First Selectman’s Update: More Activities Planned as Summer Begins in Westport
Press ReleaseWestport, CT - First Selectman Jim Marpe issued the following update today:
As of April 16, the percent of Westport’s population that has received at least the first COVID-19 vaccination dose is as follows:
65+ 93%
45-64 83%
15-44 50%
These vaccination statistics are encouraging, and it is recommended that all residents who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine do so as soon as possible. Click here to find a vaccine provider near you and book an appointment. 1) Enter your zip code; 2) Choose a provider from the list of options, use that provider’s scheduling system to make an appointment. To register for an appointment via telephone, call Connecticut’s COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224.
Given the success of Connecticut’s vaccine roll out, Governor Lamont recently announced significant easing of COVID restrictions. These revisions are contingent upon a low incidence of COVID-19 and the Connecticut population continuing to get vaccinated. Additional clarification will be forthcoming:
Effective Saturday, May 1, 2021, all restaurants will be allowed to remain open until a 12:00 AM closing time. Beverage-only service outdoors will be permissible and the 8-person limit on outdoor dining will be lifted.
Effective Wednesday, May 19, 2021, all remaining gathering restrictions will be lifted, except masks will continue to be required in all indoor public settings where social distancing is not possible.
The Town of Westport municipal buildings remain open to the public by appointment. Throughout the pandemic, Town departments maintained the capacity to offer and fulfill all town services. Residents are encouraged to continue accessing town services online. Members of the public may also schedule appointments for in-person meetings or other services that require additional assistance.
Governor Lamont’s declaration renewing the public health and civil preparedness emergencies allows for continuing remote public meetings. This declaration remains in effect through May 20, 2021. Town officials are monitoring both changes to the declaration, as well as legislation that might allow for the possibility of in-person “hybrid meetings.” Hybrid public meetings will allow both in-person and remote participation. Last week, the technical capabilities to conduct hybrid meetings were successfully tested at the Board of Selectman meeting. It is expected that in the near future, the State will authorize municipalities to host hybrid public meetings. In the meantime, public meetings will continue to be conducted via Zoom.
Planning is ongoing for opening or expanding the following town amenities and activities:
The Center for Senior Activities and Toquet Hall are planning for the possibility of outdoor and limited indoor programming in late spring or early summer.
As of May 1, 2021, vehicle parking emblems will be required on all vehicles to enter Compo, Soundview and Old Mill beach parking lots and on May 29, 2021 at Burying Hill Beach. All vehicle parking emblem purchases must be made online at www.westportrecreation.com. Daily parking for non-residents will be allowed this summer at Compo Beach and Burying Hill Beach. Visit www.westportrecreation.com for daily parking rates.
The Parks & Recreation Department and Selectman’s Office continue to plan for a Memorial Day parade. The Fourth of July fireworks event is still under consideration pending further guidance from the State.
The Parks and Recreation Department is currently preparing to open its facilities and is planning to offer programs that were not available last summer due to COVID-19. The Department’s goal is to create safe environments for all facility users and program participants by following best practices and State guidelines.
Longshore Golf Course is open for play, as are several tennis locations. The Compo Beach pickleball courts, the skate park facility, platform tennis, Compo basketball courts, and playgrounds are open as well.
The Board of Selectmen approved the Downtown Merchants Association’s Fitness and Health Expo scheduled for May 1 (rain date May 2) and the Fine Arts Festival scheduled for May 29-30.
The Board of Selectmen approved the closure of Church Lane to allow for expanded outdoor dining.
The Board of Selectmen approved the use of the Imperial Avenue Lot for the Remarkable Theater’s Drive-In Movie Theater and for the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce and Westport Library’s Supper and Soul events.
The Levitt Pavilion is planning its season, to be held in compliance with any necessary COVID considerations related to outdoor venues. The first performance has been announced for June 14.
Today, Progressive Diagnostics opened a “same day” public testing site at the Saugatuck Railroad Station Parking Lot 8, adjacent to Exit 17 on Saugatuck Avenue. Services are available Mondays-Fridays 8am – 4pm and Saturdays 8am – 1pm.
The plans for town-wide re-opening and the opportunity for Westporters to “return to normal” are encouraging, but we should be cautiously optimistic. According to the CT Department of Public Health, 122 municipalities out of 169 (including Westport) remain in the highest COVID alert level (red). This designation is cause for concern, although more recent daily statistics indicate a downward curve in the spread.
It is also important to understand and recognize that being vaccinated does not prevent individuals from being COVID positive and transmitting the virus. Please continue to remain informed and balance COVID safety with personal priorities for physical and mental wellbeing. This includes being empathetic to those around you and the individual choices they make. I encourage those who are vaccinated to be mindful and respectful of those who are not or have differing opinions about the current guidelines and status of the pandemic. Westport town officials will continue to follow and employ the science experts’ advice and guidance so that all in our community will be safe and healthy.