First Selectman Gives COVID-19 Vaccine Update for 65+
Press ReleaseFirst Selectman Jim Marpe today issued the following update on the COVID Vaccine:
Yesterday, Governor Ned Lamont announced that residents over the age of 65 will be eligible to schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments starting on Thursday, February 11, 2021, as the State rolls into the next part of Phase 1b of its vaccination program. Vaccinations for individuals over the age of 75 and those within Phase 1a will continue.
Governor Lamont claims that the 350,000 individuals in the 65-74 category should be vaccinated relatively quickly based on the State’s anticipation of 60,000 weekly doses from the federal government. The State is also working with pharmacies, such as Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart, to offer vaccines at some locations. This projection is subject to change due to unknown variables, including vaccine supply distribution to CT and population demand.
The expanded vaccine eligibility comes at a time while many in the 75+ category continue to experience difficulties with the registration and scheduling processes. To manage the increased volumes, the State has enhanced its phone line capacity and its ability to assist with vaccine scheduling. It is anticipated that vaccination appointments will be made within five minutes or less. Appointments for both the first and second vaccine can now be made simultaneously.
Do not wait for an appointment in Westport to schedule your vaccine. Eligible residents are encouraged to make vaccine appointments at any available clinic, and not wait for availability specifically in Westport. It is strongly suggested that those 65+ in the next phase consider booking appointments wherever available, recognizing that 75+ still need to be vaccinated locally and may have ambulatory or technological barriers to booking out of town.
To view a statewide list and map of COVID-19 vaccine clinics, go to www.211ct.org/vaccineclinics, enter your zip code or town in the location box on the right and press the yellow search icon.
As supplies to Westport increase, the opening of more clinics, including pharmacies and travel clinics, is anticipated. The important point is that residents use the resources currently available to schedule vaccines and remain patient if delays occur.
There are several ways to register and schedule an appointment for the vaccine.
Online using the Vaccination Administration Management System (VAMS). This is an online scheduling portal that allows individuals with an email address to create an account, log-in, and search for a vaccine clinic near them. An email address is required to schedule an appointment. By using VAMS you will be able to search for appointments at several locations throughout Connecticut after entering your zip code.
Through a third party VAMS clinic, such as:
Stamford Hospital: https://www.stamfordhealth.org/covid-19-update/covid-19-vaccination-information/ (203) 276-7300
UConn Health: https://health.uconn.edu/coronavirus/covid-vaccine/
Yale New Haven Health: https://www.ynhhs.org/patient-care/covid-19/vaccine/get-your-covid-vaccine.aspx (833) 275-9644
Hartford HealthCare: https://hartfordhealthcare.org/health-wellness/covid-vaccine
Cornell Scott Hill Health Clinic at https://www.cornellscott.org/ (203) 503-3000
Griffin Health Care Center in Shelton & Derby at (203) 433-3394
By phone:
Connecticut’s COVID Vaccine Appointment Assistance Line is (877) 918-2224 or 2-1-1 and is available every day from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Additional trained contact specialists are answering calls and have expanded capability of booking vaccine appointments through the VAMS portal. If delays occur, a call-back option may be offered when contact specialists are busy assisting other callers. Please note, this state phone line is experiencing very heavy call volume.
The following drive-thru options are available through VAMS:
The Community Health Center, at Lord & Taylor parking lot 110 High Ridge Road, Stamford.
Pratt & Whitney Drive-through, Runway Road, East Hartford.
For tips or a video tutorial on how to use VAMS, use the following links:
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on the vaccine roll out, residents are encouraged to visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccinations. As nearby pharmacies, travel clinics or other sites begin to participate in vaccine administration, that information will be available at www.WWHD.org
The State of Connecticut is managing the vaccine rollout and its prioritization. Connecticut is currently in Phase 1b of the vaccine distribution. Until Thursday, February 11, only those in Phase 1a or those 75 and older can register online to get the vaccine.
Individuals included in Phase 1a:
Healthcare Personnel
Long Term Care Facility Residents
Medical First Responders
Individuals included in Phase 1b:
Scheduling now: Individuals 75 and older
Scheduling 2/11/21: Individuals between the ages of 65 and 74
Scheduling information coming soon: Frontline essential workers and individuals with underlying medical conditions with increased risk for severe illness
Important Information from the Westport Department of Human Services:
The Westport Department of Human Services (DHS) is working with Senator Will Haskell’s team to contact those who are 75 years and older to ensure that they are aware of the need to schedule a vaccination appointment if they have not yet done so.
NOTE: Human Services staff does not have access to the VAMS portal and cannot register on a resident’s behalf. However, residents may also contact (203) 341-1050 or (203) 341-5037 or humansrv@westportct.gov for additional assistance, as needed.
DHS has prepared a frequently asked questions document for residents in need of assistance with vaccine registration and scheduling at www.westportct.gov/vaccine
BoE Meeting: $126.9 Million Budget Passed - Languages Saved, 5 Positions Cut; Full Time High School in March; KHS Principal Leaving
Health Update & High School Full-Time Learning
The Health and Safety Update announced that COVID-19 cases were still on the decline, with about 17 cases reported in the past week and only 58 staff and/or students quarantined. Sue Levasseur described a state-wide trend that is positive to families and the district. Levasseur also said that talks about upcoming graduations are beginning as the end of the school year comes into view.
Superintendent Thomas Scarice said that Staples High Schoolers could expect some form of full-time learning to begin in the beginning of March, with a “Cohort Model” of about 75% of high school students.
Another Elementary School Principal Leaves; Dr. DiBella of Kings Highway Elementary School leaving by end of year.
Dr. Mary Lou DiBella, of Kings Highway Elementary School, announced her leaving of the position at the school year’s end this upcoming June. This marks the second principal to leave the district this year, with Long Lots Elementary School principal Dr. Debra Dunn announcing her resignation just over one week ago.
Parents, Board of Education members, and Administrators thanked Dr. DiBella for the work that she did for the KHS community - it being described as leaving the school “better than when she arrived” according to BoE member and KHS parent Jeannie Smith.
2021-2022 Budget Passes BoE
After voting on each proposed reduction line-by-line, Board of Education members were able to pass the 2021-2022 Westport Public Schools Budget, which will now be sent to the Westport Board of Finance, and Westport Representative Town Meeting.
Board Members in Attendance: Candice Savin (Chair), Karen Kleine (Vice Chair), Elaine Whitney (Secretary), Jeannie Smith, Youn Su Chao, Lee Goldstein, Liz Heyer
Snapshot
Approved Budget: $126,942,298
4.11% ($5,005,810) Increase from 2020-2021Initial Budget Proposal: $128,013,115
4.98% ($6,076,627) Increase from 2020-2021Reductions & Savings: $1,070,817
Staff Positions Removed:
Two High School Teachers
Two High School Paraeducators
One Elementary School Assistant Principal
Staff Positions Saved:
0.5 Special Education Teacher
0.2 Speech & Hearing Teacher
Five Elementary School Paraeducators (one per school)
Four High School Grade Level Assistants
Four Elementary School World Language Teachers
Full Budget Items with Outcome, Member Votes
Item/Position Passed (accept reduction) or Failed (remain as-is)
Yes Votes (Y: Name)
No Votes (N: Name)
Unverified (Name)
0.5 Special Education Teacher FAILED
0.2 Speech & Hearing Teacher FAILED
Defer Creation of 1.0 Communication Specialist PASSED
2.0 High School Teachers PASSED
Y: Goldstein, Chao, Heyer, Whitney
N: Savin, Smith, Kleine
Implement Pay-to-Play Intramural Sports FAILED
5.0 Elementary School Paraeducators FAILED
Y: Goldstein, Chao, Heyer
N: Savin, Smith, Kleine, Whitney
2.0 High School Paraeducators PASSED
Y: Goldstein, Chao, Heyer, Whitney
N: Savin, Smith, Kleine
4.0 High School Grade Level Assistants FAILED
Y: Goldstein, Chao, Heyer
N: Savin, Smith, Whitney, Kleine
1.0 Elementary School, General Education Assistant Principal PASSED
Y: Chao, Heyer, Smith, Goldstein
N: Savin, Kleine, Whitney
4.0 Elementary School World Language Teachers (Cut K-2 World Languages) FAILED
Restore Daily pay rate for permanent substitutes to $100/day from $130/day FAILED
Y: Whitney, Chao
N: Savin, Goldstein, Smith
Heyer, Kleine
No New Instructional Equipment Purchases PASSED
Y: Whitney, Chao, Goldstein, Heyer
N: Savin, Smith, Kleine
No New Non-Instructional Equipment Purchases PASSED
Y: Whitney, Chao, Goldstein, Heyer
N: Savin, Smith, Kleine
No New Furniture Purchases PASSED
Y: Chao, Savin, Heyer, Kleine, Whitney
N: Smith
Goldstein
Defer/reevaluate purchase of 38 SmartBoards:
Whitney: reduce by 200,000, leave $73,600 for pilot program PASSED
