East LLC, 1200-1220 Post Road East, $10,000,000

Gary W. Marsh to Stuart D. Aaron, 143 Roseville Road, $750,000

Thomas M. and Patricia Cope to Edward K. and Amanda Zhou Tom, 1 Ledge Meadow Lane, $1,795,000

Geoffrey W. Green and Sheryl L. Adkins, 40 Sturges Commons, $1,737,500

Peter J. and Christina P. Bassler to Lyes Mahfoudia and Leeanne French, 44 Newton Turnpike, $1,122,500

Robert C. and Shannon K. Burrow to NRT-Relocation LLC, 17 Gault Park Drive, $1,510,000

NRT-Relocation LLC to Christopher P. and Felicia M. Lindau, 17 Gault Park Drive, $1,510,000

Michael D. Magidson to Alon and Melissa Shein, 17 Broadview Road, $1,990,000

Mark R. and Joan K. Soboslai to Danielle Fenton, 38 Roseville Road, $749,900

Westport/Weston YMCA Explains Planned Move

Dick Foot, executive director/CEO of the Westport/Weston YMCA, today discussed details of the Y's planned move from its downtown headquarters to its Camp Mahackeno property. He told a forum for Y members that the organization's plans for safe and uncongested access to the site include smart signalization to enhance traffic flow, two widened stacking lane connectors from Wilton Road, and a widened Sunny Lane. He said there will be no access to the site via neighboring streets, Rice's Lane and River Lane, and that all access will be through Sunny Lane. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Mitchells Master Tailor Celebrates 45th Anniversary

Domenic Condoleo: honored by Mitchells. Contributed photoDomenic Condoleo always wanted to be a soccer player, but in 1959 the native of Calabria, Italy, took up a friend's offer to become a part-time tailor at Mitchells of Westport.

He went full-time a year later and has been there ever since. On Saturday friends and customers will gather at Mitchells to honor him on his 45th anniversary with the store.

“It was a great day when Dad hired Domenic," said store owner Bill Mitchell. “I don’t know what we’d do without him. He has got to be the most important person we have.”

Now, Condoleo, the father of two grown sons, personally fits some of the best known executives in Fairfield and Westchester Counties who ask for him by name. Store officials say some clients refuse to be fit by any other tailor.

He keeps the alterations shop running smoothly, overseeing a staff of 23 that alters approximately 900 garments a week.

"Mitchells would not be as successful as it is today without Domenic,” said Bill Mitchell. “Not only is he an incredible tailor, he also is a top-notch manager, and a great sales person. He has a personality that makes people gravitate towards him. He’s a star.”

A spokesman for Mitchells said it invites all of Condoleo's customers and friends to visit the store Saturday between noon and 4 p.m. to help celebrate his achievements throughout the years.

Mitchells and its sister store, Richards of Greenwich, have offered the finest quality clothing and exceptional customer service for almost 50 years, earning them the reputation as the premium purveyors of men’s and women’s clothing in Fairfield County.

No Delay Sought in Record $14.6 Million Teardown

The Westport Historic District Commission Tuesday night decided not to request a delay in approval of a demolition permit for 100-102 Beachside Ave. The property sold last month for $14.6 million – the most expensive residential property ever sold in Westport. (See WestportNow March 30, 2005) A representative of the owner said about 80 percent of the 1929 main house will be demolished while two pink structures at the entrance that can be seen from the street will not be altered. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) WestportNow.com photo

Today's Westport Teardown: 11 Darbrook Road

Today's WestportNow teardown is 11 Darbrook Road off of Compo Road North. An application has been submitted for a demolition permit for the house built in 1939. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens Brown Bag Lunch
Noon - Westport Library McManus Room - Authors@ the Library presents former investigative-journalist-turned-mystery-writer Jessica Speart, who will speak about her latest thriller, "Blue Twilight"
2 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Planning and Zoning Big House Committee
5:30 p.m. - Turner Trailers - School Building Committee Staples Subcommittee
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Board of Selectmen
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201A - RTM Public Protection Committee
7 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Board of Finance
7:30 p.m. - Westport Library - Library Board

Smelly Sure Sign of Spring

In a sure sign of spring, skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) have emerged in the woody wetlands along Westport's Sturges Highway, south of Cross Highway. The skunk cabbage blooms long before any other spring wildflower. The name comes from the odor they release when moved. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

Historic District Commission Okays Allen's Barn Demolition

The Westport Historic District Commission tonight gave its approval for the town to move ahead with demolition of an 1800s barn on the town-owned Allen's Clam House property on Compo Mill Cove. The panel in January had asked that every possibility be exhausted to try to save the structure. Town officials said a stone wall will be erected separating the roadway from the property and observation and kayak launching areas established. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

For Sale: Sherwood Mill Pond Home With a View -- for $1.5 Million

An 18th century house sitting in the middle of Westport's Sherwood Mill Pond is up for sale after 160 years in the same family. Owner Jeff Northup is asking $1.5 million for the 800-square-foot house, which has no running water, electricity or sewers. But he said the buyer will also get 6 acres of oyster and clam beds as part of the deal, according to today's The Advocate. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) WestportNow.com photos

April 20 Meeting Will Discuss Establishing Regional Council of Government

Connecticut's county government structure disappeared 45 years ago amid unhappiness with what many perceived as a corrupt and unnecessary level of government. Since then, the closest thing lower Fairfield County has had to a regional structure is the South Western Regional Planning Agency, known as SWRPA.

