Category: Westport

GOVERNOR LAMONT REMINDS PUBLIC OF PARKCONNECT PROGRAM THAT OFFERS INCREASED BUS SERVICES TO STATE PARKS AND BEACHES THIS SUMMER



(WESTPORT, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont is reminding Connecticut residents about the state’s ParkConneCT program, which is offering increased bus services to Connecticut state parks and beaches. A continuation of a pilot program launched last year, the program offers fare-free shuttles and enhanced existing transit service to various state parks and beaches this summer through Labor Day (Monday, September 5, 2022).

The program, which is a collaboration of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), aims to connect people to Connecticut state parks for the summer season, support seasonal employment, and promote recreational activity to improve physical and mental wellbeing.

The governor, along with CTDOT and DEEP officials, today highlighted the program by riding the Sherwood Island Shuttle from the Green’s Farms Metro North Station in Westport to Sherwood Island State Park. While at the park, the governor addressed the media and met with visitors enjoying the beach and boardwalk.

“Being able to catch a shuttle from the commuter station right to this beautiful shoreline park is a convenient resource to enjoy the outdoors that otherwise,” Governor Lamont said. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Connecticut’s state parks are one of the best things about living here, and connecting our residents to them is important. That’s what the ParkConneCT program is all about.”

“ParkConneCT increases access to the positive physical and mental benefits one can get from being out in our beautiful state parks,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “It can also help people who have seasonal employment with DEEP get to their workplace. Thank you, Governor Lamont and our DOT partners for the vision and collaboration on this important program. We hope you consider utilizing this service this summer and have a safe, fun, rejuvenating time in your state parks.”

“I’m excited to kick off the Fourth of July weekend by taking public transportation to one of our beautiful state parks,” CTDOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti said. “Now is a great time to give public transit a try. It’s a convenient and reliable way to move across Connecticut. With fare free buses running statewide and through expanded free ParkConneCT services, like microtransit, trolleys, and shuttles, we’re expanding access to beaches and parks across Connecticut.”

All buses associated with the ParkConneCT pilot program will run fare free through Labor Day (September 5, 2022). Additionally, as part of the fiscal year 2023 budget, all buses statewide are operating without collecting fares until November 30, 2022 (with the exception of premium on-demand ridesharing programs). Wheels 2U and Valley Transit District’s on-demand ridesharing services will only be free on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays observed on July 4 and September 5, when using the service to or from parks in the ParkConneCT program.

The parks included in the ParkConneCT pilot program are:

Fort Trumbull State ParkHammonasset Beach State ParkIndian Well State ParkOsbornedale State ParkSherwood Island State ParkSilver Sands State ParkSleeping Giant State Park
The state parks for this pilot program were selected based on criteria prioritizing seasonal employment levels, recreational summer activities, frequently traveled tourist destinations, and existing service connections. Routes were selected by performing an analysis using geospatial information systems and prioritizing areas where the most cost-effective improvements could be made to connect people to the parks.

Since the launch of the pilot program, CTDOT has continued to collect and assess ridership and passenger trip data to measure the success of the program. Those efforts will continue this year and will include a survey to collect additional information from riders.

For more information on ParkConneCT, visit portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Park-Connect.

Westport News: 2022 Fireworks Traffic Advisory


#Westport CT–The annual PAL fireworks display is set for Thursday June 30, 2022, with a rain date of Friday July 1, 2022. This is the largest annual Westport event featuring heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic affecting all roads south of Greens Farms Road between Compo Road South and Hillspoint Road. It is recommended that spectators plan to arrive early as traffic delays are inevitable. Daytime Compo Beach visitors are reminded the beach closes at 4:00 PM. Only those vehicles with fireworks passes will be allowed to remain within the beach. We ask those with fireworks passes to be standing by their vehicles at that time so Parks and Recreation staff can collect their pass. The beach should reopen to ticket holders by5:00 PM, however this determination will be made by Westport Parks and Recreation staff. Pedestrians attending the fireworks are reminded not to walk on the roads and touse sidewalks when going to and from Compo Beach. It is recommended that pedestrians wear bright clothing and parents please always keep an eye on small children! For ticket holders:- Access to the PAL Fireworks display will be through South Compo Road only. Hillspoint Road south of Greens Farms Road will be open to residents with residences south of that intersection.- Firework attendees should display the ticket prominently on the dashboard so it can be seen clearly when traveling to the event. They will be collected upon entry into the parking area.- All ticket holders must be inside Compo Beach by 9:00 PM. No vehicular beach traffic will be allowed south of the Minuteman statue after that time. For those who do not have tickets:- Vehicles without a ticket will not be able to go any further towards Compo Beach than the Minuteman statue.- Those utilizing Uber, Lyft, or Taxi services will be directed straight past the Minuteman Statue on Compo Road South. There, visitors can walk from the area of Compo Road South and Soundview Drive to the beach. NOTE: If you choose to use this method of transportation return service.

