The state said today its Westport COVID-19 case count was up one at 388 (372 confirmed and 16 probable) and deaths unchanged at 23.
Seymon Ostilly, 80

Seymon Ostilly, 80 Contributed photo
Seymon Ostilly, husband to Lynne and father of Dane and Emma Ostilly, died Oct 4 after a long battle with dementia. He was 80.
Seymon was born in Doonside, South Africa. Seymon had a love for Rugby and played throughout his childhood and twenties constantly being written up in the local news for his lightning speed. After he matriculated from Durban High School he did a year training in the South African Air Force.
At the age of 19 Seymon was awarded a scholarship that he hoped would help fulfil his dream as a commercial artist in film and television. He then immigrated to London in the late 1960s and began his advertising career. When he finally returned home to South Africa, he met and quickly married his bride Lynne in 1976 and from there his adventure to America began. He was able to achieve that dream years later when he had a successful career as a Creative Director at Lord Geller Federico on Madison Ave with clients ranging from IBM, New Yorker, and Loreal.
He had the biggest heart and adored his family more than anything in this world. He had a love for photography, art, cars, and sports. Most importantly, he always tried to make everyone around him laugh.
Seymon was preceded in death by his father Ernest, and his mother Betty, and brother Basil. He is survived by his wife Lynne, his two children, Dane and Emma, his sister Merle in Israel, and many nieces and nephews around the world.
A private funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 8th, 2020 at Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport. Please feel free to donate to the Alzheimer’s foundation in Seymon Ostilly’s name. Flowers and donations can be sent to Lynne directly. Arrangements were under the care of Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home.
Police Arrest Juvenile, Teen In Signs Incident
Westport police today announced the arrest of two persons in the Sept. 27 downtown threatening signs incident.
One was a juvenile, not identified, and other was Max Bernegger, 18, of Westport.
He was charged with He was charged with breach of peace in the second degree. Bond was set at $500.
He was able to post this bond and was subsequently released. He is scheduled to be arraigned at Norwalk Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Lt. Anthony Prezioso said video surveillance by neighborhood cameras was crucial to the investigation.
Police Union Endorses Stephens for State Rep
Saying that the state House of Representative has made it harder for police departments to do their job, Westport Police Union today endorsed Republican Chip Stephens over incumbent Democrat Rep. Jonathan Steinberg for the 136th District.
“As recent events have shown, our current representation in House has not only seriously affected our capabilities to take drugs, guns and wanted persons off the street to make our communities safer, but have also cost each community hundreds of thousands of dollars to implement unfunded mandates with new laws passed this year,” said Cpl Howard E. Simpson, president of Local 2080.
Simpson added that none of the current representatives serving Westport “took the time to discuss or rationalize the impact that these laws would have on public safety …or the brave men and women who work hard each day keeping your community safe.”
Simpson lauded Stephens as one who has pledged “to work closely with public safety.” He said Stephens would ensure “smart changes” to laws to enhance fairness and to make the community safer “without the added costs associated with unfunded mandates.”
“This morning I am happy and proud to accept the endorsement of Westport Police Union local 2080,” Stephens said. “My top priorities include full support of our police and first responders.
“My promise to those that protect and serve: I will always consult with and seek advice from our local authorities in forming legislative initiatives involving those who serve us,” he added.
Medicare Open Enrollment Help Available
Westport Human Services Director Elaine Daignault reminds Medicare eligible residents that the Medicare Open Enrollment Period begins Oct. 15, 2020 and runs through Dec. 7, 2020. During this period, beneficiaries can change their Medicare and prescription drug coverage plans for 2021 to better meet their needs.
CHOICES Volunteer counselors trained through the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging will be available by appointment to help Westport resident figure out their choices.
To make a virtual appointment with a CHOICES counselor, contact Kristen Witt in Human Services at 203-341-1067 or the Westport Center for Senior Activities at 203-341-5099 weekdays (Mondays through Fridays) between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Stormy Night Sky
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020
Westport Town Offices & Senior Center are closed.
