Thursday, January 31, 2008
Westport Firm Cited in Critical Blumenthal Report
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today released a report finding that the state badly botched an $80 million deal privatizing payment of some state worker’s compensation claims, likely overpaying a Westport-based contractor and failing to save the state money.
The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) doomed the 2001 deal by hiring a contractor lacking the expertise to properly evaluate claims slated for privatization, Blumenthal found.
The contractor, MRM Consulting, Inc., of 1720 Post Road East, Westport, whose CEO is Westporter Adrien Theriault, hired college interns to do key parts of the highly specialized analysis, charging the state $105 an hour, Blumenthal said.
“Friends of Mr. Theriault’s college-aged son from the son’s high school years in Westport with no experience whatsoever in the insurance industry performed critical tasks in developing the reserves and setting the liability on the cases,” the report said.
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Police Honor 11-Year-Old Who Saved Choking Brother
By Dave Matlow
Westport police today honored an 11-year-old who performed the Heimlich maneuver—which he learned by watching television—on his 9-year-old brother when he noticed him choking on a piece of peppermint candy at a Westport store last summer.
Michael Smallwood, 11, showed off his commendation today at Westport police headquarters with his brother, Jack, 9, and parents Jeffrey and Shelly. Police Chief Al Fiore presented the certificate. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Police Chief Al Fiore presented a civilian commendation certificate to Michael Smallwood of Wilton in a ceremony at Westport police headquarters.
Michael was with his brother, Jack, and mother, Shelly Smallwood, at Brandman’s Paint and Decorating on Post Road East on July 30, 2007 when they noticed that Jack was choking and could not catch his breath.
“All of a sudden the little guy was choking erratically and the big boy stepped up to the plate without any hesitation and saved his brother with the Heimlich maneuver,” said Shelly Noble of Weston, a Brandman employee of 11 years who was waiting on the Smallwoods.
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Westport Firefighters Aid in Norwalk I-95 Crash
Westport firefighters today aided at a tractor-trailer crash in the northbound lane near Exit 16 in Norwalk that trapped the truck’s driver and tied up traffic through the evening rush hour. The Westport units helped in the 45-minute extrication of the driver after the accident shortly before 2 p.m. The driver, a Bridgeport man, was taken to Norwalk Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The crash sent much of the trafffic on to the Post Road, resulting in lengthy backups into the early evening in Westport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Four New Police Officers Sworn In
Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff today swore in four new Westport police officers in a ceremony at police headquarters. The new officers are (l-r) Matthew Gouveia, 27, of East Haven; Casey Mezerewski, 27, of Shelton; Aldo Biagiotti Jr., 48, of Ridgefield, and Erin Shaw, 29, of Stamford. Police Chief Al Fiore looks on. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Gold’s Drive-Thru
No one was injured today when a car jumped the curb and slammed into the front of Gold’s Delicatessen in the Compo Shopping Center on Westport’s Post Road East. The car, with a male driver and female passenger, damaged the front entryway but building officials said there was no structural damage. The car sustained minor damage to the front bumper. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Town Clerk Sets Saturday Hours for Absentee Ballots
Westport Town Clerk Patricia Strauss announced today that her office will be open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon to accommodate voters applying for an absentee ballot to vote in the presidential preference primaries to be held on Tuesday.
“Absentee ballots are available at the Town Clerk’s office daily, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.,” said Strauss. “Ballots will be available through Monday, Feb. 4, until 4:30 p.m., and must be returned to the Town Clerk’s office no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5, when the polls officially close.”
The Town Clerk’s office is located in the Town Hall at 110 Myrtle Ave. in Room 105.
Applications for absentee ballots can be downloaded from the town Web site.
Westport Library Celebrating Centennial
The Westport Public Library is celebrating its 100th birthday this year and banners have gone up proclaiming the centennial. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 22 Owenoke Park
An application for a permit to demolish the house at 22 Owenoke Park is in process. Built in 1963, the one-story contemporary has 2,280 square feet and is located on a .95-acre waterfront property. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Thursday, January 31, 2008
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center Gallery - “Repositioning the Landscape” Exhibition
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center Alternative Gallery - “Car Parts” by Ken Scaglia
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Preserved—Westport Lost: Keeping Our Heritage Alive”
10 a.m. – Earthplace – Sasco Brook Pollution Abatement Committee
2 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Overcoat Film Series: “Central Station” (1998)
7 p.m. - Westport Public Library - MovieLine: “Wordplay” (2006)
7 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Westport Community Garden Annual Meeting
7:30 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “From Being to Becoming: the path of personal evolution” by Mel Schwartz
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Towed Boat Lands on Car on I-95
Three persons escaped serious injury tonight when a box truck towing a boat lost control and hit a car in the northbound lane of I-95 between Exits 17 and 18 in Westport. Both vehicles and the boat went through a guardrail and down an embankment, the boat landing on top of the car driven by a New Canaan woman. The truck driver, a man from Worecester, Mass., and his male passenger were taken to Norwalk Hospital by Westport EMS for evaluation, according to Assistant Fire Chief Robert Kepchar. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Miraculously No Serious Injuries
State police and Westport firefighters work at the scene of tonight’s I-95 accident near Exit 17 in Westport in which a box truck towing a boat collided with a car and both vehicles and the boat went down an embankment. Two men in the truck and the woman driver of the Volvo station wagon escaped serious inujury. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
It Happened in a Flash
A New Canaan woman driving a Volvo station wagon told state police tonight’s accident on I-95 in Westport occurred so fast she could not recall what happened. She escaped serious injury in the crash in which a box truck towing a 21-foot boat collided with her car, sending the vehicles and the boat down an embankment in the northbound lane near the bridge over the Saugatuck River. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Westport’s Newman’s Own Unveils Wines
Newman’s Own Wines: on sale now. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Westport’s Newman’s Own, Inc. today unveiled its premium wines—Newman’s Own 2006 California Chardonnay and Newman’s Own 2006 California Cabernet Sauvignon.
Like all other Newman’s Own products, Paul Newman and the Newman’s Own Foundation will donate all profits and royalties after taxes to educational and charitable purposes.
The high-end Newman’s Own wines are crafted from select grapes from California’s premier coastal vineyards, including Napa, Sonoma and San Luis Obispo counties.
In classic Newman’s Own style, the labels feature Newman’s signature face with a play on his most famous role as Butch in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”
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Colombian-born Author Addresses Library Audience
James Cañón, who made his literary debut with “Tales from the Town of Widows,” was guest speaker today at the Westport Public Library and was introduced by the library’s Joan Hume. Set in a small Colombian mountain village, the novel tells the story of how the village women learned to survive and create a peaceful new community after their men were kidnapped by Communist guerrillas. Cañón was born and raised in Colombia. He moved to New York to study English and later earned his MFA in creative writing from Columbia University. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 52 Turkey Hill Road South
An application for a permit to demolish the house at 52 Turkey Hill Road South is in process. Built in 1965, the one-story contemporary built in 1965, has 1,463 square feet and is situated on a two-acre property. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Deadline Friday for Westport Little League Registration
Officials of Westport Little League and Babe Ruth baseball reminded residents today that the deadline is Friday for registering for the spring programs.
The registration form can be found online at www.westportlittleleague.com.
Wind Advisory Issued
The National Weather Service in Upton, N.Y. has issued a wind advisory for Westport and vicinity from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As a cold front moves across the region this morning westerly winds will increase to 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts between 45 and 50
mph, the advisory said.
The gusty winds are expected to last for several hours as cold air moves into the region. Winds will gradually subside from west to east during the mid to late afternoon hours.
A wind advisory is issued when wind gusts are forecast to range between 46 and 57 mph. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Former Westport Man Gets 20 Years in Hedge Fund Fraud
A former Westport resident who was the chief financial officer of the Bayou Group, the Stamford-based hedge fund involved in what federal prosecutors have described as a $350 million fraud, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
261 Bayberry Lane: house sold at auction for $2 million as part of restitution. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow/WestportNow file photo
Daniel E. Marino, 48, apologized in Manhattan federal court Tuesday before the sentencing, telling U. S. District Judge Colleen McMahon that he was “truly sorry.”
Marino, whose home on Bayberry Lane was sold at auction last year, pleaded guilty to mail fraud, wire fraud, investment adviser fraud and a conspiracy to commit those crimes in Federal District Court in White Plains, N.Y in September 2005. (See WestportNow Sept. 29, 2005)
In announcing the sentence, the judge cited the size of the fraud and Marino’s role as the “linchpin” in the scheme. Marino, who had sought leniency due to his cooperation with prosecutors, was ordered imprisoned immediately. He was handcuffed by U.S. marshals and led away.
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Westport Scene
Westport’s Sherwood Mill Pond on Tuesday afternoon. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center Gallery - “Repositioning the Landscape” Exhibition
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center Alternative Gallery - “Car Parts” by Ken Scaglia
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Preserved—Westport Lost: Keeping Our Heritage Alive”
10:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Westport Public Library - Authors@the Library: James Canon, “Tales from the Town of Widows & Chronicles from the Land of Men”
5:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - A Panel Discussion on How to Buy a Winning Franchise (by SCORE)
7 p.m - 9 p.m. - Coleytown Middle School - “Maverick Minds: A Cognitive Perspective on Understanding Children with ADD/ADHD,” Westport SEPTA
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Fifth Graders Research Westport Issues
Westport fifth graders who researched issues facing Westport presented their reports tonight to an audience at Bedford Middle School. Megan Root, 10, a student at Saugatuck Elementary School, highlighted what she said was Westport’s need for affordable housing. Other subjects tackled by the students included whether the Family Y of Westport Weston should relocate to Mahackeno, global warming, and safety issues involving synthetic turf fields. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Feeding Time
A caring neighbor along the Saugatuck River offered an evening meal to a pair of swans and some ducks near Kings Highway North. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com
Westport to Accept Tax Relief Program Applications Feb. 1
Westport Assessor Paul Friia announced today that his office will begin taking applications for the state and local tax relief programs on Friday.
The programs are open to homeowners who are totally disabled or who have reached the age of 65 by the date of application.
“Qualified applicants for the state program are those who own their own homes or hold a ‘life use’ title to their home, have resided in Connecticut for one year prior to filing application, and whose ‘qualifying income’ does not exceed $29,800 for single, or $36,500 for married couples,” said Friia.
Qualifying income is adjusted gross income, plus tax-exempt interest and Social Security.
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Compo Sunset
Another spectacular sunset Monday at Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center Gallery - “Repositioning the Landscape” Exhibition
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center Alternative Gallery - “Car Parts” by Ken Scaglia
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Preserved—Westport Lost: Keeping Our Heritage Alive”
10 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201– Administrative Review Committee
Noon - Westport Public Library - Authors@the Library: Robert Leleux, “The Memoirs of a Beautiful Boy”
5:30 p.m. – Westport/Weston Health District – Special Board of Finance Health & Transportation Subcommittee
Monday, January 28, 2008
Pink Ladies
A couple of ladies in pink enjoyed playing today on Jesup Green near the Westport Public Libray. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com
Metro-North to Introduce Credit Card On-Board Sales
Metro-North Railroad said today it is introducing hand-held electronic ticket machines for on-board credit card and debit card sales.
The machines will use wireless, real-time credit authorization that will also allow conductors to receive text messages from the Operations Control Center about train operations including service updates and disruptions, the railroad said.
The devices will be phased in beginning on April 1, an announcement said.
These hand-held ticket machines begin replacing the old “duplex” ticket blanks currently used for on-board ticket sales. Duplexes require a conductor to use a hole puncher to mark the boarding station and destination, the fare zone and whether the trip is peak or off-peak.
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Westport Property Transfers Jan. 7 - 11, 2008
Westport property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk’s office for the period Jan. 7-11, 2008:
Paul and Darlene Letersky to Richard F. and Diane Burns, 19 Roosevelt Road, $2,150,000
Richard Christopher Montanaro to Church of the Assumption, 44 Lincoln St., $1,210,000
32 Burnham Hill Assoc. LLC to Gail M. Cohen, 32 Burnham Hill, $3,775,000
Florence E. Sloat Est. to Carousel Development Inc., 59 High Point Road, $1,050,000
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Westport Y’s Women Hear Talk on Burma/Myanmar
Westporter Aye Aye Thant, daughter of U Thant, the third secretary-general of the United Nations, addressed the Y’s Woman of Westport Weston today. Aye Aye Thant, shown pointing to her native Burma/Myanmar on a map, told the audience she feels it would take a long time to really achieve anything near democracy there. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Westporter Tina Gaudoin Named Editor of New WSJ Magazine
The Wall Street Journal today named Westporter Tina Gaudoin to be editor of the Journal’s new high-end lifestyle magazine, which is scheduled to launch Sept. 6.
Tina Gaudoin: will head lifestyle magazine. File photo
Gaudoin will work closely with the Journal’s news department and will oversee all editorial content that will appear in the publication, an announcement said. Additionally, she will develop a core team of magazine journalists and report to Mike Miller, deputy managing editor of The Wall Street Journal.
“I am thrilled to be joining such an august publication with such a phenomenal heritage,” said Gaudoin. “I look forward to bringing the world of The Journal reader to life, with the help of intelligent reporting, arresting visuals and a sense of humor.”
Since June 2007, Gaudoin was the editor of the quarterly magazine, The Times Luxx. She joined The Times of London in 2003 as the style director of its Saturday magazine.
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Monday, Monday
Traffic slowed to a halt in this morning’s rush hour traffic resulting from a four-vehicle collision in the southbound lane of I-95 just prior to the Saugatuck Avenue Bridge in Westport. Two persons were transported to Norwalk Hospital, neither with life-threatening injuries. Three of the vehicles were towed from the scene. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Democrat Files to Challenge State Sen. Judith Freedman’s Seat
A 61-year-old Westporter who has worked in several recent Democratic campaigns but never been a candidate himself has filed papers to run for the seat held by incumbent Republican State Sen. Judith Freedman.
John Hartwell: first-time candidate. Contributed photo
John Hartwell, a business management consultant, recently filed papers with the Secretary of the State’s office in Hartford to run in the 26th District.
Freedman is in her 11th term in the district which includes Westport, Weston, Wilton, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, and Bethel. She has not announced whether she will seek re-election.
Hartwell lives on the grounds of Greens Farms Academy in Westport where his wife, Janet, is head of the school. He was treasurer for the failed Democratic campaign of Ned Lamont for U.S. Senate in 2006 and district coordinator for Howard Dean’s presidential run in 2004.
Before and After: 57 Owenoke Park
WestportNow’s Before and After series presents transformed Westport properties. The house at 57 Owenoke Park in the Compo Beach area was the WestportNow Teardown of the Day on Jan. 10, 2005. Built in 1940, the house is located on 0.90 acres of waterside property and was purchased in April 2004 for $6 million. The house was demolished on Oct. 26, 2005. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Icy Saugatuck
The view of the Saugatuck River from Westport’s Imperial Avenue. Temperatures Sunday got into the upper 30s during the day but dropped back below freezing after dark. Today’s forecast calls for sunny skies with a high in the 40s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com
Monday, January 28, 2008
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center Gallery - “Repositioning the Landscape” Exhibition
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center Alternative Gallery - “Car Parts” by Ken Scaglia
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Preserved—Westport Lost: Keeping Our Heritage Alive”
3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Favorite Author Fun (Grades 1 & 2)
4 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Middle School Gaming in the Afternoon
7 p.m. – Staples High School, Room 333 – Board of Education anticipated executive session
7:30 p.m. – Staples High School, Cafeteria B – Board of Education (televised on Channel 78)
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – TEAM Westport Committee
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – RTM Planning & Zoning Committee
Realtime NY Metro-area traffic reports from Traffic.com
PROPERTY TRANSFERS
Westport Property Transfers Jan. 7 - 11, 2008MORE >>
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Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport