An application for a permit to demolish the house at Westport’s 2 Placid Lake Lane, off North Avenue, is in process. Built in 1956, the 1-1/4 story cape has 2,876-square feet and is situated on a 1.56-acre property. Because the house was built more than 50 years ago, the application will be reviewed by the Westport Historic District Commission. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Comings & Goings: Home Care Services Agency Opens in Saugatuck
Companions & Homemakers, a home care services agency, opened a branch at 16 Ketchum St. in Westport’s Saugatuck section and celebrated the occasion today with an open house welcome to the public and a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries. Its Westport location is the 11th in Connecticut for the 25-year-old business privately owned by Linda Grigerek of Farmington, according to regional manager, Jonathan Hunt. Companions & Homemakers specializes in affordable home care services to clients and their families. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Brush Fire Near RR Tracks
Westport firefighters today quickly extinguished a small brush fire near Compo Road South that forced a brief slowdown on the Metro-North tracks.
A crew from Saugatuck Engine Co. 4 requested the slow down as they put out the flames near Elaine Road, site of the Westport wastewater treatment plant and animal control shelter.
Firefighters also reported a “popped transformer’ in the area of the nearby Eversource Energy substation. It was not clear whether the fire and power problems were related.
Eversource Energy said power was knocked out briefly to customers in the area.
Gas Line Leak Forces Evacuation
Workers at the Westport Housing Authority;s Sasco Creek Village project, 1655 Post Road East, apparently caused a gas leak today, forcing evacuation of residents. The leak was repaired after about 45 minutes and residents were allowed to return to their homes. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Paddling Home
Out with the outboard motor, in with the paddles. Several teens out for an evening on an inflatable skiff Tuesday were in for some exercise as their outboard motor appeared to stop working. They broke out the paddles and made it back to Ned Dimes Marina at Compo Beach just before dark (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jaime Bairaktaris for WestportNow.com
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Westport Historical Society – “Howard Munce at 100: A Centennial Celebration”
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Westport Arts Center – “Eric Fischl”
10 a.m. – Westport Library – Level Up Village: Global Villagers TinkerShop
Noon – Westport Arts Center – Plean Air Painting with Judy Katz
2 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Westport Country Playhouse – “Love and Money”
6:30 p.m. – Westport Library – Reality Hackers Discussion Group
7 p.m. – Town Hall Auditorium – Conservation Commission Special Public Hearing (live coverage cable channel 79, AT&T channel 99, and westportct.gov)
7 p.m. – Westport Library – Open Meeting: Saugatuck Senior Co-op Talk
7 p.m. – Levitt Pavilion – Suzi Shelton
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
Few Surprises with DTC Nominations
By James Lomuscio
Tonight’s Democratic Town Committee (DTC) nominating convention for November’s elections went as expected with the slate announced Monday getting unanimous endorsements.

Nominated Democratic candidates tonight include (l-r) Mark Mathias, Michael Gordon, both Board of Education; Paul Liebowitz, Planning and Zoning Commssion, Sheri Gordon and John Hartwell, Board of Finance. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Board of Education Chairman Michael Gordon and member Mark Mathias, both incumbents, received resounding support after Mathias and Gordon nominated each other.
“He’s fiscally savvy, but he puts the needs of students first,” Mathias said of Gordon, adding that the one of the challenges the board will face this year is hiring a new superintendent for the first time in 17 years.
When Gordon nominated Mathias, who has already served three four-year terms, he said that his colleague “sets the bar high for everyone on the board.”
Comings & Goings: Positano Opens at New Location
Positano Ristorante, a mainstay at its Compo Mill location on Hillspoint Road for 15 years, has reopened at its new home next to the Westport Country Playhouse. The space was most recently occupied by The Dressing Room restaurant, the culinary venture of the late Paul Newman and chef Michel Nischan. Positano owner Giuseppe Scarpati (l) posed tonight with his son and co-chef Fernando. Postiano closed Dec. 31, 2014 at Old Mill and had hoped to open in February. (See WestportNow Dec. 31, 2014).(CLICK TO ENLARGE) Rachel Konstantin for WestportNow.com
Now With a Patio
The exterior of Positano Ristorante, which has opened next to the Westport Country Playhouse in space most recently occupied by The Dressing Room Restaurant. The restaurant includes patio dining, something it did not have at its Old Mill Beach location. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com