Public Works Director Peter Ratkiewich today urged residents to maintain social distancing at the Transfer Station of behalf of personnel and haulers.

“There is a huge increase in traffic, and we are managing the best we can with limited personnel,” the announcement said, adding that workers have been instructed to maintain distancing and cannot assist with bulky waste, which should not be brought at this time.

Ratkiewich also asked residents to move through efficiently and not to linger, staying at least six feet apart, transferring trash and recycling and then exiting the facility.

For residents using private haulers, Ratkiewich added that there has been an increase in cardboard due to online ordering, which is taxing the Transfer Station and overwhelming haulers.

There was more coronavirus testing today at Westport’s Bedford Middle School. The numbers involved appeared to be fewer than in the previous three sessions. Last week, a total of 45 Westport and Weston residents were successfully tested at the school, but due to a shortage of swabs some scheduled were redirected elsewhere, according to the Westport Weston Health District (WWHD.) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Workers at Westport’s Bedford Middle School today prepare to administer more coronavirus tests to those Westport and Weston residents who had made arrangements in advance.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matow for WestportNow.com

The Department of Human Services announced that, in light of the current COVID-19 distancing guidelines, VITA, the IRS’s companion to the AARP free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, is offering virtual tax preparation to residents without in-person contact.

Human Services Finance Manager and certified volunteer tax preparer, Susan Stefenson, expressed gratitude to the individuals who have made the program possible. 

“The volunteers, led by Westport resident Mark Spivack, are the same group of trusted IRS-Certified Tax Preparers that have provided these services to Westporters under AARP sponsorship, for many years,” she said.

The new virtual platform is available to taxpayers by connecting them via a secure portal to a remote certified tax preparer.