Paving of the Library Parking Lot Begins - Ending Risk of More Trips, Stumbles, and Lawsuits
A $295,000 requisition to replace the Westport Library Upper Parking Lot was approved by the RTM back in February, with stories of trips and falls riddling the discussion. This week, the old asphalt was ripped up and the paving process began. The lot is fully closed as the reconstruction continues, and is expected to be completed in the next week. This comes just weeks before the start to the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Art’s 2021 season, an exciting milestone as the non-profit performing arts center had to cancel their 2020 season.
The Westport Library’s upper parking lot was described as a “liability” for the Town of Westport at the February RTM meeting. The lot, which was decades old and developed deep divots and mounds throughout its parking deck, was the cause for lawsuits against the Town after pedestrians injured themselves while traversing its asphalt, according to RTM members. The parking lot was built on the site of a former landfill, something the Westport Library itself battled as its building slowly settled into the volatile soil system. The Library parking lot project was one of many projects approved in February, all of which totaled more than 1.2 million dollars for the Department of Public Works. Also being repaved is the Westport Senior Center’s parking lot, a $320,000 project.
Scene at the Remarkable Drive-in
Left-right: Todd, Chanze, Olivia, and Lori Freemon get ready for tonight’s drive-in movie feature at Westport’s Remarkable Theater along the Saugatuck River.
First Selectman: No Compo Beach Fireworks this Independence Day
Press Release, First Selectman Jim MarpeTown of Westport officials, in collaboration with the Board of Trustees of the Westport Police Athletic League (PAL), have decided not to hold the annual Compo Beach Independence Day fireworks this year. Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), current and expected guidance from the State’s Department of Health (DPH) regarding large-scale events, and the continued uncertainty of the pandemic and its variants have been considered. Based on this information, it is in the best interest of residents, visitors, employees, and the organizers to forego this highly attended event this year.
Although mask wearing rules are being relaxed and we are headed toward widespread vaccination, the CDC and other health and government officials continue to recommend social distancing in large gatherings of any kind for the foreseeable future. Westport Weston Health District Director Mark Cooper stated, “The CDC recommends that everyone, fully vaccinated or not, should social distance and continue wearing masks in crowded settings and outdoor venues like concerts and sporting events where you will be around large groups of strangers. In most outdoor scenarios, the transmission risk is low. However, when outside in places where you are likely to be with many people from outside your household, people must maintain social distancing and should still wear face coverings.”
As a practical matter, there is no way to enforce social distancing and mask wearing in the crowded environment of the Compo Beach fireworks event. It is inadvisable to plan for an event like the Town’s annual fireworks display where thousands of people congregate in close proximity and cannot socially distance. The possibility of alternative sites was considered, but all of them created even greater concerns regarding accessibility, safety and logistics.
Unfortunately, there is no luxury of taking a “wait and see” approach to determine where the community is in its COVID recovery efforts come July. The logistics and the need for early planning, permitting, and funding, as well as arranging for the display itself, requires significant lead time. PAL is the longtime sponsor of this annual event, and, although the Town is very much involved in planning and conducting, it is not Town funded. The decision as to whether to hold this major, large-scale event needed to be made now, based on the information available at this time, and in coordination with all the organizers.
Mr. Marpe stated, “I am disappointed that this year Westport could not hold the large celebration we had hoped for. But our town has come too far in our successful battle to overcome COVID to risk a possible setback by conducting a major gathering prematurely. I am happy that this year’s July 4th holiday still offers an opportunity to celebrate safely with smaller groups of families, friends, and neighbors.”
“We have had tremendous support from so many individuals and town organizations throughout this past year. It took a community-wide effort to manage this devastating health crisis. We have not yet completed the race, but we are closer to the finish line, and nearing a return to normalcy. I am confident that next year’s celebration at Compo Beach will be the most memorable one in many years.”
Soundview Drive Scene
Young visitors to Soundview Drive balance on the seawall, unbeknownst to them are the generations of Westporters who walked the same path before them.