This press release was made possible by:

Westport News: Day Time/Early Evening Motor Vehicle Burglaries

(Westport, CT 6/27/2022) This past Saturday (6/25/22), the Westport Police Department
investigated several motor vehicle burglaries, which occurred during the late afternoon and
early evening hours. In all cases of vehicles being entered, which resulted in thefts, the doors
were unlocked. Traditionally, this type of crime was committed during the overnight hours.
However, Westport and other communities are now seeing this activity at varying times of the
day.


The car burglaries that occurred on Saturday are being investigated by the department’s
detective bureau. Furthermore, additional patrols will be deployed as a preventative measure.
The Westport Police Department would like to take this opportunity to once again remind
everyone to lock your car(s) and bring your keys/fobs inside. It is also important to remember
to take valuables out of your car, such as cash, purses, wallets, and electronics.
Should someone witness a person actively burglarizing a car, please call the police
immediately and provide as much information as possible. However, under no circumstances
should anyone confront the suspect(s).

Westport News: Traffic Advisory – Yankee Doodle Fair June 16 th -19th


The Westport Women’s Club will be holding its annual Yankee Doodle Fair
beginning on Thursday, June 16th. The hours of the event are 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Thursday and Friday, 1:00pm – 10:00pm Saturday and 1:00pm – 5:00pm on
Sunday, June 19th. The event takes place at the Westport Women’s Club, 44
Imperial Avenue, and in the Westport Municipal parking lot located on Imperial
Avenue.
Attendees are advised there is no parking on Thomas Road during the Yankee
Doodle Fair. With a downtown outdoor shopping event also being held that
Saturday, residents and motorists can expect traffic congestion and temporary
delays. Motorists are asked to exercise caution while driving through the area due
to increased pedestrian traffic, and to allow extra time to arrive at their destinations
or seek alternate routes around the area wherever possible.

Westport News: Sunday Traffic Advisory

(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 5, 2022. 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.
This press release was made possible by:

Westport News: School Fire

#Westport CT–A police officer who was assigned to Long Lots Elementary School was alerted to an odor of smoke in the schools auditorium. Upon seeing smoke, the officer activated the fire alarm to evacuate the school and requested the fire department respond.
The fire department responded with 4 engines, 1 ladder truck, the Safety Officer, and the shift commander. The first arriving unit found the school evacuated and a small fireburning in the wall of the auditorium. The police officer who found the location of thefire used a fire extinguisher to initially put out the fire. The fire department gainedfurther access to the inside of the wall and extinguished the remaining fire.
The small fire was contained to a wall in the auditorium. An investigation into the causeof the fire was conducted by the Westport Fire Marshal’s Office. It was determined thefire was caused by an electrical short.The school was re-occupied by student’s shortly before 1pm. Out of an abundance ofcaution students were dismissed at 1:15pm for the remainder of the school day.The fire department was assisted on scene by the Fairfield Fire Department, the Westport Police Department, and Westport EMS.

There were no injuries to any students or staff. The quick actions of the police officer and execution of a well-practiced evacuation plan contributed to this successful operation.

This press release was made possible by:

Suspicious Person Incident At Westport Schools

(Westport, CT 5/19/2022) At approximately 9:00 a.m. this morning, the Westport Police Department’s School Security Officer and the Staples School Resource Officer began to investigate a report of a suspicious person on school grounds. An unknown male who appeared to be in his teens was dropped off at Bedford Middle School, but the person then left that campus and walked towards Staples High School. The incident was deemed suspicious because at the time no one recognized this individual, and it was unknown what he was doing on school property.

Out of an abundance of caution, the school’s superintendent placed both Bedford Middle School and Staples High School in a shelter in place status. Several patrol officers responded to make sure the students at both schools were kept safe and to look for this unknown person. Westport detectives also went to the scene and worked with school officials to attempt to identify the party. It was ultimately determined that the person in question was in fact a Staples student. The student was simply running late and after managing to get a ride to Bedford, he walked over to Staples. Chief Koskinas said that “this was the best possible outcome” and further stated that the timely resolution of this incident is a testament to the excellent working relationship that the police department has with the school system.”

This press release was made possible by:

https://www.bmwofbridgeport.com/
Exit mobile version