Conversation Department: How to Legally, Responsibly Dispose of Leaves
The Conservation Department reminds Westport residents that both the Regulations for the Protection and Preservation of Wetlands and Watercourses of the Town of Westport, and Westport’s Waterway Protection Line Ordinance prohibit the dumping of debris in a wetland or watercourse.
Conservation Director Colin Kelly stated, “Now that autumn is in full swing, it seems like the yard work has only begun. We’ll all be raking and hauling leaves in an effort to clean up while looking for a way to dispose of them. As tempting as it may be, however, our wetlands and watercourses are not the place to be dumping them.”
Kelly continued, “Laws that protect our wetlands and waterways are there to protect the town’s natural resources as well as private property. Wetlands act as natural drainage basins for the collection of excess groundwater in the spring and runoff during storm events. Wetlands keep floodwaters within streams and their floodplains.”
Additional information may be found on the Conservation Department page on the Town Website: www.westportct.gov.
There are several options available to Westport residents for proper leaf disposal. One option is to compost leaves in the back yard within a fenced area or a composting receptacle, located at least 20 feet away from any wetland or watercourse. Not only is backyard composting a convenient alternative, it also produces valuable soil for container or garden planting the following year. Residents can learn the simple techniques of composting by linking to various web-sites such as https://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2022/10/13/compost-leaves-fast/ or https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home or https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/composting-leaves.htm
Another option available to Westport residents with a valid sticker is to deliver leaves to the yard waste site at 180 Bayberry Lane behind the Aspetuck Health District (no plastic bags) The yard waste site is now open Monday through Saturday 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Extended Saturday hours are in effect thru December 10, 2022.
Alternatively, the Department of Public Works began curbside leaf collection on November 7. All leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags safely near the curb of a Town street by December 5 to guarantee pick-up. Residents living on private streets must place their leaves behind the curb of an intersecting Town roadway. Leaves placed in plastic bags will not be picked up as the composting process cannot handle plastic.
For more information about leaf removal or the yard waste site, contact the Department of Public Works at 203-341-1120.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Rain likely, mainly before 10am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Northeast wind 9 to 13 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind around 9 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. West wind 10 to 17 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 30. West wind 8 to 10 mph.
Staples Principal Announces November Students of the Month
(L-R) William Lacend Duprey , Kimberly Cheng, Alexander Mussomeli, Gunnar Eklund, Jason Capozucca, Jane Cunningham. Contributed photoMarley Brown
Principal Thomas has announced Staples High School's recipient’s for November Student of the Month:
William Lacend Duprey. Gr.12
Marley Brown - Gr.12
Alexander Mussomeli- Gr.12
Jason Capozucca - Gr.12
Kimberly Cheng – Gr.11
Jane Cunningham – Gr.10
Sophie Grijns - Gr.9
Gunnar Eklund – Gr. 9
Sophie Grijns
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.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Areas of frost before 8am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a high near 46. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tonight
Rain, mainly after 8pm. Low around 35. Northeast wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
Rain, mainly before 11am. High near 49. Northeast wind 9 to 13 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind around 7 mph.