Month: September 2016

Saturday, March 25, 2023

CT Budget Closes in Deficit Again; Little Reserves Left for This Year

By Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

Connecticut today officially closed its second consecutive fiscal year in deficit, shrinking its budget reserve to a low level as threats of another shortfall loom.

Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo certified a $170.4 million deficit for the 2015-16 fiscal year, a gap equal to 1.5 percent of General Fund spending. (Though the last fiscal year ended June 30, the comptroller cannot close the books until late September, since certain tax receipts received over the summer are applied to the prior budget.)

Lembo must again cover the deficit by drawing from the rainy day fund, which will be left with just $235.6 million. The new reserve is less than half of what Connecticut had before the consecutive annual deficits. More importantly it leaves Connecticut with a fiscal cushion equal to just 1.3 percent of annual operating costs.

The comptroller recommends a rainy day fund of 15 percent, given the large fluctuations in state income tax receipts Connecticut traditionally faces in very good and very poor economic times.

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Comings & Goings: Boca Restaurant Opens Monday

Boca Restaurant & Bar, 43 Main St., will officially open on Monday, according to Chef Luis Arias (above). The wide ranging menu of Italy, Spain and France cuisine includes tapas, salads, pizza, pasta, burgers, paella, seafood, chicken and meat plates. The new establishment is located in the space formerly occupied by Acqua Ristorante Mediterraneo for 20 years. Owned by East Norwalk resident Revision Bonfim, the daily hours are 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. for lunch and 4 p.m. -10:30 p.m. for dinner. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport Property Transfers Sept. 12 – 16, 2016

Westport property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk’s office for the period Sept. 12 -16, 2016:

James A. and Armelle Pouriche-Daniels Jr. to David and Kerri Rosenthal, 287 Sturges Highway, $1,780,000

Leonard and Cathleen Sherman to David and Suzanne Knesich, 2 Gordon Lane, $1,240,000

Arthur S. Tolentino to Vanbrodt Estates LLC, 5 Ridgewood Lane, $575,000

Richard M. and Lura Paschal to Marcia Lesser, 3 Charcoal Hill Common, $1,375,000

Joan Mahoney

Joan Carroll Mahoney of Naples, Fla., a former Westport resident, died Sept. 22.

Joan Mahoney: former Westporter. Contributed photo

She was born in Fall River, Mass. Most recently she was a resident of Aston Gardens in Naples after living in Marco Island, Fla. for 23 years. Prior to that, she lived in Westport.

She graduated from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. A loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend too many, she always smiling, known to see the good in everyone and loved being around her family and friends.

She married Daniel A. Mahoney Jr. in August 1949 in Fall River. They were married for 61 years before his death in May 2010.

Friday, September 30, 2016

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Westport Arts Center – “MORE Than Words”
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Westport Senior Center – Balance Day: Learn about fall prevention
11 a.m. – Westport Library – Anyone Can Use … Twitter
3 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Westport Library – Drop-in Tech Help
7 p.m. – Toquet Hall Teen Center – Teen Gaming Night w/ WPL
8 p.m. – Westport Town Hall – Westport Community Theatre: “Camping with Henry & Tom”

See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar

Thursday, September 29th, 2016

P&Z Says Yes to Elm Street Land Swap

By James Lomuscio

Westport’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) tonight voted 6 to 0 with 1 abstention to give a positive report on a planned Elm Street land swap that would net the town nine additional parking spaces downtown.

This building housing the Villa Del Sol Restaurant at 35 Elm St. would be razed and swapped for part of the town-owned parking lot across the street. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The positive report is the first step allowing developer David Waldman to put up a $7 million building on a piece of the town’s Baldwin Parking Lot at 36 Elm St. in exchange for property he has an option to buy at 35 Elm St. across the street.

Waldman, principal of David Adam Realty who is heading the nearby Bedford Square Pproject, also owns the historic Kemper Gunn House relocated to the town lot three years ago.

Frist Selectman Jim Marpe has been supporting the land swap and two weeks ago requested a positive P&Z endorsement. Marpe has been bullish on the plan since the town would gain nine parking space in the parking-stressed downtown.

Reception Marks Opening of Political Memorabilia Display

At a reception tonight, Westporters Martha and Larry Aasen look at a dispay of some of Larry’s poliircal memorabilia, which has gone on display in the Riverwalk display cases on the ground level near the McManus Room. The collection is called “Remember to Vote November 8” and will remain on display through Nov. 8. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Joan Lunden Welcomes Guests to Pink Aid Luncheon

Television personality Joan Lunden, a breast cancer survivor, today was featured speaker at the sixth annual Pink Aid luncheon and fashion show. at Mitchells of Westport. She told the crowd: “I’m cancer-free every day of the week. I fought like a warrior. I wanted to hold on.” Pink Aid’s mission is to help underserved local women survive breast cancer treatment with support and dignity, to provide screening to women in financial need, and to empower breast cancer survivors to heal by helping and inspiring others. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Warm Welcome From the Ladies

The fashion show was the highlight of today’s sixth annual Pink Aid luncheon at Mitchells of Westport to support breast cancer patients and survivors. The male models received an especially warm welcome. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com