Saturday, December 09, 2023

Sponsors

Railroad Parking Fees May Increase

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Parking permit and daily fees may increase this summer at Westport’s two train stations—Saugatuck and Green’s Farms.

Police officials are studying the fees in comparison to those at surrounding train stations and plan to bring a proposal to the Board of Selectmen this summer.

Deputy Police Chief David Heinmiller told a Board of Finance meeting Monday night that there is a three- to four-year waiting list for a parking permit, and it had been stagnant because of the construction project at the Saugatuck station.

With construction complete and the post office moving its operations, new permits are now being issued, he said.

No One Hurt in Kitchen Fire

No one was hurt and there was no major damage after a kitchen fire in a Yankee Hill Road home Monday night.

Westport firefighters responded to the scene at just before 8 p.m., and a police officer arriving earlier to the scene was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher.

According to a Fire Department press release, a pot of heated oil flared up on the stove when a lid was removed.

The homeowner attempted to move the pot outside, according to the release, but she dropped it on the floor.

Playhouse Sponsors Student Writing Contest

Westport Country Playhouse invites students to participate in an “Exploring Language” writing contest as part of the March production of “On the Verge (or The Geography of Yearning).”

The contest is open to middle and high school students attending schools in Fairfield County.  Participants are asked to choose a word—or make up a word of their own—define and explain its origin, and use the word in a story about exploration that is 400 words or less.

Students may accompany their essays with a drawing or collage no larger than 8 ½” x 11”.

All essay entries, and optional artwork, must be postmarked by Friday, March 3, and sent to:  “Exploring Language” Writing Contest, Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport, CT 06880.

A Westport Sight

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An oversize load of a section of a pre-built home captured the attention of passing motorists and many others Monday as it turned on to Imperial Avenue from Westport’s Post Road East. The last of four 14×60 foot sections of the home was delivered to the parking lot next to the Westport Woman’s Club. This morning they will be moved to 155 Compo Road North where a concrete foundation has been prepared. Construction will take three to four weeks. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

R.I.P. Trike

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Trike, a three-legged Husky mix well known to Westporters who frequent Winslow Park and Compo Beach, died Thursday at the age of 18. Trike, who lost his right rear leg due to an accident as a pup, was adopted from a shelter in 1990 by Peter McCulloch, who moved with him to Westport in 1997. They were everyday visitors to Winslow and, in the off season, to Compo. Messaged WestportNow reader Scott Wilder: “Mostly it was because of Trike’s outgoing personality and love for life that endeared him to everyone. Trike always had a happy, inquisitive look on his face and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Fairfield University President to Speak

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Fairfield University President Jeffrey von Arx. Contributed photo
Fairfield University President Jeffrey von Arx will be guest speaker at the Westport Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday at 12:15 p.m. at the Inn at Longshore.

Von Arx became Fairfield University president in July 2004 and is the eighth Jesuit to hold the position since the institution’s founding in 1942.

He was appointed to the Fairfield University board in 2002 and continues to serve as a trustee as president.

Guests are welcome to attend luncheons, which cost $20.  For information, call Westport Rotary Club President Peter Powell at (203) 226-3426.

Board of Finance Begins Budget Discussions

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The Westport Board of Finance tonight began its discussions of the proposed 2006-07 selectman’s budget, which carries a 4.9 percent increase over the current budget.WestportNow.com Image
The Westport Board of Finance tonight began the first of two nights of budget worskhops on First Selectman Gordon Joseloff’s proposed 2006-07 budget. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

First Selectman Gordon Joseloff’s budget proposal is $53.7 million, which is a $2.5 million increase.

Combined with the Board of Education budget, the proposal is $151.2 million, which is a 4.9 percent increase.

Joseloff said his proposal includes a number of improvements to the town’s technology system—including new people in the Information Technology Department—and a new paid staff person at EMS.