Category: Westport

Master Plan for Downtown Parking and Pedestrian Areas: 

Open House Charrette on September 29 & Online Survey Now Available on Website

Westport, CT – First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker has announced that the recently awarded project to develop and design a master plan for key Downtown parking and pedestrian areas, called Reconnecting the Riverfront, is moving into its initial public engagement phase.

Design and engineering firm, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.(Langan), has partnered with Connect the Dots to develop and manage the public engagement scope of this project. This will include both virtual and physical opportunities to engage, including public meetings, a visioning charrette, location-specific pop-up displays, and a survey. 

The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee (DPIC) is coordinating the project along with Langan. Chaired by Randy Herbertson, DPIC includes Town department heads and resident constituents. DPIC holds a public monthly meeting on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 8:30 AM. Meeting notices can be found on the Town calendar on the Town website, westportct.gov.

The public survey is now open and can be found on the DPIC website, downtownwestportct.com  All are invited to provide feedback, both on the survey and on an ongoing basis in the comments section.

On Thursday, September 29, from 7-9 pm, there will be a visioning charrette and Open House in Brooks Place at the Westport Library (20 Jesup Road). Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend. Throughout the fall, there will also be pop-up displays in various Downtown locations.

First Selectwoman Tooker stated, “This is an important step in the development of specific plans, which will include design concepts and cost estimates for the Jesup and Imperial Lot areas and design and construction documents for Parker Harding. The Parker Harding project would be the first of these projects to be advanced through the appropriate Town planning and funding bodies.”

She continued, “Continuing to revitalize and energize Westport’s central business district is a key focus of my administration. It is very important to invite and consider public opinion in these efforts, and I appreciate the hard-working team that is managing this project. I encourage everyone to take an interest, participate in the survey, and attend the Open House Charette on September 29.”

Westport, CT – Westport Officials have been notified that Aquarion Water Company recently-filed a rate case before the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).  The proceeding, PURA Docket No. 22-07-01, Application of Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut to Amend its Rate Schedule, was initiated on July 1, 2022 when Aquarion Water filed a Notice of Intent, and continues with the receipt of the company’s formal application, which was filed on August 29, 2022. 

A regulated utility may recover costs incurred to provide safe, reliable service plus a reasonable rate of return. Such utilities may file an application with PURA with proposed amended distribution rates, which initiates a rate case.  PURA has 200 days to complete a water utility rate case, whereby the final step includes a decision that will be voted on by the three PURA commissioners. Parties in the rate case include the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC), along with other interested parties that may include municipalities and organizations representing specific classes of customers. 

This press release was made possible by:

2022-09-07@9:40am– #Westport, CT– 9/7/2022) An officer conducting traffic enforcement on the Sherwood Island Connector pulled a car over for a motor vehicle violation. Upon approaching the car, the officer saw that there were four men inside. As the driver was retrieving paperwork from the glove compartment, the officer observed a plastic bag that contained several red capsules. He knew that capsules of that type are typically used to package crack cocaine. At this point, the officer called for additional units to assist him with this investigation. Seconds later, the person sitting in the front passenger seat ran from the vehicle and fled into the woods adjacent to the commuter parking lot. The officer chased the individual and saw him discarding items as he ran. The passenger was taken into custody after a brief struggle with officers. The other three occupants remained with the car and did not attempt to flee. The evidence that the passenger discarded during the foot chase was suspected narcotics and a scale. The suspected narcotics were tested and determined to be cocaine and crack. Both were mixed with fentanyl. The crack cocaine weighed twelve grams and the cocaine weighed sixty grams. The passenger who ran was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Sell, Illegal Operation of a Drug Factory, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Tampering With Evidence, Assault on a Public Safety Officer, and Interfering With an Officer. He is currently being held on a $75,000.00 bond. The driver was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Sell, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Interfering With an Officer, Criminal Impersonation, Misuse of a License Plate, Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance, Illegal Tinting, and Operating Without a License. He is currently being held on a $51,000.00 bond. The rear passengers were not charged. However, one was taken into custody as he had outstanding warrants in other jurisdictions. The identities of the two parties arrested will be released at a later time, as the investigators are still working on confirming their identities.

(Westport, CT 8/24/2022) – With the start of Westport’s schools on Tuesday, August 30, the police
department will be increasing its traffic enforcement in school zones with a “Back to School”
enforcement and education campaign. Officers will be looking out for drivers who are using cell
phones, speeding, and disregarding school bus signals.
The Westport Police Department is committed to protecting children from motorists who disregard
Connecticut’s traffic safety laws, especially around school zones and bus stops where students
congregate. We urge commuters to allow for extra time, as they will be sharing the roads with school
buses making frequent stops, as well as children who will be walking and/or biking to school. Please
remain vigilant around school zones, bus stops, and school buses. Obey the school bus laws, which
include slowing down and preparing to stop for yellow flashing school bus lights and stopping for red
flashing school bus lights.
A list of suggestions for drivers, students, and parents is listed below. Parents are encouraged to
discuss these safety tips with their children and with young or inexperienced drivers in their homes.
Drivers:
 When driving in neighborhoods with school zones or backing into a roadway, watch out for
young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking of
getting there safely.
 Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in
the neighborhood.
 Be alert! Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
 Learn and obey the school bus laws.
 Learn the “flashing signal light system” used by school bus drivers to alert motorists of
pending actions:
 Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload
children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

 Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped and that
children are getting on or off. Motorists on both sides of the roadway must stop their
cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn,
and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

Children:
 Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
 When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the curb and line
up away from the street.
 Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says that it is okay before stepping onto
the bus.
 If you must cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the
road to a point at least five giant steps (10 feet) ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that
the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.
 Use the handrails to avoid falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with
drawstrings and book bags with straps are not caught in the handrails or doors.
 Never walk behind the bus.
 Walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
 If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the
driver may not be able to see you.
 Follow instructions given by school crossing guards. Do not cross until they have stopped
traffic completely and have advised it is safe to cross.
We all have a responsibility to make sure children make it to and from school safely. Let us work
together to have a safe back-to-school season!

Governor Ned Lamont is directing Connecticut’s extreme hot weather protocol to
be activated beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, and remaining in
effect through 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 5, 2022. The purpose of the protocol is to
ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the hot
conditions. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies, municipalities, and
other partners to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to make sure that information
regarding cooling centers is available statewide, providing a location to get some
relief from the hot conditions.

The following Westport locations have been designated as cooling centers,
please note the hours of operation below: 
 
Center for Senior Activities : 21 Imperial Ave  
Mon- Fri 8:30am-4:30pm  
 
Westport Museum for History and Culture: 25 Avery Place  
Tues-Sun 11am-5pm/Thurs 11am-7pm 
 
Westport/Weston Family Y: 14 Alan Raymond Lane  
Mon-Sun 10am-6pm 
 
Longshore Pool : Longshore Club Park, off S. Compo 
Mon – Fri 12:30pm–8pm

This press release was made possible by:

2022-07-26@34pm–The Merritt Parkway is Shutdown in exit 41 thru 43 areas in BOTH directions according to radio reports. Emergency vehicles are coming down the wrong way to get to the scene.

This news report is made possible by:

Westport firefighters were dispatched to a report of a structure fire on Island Way. The
initial dispatch was four Engines, one Rescue company, and the Shift Commander. A
mutual aid Truck company from Norwalk also responded.
Companies arrived and reported an exterior deck fire on the 2nd floor with an extension into
the wall and mechanical room of the house. A hose line was deployed from Engine 4 and
the fire was quickly extinguished. Arriving companies provided salvage, overhaul, and
ventilation.

The fire was contained to the area of origin and is being investigated by the Westport Fire
Marshal’s office. Westport PD and EMS assisted on the scene along with Norwalk FD.
Fairfield FD provided station coverage during the incident. The last fire department unit
cleared the scene at 3:34 AM.

#Westport CT–On June 30, 2022, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Westport Police officers responded to the TD Bank located at 185 Main Street on a report that a man was attempting to fraudulently obtain a debit card by impersonating the real account holder. The suspect was still in the bank when officers arrived. He said his name was Edward Tucker and presented a Pennsylvania driver’s license with that name. The bank employee said that a Norwalk branch of TD Bank notified the Westport location that the suspect was supposedly trying to engage in the same fraudulent activity there and to be aware should he come to Westport. The Norwalk bank also advised that they reached out to the real account holder who said he was still in PA. The suspect reportedly admitted that his real name was William Schwarz, and it was determined that the PA driver’s license in his possession was fake. Mr. Schwarz also had in his possession a Wells Fargo bank card with the name Edward Tucker on it.

Mr. Schwarz was placed under arrest and charged with Identity Theft in the Second Degree, Forgery in the Second Degree, Criminal Impersonation, Payment Card Theft, Criminal Attempt at Illegal Use of a Payment Card, and Illegal Use of a Payment Card. He was held on $50,000.00 bond and transported to Stamford Superior Court on July 1, to be arraigned. This press release was made possible by:

The Westport Sunrise Rotary will be holding their annual Great Duck Race eventon Saturday, July 9, 2022. This year’s Duck Race will feature a giant sluice on JesupGreen as well as food trucks and family-friendly activities in the Taylor Lot from10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Taylor Lot will be closed for the event from 6:00 AM toapproximately 6:00 PM.Motorists should expect increased pedestrian traffic as well as traffic delaysassociated with the event in the downtown area throughout the morning and afternoon.Attendees are reminded to use the marked crosswalks in the area.

This press release is made possible by: