Category: Westport

2024-06-03@11:43pm–#Westport CT– Firefighters on the scene of a fully engulfed gazebo fire on Burnham Hill. The gazebo was over ten feet from the home.

(Westport, CT) The Westport Police Department advises all residents and motorists that the
Greens Farms area will be impacted by the running of the Fairfield Half Marathon on Sunday June 2,
2024 around 8:15 am – 10:15 am on Westport Roads on the Southeast side of town.
Runners will enter Westport on Greens Farms Road at the Fairfield town line, continuing to New
Creek Road and on to Beachside Avenue before exiting into Southport.
Through traffic will be stopped or severely limited while runners make their way through town.
Motorists should anticipate heavy delays due to road closures along the race route. Race organizers
state runners will enter town at approximately 8:15 am and be off Westport streets by 10:15am.
The race route runs for three miles on Westport roads. Westport emergency personnel will be
stationed inside the route area to respond to any emergencies with minimal delays.
Please consider alternate routes if you must pass through the area. Residents along the route should
expect that it will be difficult to get in or out of driveways during times of heavy runner presence.

The Westport Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Scholarship Foundation is proud to announce that it has awarded scholarships to twenty-two students attending college in the fall semester. The WPBA Scholarship Foundation is forever indebted to the organization’s founders and principal donors, Joan Poster and the late Dennis Poster. Joan Poster’s continued support and generosity is the reason the Foundation continues to flourish. The Wilbur scholarship is awarded to Westport officer’s children.

The college applicants must complete community service and have an average grade point average of 3.0. All this year’s applicants successfully met the criteria. The Wilbur Scholarship was granted to the following students: Zoe Koskinas, Samuel and Jonathan Wolf, Madison Hayes and Gabrielle Hayes, Brandon Smith, Ava Wooldridge, Olivia and Grace Biagiotti, Sara Sabin, Samantha Sabin, and Joseph Sabin, Meghan Velky, Jaden Aliberti, Emma and Jacqueline Kelley, Alexis Broderick, April Nowinski and Edward Nowinski and Zachary Benson. In addition, the Foundation awards the Deputy Chief John Anastasia and the Chief Bill Stefan Scholarships to a Staples senior who is entering college in the fall with focused studies on law or a law enforcement related field. The scholarships acknowledge both community relations and athletic accomplishments. This year, Kervin Joseph, was awarded the Deputy Chief John Anastasia Scholarship and Juan Nieves, Jr., was awarded the Chief Bill Stefan Scholarship.

All recipients received a scholarship in the amount of $2,000.00. The Westport PBA Scholarship Foundation wishes to congratulate and commend these students for their dedication to community engagement and their academic accomplishments.

The 2024 Memorial Day Parade will be taking place this coming Monday, May 27, 2024. To ensure a
safe event for both participants and spectators, there will be several road closures from approximately
8:30am-11:00am.

The following roads will be affected by this road closure:
 Riverside Ave between Treadwell and Post Rd
 Post Rd between Sylvan Rd and Compo Rd N
 Wilton Rd between Kings Hwy N and Post Rd
 Myrtle Ave between Post Rd E and Myrtle Ave
Motorists should expect significant delays and should avoid the area during the time of the parade.
Once the roads are re-opened, motorists are reminded to use caution while traveling through downtown
Westport as there will be significant pedestrian traffic.

Deputy Chief Marsan Named Chief

Westport, CT – First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker announced today that she has appointed Deputy Chief Nick Marsan as the Fire Chief for the Town of Westport Fire Department (WFD) effective July 1, 2024. Nick will assume this role as successor to Mark Amatrudo, who has served the Town as Interim Fire Chief since July 1, 2023.

About Nick Marsan:

Nick Marsan has been a member of the Westport Fire Department since 2007, currently serving as Deputy Chief, and as the Town’s Emergency Management Director. He has extensive experience in emergency operations, fire safety, and public administration. He began his career as a professional firefighter assigned to Platoon 3 after graduating from the Connecticut Fire Academy Class #41. He served as a firefighter for nine years before being promoted to Fire Inspector and then to Engine Company Lieutenant, stationed primarily at Station 4 in Saugatuck.

A state-certified Fire Marshal and EMT, Nick also holds several national fire service certifications, including Fire Service Instructor III and Fire Officer III. His commitment to public safety has been noted on numerous occasions. He is the recipient of two Westport Rotary Public Protection & Safety Awards, and several department awards including three-unit citations, the John H. Gallagher Award for outstanding service, and the Turker Aksoy Award for outstanding patient care. Additionally, he has served the communities of Norwalk and Darien as a Fire Inspector and is a State Fire Instructor for the New York Office of Fire Prevention and Control. He was the elected president of the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Association, Local 1081 for ten years.

Nick is a veteran of the US Army and the CT Army National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Valor for his actions during operations.

Nick holds two Master’s degrees—one in History from Western Connecticut State University and another in Public Administration and Emergency Management from Sacred Heart University. He is a graduate of Fairfield College Preparatory School. Nick recently completed the National Fire Service Staff and Command Course in Annapolis, Maryland.

“I am excited to lead the men and women of the Westport Fire Department,” Nick said. “I am honored by the trust placed in me and I look forward to continuing our department’s dedication to outstanding service to the residents and guests of the Town of Westport.”

First Selectwoman Tooker stated, “Nick has the proven ability and expertise to seamlessly and effectively take over the role as Chief.  He has a breadth of knowledge, skill, experience, and understanding that will ensure that the current high standards of safety and efficiency will be maintained in the Westport Fire Department. I have every confidence that he will flourish and excel in this leadership role.”

Westport, CT – The Public Works Department announced today that the Town’s Spring Paving Program will begin on Monday, May 13, weather permitting. The program will continue through the end of May until mid-June, paving the following Town roadways, though not necessarily in this order:

Brookside Drive

Evergreen Avenue

Evergreen Parkway

Kings Highway North

Crawford Road

Hillandale Lane

East Main Street

Rainey Lane

Pioneer Road

Maple Avenue South

Greenbrier Road

Church Street North

Pleasant Valley Lane

Brightfield Lane

Imperial Avenue

Green’s Farms Road

Morningside Drive North

Questions regarding the project can be referred to the Public Works Office at (203) 341-1120.

On May 9, 2024 at approximately 3:10 PM, Westport Police responded to Lux,Bond, and Green at 136 Main Street on a report of a burglary. Employees of the store reported two individuals wearing masks and gloves entered the store with sledgehammers and began smashing display cases. The employees safely retreated to the rear of the store and had no interaction with the suspects. The suspects stole an unknown quantity of jewelry and fled the store running south on Elm Street. They were last seen fleeing the area in a black BMW sedan towards Fairfield on PostRoad East. Westport Police are requesting anyone who may have information on those responsible to contact the Westport Police Detective Bureau at (203)341-6080.

https://www.doingitlocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Snow-n-smoke-1.mp4

On May 1, 2024, around 11:45 PM, Westport Police responded to a report of two individuals attempting to enter vehicles on Hills Point Road near Compo Beach following a 911 call. Working alongside members of the Bridgeport Auto-Theft Task Force (BATF), they established a perimeter in the area. Two suspect vehicles, previously reported stolen from other jurisdictions, were observed leaving, prompting an attempted traffic stop by Westport Police. However, when the vehicles failed to stop, Westport Police chose not to pursue. BATF members, using unmarked cars, followed one of the suspect vehicles onto I-95, where it was eventually stopped in Stratford. Two juveniles, aged 14 and 17 from Danbury, were apprehended. The juvenile passenger was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 1st and Interfering with an Officer, while the juvenile driver faced charges including Engaging Police in Pursuit, Criminal Attempt to Assault Public Safety Officer, Larceny of Motor Vehicle 1st, and Interfering with an Officer. Both juveniles were released to the custody of their parents pending a court date in Danbury Juvenile Court. Westport Police expressed gratitude to the public for their vigilance in reporting suspicious activity.

The Westport Police Department wants to again bring attention to the stolen vehicle activity that is occurring throughout town. Over the last several weeks, there has been an increase in stolen vehicle attempts, stolen vehicles, and car break-ins. The cars that were stolen or illegally entered had been left unlocked. One recent incident involved five masked individuals that were observed entering a garage and attempting to steal the vehicle inside. The group came to the area in a car which had been stolen from another jurisdiction.

These crimes are being actively investigated by the detective bureau with assistance from the Bridgeport Regional Auto Theft Task Force of which Westport Police is a member. In an effort to combat this uptick the police department will be increasing patrols. There are a number of preventative measures that should be taken to avoid becoming a victim. Everyone in the community should always lock their vehicles and homes. Make sure to double check before going to bed. Additionally, keep exterior lights on and if available utilize surveillance and/or alarm systems. Most importantly, call the police immediately to report any suspicious activity. The department strongly advises against confronting any of these suspects if you observe them on your property. There have been a number of incidents throughout the state where these

individuals have resorted to violence when confronted.

(Westport, CT) The Westport Police Department wants to again bring attention to the stolen vehicle
activity that is occurring throughout town. Over the last several weeks, there has been an increase in
stolen vehicle attempts, stolen vehicles, and car break-ins. The cars that were stolen or illegally entered had been left unlocked. One recent incident involved five masked individuals that were observed entering a garage and attempting to steal the vehicle inside. The group came to the area in a car which had been stolen from another jurisdiction.

These crimes are being actively investigated by the detective bureau with assistance from the Bridgeport Regional Auto Theft Task Force of which Westport Police is a member. In an effort to combat this uptick the police department will be increasing patrols. There are a number of preventative measures that should be taken to avoid becoming a victim. Everyone in the community should always lock their vehicles and homes. Make sure to double check before going to bed. Additionally, keep exterior light on and if available utilize surveillance and/or alarm systems. Most importantly, call the police immediately to report any suspicious activity. The department strongly advises against confronting any of these suspects if you observe them on your property. There have been a number of incidents throughout the state where these
individuals have resorted to violence when confronted.

Westport, CT –The Westport Youth Commission is proud to announce the launch of a new employment platform specifically for high school students.

Youth Services Program Director Kevin Godburn said, ” Our student leaders pursued a new teen job platform after speaking with their peers who reported having found babysitting, dog-walking, and retail roles through word of mouth or the odd flier nailed to a pole. The Youth Commission wanted to create a new pathway to expand employment opportunities for high school students in Westport.” 

Youth Commission member Jake Shufro (SHS ‘26) came up with the project and worked with his peers, speaking to Westport business leaders and stakeholders, researching other community job banks, and testing various options before landing on Greenwich-based QuadJobs as Westport’s new Student Job Bank platform which is launching just in time for the summer.

“Quadjobs was chosen because it has a student and employer review process. It is more organized and structured, requiring specific information to make postings.” Shufro said. “It encourages a diverse range of students to sign up for job opportunities, and it takes a community-based approach to local employment.”

Quadjob caters to high school students by vetting employers and job seekers to ensure the jobs are legitimate and safe for students. Students and employers are encouraged to utilize the site via the Youth Commission website to download the mobile app. Student Job Bank. It is free for all work-eligible high school students in Westport who register at WYC Students with their school-based email account and complete a parent consent form. Students create a personalized job profile, allowing them to manage their job search in one convenient location.

Quadjobs welcomes public and private businesses, including a household looking or a Saturday night babysitter, to list employment opportunities on their easy-to-use site by going to WYC Employers

• Household employers pay a $10 fee for a one-time post or $50/year for unlimited posts. An introductory free post is available using the code “Free10” or a 50% discount for unlimited posts using the promotional code “gowestport”
• Businesses pay $100/year for unlimited posts and can receive an introductory 50% off the subscription using the code “westportbiz.”

Quadjobs notes that 10% of the proceeds will be donated back to the community.

Matthew Mandell, RTM member and President of the Westport Chamber of Commerce, says, “This is a great resource for the community. Not only does it fill a need for businesses, it also gives our students employment, a stream of revenue, and work experience, which is a building block of any future entrepreneurship.”

The Westport Youth Commission, comprised of 15 students and 15 adults,  is responsible for promoting the positive development needs and interests of young people in Westport, encouraging programs, and developing resources to respond to these needs.

According to Andrew Colabella, RTM District 4 Representative, “Students in government for Westport are shaping the future for in the representation of their peers, paving the way for success in employment. I have yet to see another Town anywhere in the state with such involvement and commitment from students with a large government voice. As a former Youth Commission member back in the Stone Age, twenty years later, commitments and goals are accomplished by assertive, driven students with fiduciary responsibility, commitment, and effective leadership. The commitment to growth is alive.”