Y: Chao, Whitney, Goldstein, Heyer
N: Savin, Kleine
Smith
No New Athletics Equipment Purchases PASSED
Y: Chao, Heyer, Goldstein, Whitney
N: Savin, Smith, Kleine
Implement Pay-to-Play Athletics Program to $150/student/activity FAILED
Carryover Fund Draw FAILED
This record is not verified by the Westport Board of Education, and should not take the place of the official meeting minutes to be released at a later date. Please contact the editor for corrections on information transcribed.State’s Assessment of Saugatuck Bridge Says “Replace the Bridge”; Full Report Forthcoming
Press ReleaseFirst Selectman Jim Marpe announced today that Connecticut Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Mark Rolfe has contacted the Selectman’s Office to advise that the Department of Transportation (DOT) is completing the Environmental Assessment (EA) of Bridge No. 01349, a/k/a William F. Cribari Memorial Bridge (Cribari Bridge) and will release the report in mid-March.
Deputy Commissioner Rolfe further indicated that the EA’s conclusion and the DOT’s recommendation is to replace the bridge with a new on-alignment structure which meets Federal Highway Administration standards rather than preserve the existing structure. This recommendation was one of five design alternatives that were developed by the DOT and the Cribari Bridge Project Advisory Committee in May 2019.
Mr. Marpe noted that in October 2020, at his request and given the uncertainty of the State’s plans, the funding for the DOT’s rehabilitation or replacement was removed from the Western Connecticut Council of Government’s (WestCOG) Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). Consequently, the DOT’s recommendation will be subject to further review and approval.
During the discussion, Commissioner Rolfe offered an alternative to replacing the bridge in the form of transferring its ownership from the State of Connecticut to the Town of Westport and re-routing Route 136. This approach would ultimately require the use of Town funds to operate, maintain and repair the bridge.
The Selectman’s Office will make another announcement as soon as the EA Report and Recommendation is finalized and available to the public.
Superintendent: Kindergarten Registration Underway
Press ReleaseThe 2021-2022 Kindergarten Registration is underway. If your child turns five years of age on or before January 1, 2022, please register him/her as soon as possible. Registering now allows the District to optimally plan for your new kindergartener. All registration information is located on the district website under the Kindergarten Registration link on the homepage https://www.westportps.org.
All information regarding Parent meetings will be forthcoming. If you are unsure as to what elementary school your child should attend, please go to our school locator website: https://www.westportps.org/parents/school-locator-and-directions
If you need further assistance, please contact the Superintendent’s office at (203) 341-1026.
10.8 Billion Dollar 2020 Grand List Announced; Down 5.4% from 2019
Town Assessor Paul Friia announced today that he signed the October 1, 2020 Grand List as required by state statute.
The net 2020 Grand List of $10,830,370,714 represents a decrease of approximately 5.4 percent from the net 2019 Grand List of $11,445,273,580 and was due mostly to the recently completed revaluation of October 1, 2020. The Grand List is the sum of the net assessed value of all taxable property – real estate, motor vehicles, and personal property.
While the overall Real Estate Grand List declined from the 2015 assessments, the actual percentage of change without the revaluation influence was an increase of just under 1.0 percent. This increase is a result of continued new residential and commercial construction as well as renovation activity that occurred within the last assessment year. Work was completed on the new assisted living facility at 1141 Post Road East and the gas station at 1830 Post Road East, while work continues on the condominium development at 500 Main Street and residential units at 41 Richmondville Road. Westport remains a community of great interest to businesses and new residents as evidenced in the significant increase in sales since the beginning of 2020.
While real estate is updated based on the market values determined every five years, motor vehicles and personal property is valued annually. The increase in the Motor Vehicle Grand List was approximately 3.9%. The Personal Property Grand List remained largely unchanged from last year, due to both the closure of businesses and a slowdown of new business openings resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Totals:
Real Estate: $10,148,497,205 (93.70%)
Motor Vehicle: $364,441,700 (3.37%)
Personal Property: $317,431,809 (2.93%)
TOTAL: $10,830,370,714 (100%)
Top 10 Taxpayers 2020:
Connecticut Light & Power Inc. : Pers. Property ($140,509,070)
60 Nyala Farms Road LLC: Real Estate ($83,338,970)
Bedford Square Assoc LLC: Real Estate ($53,321,200)
Equity One Westport Vill. Center: Real Estate ($ 33,126,100)
Byelas LLC: Real Estate ($24,856,700)
Aquarion: Real/Pers. Prop. ($24,148,760)
LCB Westport LLC: Real/Pers. Prop. ($22,302,600)
1735 Ashley LLC: Real Estate ($20,310,860)
285 & 325 Riverside LLC: Real Estate ($19,470,500)
Ronnie F Heyman Trustee: Real Estate ($ 18,214,400)
Last Night’s RTM Meeting: “The Ratkiewich Show” as DPW Seeks Over 1.2 Million for Multiple Plumbing & Paving Projects
Last nights RTM meeting had four agenda items, each one requested by Westport Department of Public Works Director Peter Ratkiewich, and totaling over 1.2 million dollars in appropriations, all passing unanimously. According to the Town, Ratkiewich has been a Westport employee since 1989. He was hired as the Deputy Town Engineer and took over the responsibilities as Town Engineer in October, 2008, and transitioned to DPW Director three years ago after the retirement of long-time DPW Director Steve Edwards.
Item One was a request for an appropriation of $600,000.00 to the Sewer Reserve Fund Account for the replacement of the existing Force Main Serving Pump Station #5, located at Canal Street. Ratkiewich described the pump house being 40 years old, and next on the list of several having been replaced or planning to be replaced throughout the town. The project was described as necessary in order to “keep our infrastructure in a good state of repair.” The appropriation was passed unanimously by the 35 member meeting.
Item Two was a request for an appropriation of $59,400.00 along with bond and note authorization to the Municipal Improvement Fund Account for the engineering design of a proposed extension of public sanitary sewer system for Whitney St, Roseville Road, Fernwood Rd, Plumtree Lane, Pamela Place and Ledgemoor Lane. RTM Member Jessica Bram, District 6, described a concern for residents on the affected streets who don’t want to join the sewer system. Ratkiewich said it wasn’t required, but that the added cost in yearly taxes would be similar to a home privately funding a new septic system when looked at as a yearly cost. He continued to explain that this specific petition had “about 70% of the neighbors signing” that they wished to be connected to the town’s system. The appropriation passed unanimously.
Item Three was a request for an appropriation of $295,000.00 to the Capital and Non-Recurring Account for the reconstruction of the Library Upper Parking Lot. The project will re-pave the entire parking lot that sits between the Library and Levitt Pavilion, the latter of the two locations being important to Matt Mandell, District 1, as he shared hope that the project would not interfere with the non-profit music venue’s season starting in June. Ratkiewich said they would work with the Town to plan the paving project with the schedule that would work for the affected locations. The parking lot’s current state has caused trips and falls of guests to the venues, resulting in costly lawsuits against the Town - placing the project at a higher priority. Ratkiewich also confirmed that it would have little to no environmental effect, as they won’t be disturbing the former landfill that sits beneath the lot. The appropriation passed unanimously.
Item Four was also a request for a paving project, this time an appropriation of $320,000.00 to the Capital and Non-Recurring Account for the reconstruction of the Senior Center Parking Lot. The project would repave the majority of the senior center’s parking lots, except for the newest parking lot created with the center’s recent expansions. When a question of money was brought up, John Klinge, District 7, described that the town should support its seniors, with the project spending “about $40 per senior, while $20,000 is spent on each [school] student.” Andrew Colabella, District 4, furthered the sentiment, saying that the demographic of primary users of the parking lots would benefit from a safer parking lot. The appropriation passed unanimously.
Between 7:00 PM and 9:15 PM, over 1.2 million dollars of appropriations were approved for the Department of Public Works for projects around the community. Jimmy Izzo, District 3, made it clear though that the work of the department does not go unnoticed - especially during snow emergencies such as this Monday’s snow storm when the crews work around the clock for the community. Moderator Velma Heller, District 9, thanked Ratkiewich for his thorough and evidently thoughtful analysis and explanation of topics “not easily understood by everyone.” The meeting adjourned at around 9:15 PM.