2024-03-20 5:15pm–#Westport CT– Rough seas overwhelm the Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport. Frank Recchia just arrived at the rowing club to get further details. Unconfirmed reports say over 20 were pulled from the water, 2 are being treated for hypothermia.
2024-03-10@10:39pm–#Westport CT– A crash on I-95 northbound near exit 19 with injuries.
On February 27, 2024, William Banks, a 27-year-old resident of Brooklyn, NY, was arrested by the Westport Police on charges of Larceny 6th. The arrest stemmed from a larceny investigation initiated by the Westport Police on December 30, 2023. The investigation was prompted by a complaint regarding the theft of Israel Flag yard signs in the Colony Road neighborhood.
During the investigation, the officer in charge witnessed William Banks, who was driving a white vehicle, stealing another yard sign and fleeing the area while speaking with the complainant. Subsequent inquiries revealed that a total of five (5) Israel Flag yard signs were stolen. With the assistance of law enforcement sharing, the suspect was identified as William Banks, leading to the issuance of a warrant.
On February 27, 2024, William Banks voluntarily turned himself into the Westport Police Department, where he was charged with Larceny 6th. Following his arrest, Banks posted a bond of $500.00 and was released. His court date is scheduled for March 19, 2024, at Stamford Superior Court.
Westport, CT – The Town of Westport has announced that the collection of the Inclusionary Zoning Fee for the Town’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) account will begin on February 23, 2024. Per the ordinance adopting the Affordable Housing Plan and establishing the AHTF, a formal Town committee to oversee the fund will be appointed over the next few months.
The adoption of the Affordable Housing Plan by the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) in July, 2023 called for the establishment of the AHTF and the method by which funds would be raised. At its December 2023 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission, under the leadership of Chair Paul Lebowitz, adopted a Text Amendment to establish an Inclusionary Zoning Fee and recommended to the RTM a Fee Schedule of 0.5% of the construction costs of all projects for which Zoning Permit applications are filed. The Westport RTM adopted the Inclusionary Zoning Fee of $5 per $1000 of construction cost at its February 6 meeting. This fee has the potential to raise up to $1 million annually for the AHTF.
Westport joins neighboring communities New Canaan and Fairfield in having such a fund. It will give the Town the opportunity to buy property, adaptively reuse buildings, construct housing or potentially purchase market rate units in an effort to address the need for affordable housing in the community.
The effort, spearheaded by RTM members Matthew Mandell and Seth Braunstein, saw a near unanimous bipartisan vote by the RTM throughout the process. The actions of the RTM and the P&Z Commission followed the procedural steps necessary to enact this important piece of legislation.
First Selectwoman Tooker said, “I extend my thanks for the combined efforts of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the RTM in this achievement – realizing one of many goals listed in the 2022-2027 Westport Affordable Housing Plan. Adopting the Affordable Housing Plan and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and codifying the inclusionary zoning fee is a proactive and locally controlled approach towards meeting the demand for affordable housing.”
At 7:47pm the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a homeowner on Burr Farms Road reporting a fire in their house. The Westport Fire Department responded with 4 fire engines, 1 ladder truck, and the Shift Commander. First arriving fire companies found heavy smoke coming from the garage. Entry was made to the garage where firefighters located and quickly extinguished the fire.
All occupants safely evacuated the house and there were no injuries.
The Westport Fire Department would like to remind everyone to have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes. The homeowners were alerted to fire by a properly working smoke detector.
Westport EMS and Westport Police assisted on scene. The fire remains under investigation from the Fire Marshal’s office.
Earlier this morning, a Westport resident received a voicemail from a person who represented that they were Captain David Wolf from the Westport Police. The individual requested that the resident call them back. Upon returning the call, the party who answered stated that the resident had a bench warrant and requested that she pay a $5,000.00 fine. This is a SCAM as this call was not placed by Captain Wolf nor any other member of the Westport Police Department. Fortunately, the resident realized it was a scam and therefore did not suffer a financial loss.
Please remember that no member of the police department will ever request that a fine be paid over the phone nor call to solicit any type of payment. Additionally, as a reminder, do not give any personal banking information such as account numbers to someone who may call unless you are absolutely sure of you are speaking with.
2024-02-15@7:58pm–#Westport CT– Firefighters are on the scene of a structure fire in the Burr Farms Road. According to radio reports, there was a fire in the laundry room.
2023-12-30@12:10pm–#Westport CT– #cttraffic–southbound southbound near exit 18. 2 reported injured. Expect delays
2023-12-13@8:11pm– A crash on I-95 southbound between exits 19 and 18. Traffic is at crawl. Another crash reported on the northbound side as well!
2023-11-24@12:31am–#Westport CT– #c#cttraffic
A crash on I-95 southbound near exit 18 involving 7 cars according to radio reports.
