Positano Ristorante, 27 Powers Court, adjacent to the Westport Country Playhouse, closed and according to window signage, will be replaced by Gabriele’s of Westport later this fall. A mainstay at 233 Hillspoint Road, its Compo Mill location, for 15 years, Positano closed on December 31, 2014 and reopened next to the Westport Country Playhouse in July, 2015. The Powers Court space was previously occupied by The Dressing Room restaurant, the culinary venture of the late Paul Newman and Chef Michel Nischan. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
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WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 9 Deerwood Road
An application for a permit to demolish the house at Westport’s 9 Deerwood Road, off Roseville Road, is in process. Built in 1963, the two-story colonial has 2,856 square feet, is situated on a 1.05-acre property and according to assessor records, last changed ownership in April 2016 for $1,220,000. 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
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020
Westport Senior Center is closed.
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Downtown Westport – Fall Fashion & Beauty Day
Noon – 4 p.m. – Westport Library – Open for limited services
7 p.m. – MoCA Westport (19 Newtown Turnpike) – Fred Hersch Trio: Outdoor Jazz Performance
7 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Westport Astronomical Society (182 Bayberry Lane) – International Observe the Moon Night Canceled due to clouds
7:45 p.m. – Imperial Parking Lot – Remarkable Drive-In Theater: “42”
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
Joyce K. Guliuzza, 77
Joyce “Joy” Katherine Guliuzza of Ansonia died Sept 23 . She was 77.
Joyce Guliuzza Contributed photo
Born in Derby on July 7, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Prudence Thompson Cotnoir.
She was a lifelong Valley resident and natural athlete playing softball, racquetball, and bowling in area leagues. Her sportsmanship and athletic ability allowed her to support and coach her grandsons in all their sporting endeavors.
She was the owner and operator of Expressions of Joy florist and specialized in custom silk flower arrangements. She also worked as a licensed real estate agent in Westport for many years, until her retirement in 2004.
She enjoyed jaunts to the casinos, tending to her fabulous flower gardens, keeping her home meticulously tidy, as well as preparing amazing home-cooked meals for her family.
She will be long remembered for her special love for her family, grandsons and pets. She is survived by her children, Deborah (Robert) Jones of Ansonia, and Jeffrey Guliuzza of Beacon Falls; grandsons, Taylor and Jordan Jones of Ansonia; sisters, Shirley Zdanek of Shelton, Barbara (Al) Nimons of Seymour, Prudence (Norman) Hayden of Seymour, Marsha (Bruce) Pettingill of Derby, Laurie (David) Chirgwin of Seymour; and sisters-in-law, Liz Cotnoir of Oxford and Judith Cotnoir of VT; friends, Nancy (Charlie) Grant of Naugatuck, David Hosking and Charlie Brenan, both of Shelton; as well as many nieces, nephews and a “granddog,” Gina. She was predeceased by her companion of 30 years, John Hosking; brothers, Arnold and Norman Cotnoir; brother-in-law, Tony Zdanek and her “granddog” Shey.
Family and friends are invited to attend a walk-through visitation at the Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Ave., Ansonia, on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Please be advised that all protocol, screening, and social restrictions of the COVID-19 Pandemic will be exercised. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Ansonia Animal Shelter, Division Street, Ansonia, CT 06401. Online condolences may be made at Wakelee Memorial.
Westport COVID-19 Cases, Deaths Unchanged
The state said today its Westport COVID-19 case count and number of deaths are unchanged at 375 (359 confirmed and 16 probable) cases and 23 deaths.
Distracted Driver Campaign Begins Oct. 1
Texters, talkers—even diners—beware.
The Westport Police Department will conduct a “high visibility” distracted driving campaign from Oct. 1 through 15, it was announced today.
The campaign is being done in concert with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Defined as any activity that diverts attention from driving, distracted driving includes talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system, “anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving,” the announcement said.
“Texting is the most alarming distraction,” Lt. Anthony Prezioso said. “Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.”
“You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention,” he added. “Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.”
According to the announcement, distracted driving claimed 2,841 lives in 2018, among them 1,730 drivers, 605 passengers, 400 pedestrians and 77 bicyclists.
Fines for distracted driving start at $150 and can increase to as high as $1,000.00 depending on the operator’s driving history and the location of the offense.
Marpe Warns Against Fall COVID Complacency
First Selectman Jim Marpe today warned against complacency and “COVID fatigue” this fall, urging residents to remain vigilant in the face of the ongoing pandemic.
“It is incumbent upon all of us to do our part to avoid another outbreak,” Marpe said. “Everyone must be mindful and respectful of our families, neighbors, friends and work colleagues when considering any behavior, including social activities, that may be counter to medical advice and the protocols that have been established to protect the community from the virus.”
Marpe made his comments on the heels of Gov. Ned Lamont’s Thursday announcement about bringing the state closer to the Phase III reopening beginning Thursday, Oct. 8.
This step specifically increases patron capacity at restaurants, salons, libraries, outdoor events, houses of worship and performing arts venues.
“Of course, social distancing and mask wearing are emphasized in these plans,” Marpe said, adding that bars continue to remain closed.
“While it is not a full Phase III as was previously envisioned, we are encouraged that the governor considers up-to-date trends on COVID that will ultimately help businesses, arts and cultural institutions, and places of worship get closer to operating at full capacity,” he added.
Marpe urged residents to review Lamont’s plan at portal.ct.gov for further information.
He added that residents can get daily updates on COVID in Wesport by visiting Westport Weston Health District (WWHD) at www.wwhd.org.
According to the announcement, the WWHD has seen an increase in positive COVID cases within younger age groups, with cases being identified in the Westport Public Schools.
“Please be mindful that it is possible to be COVID-19 positive but not experience any symptoms,” he added. “To reduce the spread of infection, remember the 3W’s: wear a mask, watch your distance, and wash your hands.”
Regarding upcoming Halloween activities, Marpe said the town is working with school administrators and the PTA to discuss how Westport may celebrate Halloween in keeping with COVID health and safety protocols.
WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 81 Maple Ave. South
An application for a permit to demolish the house at Westport’s 81 Maple Ave. South, near Clapboard Hill Road, is in process. Built in 1957, the one-story ranch has 1,744 square feet, is situated on a 1.64-acre property, and changed ownership in July 2020 for $780,000. 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
Westport Property Transfers Sept. 8-11, 2020
Westport property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk’s office for the period Sept. 8-11, 2020:
Shorehaven Point LLC to James Kavetas & Ardys Rosenthal, 50 Shorehaven Road, $2,500,000
Sandra B. Klein Trust to Joseph & Elizabeth Sorstein, 512 Harvest Commons, $700,000
Bradley & Erin Berk to 6 Hidden Hill LLC, 6 Hidden Hill, $6,650,000
Larry S. & Jennifer Reich Gendler to Dennis H. Tracey III & Marcia J. Hamelin, 20 Appletree Trail, $1,425,000
Dorothy A. Lusk to Barbara & Bernard Orenstein, #2, 230 Saugatuck Ave., $620,000
Maria Dolores Paoli & Adnan A. Durrani to Lee E. Hochbaum & Roxana J. Larin, 37 Clapboard Hill Road, $3,750,000
Jennifer K. Meier to Nouvelle Destinee LLC, 5 Meadow Brook Lane, $3,350,000
Julia Kopca Gentile Rev. Trust to 178 Hillspoint LLC, 178 Hillspoint Road, $4,012,500
Ruth-Anne Ring to Denny Galindo & Brigitte E. Cook, 3 Big Pines Road, $667,000
Karen Hirschberg Tr. to Brad & Erin Berk, 4 Sandpiper Road, $3,200,000
CT Strategic Properties LLC to Adam & Samantha Pollack, 22 Half Mile Common, $1,201,000
Lois F. Mayer Estate to Caitlin Hussey & Brian Byrnes, 3 Woods Grove Road, $760,000
Chris Getman to Lina Ochoa, 3 Northgate, $340,000
Jennifer M. Soodek Tr. to Ephraim Levine & Jill McGrath, 35 Old Mill Road, $1,455,000
Christopher & Karen B. Ambrose to Robert & Kerry Futia, 1 Hemlock Hill Drive, $1,225,000
Cynthia A. & Marc E. Hartog Trs. to Jeffrey D. & Alena M. Grunberg, 30 Meadow View Drive, $1,372,500
Paul & Margaret Travers Living Trust to Jujube Revocable Trust & Cloud Panda Revocable Trust, 17 Red Coat Road, $2,215,000
Richard Freeland Gordon to Phillip & Jessica Polito, 58 Turkey Hill Road South, $800,000
Friday, Sept. 25, 2020
Westport Town Offices & Senior Center are closed.
1:30 p.m. – Westport Senior Center via Zoom – Friends of WCSA Friday Concert Series: Harpist Wendy Kerner
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Westport Library – Open for limited services
7:45 p.m. – Imperial Parking Lot – Remarkable Drive-In Theater with Franny’s Farmacy: “Chef”
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
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