Morning Weather Report
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 6 to 14 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 50. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. West wind 5 to 8 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind 7 to 9 mph.
Clearing Skies over the Jesup-Godillot House
The 200+ year old home on Jesup Road had the rain water drying off its siding by the time nightfall came to Westport as the sun was able to hit the house atop the hill after some evening storms moved out of the region. WestportLocal.com photo
Tax Collector: Quarter Two Taxes Due October 1
Tax Collector Christine Alison reminded residents today that second quarter real estate taxes, personal property taxes, sanitary sewer use, and assessment charges are due October 1, 2022. Taxpayers have until November 1, 2022, to pay taxes without penalty. Accounts will be subject to an 18 percent (1.5 percent/month) penalty charge if paid late. Minimum interest charge is $2.00.
Failure to receive a bill does not abate the charges or interest.
Real estate taxes, personal property taxes, sanitary sewer use and assessment bills may be paid by credit card, debit card, or direct withdrawal from a checking account on-line at www.westportct.gov.
Checks should be made payable to “Town of Westport” and mailed to:
Town of Westport-Tax Collector
P.O. Box 350
Westport, CT 06881
In-person payments may be made at the Tax Collector’s Office, Room 109 in Town Hall (110 Myrtle Avenue). Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily Monday thru Friday.
Westport Community Invited to a Suicide Prevention Lunch “to enhance the community's ability to support one another.”
First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker announced that the Westport Prevention Coalition is offering a free Suicide Prevention Lunch and Learn for Town employees, elected officials, commissioners, volunteers, and residents on Friday, September 30 from 11 am to 12:30 pm at the Westport Library (20 Jesup Road). RSVP is required and space is limited. Please register at www.positivedirections.org/events.
Margaret Watt, Director of Prevention Services at Positive Directions, will facilitate the evidence-based certificate training, Question-Persuade-Refer (QPR), in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
“Tragically, suicide has been increasing in all age groups, with teens and young adults particularly feeling the impact of the COVID pandemic,” said Watt. “Each of us likely knows someone struggling with thoughts of suicide--which means any of us could be the one who intervenes to save a life. That’s why the QPR training is so valuable.”
Ms. Tooker encourages Town employees and residents to attend this FREE lunch & learn/suicide prevention training to enhance the community's ability to support one another.
According to Tooker, "Many are struggling with their mental health. This training offers critical information about what to look for and how to help someone in distress."
Tooker emphasized the importance of the Westport Prevention Coalition's work and invited residents to participate as coalition members. The Westport Prevention Coalition provides a comprehensive approach to education and prevention services for Westport residents of all ages through regular coalition meetings and programming.
To learn more, or to get involved in the Westport Prevention Coalition, go to www.westporttogether.org/prevention-coalition.
Governor: “violent and property crimes are down in Connecticut from the previous year”
Governor Ned Lamont issued the following statement in response to today’s release of Connecticut’s annual crime statistics report, which compiles data on crimes reported to law enforcement agencies in the state for the 2021 calendar year:
“This report shows violent and property crimes are down in Connecticut from the previous year, preserving our state’s status as one of the safest in the country. We must remain laser-focused on further reducing crime. Speaking as a father, a husband, and governor, one crime is too many. We have a real opportunity, working together with law enforcement and community partners, to further increase public safety in Connecticut.”
The annual report is created by the Crimes Analysis Unit of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and is now in its 44th year of publication. It is the most comprehensive source of crime-related data for the state.
Data from the report shows that between 2020 and 2021, Connecticut experienced a:
3% reduction in overall crime;
9% reduction in violent crime; and a
2% reduction in property crimes.
Additionally, the report finds that over the last ten years overall crime in Connecticut has fallen 30%, including a 43% reduction in violent crime and a 29% reduction in property crime.
During the last four years, the Connecticut State Police Training Academy has graduated 333 new state troopers through six training troops. The 132nd Training Troop is currently in progress and anticipated to graduate an additional 33 new state troopers by the end of October. The State Police plans to commence another training troop in November. That class of state trooper trainees are currently being recruited and will graduate in 2023.
The state budget that Governor Lamont signed into law earlier this year for the 2023 fiscal year makes significant investments in crime prevention and reduction, especially involving gun violence, as well as services for crime victims and support to clear court cases that accumulated during the pandemic. This includes:
$11 million for strategies led by law enforcement officials to trace firearms to their sources, reduce stolen cars, reduce violent crime, and promote safety on rural roads;
$8 million for community and public health-led strategies to prevent and reduce gun violence;
$4 million to invest in the latest forensic science technologies to speed up investigations and the clearing of criminal cases;
$18 million to help victims and survivors recover from crime through safety planning, crisis counseling, mental health treatment, and support for survivors of domestic violence; and
$32 million to speed up the processing of court cases.
**Download: Annual crime statistics report for 2021 from the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
DPW Announces Fall Road Paving Program for 22 Westport Streets
The Public Works Department announced today that the Town’s Fall Paving Program has started. The program will continue through the end of September until mid-October, weather permitting. The following Town roadways will be paved, though not necessarily in this order:
Hunt Club Lane
Tiffany Lane
Imperial Avenue
Broad Street
Jesup Road
Main Street
Taylor Place
Northfield Drive
Bay Street
Brooklawn Drive
Marion Road
Meadow View Drive
Hillyfield Lane
Cypress Pond Road
Oakwood Lane
Barbara Place
Charcoal Lane
Bowling Lane
Charcoal Hill Common
Avery Place
Old Road
Broad Street
Drivers and pedestrians residents are urged to use caution around work sites and allow extra driving time.
Questions regarding the project can be referred to the Public Works Office at (203) 341-1120.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Southwest wind 7 to 14 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southwest wind around 8 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 6 to 14 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 51. West wind around 8 mph.
High Tides
12:03 PM
Low Tides
6:00 AM / 6:23 PM
Westport: What’s Happening - First Selectwoman Discusses Long Lots Elementary School
An interview done by the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston.
Westport Restaurant Week Begins Today
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Restaurant Week will run from Sunday September 25th through Sunday October 9th.. It’s all part of the continuing “Eat Local” campaign to promote area restaurants, which follows on the heels of the highly successful Slice of Saugatuck Festival.
This year Restaurant Week, two weeks, features 21 eateries offering Prix Fixe meals to suit any foodie’s interest and pocketbook. Venues from one end of Westport and Saugatuck to the other, including Southport, will once again be treating diners to a gastronomical feast.
“Rising out of the pandemic our restaurants are truly stretching their wings and this year we have quite the selection of them,” said WWCC Executive Director Matthew Mandell. “We want people to eat local and realize Westport has the best dining scene in Fairfield County.”
Instead of a single price for all places, each one has set their own prix fixe ranging from $25+ for lunch and $35+ for dinner. Some offer just lunch, others just dinner, and many are offering both. It’s all about what fits best to bring in new patrons and old friends alike.
Restaurant week, running for two weeks, is a tried and true event that gives restaurateurs an opportunity to show off what they do with hopes of finding new regulars. Maria Funicello, co-owner of Tuttis, a Saugatuck mainstay summed it up best, “when you come to Tuttis, you dine at my house, come, have a meal with my family.”
Restaurant Week is once again being sponsored by Castlekeep Advisors, WEBE 108 and WICC 600 where radio commercials and interviews to promote the event have been ongoing.
The full list of participating restaurants, the meals they are offering, and their menus can be found on the Chamber’s website at www.westportwestonchamber.com/restaurantweek.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A slight chance of showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Light southwest wind becoming south 8 to 13 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tomorrow
A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 8 to 15 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 54. West wind 7 to 9 mph.
High Tides
11:26 AM / 11:45 PM
Low Tides
5:24 AM / 5:44 PM