Month: April 2005

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Historic Request

Some Roosevelt Road residents want their Compo Beach enclave to win historic status, and on Tuesday, May 10, at 7 p.m. Westport’s Historic District Commission (HDC) is scheduled to review the neighbors’ request. The HDC will also be asked to accept a report reviewed by the Connecticut Historical Commission and the Westport Planning and Zoning Commission. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Sherwood Island Rainscape

Westport was mostly green and gray today, with constant rain and chilly temperatures. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

Friends of Westport Library Honors Carol Gluckman

The Friends of the Westport Public Library Friday night honored Carol Gluckman (inset) at its annual meeting. The Beachside Express a cappella group from Greens Farms Academy serenaded Gluckman (inset) for her years of service bringing a variety of authors to offer lectures at the Westport library. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Something Old is Something New at Old Westport Town Hall

There were plenty of dignitaries on hand Friday for the official opening of the Hudson United Bank in the former Westport Town Hall on Post Road East. Doing the ribbon cutting was Kenneth Neilson, CEO and chairman of the bank (2nd l). He was joined by (l-r) Denise Torv, Westport Historical Society executive director; First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell; Police Chief Alfred R. Fiore, and Mar Jennings, the bank’s vice president and area director. The bank and the Society joined together for the special celebration called “Something Old is. . . Something New!” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Andrea Maritzer Fine for WestportNow.com

Today’s Westport Teardown: 3 Garden Lane

Today’s WestportNow teardown is 3 Garden Lane off of Church Street South. A demolition application is pending for the home built in 1952. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Friday, April 29th, 2005

New Westport Fire Chief Ackley Sworn In

By James Lomuscio

WestportNow Special Correspondent

First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell swears in Westport’s new Fire Chief Christopher Ackley today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.comThe classroom at Westport’s fire headquarters was so packed with firefighters, police, EMS personnel, town officials, and firefighters from other towns today that many quipped the town’s fire marshal would have to issue a summons.

But this event—the swearing in of Christopher Ackley as the town’s new fire chief—drew applause and accolades instead. Ackley, a 27-year department veteran who served as the town’s deputy chief, replaces Denis McCarthy who is leaving the chief’s post after two years to become fire chief in Norwalk.

“I’m really awed in the faith you have in me to fill this position,” said Ackley, 49, shortly after being sworn in by First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell. “I’m going to do my best to respect that trust.”

Among the more poignant moments were when Ackley’s wife Jill took the chief’s badge unhooked from McCarthy and placed it on her husband, and the embrace between Ackley and McCarthy that followed.

“We started in this department the same day, July 10, 1978,” McCarthy recalled, “and of that group that started, Chris was the strongest firefighter. And he has continued to be the strongest firefighter. We all look up to him.”

It was standing room only as Christopher Ackley was sworn in as Westport’s fire chief today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Twenty-legged Earthworm Created at Earthplace

A giant earthworm puppet will be featured at Saturday’s Earth Day festival at Westport’s Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center. Ten people can walk in the puppet, which was created last week by kids in the April recess workshop. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 10 Woodside Lane. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

Applause, Applause!

The historic—and revamped—Westport Country Playhouse got rave reviews with a temporary certificate of occupancy issued by the town today. The playhouse, ready to raise the curtain on its 75th Anniversary season, had been closed for more than a year as it underwent extensive renovations. Pictured from left to right are Fire Marshall Fred Baker, Gillian Kaeyer of Turner Construction, and Steve Smith, Buildings Department director. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

19 Baker Avenue Meets a Backhoe

WestportNow’s Dec. 22, 2004 Teardown of the Day, 19 Baker Avenue, was demolished today. The house, built in 1976, was sold in May 2004 for $762,500. Baker Avenue runs between Compo Road South and Imperial Avenue. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Today’s Westport Teardown: 9 Blind Brook Road

Today�s WestportNow teardown is 9 Blind Brook Road in the Old Hill area. A demolition application is pending for the home built in 1952. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com