Morning Weather Report: Here we Snow Again
Today:
A 20 percent chance of rain after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 44. Light and variable wind becoming south around 6 mph in the morning.
Tonight:
Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 1am. Low around 33. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Northeast wind 7 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Winter Weather Advisory begins at 6:00 PM.
Tomorrow:
Snow before 1pm, then a slight chance of rain between 1pm and 4pm. High near 43. Wind chill values between 25 and 35. North wind 13 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Winter Weather Advisory ends at 10:00 AM.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 29. North wind 8 to 11 mph.
Fire Department Responds to Brush Fire along I-95 in Westport
Contributed photoThe Westport Fire Department responded to a brush fire on interstate 95 northbound between exits 18 and 19 this afternoon. First arriving fire companies found a large area of brush burning and quickly spreading. Firefighters immediately began extinguishing the fire, but it quickly spread and crossed over the train tracks. This necessitated a stoppage of all Metro North and Amtrack trains traveling through the area. Firefighters from Wilton and Weston responded to the scene with water tankers to provide water supply for the operation from the highway side of the incident. Utilizing access off Gray Lane, Fairfield Firefighters assisted Westport Firefighters extinguish the fire on the opposite side of the tracks. The fire was extinguished and contained to approximately 1.5 acres. The cause of the fire is unknown currently.
William “Bill” Barron, 77, Died; Weston Resident, Y’s Men Member
William (Bill) Barron passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023. He was 77.
A resident of Weston, Conn., since 1954, Barron was born in 1945 in Detroit to John and Eulalia Barron.
He received a B.A. degree from Yale University in 1967, and a J.D. degree from Cornell University Law School in 1970.
Barron worked with several law firms before joining Alston and Bird in 1977 as a partner. After retiring from Alston and Bird, he became a partner at Franzino and Schur.
He was a member of the Art Law Committee of the International Bar Association, the Yale Russian Chorus Alumni, Kiwanis International, and a longtime member of Norfield Church in Weston. Barron joined the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston in 2017 where he participated in several activities including the Book Club, Bridge, the Classical Music Society, and the Global Issues Discussion Group.
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, sons David and Will., six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 18 at 11:00 AM at Norfield Congregational Church, 64 Norfield Road, Weston, Conn.
First Selectwoman: Found Propaganda “does not represent Westport and is unacceptable”
Press ReleasePropaganda stickers discovered on town & state property in recent days prompted a swift response from the Town Administration and the Westport Police Department.
On Wednesday March 8 2023, Westport Police were notified of propaganda, in the form of stickers, affixed to signs in the Saugatuck area of Town. These stickers were small, and in some cases, old and tattered. These stickers are confirmed recruitment materials from a group called “Patriot Front”. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has documented this group and written extensively on them https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/patriot-front. Westport Police spoke with CT State Police Hate Crimes Unit and confirmed that they have seen material from this group in other parts of the Country, and further stated they have had no violence attached to this propaganda.
First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker stated, “I am grateful to the Police for managing the issue with expediency and professionalism. This does not represent Westport and is unacceptable. Nor does it diminish the qualities of our community that focus on volunteerism, neighborly engagement, and civil discourse. We are proud of our residents and business and civic leaders who work tirelessly to make Westport a better place.”
She continued, “In collaboration with the CT ADL, TEAM Westport, and local officials, we will continue to make strides to ensure that Westport is a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone feels that they belong. Safety is always a top priority. I ask the community to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity they come across to the Westport Police department immediately. We can all help do our part as a community in countering these types of incidents by staying alert. Together, we can all make sure that Westport is the best place in the region to live, work, play and learn.”
Chief Koskinas reminds the public that Westport Police Department are engaging and take pride in making Westport a safe and inviting community.
Anyone with information or evidence of those responsible for placing the stickers in the various locations of Saugatuck are encouraged to call the Westport Police Detective Bureau at (203) 341-6080.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 27. North wind 6 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow
Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Wind chill values between 25 and 35. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm.
