Monday, December 11, 2023

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Neighbors Lash Out at Substation Hearing

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.WestportNow.com Image
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.”

John M. MacDonald, 77

John M. MacDonald, 77, of Westport, husband of Florence (Anastasia) MacDonald, passed away Sunday, March 28 at home in the company of his family.

John was born Nov. 13, 1932, in Norwalk, son of the late Arthur and Ann (Lamb) MacDonald and has been a resident of Westport for the past 50 years.

Prior to retiring in 1982, he had been employed by Nash Engineering in Norwalk for 26 years in the Quality Control Department as an inspector.

John was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Frank C. Godfrey American Legion Post No. 12 in Norwalk.

Reminder: Westport Taxes Due Thursday

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.

Old Westport Town Hall Sold for $2.3 Million

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Westport’s Old Town Hall at 90 Post Road East, most recently a branch of TD Bank, has been sold to a Westport developer for $2.325 million.  Built in 1908, the building served as Westport’s municipal center until the current Town Hall opened in 1983 in the former Bedford Elementary School at 110 Myrtle Ave. The sale by TD Bank, N.A., was to Old Westport Town Hall, LLC. A check of the Secretary of the State’s database showed the principal is Westport developer Robert Haroun, who has built numerous homes in the community. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow file photo by Dave Matlow

P&Z to Consider Relaxing Outdoor Eating Regulations

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. 

Beach Clean Up Goes On Despite Rain

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The March 13-14 nor’easter followed by more heavy rain and wind Monday and today played havoc with Westport’s beaches, washing away a lot of the sand.  The hig tide and the surf sent sand across adjacent roads and parking lots. Despite today’s wretched weather conditions, a lone worker was busy recovering and smoothing the sand in order to return Compo Beach to its prestorm condition. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com