Morning Weather Report
Today
A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. High near 74. South wind 6 to 9 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers between 9pm and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northwest wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 80. Light and variable wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Staples High School Students of the Month Announced
(L-R): Michael Blishteyn, Jonah Bernstein, Davi Da Silva, Kervin Joseph
Jordyn GoldshorePrincipal Thomas has announced Staples High School's recipients for May Student of the Month:
Michael Blishteyn – Gr. 10
Jonah Bernstein – Gr. 9
Davi Da Silva – Gr 9
Kervin Joseph – Gr. 10
Jordyn Goldshore – Gr.11
The Students of the Month award program recognizes students who help make Staples High School a welcoming place for their peers and teachers alike. They are the “glue” of the Staples community: the type of kind, cheerful, hard-working, trustworthy students that keep the high school together, making it the special place that it is.
Students of the month are nominated by their teachers, who are asked to think of those students who come to school regularly, are friendly to the staff and to fellow students, and make positive contributions in class as well as the Staples community. In short, these students are all-around good citizens of our school. Students of the Month are not necessarily star athletes, high honor students, or lead performers, and even if they are, this award recognizes the positive attitude they bring to school every day in making Staples High School a genial place in which to learn and teach.
Westport Property Transfers: May 9th - 13th
Westport property transfers as reported by the Westport Town Clerk’s Office:
Total Conveyance Tax: $54,810.64
Total Sales: $21,924,261.00
Highest Transfer Price: 7 Blue Coat Lane: $3,100,000
Lowest Transfer Price: 1 Parsell Lane: $720,000
Transfers:
7 Blue Coat Lane: $3,100,000
7 Hyatt Lane: $2,350,011
21 Crawford Road: $2,145,000
2 Imperial Landing: $2,002,000
197 Hillspoint Road: $1,875,000
36 Bridge Street: $1,860,000
44 Otter Trail: $1,600,000
222 Hillspoint Road: $1,511,250
25 Grassy Plains Road, Unit 4: $1,475,000
23 High Street: $1,426,000
10 Tiffany Lane: $960,000
203C Compo Road South: $900,000
1 Parsell Lane: $720,000
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 14; State Hospitalizations Down, Positivity Rate 11.83%
The State Department of Public Health reported 14 more cases in Westport over the past day. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 11.83% while hospitalizations were down 9 patients, with 363 patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 throughout the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 4,988 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 36 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 11.83% [up from 11.77%]
State Hospitalizations: 363 patients [-9]
Morning Weather Report
Today
A slight chance of drizzle or light rain before 11am, then a chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Areas of fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am, then showers likely after 2am. Low around 63. South wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Westport Affordable Housing Plan Draft Announced
Westport Planning and Zoning: Planning and Zoning Director Mary Young announced on May 15, 2022, a draft version of the Town of Westport’s Affordable Housing Plan 2022-2027 (“Plan”) is available to view on the Town’s website here.
Connecticut General Statute §8-30j requires preparation of an Affordable Housing Plan:
“(a) At least once every five years, each municipality shall prepare or amend and adopt an affordable housing plan for the municipality. Such plan shall specify how the municipality intends to increase the number of affordable housing development in the municipality...” Effective July 24, 2017
Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Danielle Dobin stated, “I was honored when former First Selectman Jim Marpe delegated to the Planning and Zoning Commission preparation of this Plan and I look forward to working with current First Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Town residents to draft a plan we can be proud of. This planning exercise required by the State Statutes should not be viewed as an obligation, but as an opportunity to create pathways for a diversity of housing types to be developed that track with our modern values of creating equitable, diverse communities.”
Public forums were held earlier this year and more forums are planned to solicit ideas from residents on how best to increase the number of affordable housing dwellings units in Westport. Currently, 3.75% of the total number of housing units in Westport qualify as affordable, far fewer than the 10% required by the state.
Comments on the Draft Plan may be emailed to the attention of the Planning and Zoning Commission at PandZ@westportct.gov . As community input is critically important to ensuring that the Plan works for Westport and represents our Town’s values, a Community Survey is being conducted and your input would be greatly appreciated. The survey is available here until June 23, 2022.
To Stay Connected and find out when the next public forum will be visit: www.westportct.gov/government/affordable-housing-plan
Westport First Responders Push for Pedestrian Safety
Westport Fire Department Press Release:As the weather gets nicer, more people are walking and jogging on Westport’s roadways. The Westport Fire and Police Departments are using this opportunity to remind our residents that pedestrian safety is a “Two Way Street!” Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high. In 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, over 6000 pedestrians were killed, and an estimated 76,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide. However, there is opportunity to reduce the risk and it starts with being informed.
If both drivers and pedestrians follow the tips detailed below the likelihood of a pedestrian accident can be greatly reduced.
Drivers:
Look for pedestrians everywhere. Pedestrians may not be walking where they should be or may be hard to see— especially in poorly lit conditions, including dusk/dawn/ night and poor weather.
Always stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk or where pedestrian crosswalk signs are posted.
Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. They may be stopped to allow pedestrians to cross the street.
Slow down and look for pedestrians. Be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Follow the speed limit and slow down around pedestrians.
Stay focused and slow down where children may be present, like school zones and neighborhoods.
Pedestrians:
Walk on a sidewalk or path when one is available.
If no sidewalk or path is available, walk on the shoulder, facing traffic.
Stay alert; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.
Be cautious night and day when sharing the road with vehicles.
Never assume a driver sees you -- make eye contact with drivers as they approach.
If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area, wait for a gap in traffic that allows you enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for traffic as you cross.
Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections when possible.
Be visible. Wear bright clothing during the day and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
The Westport Police and Fire Departments are urging everyone to do their part to keep pedestrians safe.
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 26; State Positivity Rate, Hospitalizations Down
The State Department of Public Health reported 26 more cases in Westport over the past day. The State’s daily test positivity rate was down to 11.77% while hospitalizations were down 4 patients, with 379 patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 throughout the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 4,974 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 36 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 11.77% [down from 12.05%]
State Hospitalizations: 379 patients [-4]