Thursday, March 18, 2004
Friday, March 19, 2004
9:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Commission for Senior Services
Brown President Speaks of Importance of Diversity
Dr. Ruth Simmons, president of Brown University, spoke today to TEAM Westport about the importance of diversity on college campuses, in towns like Westport and throughout American society. Clockwise from bottom: Cynthia Swift, Fairfield University, consultant to TEAM Westport; Bernicestine Macleod Bailey, TEAM member, Weston playwright David Wiltse, Harold Bailey, chair of TEAM Westport, and Simmons. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Brown University President Guest of Westport Multiculturalism Group
Ruth J. Simmons, president of Brown University, was special guest today at a meeting of TEAM (Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism) Westport at Town Hall. Simmons has been president of the university since 2000 and is the first African American to lead an Ivy League institution. She previously had been president of Smith College in Northampton, Mass. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
First Selectwoman Addresses Siting Council
Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell addresses today’s Town Hall meeting of the Connecticut Siting Council as it considered a request to raise the height of a town-owned communications tower on Bayberry Lane. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Connecticut Siting Council Considers Bayberry Lane Tower Expansion
Members of the Connecticut Siting Council visit the Bayberry Lane tower site today. The balloon indicates new tower height. WestportNow.com photoThe Connecticut Siting Council met in Westport today to consider an application to increase by about 50 feet the height of a town-owned communications tower on Bayberry Lane.
If approved, the tower will provide improved cell phone coverage, better emergency radio communications, and enhanced coverage for the Staples High School radio station, according to the Westport Fire Department.
Members of the council met at the tower, adjacent to the Westport-Weston Health District, to inspect the site and see a balloon simulating the requested increase.
They then headed to an afternoon and evening public hearing at Town Hall.
According to Eric Fine, a Westport Fire Department communications specialist, the tower height would increase from its present 100 feet to 150 feet and would actually involve constructing a new tower adjacent to the present one.
More "Connecticut Siting Council Considers Bayberry Lane Tower Expansion"
Firefighters Quickly Douse Fire in Crawl Space
A Hillspoint Road homeowner who started a fire in her fireplace got an unexpected surprise when it spread to a crawl space under her house.
Responding Westport firefighters had to follow a circuitous route to find the flames before dousing them.
Assistant Chief Gene Maloney said the homeowner reported she started a fire in her first floor living room fireplace Wednesday and later smelled smoke while on the third floor.
“The homeowner returned to the first floor, saw fire coming from the floor in the area immediately in front of the fireplace hearth and dialed 911,” Maloney said.
More "Firefighters Quickly Douse Fire in Crawl Space"
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Thursday, March 18, 2004
2 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Connecticut Siting Council public hearing
2:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - TEAM Westport
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning & Zoning Commission
Leaman: No Town Traffic Study Planned for YMCA Mahackeno Site
Selectman Carl Leaman, filling for First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell, told today’s citizens brown bag lunch the town has no current plans to do a traffic study of the area around the Camp Mahackeno site the Westport-Weston YMCA says will be its new home.
Leaman was responding to a question from Candice Savin, a resident of the Mahackeno area who said neighbors of the sprawling YMCA property were concerned about increased traffic that would result if the Y relocated from its longtime downtown facility.
“It’s something the town might consider, but we have not been asked to do anything (regarding a traffic study),” Leaman said.
News reports in recent days have said that the Y has finally decided to relocate to the Mahackeno site after outgrowing its 78,000-square foot headquarters at the corner of Post Road East and Main Street which it has occupied since 1923.
More "Leaman: No Town Traffic Study Planned for YMCA Mahackeno Site"
The View From Room 309
This was the snowy view from Town Hall’s Room 309 during today’s Citizens Brown Bag lunch. Selectman Carl Leaman substituted for First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell who was off marching in Bridgeport’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. The bad weather also kept many regular attendees away from the weekly lunch. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Martha Stewarts Daughter: ғShe Feels Like Her Life Was Wasted
Westports Martha Stewart is “disappointed over feeling like her life was wasted” after being convicted for lying about a stock sale, her only child says.
“Everything she did is ignored over something that trivial, that maybe didn’t happen,” Alexis Stewart says in an interview on CNN’s “Larry King Live” to be broadcast today.
She said, in excerpts released by the network, that her mother is “incredibly saddened” by the verdict, delivered by a federal jury March 5.
She said a prison sentence would be “incredibly wrong,” but she predicted her mother would handle it well.
More "Martha Stewarts Daughter: ғShe Feels Like Her Life Was Wasted"
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens Brown Bag Lunch
7 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Conservation Commission
7:30 p.m. - Westport Library - Library Board
8 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - RTM Education Committee
Main Street Looks Like Christmas
Westport’s Main Street looked more like a Christmas scene tonight than the eve of St. Patrick’s Day and four days before spring. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Spring is Only Four Days Away
By early evening, a few hours after today’s snow began, the scene across the Saugatuck River looked more like mid-winter than four days before the start of spring. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Westport Country Playhouse Announces 74th Summer Season in Ridgefield
With its home undergoing renovation and modernizing, the Westport Country Playhouse is on the road this summer in Ridgefield and today announced its reduced two-play season as well as a special six-evening performance by Paul Newman in a play about a blacklisted writer.
Running from June 24 to July 11 at the Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and
the Performing Arts will be “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me,” written by Frank McGuinness and directed by Ethan McSweeny.
The second play, which runs from July 29 to Aug. 15, is Moliere’s classic comedy “The School for Husbands.”
Details of the season were announced at a news conference in Ridgefield. (See photo on Arts & Leisure page.)
Set in 1980’s Beirut, Lebanon and inspired by a true story, “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me” depicts the imprisonment of three Westerners in the Middle East and the bonds formed between them.
More "Westport Country Playhouse Announces 74th Summer Season in Ridgefield"
Late Winter Snow
Today’s late winter snowstorm started out as a light dusting. The view is of the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge looking west across the Saugatuck River. Schools dismissed early because of the storm, which forecasters said could dump four to seven inches on the area. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Long Lots Road Head-On Collision Injures Two
A head-on collision today on Long Lots Road near the Fairfield County Hunt Club injured two persons. Westport EMS transported one of the drivers to the hospital in serious condition. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Thom Burrows for WestportNow.com
Monday, March 15, 2004
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
8:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Human Services Commission
10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201- Administrative Review Committee
10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Arts Advisory Committee
5 p.m. - TownHall Room 201 - Tree Board
Westport Minister Awaits Charges in New Paltz Same-Sex Marriages
Rev. Marion Visel File photoA minister from Westport’s Unitarian Church who performed same-sex marriages over the weekend in New Paltz, N.Y. awaited criminal charges today after two ministers who performed marriages with her were cited by police.
Dawn Sangrey and Kay Greenleaf were charged with misdemeanors for violating the state’s domestic relations law by solemnizing 13 marriages without a license on March 6.
They also performed 25 marriages this past weekend along with the Rev. Marion B. Visel of Westport’s Unitarian Church. (See WestportNow March 13, 2004) and could, along with Visel, face additional charges for that.
Sangrey and Greenleaf could face up to a year in jail for the same actions as New Paltz Mayor Jason West.
More "Westport Minister Awaits Charges in New Paltz Same-Sex Marriages"
Norwalk Mayor Backs Farrell
Norwalk Mayor Alex Knopp added his words of support today for Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell’s run for Congress. He spoke at the South Norwalk train station, Farrell’s last stop of the day on her “Victory 2004 District Swing” officially announcing her candidacy to oppose Republican Christopher Shays. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Ted Diamond for WestportNow.com
House Speaker Praises Farrell at Stamford Stop
Speaker of the House Moira Lyons had words of praise for Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell today at Farrell’s announcement in Stamford of her candidacy for Congress. The site was Stamford’s William Pitt Early Childhood Development Center. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Ted Diamond for WestportNow.com
Sunday, March 14, 2004
Monday, March 15, 2004
8 a.m. - Oscar’s Delicatessen, Main Street - Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell formally announces candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Congress
7:30 p.m. - Staples High School, Room 516 - Board of Education anticipated executive session
8 p.m. - Staples High School Library - Board of Education
Candle Sets Curtains Ablaze
A candle burning in a bathroom set some curtains ablaze tonight at a home on Oak Street, fire officials said. The homeowner managed to douse the flames prior to arrival of firefighters. There were no injuries.
Assistant Chief Larry Conklin said there was moderate fire and smoke damage to the bathroom and minor smoke damage to an adjoining bedroom. The Fire Marshall’s office estimated damage at about $3,000.
The department received the call at 8:23 p.m. and the last unit left the scene at 9:11 p.m.
Library Winter Book Sale Draws Crowds
Today was the second day of the Westport Public Library winter book sale and the children’s section was one of the most popular places. More than 100 people lined up before Saturday’s opening and 40 more were on line at opening time today. The sale continues Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (everything half price) and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon (everything free). (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Saturday, March 13, 2004
Sunday, March 14, 2004
1 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Winter book sale
Police Cite Westport Minister in New Paltz Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies
Rev. Marion Visel File photoA minister from Westport’s Unitarian Church was among clergy cited by police today for performing same-sex marriage ceremonies in New Paltz, N.Y., according to Sunday’s New York Times
It said the Rev. Marion B. Visel was one of a number of Unitarian ministers performing the ceremonies under the watchful eyes of 18 police officers.
She and the others received warning letters from the local district attorney.
“I must have officiated at 50 weddings, but never have the police been involved,” the newspaper quoted Visel as saying.
“The fines and jail I may face are not as important as the justice brought about by marrying these loving couples.”
More "Police Cite Westport Minister in New Paltz Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies"
“Warrior Dance”
Westport artist David Barton’s “Warrior Dance” (acrylic on canvas 36 x 48 in.) is one of 44 works selected for the Westport Art Center’s “The Figure NOW” juried exhibit opening April 2 and running through May 23.(CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Friday, March 12, 2004
Saturday, March 13, 2004
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Winter book sale
High Winds Hit Area, Tree Falls on Two Cars
High winds hit the Westport area today as a winter storm moved off the coast.
A tree fell on two cars in the driveway of a home on Compo Road South, according to fire officials. They were unoccupied and there were no injuries.
The weather station at Bedford Middle School registered wind gusts up to 38 miles per hour.
Connecticut Light and Power Company said it had no reports of outages in Westport as of noon.
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Catching the Action on TV
Angela Wormser, principal of Bedford Middle School, pauses in the Town Hall lobby Wednesday night to watch Finance Director Donald Miklus on the lobby’s television while he addressed the Board of Finance in the Town Hall Auditorium. Visitors were able to follow the evening’s proceedings on the lobby television while sipping sodas or coffee from what one person called the auditorium’s “club seats.” WestportNow.com photo
Doing Lunch for Charity
Today was the annual “Ladies Lunch” hosted by Westporter Ann Sheffer at the Birchwood Country Club. Attended by about 125 persons. the event raised more than $15,000 for local charities. The lunch, which started in 1992, is underwritten by Sheffer in honor of her late mother, Betty Sheffer. Beneficiaries included the American Red Cross Mid-Fairfield County Chapter, Builders Beyond Borders, and the Westport Historical Society book fund. See more photos on community page. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
A Little Less Posh: Dryer Fire Quickly Doused
Things at the Posher Wash laundromat at the Compo Shopping Center got a little less posh today as small fire erupted in a dryer. Firefighters had the blaze quickly under control. There were no injuries. Traffic in the busy area was tied up briefly by emergency units responding to the 4:11 p.m. incident.
Worker Hits Gas Line on Sturges HIghway
A worker using a backhoe hit a high pressure gas line today on Sturges Highway near the Merritt Parkway overpass.
Police and fire units responded to the area and shut the roadway from Cross Highway northward while gas crews repaired the leak in a four-inch line.
About 70 residences in the area were without gas service until it was repaired, a fire official said.
Sturges Highway is on the town line with Fairfield and the Fairfield Fire Department was notifed as the smell of gas drifted through the area.
Assistant Chief Larry Conklin said the wind was an increasing wind in an easterly direction away from nearby Sturges Highway residences.
The incident was reported at 9:47 a.m. and the gas company reported the line shut down about an hour later.
Firefighters remained on the scene until 12:20 p.m., Conklin said. Police said the roadway remained shut down until 5 p.m.
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Noon - Toquet Hall - Westport Arts Center presents “Play With Your Food”
2 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Planning & Zoning/Parks & Recreation Park District Committee
7 p.m. - Westport Fire Headquarters - Public Site & Building Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning & Zoning Commission
Westport First Selectwoman Delivers Annual Budget Message
Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell delivers her annual budget message tonight at a meeting of the Board of Finance. She said she expected next years tax increase ғwill be one of he lowest in recent years. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Westport Property Transfers March 1-5, 2004
Property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk’s office for the period March 1-5, 2004 included a $2,750,000 sale at 43 Old Hill Road. STORY
Realtime NY Metro-area traffic reports from Traffic.com
PROPERTY TRANSFERS
Westport Property Transfers April 29 - May 3, 2013MORE >>
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Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport