Month: January 2005

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Gov. Rell Expects Approval of $39 Million for Westport Sewer Upgrade

Gov. M. Jodi Rell said today she expects the state Bond Commission to approve $39 million in funding for the Westport Water Pollution Control Facility when it meets Friday.

The funds—a $29.3 million loan and a $9.7 million grant—will be used for upgrading and expanding the existing facility and for the expansion of two pump stations.

Westport’s public works director, Steve Edwards, said he was pleased that the governor is supporting the request but will hold off celebrating until it actually happens.

“I won’t be opening a bottle of champagne until it’s done. She’s a little more confident than I am,” he said, noting that bond counsel has derailed such approvals in the past.

Today’s Westport Revival: 123 Compo Road South

By Emily Laux

Contributing Editor
WestportNow.com

Property Details:
Owners Jenny and Tim Robson live at 123 Compo Road South with their four children and two dogs. The house, built in 1853, was 2,500-square feet when they purchased the property in 1999.
123 Compo Road South: “We just didnt even consider tearing down this house.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

In 2002, they added 1,000-square feet to one side of the house to create a new kitchen, larger family room, and master bedroom suite upstairs. The family lived there throughout the project, which took nine months to complete.

The 0.50-acre property includes a separate garage with a small upstairs apartment that was built in the 1920s for the ownerҒs chauffeur.

Revival Q & A
WN: Do you believe you savedӔ your house from being torn down?
JR: I suspect we saved the house from being torn down, since thats what has happened since 1999 in our neighborhood. The house behind us җ an old converted barn was torn down in 2001.

A Westport Scene Pretty as a Picture

Neighbors of Westport’s Linda Gramatky Smith had fun this weekend sledding down the hill behind her Roseville Road home just as she did when she was a youngster growing up there. Gramatky’s father, the late Hardie Gramatky, an illustrator perhaps best known for his “Little Toot” children’s books, captured his daughter and her friends on the same hill years ago. See accompanying photo. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Linda Gramatky Smith for WestportNow.com

A Picture Pretty as Real Life

Hardie Gramatky’s “Maple in Winter Snow” watercolor shows his daughter and her friends sledding on a hill behind their Roseville Road home. Gramatky, who died in 1979, created the “Little Toot” children’s books for G. P. Putnam’s Sons when he was an animator at Disney Studios in California. He was especially known for his watercolors. Linda Gramataky Smith has said of her father: “(His) idea was to play (his) palette like a pianist plays a keyboard: never conscious of reaching for color or tone, but getting the most subtle shades and harmony with the greatest of confidence.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Courtesy of Linda Gramatky Smith

Sunday, January 30th, 2005

Westport Senior Center Honors Sue Pfister with “Sue’s Cafe” Designation

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell (r) surprised Sue Pfister, director of the Westport Center for Senior Activities, with an announcement today that the dining hall at the center is being named “Sue’s Caf” in her honor. Farrell spoke during celebrations marking the center’s first anniversary. See more photos below. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Putting the New Name in Place

Sue Pfister (l), director of the Westport Center for Senior Activities, poses with Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell at the entrance to the newly-renamed “Sue’s Caf’” at the center during today’s first anniversary celebrations. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Full House for Senior Center Anniversary Celebration

There was a full house today for celebrations marking the first anniversary of Westport’s Center for Senior Activities. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Westporters Meet to Discuss Compo Playground Renovation

Several dozen Westporters met today to discuss renovating the playground at Compo Beach as a community project in 2006. The meeting at Westport Police Headquarters heard from Jim Bennett (c) one of the original organizers of a controversial 1989 effort to rebuild the playground. He said this time around things should be easier as no major land use permits are needed because the playground already exists. (See WestportNow Jan. 26, 2005) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Farrell Asks School Officials to Explain Expanded Space Needs

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell has asked school administrators to provide a detailed explanation of a request for the town to seek additional office space for school administrative needs.

In a Jan. 20 letter to Schools Supt. Elliott Landon, Farrell said she would not pass on a request to the town’s Public Site and Building Commission to find more space until the schools have prepared a presentation showing that they have exhausted every available space in school buildings.

“Elliott, I am deeply concerned about the cost of this initiative,” Farrell wrote.

“Coming on the heels of a 6.5 percent requested annual operating increase, and an additional capital request of $2.5 million for completion of Staples High School, expending funds for office space is an added burden to the taxpayer at a time when a great deal has been asked already in support of education.”

Only 49 Days Until Spring

Westport’s Longshore Marina is frozen over Saturday from days of bitter cold. Only 49 days until spring. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com