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A four-vehicle accident late today at the foot of the southbound ramp of the Merritt Parkway at Exit 41 on Wilton Road injured one person. One vehicle, a BMW station wagon, was towed from scene. The accident around 5 p.m. caused traffic backups on the exit ramp and on Wilton Road. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
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Coalition Files Amendment to Bring Back Movie Theaters
The Coalition for Westport (CFW), a political party focused on responsible land use, has filed a text amendment to create a movie theater overlay zone (TOZ) downtown, CFW officials announced. 
The Fine Arts Theatres closed in 1999, leaving downtown Westport without a movie theater. WestportNow photo, copyright WestportNow 2018.
CFW Chairwoman Denise Torv said the purpose of the TOZ amendment filed with the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) is to allow the creation of no more than two small, multi-use movie theaters “for community, cultural and educational uses and other performance and exhibition venues.”
The P&Z is scheduled to hear the proposed amendment at its Thursday, March 15 meeting.
Torv said amendment would also allow for food to be served and would allow no more than two theaters on lots in non-residential zoning districts, the exception being historic district lots.
Legislature Overrides Malloy Veto, Delaying a Budget Cut
By Mark Pazniokas
www.ctmirror.orgWith little debate or fanfare, the General Assembly voted today to override Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s veto of a bill that delays cuts in a Medicare assistance program until July, quieting a public outcry over tighter eligibility standards.
By votes of 131 to 4 in the House and 30 to 1 in the Senate, legislators delivered on a promise to fully fund a program that uses Medicaid funds to help poor elderly and disabled patients pay for health care costs that Medicare does not cover.
New eligibility limits for the Medicare Savings Program that lawmakers wrote into the state budget were projected to save $54 million this fiscal year and about $130 million in 2018-19. The override vote delays the imposition of the new limits until July 1.
Unless the legislature makes further changes in the eligibility standards in the 2018 session that opens next week, lawmakers could face another outcry over the program this summer, as legislators turn to their campaigns for re-election.
Preserving Our Heritage: 45 Center St.
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The owner of the house at 45 Center St. is the newest recipient of a Westport Historical Society (WHS) historical plaque. Bob Weingarten, WHS plaque historian, supported by research and documentation performed by Samantha Godwin, 15, a Weston High School sophomore, presented the plaque to owner Nancy Aldrich. According to Weingarten and Godwin, it is significant that the house has been owned predominantly by women for 64 of its 104 years. The current owner, Nancy Aldrich, has owned the house since 1998. The Westport based attorney said the history of the house shows there were 10 owners, six of them women. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Malloy Seeks Tolls, Gas-Tax Hike to Rebuild Transportation Network
By Keith M. Phaneuf
www.ctmirror.orgGov. Dannel P. Malloy will ask legislators this year to establish electronic tolling on Connecticut highways by mid-2022 and to phase in a seven-cent gasoline tax hike to not only avert insolvency in the transportation program but also fund a major, 30-year rebuilding initiative.
Malloy, who announced his plans today, will propose the final budget adjustments of his administration next week to the General Assembly.
The governor, who declared last year he would not seek a third term, said these revenues would rescue not only an aging, clogged network but also an economy handicapped by an inadequate transportation infrastructure.
“We stand at a crossroads in Connecticut,” the governor said during a mid-morning announcement at the Capitol. “We need to make a decision, and we need to make it soon.”
Julia L. Mally, 56
Julia Lang Mally of Westport died Jan. 24. She was 56. The family issued the following obituary:
Julia Mally: active volunteer. Contributed photo
Julia Lang Mally, beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 24, 2018, surrounded by the love of family, extended family and close friends. Julia’s brilliance and compassion serves as an inspiration to all those whose lives she touched, and her legacy will live on through the words and actions of all those who knew her.
A resident of Westport for nearly 50 years, Julia was born in New York City the daughter of the late Frank Lang and of Mary Greer Lang.
A 1979 graduate of Staples High School in Westport, Julia met the love of her life, Edward P. Mally, as a student at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1983.
Marina Sunset
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Sunset Tuesday as seen at the Ned Dimes Marina at Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
10 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Westport Transit District
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Westport Historical Society – “The Curious Case of Ed Vebell”
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Westport Arts Center – “What Keeps Mankind Alive/The Last Library”
4 p.m. – Westport Library – DeweyKnit: Grade 4 – Adult
6:30 p.m. – Westport Library – Chess Club for Adults
6:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – RTM Finance & Employee Compensation Committees
7 p.m. – Town Hall Auditorium – RTM Education Committee
8 p.m. – 182 Bayberry Lane – Westport Astronomical Society Public Star Party (if skies are clear)
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
Trump Says He Seeks Bipartisanship, CT Lawmakers Skeptical
By Ana Radelat
Washington – In his first State of the Union address tonight President Donald Trump sought to send Americans an upbeat message – and Connecticut lawmakers showed up to make their points, too.
In his address to the nation and a joint session of Congress, Trump made a bid for bipartisanship after a tumultuous and often combative first year in office.
“Tonight I am extending an open hand to work with members of both parties, Democrats and Republicans, to protect our citizens, of every background, color and creed,” Trump said.
But Democrats sat glumly through most of Trump’s speech and groaned at times at what the president said, especially when Trump mentioned a recently released immigration policy “framework.”
Click HERE for more of story
Sprinklers Douse Stove Fire; 2 Families Relocated
A fire sprinkler system today put out a stove fire at 1655 Post Road East, Unit 2901, said Assistant Chief Jeff Gootman. Arriving firefighters found flames had extended to the cabinets, and there was significant water damage to two units of the four-family town house. The Westport Housing Authority, which operates the complex, coordinated the cleaning and temporary relocation of two families, Gootman said. “The Westport Fire Department reminds residents to pay careful attention while cooking at all times,” he said. Westport Fire Department photos
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