Category: Westport

Westport Firefighters are on scene at Saugatuck Congregational Church at 245 Post Road East, investigating haze/smoke in the chapel area, according to unconfirmed radio reports.

2025-10-10@3:31pm– #Westport

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, the Westport Downtown Association will be hosting their annual Westoberfest Craft Beer Festival and Family Event. Portions of the downtown area will be closed to traffic to accommodate the event including Elm Street, Church Lane, and southbound traffic on Main Street from 12:00pm to 6:00pm.

Westport, CT — Lace up your sneakers, grab your family and friends, and head to Compo Beach on Sunday, October 5th at 3:00 p.m. for Rach’s Hope Family Fun Walk: Walk the Extra Mile 2025. This heartwarming and lively event combines community, music, food, and fun—all in support of families facing the unimaginable challenges of critical illness.

Hosted by Fairfield County non-profit Rach’s Hope, this one-mile beach walk has quickly become a cherished annual tradition. Walkers of all ages will join together at Ned Dimes Marina to celebrate community spirit, honor the legacy of Rachel Doran (Staples High School Class of 2015), and raise funds to provide food, transportation, and lodging for families with children in Intensive Care Units across the country.

Adding a special touch to the walk, participants are invited to join Rachel’s grandfather as he continues his inspiring personal pledge to walk 1,000 miles each year in her memory.

The afternoon doesn’t stop at the finish line—guests can look forward to:
● Live acoustic music from Fairfield’s own Ellis Island Acoustic
● Fresh, hot slices from Pizza Pie Wagon gourmet pizza truck
● Beer and wine compliments of Greens Farms Spirit Shop
● Signature black-and-white cookies
● Exclusive Rach’s Hope swag!

“This event is about more than just taking steps by the beach,” said Lisa Doran, of Rach’s Hope. “It’s about walking together—shoulder to shoulder—with families who need our strength, our resources, and our love.”

All proceeds directly support Rach’s Hope’s mission to ease the financial and emotional burden for families during the toughest moments of their lives.

This is a rain-or-shine celebration. Tickets and donations can be made at RachsHope.org.

Event Details:
● Sunday, October 5, 2025
● 3:00 p.m.
● Compo Beach – Ned Dimes Marina, Westport, CT
● Tickets, donations & info: RachsHope.org

About Rach’s Hope:
Founded in memory of Rachel Doran, who passed away at 21 after a critical illness, Rach’s Hope, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Connecticut non-profit dedicated to helping families nationwide with children in intensive care units.

Westport, CT – September 25, 2025 – The Westport Fire Department has been awarded a federal grant of $94,952 through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The AFG program is a highly competitive national initiative that helps fire departments across the country strengthen their emergency response capabilities.

This award will fund swiftwater rescue technician training for Westport firefighters. The program will include hands-on, scenario-based instruction in moving water environments, providing firefighters with the critical skills to perform rescues during flooding, coastal incidents, and other water emergencies. With Westport’s proximity to rivers, streams, and Long Island Sound, the training will ensure the department is fully prepared to protect residents and support neighboring communities through regional mutual aid.

“Our firefighters are often called to respond to emergencies during severe weather and flooding events in our community,” said Fire Chief Nicholas Marsan. “This funding provides us with the resources to receive advanced training that will keep both our residents and our first responders safe during rescue operations.”

First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker added, “We are grateful for this grant, which ensures our department is prepared with the highest level of readiness. Investing in our firefighters’ training is ultimately an investment in community safety.”

The award comes at a critical time as Connecticut and other coastal communities continue to face an increase in extreme weather events and flooding. By strengthening water rescue readiness, this grant helps ensure Westport remains resilient in the face of these challenges.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program provides direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments nationwide to help them meet their firefighting and emergency response needs. The program focuses on ensuring that first responders have the tools and training necessary to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and other hazards.

The Westport Fire Department extends its appreciation to FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security for this award, and to the Town of Westport leadership for their continued support of public safety initiatives.

Westport, Conn. – The Parks and Recreation Department invites community members to take part in shaping the future of Westport’s parks by attending the second Public Workshop as part of the Parks Master Plan process.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Komansky Room at The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road.

The Town’s consultant, BL Companies, will facilitate the session, which will provide residents with the opportunity to engage directly with the consultants, share feedback, and learn more about the planning process.

“These public forums are a vital step in ensuring public feedback as the Town develops its Parks Master Plan,” said Parks and Recreation Director Erik Barbieri. “Please join us and share your thoughts as we plan the future of our incredibly important Westport parks system.”

Public Workshop Details

• Location: Komansky Room, The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT
• Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
• Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Fourth Annual Family Fun Walk – Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 3 PM

Westport, CT — Lace up your sneakers, grab your family and friends, and head to Compo Beach on Sunday, October 5th at 3:00 p.m. for Rach’s Hope Family Fun Walk: Walk the Extra Mile 2025. This heartwarming and lively event combines community, music, food, and fun—all in support of families facing the unimaginable challenges of critical illness.

Hosted by Fairfield County non-profit Rach’s Hope, this one-mile beach walk has quickly become a cherished annual tradition. Walkers of all ages will join together at Ned Dimes Marina to celebrate community spirit, honor the legacy of Rachel Doran (Staples High School Class of 2015), and raise funds to provide food, transportation, and lodging for families with children in Intensive Care Units across the country.

Adding a special touch to the walk, participants are invited to join Rachel’s grandfather as he continues his inspiring personal pledge to walk 1,000 miles each year in her memory.

The afternoon doesn’t stop at the finish line—guests can look forward to:

• Live acoustic music from Fairfield’s own Ellis Island Acoustic
• Fresh, hot slices from  Pizza Pie Wagon gourmet pizza truck
• Beer and wine compliments of Greens Farms Spirit Shop
• Signature black-and-white cookies
• Exclusive Rach’s Hope swag!

“This event is about more than just taking steps by  the beach,” said Lisa Doran, of Rach’s Hope. “It’s about walking together—shoulder to shoulder—with families who need our strength, our resources, and our love.”

All proceeds directly support Rach’s Hope’s mission to ease the financial and emotional burden for families during the toughest moments of their lives.

This is a rain-or-shine celebration. Tickets and donations can be made at RachsHope.org.

Event Details:

•  Sunday, October 5, 2025
• 3:00 p.m.
• Compo Beach – Ned Dimes Marina, Westport, CT
• Tickets, donations & info: RachsHope.org

About Rach’s Hope:
Founded in memory of Rachel Doran, who passed away at 21 after a critical illness, Rach’s Hope, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Connecticut non-profit dedicated to helping families nationwide with children in intensive care units.

Westport, CT –Human Services Director Elaine Daignault reminds income-eligible Westport residents to apply for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) starting October 1, 2025.

Connecticut’s federally funded Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) helps low-income households with winter heating bills. Connecticut’s Department of Social Services administers the program with local Community Action Agencies and municipal social services departments.

According to Daignault, “Westport residents that previously qualified for assistance through our office will receive application instructions in the mail. Residents wishing to apply for the first time may contact the Department of Human Services at 203-341-1050 or humansrv@westportct.gov to make an appointment.”

To qualify, your household income must be at or below 60% of the State Median Income (SMI). The maximum income for households is as follows:

• Households of one (1)   $47,764
• Households of two (2)   $62,460
• Households of three (3) $77,157
• Households of four (4)  $91,854
• Households of Five (5)  $106,550

Daignault encouraged residents heating with oil or propane to complete their applications early in the season to ensure they receive the full benefit. Applicants must have recent copies of heating, electric, water, lease, or mortgage statements and other proof of income documents. Go to Human Services at www.westportct.gov/humanservices to learn more about Town programs and services.

(Westport, CT) The Westport Police Department once again would like to remind our residents and visitors to always lock their cars and to secure their keys. Our community continues to be a target for car thieves and vehicle burglaries, with three stolen vehicle reports received between September 9th through the present, and a total of fifty-one stolen vehicle reports investigated by our agency year-to-date. These thefts have occurred from both parking lots as well as the driveways of private residences. It is a fact that the individuals perpetrating these crimes continue to prey on our town based on past successes in acquiring vehicles. Under no circumstances should a vehicle ever be left unattended and running, unlocked with the keys inside it or with valuables left in plain view. Unfortunately, nearly all the stolen vehicle and vehicle burglary reports we receive involve an unsecured car with keys immediately accessible. We strongly urge our residents and visitors to please be mindful of what continues to be a multi-state rash of these types of crimes and to please take the few extra moments necessary to secure personal property and prevent victimization.

Westport, CT – Planning & Zoning Director Michelle Perillie announced that all merchants in non-residential districts are permitted a Temporary Free Standing Portable Sign with an annual Zoning Permit required. 

One Free Standing Portable Sign per tenant shall be permitted onsite in all non-residence districts subject to the following:

·         Signs cannot be permanently installed in the ground.

·         Signs must be self-supporting/portable or hung on the façade of the tenant’s building.  Signs cannot be attached to an immovable object such as a structure, light pole, a utility pole or a fence.

·         Signs shall be no larger than 24 inches wide by 40 inches high in size per side as measured from the ground including any borders or supports.  A sign that hangs on the façade of a building shall be no larger than 24 inches wide by 36 inches high, may only be one sided and hung flush to the building. Signs hung on the façade of a building must not be more than 7 feet above the ground as measured to the top of the sign.

·         Signs may only be displayed during the hours that the business is open. Signs must be removed when the business is not open.

·         The sign must be a framed chalk board or eraser board and all the wording on the sign must be hand drawn.

·         Signs must be located on the property of the business that has put out the sign. The name of the establishment must appear on or be affixed to the sign. Signs may not be located in parking spaces.

·         Signs must not interfere with pedestrian traffic or block sight lines for drivers.

·         Signs may not have lights, be lighted, or have any moving parts

To obtain a permit, merchants will need to set up an account on Westport Online Permit and License Portal Info Hub (https://www.westportct.gov/business/westport-online-permit-and-license-portal-info-hub). Submission of scaled drawings showing the proposed sign as well as a survey or site plan of the property so that the sign can be properly located will be required. This will enable the Department to determine whether the sign meets the size and location requirements allowed in the Zoning Regulations. If approved, an assigned number sticker that must be attached to the sign will be issued.All sign permits have an annual permit cost of $100.00. 

The annual Slice of Saugatuck Festival is scheduled to take place from 2:00pm to 5:00pm on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

Railroad Place will be closed to vehicular traffic from Riverside Avenue to Franklin Street during the hours of 12:00pm to 6:00pm to allow for set up and break down of vendors’ booths and exhibitions. The east side of Riverside Avenue from Charles Street to Bridge Street will be a temporary No Parking zone during the event. All other roads will remain open to vehicles; however, motorists should expect heavy pedestrian traffic in the areas surrounding the Saugatuck Railroad Station including lower Riverside Avenue and Saugatuck Avenue. Those attending this event are reminded to utilize the marked crosswalks when crossing these roadways. Officers will be assigned to these locations to assist with traffic control.

The Saugatuck Railroad station lots, except for Lot #2, will also be used to provide parking for the festival. If traveling to the railroad station or destinations in the immediate vicinity, please drive carefully and be sure to allow extra time since associated traffic delays are anticipated.