Category: Westport

#Westport, CT – Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Fava is pleased to announce the following Parks and Recreation Department updates.

Longshore Golf Course:

As of June 27, 2020, two players may share a golf cart.  Both players must wear face-covering while in the cart and the same person must be the driver of the cart the entire time.  Exception: members of the same household will not be required to wear a face-covering while sharing a cart and valid drivers may alternate.

Tennis Courts:

The tennis courts at Longshore Club Park will be closed for maintenance on Friday, June 26, 2020, from 12:30 pm for the remainder of the day and will reopen at 8 am on Saturday, June 27, 2020.

As of June 27, 2020, all tennis courts at Longshore Club Park, Staples High School, Town Farm and Doubleday (behind Saugatuck School) will be open for both singles and doubles play.

Platform Tennis and Pickleball Courts:

As of June 27, 2020, all platform tennis and pickleball courts will be open for both singles and doubles play.

Lifeguards and Longshore Pools:

As of July 1, 2020, lifeguards will be staffing Compo and Burying Hill beaches during the usual hours of 10 am – 6 pm.  All regular beach rules will be enforced, in addition to all COVID-19 related rules.  The use of boogie boards and skimboards will be permitted.  The Longshore Pools will remain closed at this time due to the State of Connecticut restrictions and limited staffing resources.

Fava stated, “The Parks and Recreation Department has determined that it is best to focus our limited staffing resources at the beaches where we have the largest number of users.  By focusing our lifeguards at Compo and Burying Hill, we hope to increase our ability to provide lifeguards throughout the summer by following best practices related to staffing during COVID-19.”  Fava also stated, “The Department will continue to monitor the guidance from the State and should restrictions ease, and we can staff appropriately, we will re-evaluate the possibility of opening the pool complex.”

Social distancing and face-covering rules must be followed at all Westport Parks and Recreation facilities.

For updates, please check the Town website at westportct.gov/covid19 or #reopenwestportct.

 

This press release was made possible by:

 

#Westport, CT– This afternoon, multiple black bear sightings were reported in the northern section of town. One bear cub and one large young male bear were observed. The bears were not acting in an aggressive manner and were observed to be acting normally. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Wildlife Division (DEEP) was notified.

 

Black bears are becoming increasingly common in Connecticut. In order to safely co-exist, residents are reminded to take precautions to prevent negative encounters with bears and nuisance behavior. Bears have an incredible sense of smell. To prevent luring them towards your property, secure your garbage in sturdy covered containers in a garage or outbuilding. Residents that compost are asked to do so responsibly. Do not throw meat scraps or greasy, oily or sweet materials in your compost pile. These kinds of food will attract bears and other animals. Clean greasy barbecues and grills after each use, refrain from leaving pet food outdoors and remove bird feeders from your property for the summer. Please keep your eye on pets and small children playing outside.

 

If sighted, use caution and do not approach the bear. The mere presence of a bear does not necessitate its removal. According to DEEP, if left alone and given an avenue for escape, the bear will usually wander back into more secluded areas. DEEP does not take routine reports of bear sightings over the phone. Sightings can be reported to Westport Animal Control at (203) 341-5076 or reported to DEEP via this link: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/187a8a495d4e4ca497261d163d6fffc9 For more information on bears, please visit the DEEP’s website; https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=325930&deepNav_GID=1655

 

This news report is made possible by:

 

2020-06-21@6:55pm–#Westport CT– An elderly woman has a leg injury after driving her car through her garage on Webb Road.

 

This news report is made possible by:

 

2020-06-21@3:50pm–#Westport CT–#cttraffic–A rollover accident on the Merritt Parkway northbound between exits 41 and 42.

 

This news report is made possible by:

 

 

#Westport, CT – Parks and Recreation Director, Jennifer Fava, is pleased to announce the following Parks and Recreation Department updates.

Longshore Golf Course:

As of June 18, 2020, the driving range and practice putting area will be open for use.  Driving range balls will be available through payment at the ball machine only.  The fee is $6 per basket.  The machine accepts singles and fives and exact change only is required.  Be sure to bring the cash with you.

As of June 23, 2020, an additional half-hour of tee times will be available Mondays through Thursdays, which will start at 7:30am.

Athletic Fields:

Based upon changes in the Governor’s restrictions on gathering size and the Phase 2 Reopening Guidelines, athletic fields are now open to the general public unless a permit has been issued by the Parks and Recreation Department.  Ms. Fava stated, “In addition to opening the fields to the general public, the Department is working closely with local organizations like Westport Little League, Staples High School Athletics, and Continuing Education to get everyone back at play as quickly as possible while ensuring they have the proper protocols and self-certification in place to meet the State requirements.  This process is taking place for leagues, as well as, other groups that utilize our facilities to run various clinics and summer programs.”  All valid permits supersede general public use.  Gathering size is limited to 100.  PJ Romano and Ginny Parker fields remain closed for the summer due to construction.

Gathering Limitations:

Per the Governor’s Executive Order 7ZZ, the limit for outdoor recreational gatherings has been increased to 100 people.

 

Parks and Recreation Commission:

Commission member Karen Hess has stepped down from the Parks and Recreation Commission and is being replaced by Kate Boyle Kirby.  First Selectman Jim Marpe stated, “We are so thankful to Karen for all of the time and attention she has given to improving our Parks and Recreation facilities and programs.  We are pleased that Kate has agreed to join the Commission.  She brings a strong background of sports and recreation experience to the appointment.  We look forward to having her on board.”