Tomorrow Night
Rain and snow likely before 1am, then snow. Low around 32. Southeast wind 5 to 13 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Fashionably Westport Brought Style, Fashion And Fun To The Westport Library
On Saturday the Westport Library hosted what has now joined other exceptional events on the Westport social calendar raising thousands of dollars to help Homes with Hope as they endeavor to fight homelessness and help feed area families in need.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
The library's Trefz Forum was transformed for a magical evening presenting Westport's version of NY Fashion Week, where dozens of beautiful models strutted their stuff on the runway wearing fabulous fashions from nearly two dozen of Westport's leading clothing stores.
Models included many well-known Westporters and town officials including First and Second Selectwomen Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore and RTM member Andrew Colabella. Notables in the audience included NBC anchor, journalist and Today show co-anchor Craig Melvin and Westport Chief of Police Foti Koskinas.
Backstage, models waited for their cue while several local stylists provided hair and make-up assistance, including Salon Dada, Artistex, Greg & Tony Ouidad salon, Whip, and Hammer & Nails.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Maxxwell Crowley, Director of the Westport Downtown Merchants Association, the WDMA, was asked by WestportLocalPress about the tremendous success of this important fundraiser and Maxx told us, “Events like Fashionably Westport truly show you what an incredible town Westport is. So many bought tickets and rallied behind the event knowing the impact it would make for Homes With Hope and their incredible mission. It also gave the merchants and people of the town a venue to have some fun, showcase some beautiful clothing, and celebrate the amazing business of our town.”
The audience, showing their own lovely fashions gathered in the library enjoying delicious food and great drinks and took lots of photos before they were called to the seating area surrounding the runway for the start of the show.
Maxx's team worked hard, led by WDMA event planner Jill Dunn who served as show director coordinating the efforts of vendors, volunteers and staff insuring that a great time was had by everyone in attendance.
Asked to describe the event Maxx told us, "2023 Fashionably Westport was a huge success! We had a sold out event for the second year in a row and are on track to beating financial our goal for a donation to Home with Hope who we partnered with for this event. The event showcased Westporters modeling looks from downtown merchants, everyone from Vuori to Eileen Fisher to Splash of Pink. The Library was the perfect venue for this event allowing us to build out the runway and get all the lights and music the models needed to strut their stuff. Big shout out to Walrus Alley for being our food caterer and Don Memo for mixing the cocktails for the evening. 99 Bottles supplied the wine and beer. We had many supporting vendors who participated and lots of other sponsors who supported this event and the fun goodie bags we handed out to all who attended." Maxx added, "Next year we hope to sell out the show again and most importantly continue to raise lots of money for the incredible team at Homes with Hope"
The second day of the two day event, Sunday guests were offered in-store promos at the 21 merchants who provided fashions for the show, including Athleta, Bella Bridesmaids Westport, Bobbles & Lace, Eileen Fisher, Express Edit, Fred, Scout & Molly's, Splash Of Pink, The Plumed Serpent, Winged Monkey and other fine stores.
About Homes With Hope
Helen McAlinden of Homes with Hope gave a presentation showing a glimpse into the many achievements of the organization, their services to the community and some of the people in need whom they have assisted.
Helen expressed here her deep appreciation of the efforts of the WDMA in producing this highly successful event, saying, "On behalf of the myself, Helen McAlinden, President and CEO of Homes with Hope, our Board of Directors, our staff and the people we serve - a big thank you to Maxx Crowley, President of The Westport Downtown Association and his staff for their hard work and dedication to this brilliant event. We are very grateful to the WDMA and our very generous Westport Community, once again, for attending Fashionably Westport and supporting Homes with Hope’s mission of preventing and ending homelessness in Fairfield County.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 45. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. North wind 13 to 16 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind 10 to 14 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. North wind 7 to 11 mph.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker Reads Proclamation for Civic Learning Week, Engages With Students in Staples Town Hall
Press ReleaseOn Monday, March 6, Westport’s Board of Selectwomen visited Staples to celebrate the start of Civic Learning Week. The goal of the nationwide week is to empower students with the tools to become active, civically engaged members of their community.
At the event, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker read the Proclamation to declare Civic Learning Week in Westport from March 6th-10th. Then, in a Town Hall moderated by Staples seniors Scarlett Siegel and Spencer Yim, Tooker and her fellow Selectwomen, Andrea Moore and Candice Savin, answered questions from students. Topics ranged from the structure of the town’s government to the Board’s efforts to address sustainability, traffic, and other policy areas.
Members of the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society assisted with the event. Lauren Francese, Social Studies Coordinator, stated, "Staples students asked great questions and really enjoyed learning about public service. It's a great opportunity to see civics in action, especially in a local context. When students have these opportunities, they make meaningful connections to the civics knowledge and skills that they're developing in the classroom." Additional events for students will be held on Thursday and Friday with guest speakers from the Registrar of Voters and Board of Education.
Cross Highway Road Improvement Info Session Slated for March 14
Press ReleaseMembers of the public are invited to attend a Public Information Meeting (“PIM”) on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Westport Town Hall Auditorium (110 Myrtle Avenue) to review the proposed improvements to the corridor along Cross Highway from North Avenue to Bayberry Lane (the “Corridor”). First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, the Department of Public Works Engineering staff, and other Town representatives will be available to discuss and answer questions regarding the proposals and any potential impacts to the neighborhood. The design engineer will be participating online with access to design data and drawings to aid in the discussion. Resident participation is encouraged.
The Town of Westport has identified this Corridor as an area in need of roadway and sidewalk traffic and safety improvements. To implement these improvements, the Town contracted with a design engineer who has developed several potential traffic and safety improvement concepts. These proposed improvements are designed to manage the traffic volume and congestion as well as reduce the potential for traffic accidents on Cross Highway at its intersections at North Avenue and Bayberry Lane.
The proposed concepts range from minor traffic sign upgrades to complete intersection reconstruction. They include but are not limited to:
Adding crosswalks in key areas;
Construction of new and/or repair of existing sidewalks;
Adding revised signage along the right-of-way;
Relocation of utility poles;
Installation of traffic signals;
Roadway widening at the intersections to realign approach and turning lanes;
Installation of roundabouts at the intersections;
Bridge replacement (over Dead Man's Brook).
Please contact the Town Engineer Keith Wilberg at (203) 341-1128 or kwilberg@westportct.gov should you have any questions regarding this project.
Westport RTM March Meeting: $3.1 Million Appropriated for Public Works Projects
March 7th, 2023 Agenda & Results
Westport’s Representative Town Meeting met via Zoom for a session beginning at 7:30 and adjourning at just after 9:40 this evening. Over 3 million dollars were appropriated for three different projects for the Department of Public Works, all of which involved the community’s sewer systems - including a new pump station on Riverside Avenue and adding several streets to the existing sewer & water lines.
1. To take such action as the meeting may determine, upon the recommendation of the RTM Rules Committee, to approve an amendment to Section 22-1 of the Code of Ordinances, establishing new and/or reaffirming voting districts following the 2020 Census as provided in Section C5-2 of the Town Charter. First reading. No vote needed. First reading completed.
2. To take such action as the meeting may determine, upon the request of the Director of Public Works, to approve an appropriation in the amount of $1,900,000.00 along with bond and note authorization, to the Sewer Reserve Fund Account for the replacement of Pump Station #3 Force Main Sewer Line and Pump Station Upgrades. Unanimously approved by all present RTM members.
3. To take such action as the meeting may determine, upon the request of the Director of Public Works, to approve an appropriation of $416,000.00 along with bond and note authorization to the Municipal Improvement Fund Account for additional funding for construction to extend the Sanitary Sewer System to Whitney Street, Roseville Road, Fernwood Road, Plumtree Lane, Pamela Place and Ledgemoor Lane. Unanimously approved by all present RTM members.
4. To take such action as the meeting may determine, upon the request of the Director of Public Works, to approve an appropriation of $790,000.00 along with bond and note authorization to the Municipal Improvement Fund Account for additional funding for construction to extend the Sanitary Sewer System to Evergreen Avenue, Evergreen Parkway, Tamarac Road, Lone Pine Lane, Gorham Avenue, Compo Road North and Brookside Drive.Unanimously approved by all present RTM members.