SWRPA is one of 15 regional planning councils authorized by state statute. But now the group, which includes representatives from Westport and seven other area communities, is considering changing from a regional planning agency to a regional Council of Government, known as a COG.

A special meeting of the agency will be held on Wednesday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. in Stamford to discuss the possibility. The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place in the Senior Center auditorium on the second floor of the Stamford Government Center at 888 Washington Boulevard.

In addition to SWRPA’s board members, the region’s mayors and first selectmen will attend the meeting, as will planning commissioners from SWRPA’s eight member municipalities.

According to Bob Wilson, SWRPA’s executive director, the proposal to create a COG has been discussed on and off over the past several years by the chief elected officials and SWRPA’s board.

In January, the chief elected officials and several SWRPA board members attended a presentation on the role of COGs by James Butler, executive director of the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, which is based in Norwich.

The group was formed in 1992, changing from what until then had been the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Planning Agency.

After that meeting, Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell – who serves as chairwoman of the South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization – and SWRPA Chairman Daniel Wilder agreed that a special meeting should be devoted to the proposal to create a COG.

Although COGs and regional planning agencies like SWRPA are sister organizations with very similar functions, there are some significant differences, most notably in their governance structures.

In a COG, the region’s eight mayors and first selectmen would compose the board, while SWRPA’s board is composed of citizens appointed by various municipal entities, including Boards of Selectmen, local legislative bodies and planning commissions.

Under guidelines contained in the Connecticut General Statutes, there are 22 seats on SWRPA’s board, of which 19 are currently filled.

The number of each municipality’s seats is based on its population: Norwalk and Stamford each have four seats, Greenwich and Westport each have three and the other four towns have two each.

Creation of a COG by SWRPA's members would need the legislative approval of a majority of its members.

For additional information about SWRPA and the South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, visit www.swrpa.org. For information about the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, visit www.seccog.org.

Burying Hill Dawn

Westport's Burying Hill Beach at dawn on Monday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

Tuesday, April 12, 2005

7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Historic District Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Zoning Board of Appeals
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - Architectural Review Board
7:45 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - RTM Education & Finance Committees
9 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201A - RTM Finance Committee

Coalition Head: Abel Bradley House "Probably Will Be Saved"

Eleanor Dickey, head of a coalition trying to prevent demolition of the Abel Bradley House, told a Westport Public Library audience tonight that she now thinks that the house "probably will be saved," most likely as part of a larger house on the property. She made the comment at a screening of a partially completed documentary on efforts to save the 200-year-old house but provided no further explanation for her cautious optimism. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Board of Education to Seek $600,000 Restoration

The Westport Board of Education tonight decided to seek restoration of $600,000 of the $1.2 million cut from its 2005-06 operating budget by the Board of Finance. The vote was 6-1 with Mary Parmelee, board chair, voting against.

The Board of Finance at its March 29 meeting reduced the education budget to $78,323,190, about a 5 percent increase over the current year. (See WestportNow March 29, 2005) The Finance Board will hear the restoration request at its meeting Wednesday night.

Before the vote, board member Steven Halstead was highly critical of the way the Board of Finance decided to make its cut.

"Frankly I think the process has been – and these (words) may be a little harsh but they are in fact accurate -- distasteful, disrespectful and bordering on abusive," he said.

Board of Ed Names Holly Hageman Assistant Superintendent

The Westport Board of Education tonight unanimously approved the appointment of Holly B. Hageman as assistant superintendent for personnel and general administration.

Principal of Irving A. Robbins Middle School in Farmington, Conn., since 2000, Hageman holds a B.S. from the University of Connecticut where she majored in biological sciences.

She also has a M.A. from Wesleyan University, a six-year degree in educational administration from the University of Connecticut, and will be awarded a Ph.D.next month from the University of Connecticut where she focused on school policy development and personnel practices.

Hageman formerly taught in North Haven, Conn., where she was named Teacher of the Year, as well as in Higganum, Conn., where she also was named Teacher of the Year.

Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon said she will take over her Westport position July 1 and will oversee recruitment, hiring and supervision of teachers

Farrell Joins CLASP Homes Board

CLASP Homes, a non-profit community organization serving adults with
developmental disabilities, has named Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell to its board of directors.

Tracy Flood, CLASP president, said Farrell has been very supportive of CLASP’s mission of being fully connected in the community and also happened to be a neighbor of one of the group's homes.

“She has so much knowledge and experience to bring to the table. She will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to the CLASP family," Flood said.

In a statement, Farrell said she was delighted to be joining the CLASP board. “I have always loved this organization; the people who work there and the people they serve are just terrific,” she said.

Turf's Up

A three-year fund-raising effort aimed at rebuilding three Westport athletic fields with artificial turf kicks off Friday, June 10 at Mitchells of Westport. The Staples Gridiron Club's "Field of Dreams Gala" at 6:30 p.m. will provide seed money for a community project to install artificial turf for football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and rugby teams. The campaign slogan is "If you contribute it will be built." Westport is one of only four school districts in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference still with grass fields. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased by calling Gala Chair Chris Romann at (203) 222-1422 or e-mail at chrisromann@yahoo.com. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Betsey Lebow for WestportNow.com

"Five" Jive

Mitzvah Day at Westport's Temple Israel Sunday featured the debut of "Five," the new Westport-based brass quintet. Staples High School students, Danny Fein, Peter Menchaca, Ryan Lester (seated) Tim Day and Chris Zappi (standing) volunteered to entertain the volunteers, and won some donations for the Mercy Learning Center in Bridgeport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Contributed photo