By James Lomuscio

UPDATE Several residents living near a proposed Connecticut Light & Power Company substation in Westport’s Greens Farms area tonight asked the Connecticut Siting Council to postpone any action on the application until they can get more information about the effects on health, safety and property values and possible alternative sites.
S. Derek Phelps, executive director of the Connecticut Siting Council, addresses the audience before tonight’s hearing got under way. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“We should spend another 30 days to analyze the site,” said James Burke, who lives at 91 Turkey Hill Road South. He said he and other residents had only learned about the proposed facility last week.

“Did anyone put up a flyer at the railroad station?” he asked.

Burke said that in addition to health concerns over electromagnetic fields generated by the substation, there would be an impact on expensive homes in the area during a down market. He said sarcastically that a prospective buyer might be prompted to say to a spouse, “Oh, look, Honey, we have a view of the substation.”

Westport Tax Collector Peggy Klein reminds taxpayers that the fourth quarter real estate and personal property taxes are due Thursday and will be subject to an 18 percent (1.5 percent/month) penalty charge if paid after May 3.

Westport tax payments can be made at any Westport Bank of America branch or by visiting the Tax Collector’s Office in Room 109 at Town Hall. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily Monday through Friday.

Failure to receive a bill does not abate the charges or interest, Klein said.

Taxes can also be paid by credit card by telephone or on line at the town Web page.

Planning & Zoning Director Laurence Bradley announced today that the Westport Planning and Zoning Commission has set April 29 for a public hearing on a commission-generated proposed text amendment that will provide a major relaxation of outdoor eating standards in Westport. 

Amendment No. 610 is intended to promote more outdoor dining for both restaurants and other retail food establishments throughout the town, a news release said.

The proposed text of the amendment is available on the town’s Web site or by contacting the Planning & Zoning Office.

At the public hearing, the application will be presented and the public is invited to provide testimony and comments on both the overall concept and the details of the proposal. 

Two days of rain caused some new water hazards at Westport’s Longshore golf course. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com