9:30 a.m. – various locations – Conservation Commission Field Trip
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – 50 Imperial Ave. – Westport Farmers Market
11 a.m. – Electronically – ReOpen Westport Advisory Team: live streamed on http://www.westportct.gov, Optimum ch. 79, Frontier ch. 6020
2 p.m. – 646-876-9923 ID: 832 7515 3482 Code: 481228 – Transit District Directors
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. – MoCA Westport – “World Peace” exhibit
4:30 p.m. – Virtual Westport Library – Create a Writing Portfolio for Your College Resume
6:15 p.m. – 929-205-6099 ID: 818 2337 9971 Code: 696430 – Youth Commission Peer Education & Awareness Advocacy
6:30 p.m. – 646-876-9923 ID: 850 0680 6043 Code: 261319 – Planning & Zoning Commission
7 p.m. – 646-876-9923 ID: 831 3052 2640 Code: 901724 – Blight Prevention Board
7 p.m. – Virtual Westport Library – Short Cuts Film Festival (ticketed virtual event)
7 p.m. – Imperial Parking Lot – Remarkable Drive-In Theater with Short Cuts Film Festival: “Short Cuts”
Westport Senior Center YouTube Channel
Westport Library Event Calendar
Westport Library YouTube Page
Earthplace YouTube Channel
Virtual Westport Museum for History & Culture
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
MoCA World Peace Opens
MoCA Westport’s new group exhibition, World Peace, opened to members tonight. The multi-media installation reflects the culture of identity and the fractured political climate of America’s past and present. World Peace will run until Jan. 17. The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Leslie LaSala for WestportNow.com
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 2, Deaths Unchanged
The state said today its Westport COVID-19 case count was up two at 387 (371 confirmed and 16 probable) and deaths unchanged at 23.
The number of Connecticut residents hospitalized with COVID-19 has nearly doubled in just nine days, official data show, as the state continues to face higher rates of coronavirus transmission.
According to numbers released today, Connecticut currently has 138 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, up from 75 on Sept. 28 and more than triple the state’s total at its mid-August low point.
Though much of Connecticut has seen an increase in coronavirus hospitalizations, the spike has been particularly notable in Hartford County — which leads the state with 44 hospitalized COVID-19 patients — and New London County — which has more patients currently hospitalized (28) than at any time since May 9.
Despite the sharp uptick, Connecticut still has less than 10% as many hospitalized patients as it had in late April, when local hospitals nearly exceeded their capacity. That said, the rise in hospitalizations appears to indicate a significant increase in COVID-19 transmission.
Hospitalizations are considered a useful metric for measuring coronavirus spread because they are not as subject to testing fluctuations as total cases and test positivity rate.
Also today, Gov. Ned Lamont announced 123 positive results out of 7,617 COVID-19 tests, for a rate of 1.6%. The state has now experienced a 1.4% positivity rate over the past seven days, about twice what it recorded at times over the summer.
Still, Lamont said today that the state will proceed with its next phase of reopening, scheduled for Thursday.
The new phase will allow indoor dining at restaurants to increase from 50% to 75% capacity, along with relaxed restrictions on hair salons, barber shops, libraries, places of worship, outdoor concerts and more.
Woman’s Club Accepting Grant Applications
The Westport Woman’s Club is accepting grant proposals for 2020-2021 from Fairfield County nonprofit organizations. Proposals are being accepted through Friday, Oct. 30.
Grant requests for projects that will make a continuing difference in the community may be in the form of funds, or a one-time use of the Westport Woman’s Clubhouse for an event, an announcement said.
Grants are considered each year to deserving organizations in education, health and safety-related programs and in the arts.
This past spring, due to the unexpected arrival of COVID-19, the Westport Woman’s Club awarded community service grants to Fairfield County nonprofit organizations that addressed this urgent health challenge within the community.
The 2020-2021 Grant Application is now available on the Westport Woman’s Club website ~ http://www.westportwomansclub.org.
Community groups should submit their typed proposals by Oct. 30 to the following address: Westport Woman’s Club, Attention: Community Service Grant, 44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT 06880. Grant recipients will be notified Spring 2021 by WWC Community Services.
For additional information, contact the WWC Office at 203-227-4240 or visit http://www.westportwomansclub.org