Westport’s Compo Beach Improvement Association (CBIA) Beautification committee has replanted the Gateway Garden opposite the Minute Man Statue, the Soundview Garden on Soundview Drive, and 22 traffic calming barrels throughout the beach area. These seasonal plantings are dependent on the generosity of contributions from Westport residents. If you’d like to contribute please make out checks to: CBIA/Beautification, 27 Soundview Drive, Westport, CT. 06880. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Westport Town Clerk Patricia Strauss has announced that beginning June 1 dog licenses may be obtained from her office. All dogs over six months must be licensed.

“Licensing your dog verifies that rabies immunization is up to date, as the dog owner must present a copy of the pet’s rabies certificate when obtaining a license,” Strasss said. “A $60 infraction will be issued for any non-licensed dog.”

Fees for dog licenses are $8 for neutered male or spayed female and $19 for male or female. There will be a $1 penalty per month for renewal licenses issued after June 30.

Dog licenses may be obtained at the Town Clerk’s office, Room 105 in the Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; or by mailing payment, and required certificate(s), (all certificates will be returned with license), along with a self-addressed stamped return envelope to: Westport Town Clerk, P.O. Box 549, Westport, CT 06881. 

Town of Westport employees spruced up some crosswalk markings on Main Street today in preparation for Monday’s Memorial Day parade. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. from Saugatuck Elementary School on Riverside Avenue and winds up at Veterans Green opposite Town Hall for the annual Memorial Day observance ceremony. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

A 70-year-old Westport doctor today was sentenced to two years probation for engaging in health care fraud and agreed to pay more than $421,000 in restitution.

Igor Staw of Stony Brook Road was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. He pleaded guilty to the offenses last December. (See WestportNow Dec. 11, 2007)

According to documents filed with the court and statements made in court, Staw owned and operated two medical practices, Respiratory Associates and Health Extenders, located on East Avenue in Norwalk.

From June 1, 2004 through June 1, 2006, Staw submitted claims to insurance companies for physical therapy sessions, nutritional counseling sessions, and massage therapy sessions rendered by non-physician providers at his medical practices, prosecutors said.