Month: August 2011

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Generating Concerns: Kingsbury Urges Caution

By James Lomuscio

There are been three incidents of generator caused carbon monoxide buildups in Westport since Sunday, one so severe that two children had to be hospitalized, Fire Chief Andrew Kingsbury said today.

Kingsbury, the town’s emergency management director, cautioned the 23 percent of townspeople still without power following Hurricane Irene to be extra careful when using generators, particularly portable ones that have not been professionally installed.

“Be very careful and make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working because those that are wired may not be with the power down,” he said. “If they need assistance, we can provide it with metering in a nonemergency mode. That means we won’t be arriving with sirens blaring.”

Kingsbury stressed that homeowners should never run generators in a house, a basement or garage even if the door is open. Operating a generator outside but close to one’s home is no guarantee against a carbon monoxide buildup either, he said.

Getting Ready for School Opening

In preparation for the new school year, workers at Long Lots Elementary School on Westport’s Hyde Lane apply finishing touches today on safety and directional markings on crosswalks and parking areas. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Abraham Rothenberg, 80

Abraham Rothenberg, noted Westport architect, died Aug. 28 from complications from a stroke he suffered eight years ago. He was 80.

Abe Rothenberg: noted architect. Contributed photo

A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic and Princeton University in architecture in the early 1960s, he worked for Curtis and Davis Architects in New York City where his major projects included the award-winning Worcester Public Library and the James Forrestal Building in Washington, which today houses the Department of Energy.

In the late 1960s, he worked for Pomerance Breines Architects where he designed the John F. Kennedy Center for Research in Mental Retardation in the Bronx, and the NYU College of Dentistry.

He established his own firm in Westport in the 1970s, where his major projects included the Museum of Modern Art Bookstore II in Manhattan, the Spector Playground in Central Park, the Sofia Building on the Upper West Side, the Memphis/Evans Tower on the Upper East Side, the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library in Long Island.

Joseloff to Westporters Without Power: ‘Hang in There’

Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff today sent the following CodeRed emergency notification to residents:

“Late today, Westport’s emergency management team informed Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon he had authorization to reopen schools on Thursday.

“Fire Chief Andrew Kingsbury, the town’s Emergency Management Director, said it is imperative that parents closely supervise their children to and from bus stops.

“If you encounter downed utility lines, they are to be considered energized. Please stay 10 feet away. If you are uncomfortable sending your children to school, don’t.

Country Curtains Hit

A Westport woman stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake today and crashed her late model Lexus ES 300 into Country Curtains, 1011 Post Road East. Arriving units found that the car had hit the right front of the building, said Assistant Chief Robert Kepchar. The driver was evaluated at the scene for possible injury by firefighters and Westport EMS, and she refused transport to the hospital. A representative from the Building Department evaluated the structural stability of the building and deemed it safe. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Westport Schools Will Reopen Thursday

UPDATE Westport Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon today issued the following statement on the reopening of Westport schools on Thursday:

“All Westport Schools will open for students, teachers and support staff on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011 - the start of the 2011-12 school year.

“Parents are strongly urged to accompany their children to their assigned bus stops and to supervise them prior to the arrival of the bus in the morning and after the return of the bus in the afternoon.

“There will be work crews continuing their efforts throughout the day, and caution should be exercised when approaching them. Parents and students should always assume that downed wires are energized. If you have any questions about safety issues, go to CL-P.com.

Westport Beaches Open for Swimming

The Westport Parks and Recreation Department announced today that effective immediately all beaches are open for swimming.

Compo Beach will have lifeguard service weekdays and weekends through Labor Day. Lifeguard services may be reduced based on availability of staff.

Burying Hill Beach will have no lifeguards on duty on weekdays. Burying Hill Beach will be staffed on the weekends through Labor Day.

“All patrons and particularly those with small children should swim where lifeguards are present,” said Parks & Recreation Department Operations Supervisor Dan DeVito.

Maria “Riet” Theresia Ehrismann, 88

Maria “Riet” Theresia Ehrismann, wife of Harry Sebastianus Ehrismann, died Aug. 28 at home in the company of her family. She was 88.

Born Oct. 27, 1922 in Rotterdam, Netherlands the daughter of the late Antonius and Huberdina (Vissers) Stoopman, she has been a resident of Weston for 38 years. She was a member of both the Weston Senior Center and Westport Senior Center, the Westport YMCA where she swam for exercise for more than 30 years.

Riet was also an amateur oil painter, enjoyed beading, cooking and baking and won several awards for rug hooking.

Survivors include three sons, Anthony W. Ehrismann and Francis P. Ehrismann of Norwalk, and Paul C. Ehrismann of Weston. Seven grandchildren, one great grandchild and several nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by two sons, Harry Ehrismann and Lawrence Ehrismann.

Schoolbus Snags Wire on Test Run

A schoolbus with only the driver aboard making a test run on Westport’s Park Lane today snagged a communications wire. A firefighter removes the wire from the axle. The buses were out surveying roads and bus stops to see if conditions were safe enough to open school on Thursday, two days later than scheduled. A decision will be made later today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Comings and Goings: Bogey’s Closes

Bogey’s Grille & Tap Room, 323 Main St., has closed its doors after 17 years. A sign on the door says: “After 17 years of being in business, we regret to inform you that we have officially closed our doors. We had a great run and will miss serving all of you. Thank you very much for your patronage and loyalty over the years.” A Westport institution, Bogey’s was the last of a succession of restaurants on that corner starting with Crossroads, Oliver’s and A Stone’s Throw. It was under the ownership of Jim and John Stablein. Westporter Brendan Donahoe, who once was a bartender at Stone’s Throw, said, “No one knew about this. No one knew it would close.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com