Parks and Recreation Commission Chair, Charlie Haberstroh said, “Karen Hess has been an invaluable member of the Commission over the last 6 years. I thank her for her many contributions to the Parks and Recreation projects and policies.  At the same time we welcome Kate Kirby to the Commission and look forward to her future contributions to the Commission’s efforts.”

Social distancing and face-covering rules must be followed at all Westport Parks and Recreation facilities.

For updates, please check the Town website at westportct.gov/covid19 or #reopenwestportct.

 

This press release was made possible by:

 

#Westport, CT – Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Fava, is pleased to announce the following Parks and Recreation Department updates.

Tennis:

As of June 13, 2020, doubles play will be allowed at Town of Westport tennis courts located at Longshore Club Park, Staples High School, Town Farm and Doubleday (located behind Saugatuck Elementary School).

Dogs off Leash:

As of June 13, 2020, dogs will no longer be required to be on leash while in the off leash area of Winslow Park or other Town property where dogs are allowed.

Pickleball and Platform Tennis Courts:

As of June 17, 2020, one pickleball court at Compo Beach will be open for singles play with restrictions.  Use will be first come-first serve.

As of June 17, 2020, both platform tennis courts at Longshore Club Park will be open for singles play with restrictions.  Advanced reservations are required for use of the platform tennis courts and can be booked online by valid platform tennis handpass holders (5 days in advance) or by calling the Longshore tennis office at 203-341-1180 (2 days in advance).  Players must check in at the tennis office prior to play.  No walk-ups allowed.

Program Registration:

As of June 17, 2020, online registration for Parks and Recreation and Wakeman Town Farm summer programs will be available.  For program availability and to register, visit www.westportrecreation.com.

Social distancing and face covering rules must be followed at all Westport Parks and Recreation facilities.

For updates, please check the Town website at www.westportct.gov/covid19, #Westportctcovid19info, or #reopenwestportc

 

This press release was made possible by:

 

2020-06-14@1:40pm–#Westport CT– First responder are on scene on I-95 southbound near exit 17 extricating someone from a crash.

 

Westport, CT –  Tax Collector Harry Whiteley reminded residents today that first quarter real estate taxes, personal property taxes, motor vehicle taxes and sanitary sewer use and assessment charges are due July 1, 2020.  Taxpayers have until August 3, 2020 to pay taxes without penalty.  Accounts will be subject to an 18 percent (1.5 percent/month) penalty charge if paid late.                         Minimum interest charge is $2.00.   Failure to receive a bill does not abate the charges or interest.

Real estate taxes, personal property taxes, motor vehicle taxes and sanitary use and assessment bills may be paid by credit card, debit card, or direct withdrawal from a checking account on-line at www.westportct.gov.

Checks should be made payable to “Town of Westport” and mailed to:

                                                Tax Collector – Westport

                                                P.O. Box 350

                                                Westport, CT 06881

A drop box in the rear of Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue, may be used for in-person payments.

 

This press release was made possible by:

 

#Westport CT–On Tuesday, June 9th, Bedford Middle School will be holding a Moving Up Parade for those students attending high school in the fall. Participating students will be chauffeured by their parents/guardians from Long Lots School and proceed in waves northbound on Hyde Lane, eastbound on Long Lots Road and northbound on North Avenue to Bedford Middle School. Vehicles will be exiting the Bedford Middle School Campus via Cross Highway.

 

On Thursday, June 11th, the Staples High School Senior Class of 2020 will be participating in a Graduation Parade. Participating seniors will stage in their vehicles at Long Lots Elementary School and proceed in five waves following the same route to Staples High School. Following the ceremony, vehicles will exit through the Bedford Middle School Campus and onto Cross Highway. Westport Police units will be providing escorts for each wave of vehicles on both days. Hyde Lane will be closed to through traffic between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:00 p.m. on June 9th and 09:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on June 11th however, residents of Hyde Lane and Trailing Rock Lane will be able to access their residences/streets via Maple Avenue North. There will be no parking at either school on the days of these events. The parking lot of Long Lots Elementary will also be closed to the public during those hours. Only participating students and school employees will be allowed in the lot. All attendees will remain in their vehicles while staging at Long Lots School awaiting their turn to participate in the parade. Students and arrangements will be managed on site by school staff and the Westport Police Department. The rain dates for the Moving Up Ceremony and Graduation Parade are June 10th and 12th, respectively. We appreciate your patience as traffic on and around Hyde Lane and North Avenue will be heavy during those hours. Please seek alternate routes if possible.

 

This press release was made possible by:

 

Westport Fire Department UPDATE: Westport Fire, EMS, and CT State Police were requested to respond to a reported motor vehicle crash with a report of a person trapped on the Merritt Parkway. The first arriving fire unit reported a single vehicle on its roof in the left lane just south of exit 42. Fire personnel checked the vehicle and confirmed that a single occupant was trapped in the vehicle. A second occupant was able to climb out of the vehicle prior to units arriving. Westport Fire deployed a protective hose line and began to setup for extrication. Fire units assessed the patient while access to the vehicle was made. Fire units used stabilization tools and a combination of spreaders and cutters to remove the vehicles doors. The patient was removed from the vehicle extrication and was turned over to Westport EMS for care. Once extrication was complete, the vehicle began to smoke and subsequently caught fire. Fire personnel extinguished the fire, which was isolated to the engine compartment. Two patients were transported to the hospital and CT State Police is conducting the investigation. The highway was shut down for approximately one hour until the vehicle could be removed.

 

2020-06-07@8:39pm–#Westport CT– #cttraffic– Report of a rollover accident with entrapment on the Merritt Parkway southbound near exit 42.