Connecticut Attorney General Brought Cookies, Toured Gillespie Center Wednesday
L-R First Selectman Jim Marpe, Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, and State Representative Jonathan Steinberg inside the Gillespie Center today discussing its functions during the COVID-19 crisis.
Connecticut’s Attorney General William Tong (D) brought a donation of food and toured the Homes with Hope Gillespie Center at 45 Jesup Road yesterday. The Attorney General was joined by First Selectman Jim Marpe, Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden, Connecticut State Representative Jonathan Steinberg (D, 136th District), along with other Homes with Hope staff members. The group discussed the changes made to the emergency shelter due to COVID-19, and toured the center’s dormitories, kitchen, social room, and food pantry.
Ryan Soto, Gillespie Center Programs Director, described a decline in bed capacity from 21 beds to 12 beds due to COVID-19 spacing regulations and the addition of in-house COVID-19 testing done biweekly for guests. The local non-profit was excited to share their gratitude for the support of the community and Town through the pandemic, including meal donations from local restaurants and non-perishable food donations for the second floor food bank.
The Gillespie center offers meals, beds, laundry, and shower facilities for individuals in need. Homes with Hope also assists with social services such as occupational assistance and basic health needs, in addition to mentoring programs for those in crisis.
The Gillespie Center Food Pantry, located on the second floor of the 45 Jesup Road building.
Department of Public Works: Slow down, Understand Plow Protocols
From the Department of Public Works:
“Westport, CT - The Department of Public Works (DPW) reminds Westport residents to slow down and use extra caution when driving in winter conditions and particularly when they are near snowplows.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Town snow plowing policy and procedures.
PLOW ROUTES – The streets are plowed and sanded in order of priority. Main (collector) roads are addressed first with special attention to steep hills and difficult intersections. Side streets are done next, then dead-end streets. A single pass will be made on side streets to keep them open, but primary emphasis will be placed on main roads until the storm has stopped. This may not seem fair to the residents of side streets or dead-end streets, but main roads must remain open.
BLOCKED DRIVEWAYS - All snowplows angle the same way – to the driver’s right. When going by they cannot avoid pushing the snow in front of a driveway. The homeowner is responsible for access to his driveway. The only way to avoid extra shoveling is to wait until DPW crews have completed their final clean up on the street.
FOLLOWING PLOWS - Never follow a plow too closely or attempt to pass one. Passing snowplows or driving aggressively can be dangerous for a number of reasons: Plow trucks weigh several tons and have many blind spots; snowplows cannot maneuver easily or stop quickly and by necessity drive slowly when clearing and treating roads; reduced speed allows salt to stay in travel lanes, limiting the amount that scatters off the road. This saves taxpayer money and minimizes environmental impacts.
Plowing can also create a cloud of snow around the truck that causes limited visibility and whiteout conditions for passing motorists. It also creates a ridge of snow between lanes that makes passing inadvisable. Motorists are reminded to stay several car lengths behind plow trucks.
SIDEWALKS – Per town ordinance, businesses are responsible for keeping all sidewalks along their property clear of snow and ice.
MAILBOX DAMAGE – The town repairs or replaces only mailboxes and/or posts that are struck by a plow blade. Usually a paint mark or tire tracks supply evidence of a mailbox strike. The town does not repair or replace mailboxes and/or posts that fall from the force of plowed snow. Mailboxes and supporting posts must be installed to withstand the rigors of snow removal, including the force of snow pushed from the street onto the roadside.
PRIVATE PLOWING – The town prohibits plow contractors from pushing snow from driveways or parking lots onto town streets. This practice is dangerous and impedes the town’s snow removal efforts. If there is no other alternative to pushing snow into the street, the plow driver must plow off the windrow left across the street by re-plowing until the road is safe. This may not necessarily mean bare pavement, but certainly it should be no worse than when the driver began work.
Residents who have questions may contact Public Works at (203) 341-1120.”
The State Department of Transportation is ready for snow as their fleet of snow plows sits idle their Post Road East yard this morning.
National Weather Service Issues Hazardous Weather Outlook for Incoming Snow
The National Weather Service issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook on Sunday night, which explained that “there is increasing potential for a significant winter storm Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning, with heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding.” (NWS)
Residents are reminded to check that generators are in working order, confirm that all medications are recently refilled, and to assure that cars are properly prepared for the winter weather. Neighbors are encouraged to check on elderly or ill neighbors by phone or other virtual mediums throughout any storm.
There is no word on whether schools would attend lessons online, or if they would still utilize snow days, in the event of inclement weather.
Department of Human Services Seeks Donations to Keep Neighbors Warm
The Westport Department of Human Services announced that they are “currently accepting donations for the "Westport Warm-Up Fund" to help residents in need to heat their homes this winter.”
“According to Human Services Finance Manager Susan Stefenson, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for additional assistance for many Westport households.
“This winter will be particularly challenging for households facing unstable employment, food insecurity, and financial vulnerability,” said Stefenson. “Last season, community donations helped over 250 residents to warm their homes during a relatively mild winter. Unfortunately, the number of households in need is growing due to the pandemic.”
The Westport Warm-Up program is funded entirely by donations and managed by the Town's Department of Human Services to provide heating assistance to Westport's most vulnerable residents. Program recipients must be Westport residents, have a demonstrated financial need, and provide proper documentation to qualify.
Tax-deductible gifts are accepted online at www.westportct.gov/donate or by mail to Westport Warm-Up Fund, Department of Human Services, Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave., Westport CT 06880.
The Department of Human Services works with residents of all ages to provide resources, programs, and services including income-based financial assistance, short-term counseling, and personal enrichment opportunities. For more information or to request assistance, please go to www.westportct.gov or contact 203-341-1050 or Humansrv@westportct.gov. “
Westport Property Transfers: 11/23/20 - 11/27/20
Westport property transfers as reported by the Westport Town Clerk’s Office:
Total Conveyance Tax: $24,629.47
Total Sales: $9,851,788.00
Highest Transfer Price: 23 Bayberry Lane: $2,845,000
Lowest Transfer Price: 53 Whitney Glen Drive: $477, 900
Transfers:
23 Bayberry Lane: $2,845,000
34 Park Lane: $1,425,000
17 Pine Drive: $1,150,000
268 Bayberry Lane: $1,100,888
19 White Woods Lane: $1,095,000
2C Cross Highway: $940,000
6 Greenwood Lane: $818,000
53 Whitney Glen Drive: $447,900
Editor’s Note:
Many readers noticed that the names of the parties involved in last week’s transfers were not published. More importantly, many readers emailed me with their comments. I again write this week’s report of transfers without the names of the parties involved, and want to continue our conversation.
My purpose in not publishing names is to support the privacy of those involved - fellow community members and neighbors. In a time when more families are home during the day, and more families are transferring property for both positive and negative reasons, I want to uphold my mission in keeping this a community site that’s both objective in practice, while empathetic in nature. The list is publicly accessible on the Town of Westport Website each week - which I will include as a link in each week’s report here on The Westport Local Press.
The emails from those who thanked me for the privacy, as well as those who missed being able to see the comings & goings of neighbors, were important to me. As so many of you have - please contact me should you have any comments, suggestions, or ideas - because conversation is key.
Jaime B.