Finalists Announced for TEAM Westport Teen Diversity Essay Contest; Ceremony this Tuesday
Press ReleaseThe three finalists for the 2023 TEAM Westport Teen Diversity Essay Contest have been announced by TEAM Westport in partnership with the Westport Library. The public is invited to the Essay Awards Ceremony at the Westport Library on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 6 pm. Registration for in-person or livestreamed attendance may be made via this link.
This is the 10th consecutive year the Contest has been conducted. It is open to any students (Grades 9-12) attending a school located in Westport or any students (Grades 9-12) who live in Westport but attend schools elsewhere. An award of $1,000, $750 or $500 will be made for placement of 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, respectively. This year’s finalists are Savvy Dreas (Greens Farms Academy Junior), Tyler Darden (Staples High School Senior), and Annie Dizon (Greens Farms Academy Senior). The public is invited to attend the ceremony to hear the essays and celebrate the finalists' contributions.
The 2023 Essay Charge is “The Dialogue Challenge: Effective Engagement on Race, Ethnicity, Religion and LGBTQIA+. In 1,000 words or less, reflect on your own interactions with people who have different racial, ethnic, religious, and/or LGBTQIA+ identities and/or perspectives. What kinds of conversations were particularly helpful in prompting you to rethink your beliefs or opinions, perhaps causing you to change your mind or enabling you to better understand others’ points of view? Based on these experiences, what specific actions would you suggest that individuals, schools, and/or town entities in Westport take to promote good-faith dialogue, reduce bias, and foster understanding?
Team Westport’s mission is to make Westport a more welcoming community with regard to race, religion, ethnicity, and LGBTQIA+. In order to achieve its mission, one of TEAM Westport’s goals has been to promote opportunities for people to come together in dialogue to better understand each other’s experiences, decrease bias, and learn what we have in common. Meaningful dialogue depends on a good faith effort to set aside preconceived beliefs or what we think we know about other people. www.westportct.gov/teamwestport
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 20 percent chance of showers before 11am. Areas of fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
A 50 percent chance of showers after 2am. Areas of fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. East wind around 8 mph.
Tomorrow
Showers likely, mainly between 8am and 2pm. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 64. East wind around 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
A 30 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southwest wind around 9 mph.
Wheels2U Shuttle Looks for Support as Budget Cut Looms Near
Press ReleaseWestport is in danger of losing the Wheels2U shuttle yet again.
In what has become an annual rite of Spring, the Board of Finance voted at its March meeting to eliminate all funding for Wheels2U, the Westport Transit District’s door-to-train station on-demand commuter shuttle. This will effectively shut down the service as of June 30, 2023. (Note: The door to door service for the elderly and persons with disabilities will not be affected.)
We need your help to keep the shuttle alive!
The Transit Committee and the Finance Committee of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) are meeting on April 17th and April 26th, respectively, to make recommendations to the full RTM regarding the budget for Wheels2U and the full RTM is meeting May 1st to vote on restoring funding to keep the shuttle running for another year.
Please send an email to the RTM (RTM-DL@Westportct.gov) between now and the end of April urging the RTM to restore the budget and keep the shuttle alive. All emails sent to this address will also go to the members of the RTM Transit and Finance Committees.
Wheels2U provided over 21,100 rides to and from Westport’s two train stations to more than 1,170 people since the start of the current fiscal year on July 1, 2022, with over 2,780 rides to and from Westport’s train stations in March alone.
Wheels2U supports Westport residents and businesses and aids economic development by providing a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way for Westport commuters, reverse commuters, and others to link their homes, their employers, and downtown to the train stations. By sharing your stories of how useful the service has been to you we can help to save the shuttle service.
It takes a vote of 70% of the RTM members present and voting at a meeting to override the Board of Finance and restore the funding for Wheels2U, and every bit of support matters.
Information about Wheels2U, its cost, the benefits it currently provides to riders and the town as a whole, and what it could become if it’s allowed to continue and grow, can be found by clicking this link.
Thank you for your support!
Peter Gold,
Director, Westport Transit District
Westport Announces Hazardous Waste Collection Day
Saturday, April 22, 2023 RAIN or SHINE - 9am – 2pm
Greens Farms Railroad Station, Parking Lot #1, New Creek Road, Westport CT (Located between I-95 and Metro-North Railroad tracks)
Household Hazardous Waste Day is a NO CHARGE regional program for residents of Westport, Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, Stamford, and Greenwich to safely dispose of their household hazardous wastes. Products such as cleaners, gasoline and pesticides can pollute the environment and jeopardize public health when they are disposed of improperly and enter our land or water.
A partial overview of some typical household hazardous wastes includes: gasoline, kerosene, spray paint, paint strippers, paint thinners, solvents, paints, stains, turpentine, varnishes, wood preservatives, degreasers, fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, bleach, charcoal lighter, cleaning chemicals, drain cleaners, mercury thermometers, moth balls, pet flea shampoos, photo chemicals, rug shampoos, spot removers, art supplies & paints.
Before bringing household hazardous material to the collection site:
Make sure items are clearly labeled and NEVER MIX CHEMICALS. Incompatible products may react, ignite, or explode, and mixed waste may become non-recyclable.
Keep products in original labeled container.
Place leaky containers in clear plastic bags.
Tighten lids of all containers and pack items in sturdy cardboard boxes lined with paper.
Put boxes in the trunk or in the back of the vehicle away from passengers.
Leave pets and children home when bringing hazardous materials for collection.
Keep your windows open and drive directly to the collection site.
Residents must remain in their vehicles during collection.
Residents are asked to be patient, as this is the first HHW Day of 2022, and lines may be longer, due to greater number of participants and larger quantities of materials per vehicle.
Do not smoke or eat while handling hazardous materials.
REMINDER: Westport residents may recycle: antifreeze, motor oil, batteries of any type, light bulbs, and electronics at the Westport Transfer Station, 300 Sherwood Island Connector, Monday-Friday 7:00 am – 2:30 pm, Saturday 7:00 am – 12:00 pm.
The following items are NOT acceptable: AMMUNITION, FLARES, and COMMERCIAL HAZARDOUS WASTE.
If you have any questions, contact the Westport Public Works Department at 203-341-1793.
Staples Lacrosse Completely Dominates Massapequa in Brilliant Performance
The Staples Boys Lacrosse team completed a dominating performance on Thursday, against perennial Long Island power Massapequa.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
The Wreckers started the game with a four goal run and ended the first quarter with an 8-1 lead. Staples never looked back with a final score of 17-5 behind an unselfish performance by the offense and a gritty game from the defense. "Our offense did a great job of moving the ball quickly and letting the ball find the open man. We shared the ball really well and found the right play consistently today. And then when it was time to shoot, our guys stuck it." said Wrecker Head Coach Will Koshansky. "Our offensive coaches did a great job preparing for everything Massapequa threw at us. They ran Man to Man and Zone defenses and we were able to score against both."
The Wreckers had goals come from nine different players, with senior Gavin Rothenberg scoring 5 to go along with an assist. Rothenberg's linemates at attack, seniors Tyler Clark and Sam Eigen both finished with two goals and two assists, while senior defenseman Preston Norris also tallied a goal, his first of the season. Junior Ben Burmeister, committed to play collegiately at Notre Dame, continued his impressive start to the season with two goals and an assist.
A big story of the early season for the Wreckers is the emergence of three sophomore midfielders who are playing serious minutes. Sophomores Adam Udell, Tristan Schaefer, and Cam Prior have found themselves in starting roles this year, on a senior heavy roster. The three sophomores combined for 4 goals and 3 assists yesterday and Udell is currently fourth on the team in points. When asked about his star sophomore middies Coach Koshansky notes that "you can see all three of them improving every day. They have worked incredibly hard and we are already asking a lot of them. They all take faceoff wings, play key roles in our offense, and will stay on the field and play defense as well."
This Saturday, April 15, the Wreckers will face Darien, a rematch of last season's Class L Championship, at home at 5:00pm.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Interstate Design Center Hosts Home Builders & Remodelers Event
On Thursday night Shelly Kahan, CEO of Interstate & Lakeland Lumber on the Post Rd. in Westport hosted over 150 industry professionals, including builders, suppliers, realtors, architects, interior designers and more.
