WestportNow tonight received an award from Fairfield County Weekly for being named the “Best Local Blog” in its 2006 readers’ poll.

The award was presented at a reception in Norwalk for all winners in the newspaper’s annual reader survey.

Trash collection prices are going up in Westport and across the region.

Public Works Director Stephen Edwards said the Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority has increased its rates to operate the plant to burn garbage in Bridgeport.

The result is an increase in fees for commercial haulers and a significant increase in the Public Works Department’s solid waste budget, he said.

The rate for commercial haulers, he said, is increasing from $74 to $78 per ton for using the Westport Transfer Station. Residential haulers, however, will feel the pinch in their tax bills, he said.

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Westport officials say they are doing all they can to help residents be prepared for an emergency, but an American Red Cross survey shows most across the country have not taken the basic steps to ensure safety during an emergency.

The national survey released Tuesday found that seven out of 10 people surveyed believe they are somewhat prepared for an emergency, including hurricanes. Only 52 percent of those responded said they have a disaster kit.

The survey also found that 69 percent said they have not established a meeting place to reunite with family members, 65 percent of pet owners said they have no plan to keep their pets safe, 59 percent said they have not selected an emergency contact, 60 percent said they have made no specific evacuation plan, and 73 percent have not practiced their family disaster plan.

First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said he is not surprised by the survey’s results because he knows people are complacent and generally not prepared.

Traffic on Westport’s Green’s Farms Road was backed up this morning due to an accident on I-95. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Staples Players present “Diary of Anne Frank” starting Thursday.  Contributed photoThe Staples Players will present the “Diary of Anne Frank” the next two weekends at 7:30 p.m. at Westport’s Staples High School’s Black Box Theater.

Performances are slated for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The performances continue June 7, 8 and 9.

It is the first major performance from the group in the newly remodeled and expanded theater.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and are available through Friday at Staples from 8:30-10:30 a.m.

For more information, call (203) 341-1310 or visit players.stapleshigh.net.

Two children linger in the sunset at Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

10:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – International Hospitality Committee
5:30 p.m. – Staples High School, Room 2063 – School Building Committee
8 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – RTM Ordinance Committee
8 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – RTM Parks & Recreation Committee

Westport residents will have the opportunity to give input on the update of the Town Plan of Conservation and Development during a public workshop in late June.

The session is scheduled for Monday, June 26 at 7 p.m. at Bedford Middle School.

The most recent plan for the town was adopted in 1997, and the Planning and Zoning Commission is now evaluating it to consider how it should be amended to reflect current issues and priorities.

“This meeting is an important first step in the planning process because it affects many other aspects of a Plan of Conservation and Development,” said Eleanor Lowenstein, Planning and Zoning Commission chairwoman.