Ben Kahan, senior marketing manager for Interstate & Lakeland said "We were honored to host the Home Builders & Remodelers Association (HBRA) of Fairfield County's quarterly meeting at our new, state of the art, two story Interstate Design Center." Kahan commented, "Making this space a part of the Westport community is so important to us, we want to be a resource that builders and homeowners know they can rely on. We're very proud of the space we've built here at the Westport Design Center, it was a joy getting to share it with our local builder community!"
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
The evening offered guests an opportunity to enjoy the delicious and beautifully presented appetizers and hot buffet catered by Westport's A & S Fine Foods on Post Road West while they networked with old and new acquaintances and explored the fabulous Interstate Design Center at 800 Post Rd. East and it's exceptional display of home building products, some for the first time. 99 Bottles, Bridge Square Westport provided fine wines and beers.
Some of those in attendance were Westport-based business including Saugatuck's Gault Stone & Landscape Supplies, Fuscaldo Builders, LLC, Stella Homes Team at eXp Realty, Stephanie Rapp Interiors, llc, Karen Berkemeyer Home, Ferocious Media (Connoisseur Media) and Newpointe Wealth financial advisors.
Co-hosting the event was Kerry Brunn, executive officer of the association who explained "The Home Builders & Remodelers Association (“HBRA”) of Fairfield County is a not for profit association of members engaged in single family and multifamily residential new construction, remodeling, land development activities and light commercial construction covering Fairfield County."
Our 450+ members consist of builders, remodelers, land developers, suppliers, manufacturers, subcontractors, architects, engineers, attorneys, lenders, real estate brokers and many other industry professionals.
Since 1946, the association has provided members opportunities to build their businesses and strives to be a leader in providing innovative resources, education, legislative advocacy and networking events for our members that will help keep their businesses ahead of the curve. Members of the HBRA represent the best in their industry. Whether a builder, remodeler, developer or associated trade or supplier, our members are committed to the highest standards in building our communities.
To learn more about Interstate+Lakeland Lumber and the Interstate Design Center, visit: www.interstatelumber.com.
For more about The Home Builders & Remodelers Association (“HBRA”) of Fairfield County, visit: www.buildfairfieldcounty.com
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. North wind around 6 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Tonight
Patchy frost after 2am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 54. Northeast wind around 7 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night
Patchy frost after 2am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 34. South wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Big Day For Wreckers Baseball: Staples Wreckers Varsity's Two Pitchers Combine In No-Hitter To Gain Victory Over Central High School
Staples Wreckers Varsity's two pitchers didn't allow a single hit, as Staples Wreckers Varsity defeated Central High School 10-0 on Thursday. Kai Nee struck out #2 to get the last out of the game. Staples Wreckers Varsity got things moving in the first inning, when Hiro Wyatt drew a walk, scoring one run. Staples Wreckers Varsity notched four runs in the third inning.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
They kept the pressure on, lead by singles by Christopher Zajac and Oppenheimer. Rhys Jamali got the start for Wreckers. The pitcher lasted three innings, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out five and walking zero.Kai Nee threw the last 2 innings striking out 6.
Staples tallied one home run on the day when Holden Caney went deep in the first inning. The Wreckers collected nine hits. Caney and Luke Oakley each had multiple hits for Staples. Oakley and Caney each collected two hits to lead The Wreckers Staples was sure-handed and didn't commit a single error. Caney made the most plays with eight.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Big Day For Wreckers Baseball: Staples Freshman Team Overwhelms Fairfield Ludlowe With 8-3 Win
The Staples Wreckers Freshman team scored a convincing win starting in the first inning when Paul Dottori drew a walk, scoring one run. The fourth inning saw big offense, with three runs scored thanks to a walk by Mason Tobias, a sacrifice fly by Cael Crombie and by Jules Cicero.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Xavier Somashekar led the Wreckers to victory on the mound. The fireballer allowed four hits and one run over three and two-thirds innings, striking out five and walking one. James Locoseglio and Lukas Snow entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. Graham Papp took the loss for Fairfield Ludlowe. The lefty lasted three and two-thirds innings, allowing three hits and six runs while striking out two. JP Holland went 2 for 2 at the plate to lead Fairfield Ludlowe in hits.
Staples smacked one home run on the day. Crombie had a dinger in the sixth inning. Dottori, Connor Brill, Mark Kelly, William Allot, Vincent Vega and Crombie each collected on hit to lead the Wreckers freshmen. Staples was sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error. Daniel McHugh had the most chances in the field with five.
Head coach Don Smith observed: "Mason Tobias played a excellent overall game with 2 great plays at 2b including one diving play .he also had a key RBI sac fly and was robbed of 2 hits on diving plays by the RF."
He further commented. "Cael Crombie came off the bench to have a big pinch hit sac fly then hit his fist homer of the season his next at bat. We got excellent pitching from all 3 pitchers. I tell the kids limit the walks and we will be in every game this season."
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
He's Baaaaack! One Half Of Westport’s Favorite Osprey Family Has Returned
The male Osprey returns from his southern wintering residence first, then awaits the return of his mate who follows later.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
The platform adjoining Terrain has been a favorite for our Osprey fans as it has great visibility and shoppers at Terrain and Fresh Market will often see them flying in and out of the nest as they do a little remodeling of their nest in spring and bring fresh fish to their hungry chicks after they hatch at the end of spring or beginning of summer.
The fact that they are beloved by Westporters became clear in 2019 when their nest and platform were removed by a construction company working for the owners of the Fresh Market, Regency Centers, resulted an a massive outcry as reported by 06880 (https://06880danwoog.com/2019/03/31/ospreys-and-regency-centers-very-interesting-sunday-afternoon-report/) which received more than 50 comments expressing outrage at the destruction of their nest at the beginning of breeding season.
Westport’s favorite Ospreys, which have been nesting on the platform built for them in the parking lot alongside Terrain from 2015 or earlier have returned to their nest, or at least the male has returned. After raising their young during the summer they head south for the winter but fly to different locations from each other, reuniting in spring at their previous nesting site to raise another family.
There are multiple other nests built on platforms in town, with three at Longshore Park, one by the first and second hole, another near the ER Strait Marina and the fourth on the exit road by the twelfth green. There are two others on properties owned by the Aspetuck Land Trust on Sherwood Mill Pond, on the Allen Salt Marsh Preserve and another behind the Sherwood Island State Park Nature Center. There is a another located in the marsh area of the Saugatuck just south of the King's Highway North Bridge which did not have a nesting pair last year.
About Osprey
The Osprey Is also known as the river hawk, fish hawk, or sea hawk and they are unique among raptors as they feed almost exclusively on live fish and have the ability to dive into the water to catch their meals. These beautiful raptors are well adapted for fishing. The birds have long legs and large feet with specialized barbs on the pads, hooked talons, and a reversible outer toe. This allows them to easily grasp fish with two toes pointing to the front and two pointing to the rear. Osprey have an oily waterproof coating on their wings and can close their nostrils when they plunge into the water. They also have slender bodies and long wings that are bent at the "wrist." Their strong wings give them extra lift to fly up and out of the water with a heavy fish. Once they catch a fish, they consume it using a black bill with a sharp hook.
Ospreys are brown on the back and white on the chest. The undersides of their wings are white with a dark patch at the wrists. Ospreys have yellow eyes and white heads with a distinctive black eye stripe that sets them apart from eagles, for which they are commonly mistaken. The female differs from the male in having a more defined "necklace" of brown feathers across her throat.
One of the larger birds of prey, but smaller than a bald eagle, ospreys have an average wingspan of five feet (1.5 meters). They are 21 to 23 inches (53 to 58 centimeters) long and usually weigh between three to four pounds (1.3 to 1.8 kilograms). The female is larger than the male.
In Connecticut, the osprey population has experienced a steady increase since 1974, when there was an all-time low of nine active nests. Today, there are more than 100 nests in the state. To keep tabs on these beautiful raptors you can visit https://www.ctaudubon.org/osprey-nation-osprey-cam/ which should soon have live Osprey Cams.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery