Category: Westport

#Westport, CT – With the help of the Grace Farms Foundation in New Canaan, the town was able purchase surgical masks for the public to help reduce the spread and transmission of COVID-19. The Town’s Emergency Response Management Team will be providing surgical masks for Westport residents on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at Bedford Middle School, 88 North Avenue, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, or until supplies last.

• Drive up distribution only.
• Residents will be required to show proof of residency; Driver’s License, vehicle registration or utility bill.
• The driver will be asked how many people reside in the Westport household.
• Masks will be dropped into the car to reduce personal contact.

Masks will also be distributed to those receiving groceries or frozen meals through the Westport Center for Senior Activities.  Seniors or members of other vulnerable populations without access to transportation to the distribution site may contact the Westport Department of Human Services at humansrv@westportct.gov or 203-341-1050 to request assistance in obtaining masks for personal use.

 

This press release was made possible by:

 

This week has been a good one in Westport. The rate of growth for confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to slow, and across the State, the number of hospitalizations continues to fall.  The RTM passed the town and school budgets for fiscal year 2021, resulting in an overall increase of less than half of a percent. The town’s triple A rating from Moody’s has been reaffirmed. We are also pleased to announce that the town’s tax collections this fiscal year are on target and have not been significantly impacted by the virus. As a reminder, you have until May 22 to apply for a COVID-19 related tax deferment on your April installment payment.

The state is working toward reopening much of the private sector. Later today, we expect new guidance from the State Department of Economic and Community Development, which will cover aspects of reopening salons, barbershops, restaurants, offices and other businesses.

Westport will largely be following the State of Connecticut’s reopening strategy, as communicated by Governor Lamont. We have launched the ReOpen Westport Advisory Team, which held its first public meeting on Wednesday. Liaisons were named for each local business segment and they are actively reaching out to business owners. The Team is pleased to have Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA Commissioner and Westport resident, share his perspectives on reopening at the Monday, May 11 meeting at 11am. Westport’s state legislative delegation will also attend to update the Team on the State’s plan.  You can watch this meeting via live streaming on our website or channel 79.

A week from today, we will open the parking facilities at Compo Beach at 50 percent capacity, and the Longshore Golf Course will be open for play, with certain restrictions.  With summer coming, this is an opportunity to get out of the house, enjoy the warmer weather, and perhaps get some physical activity. But you have to remember the importance of maintaining a social distance of at least 6 feet at all times and you must bring or wear a mask if you anticipate having difficulties achieving that.

In the coming week, we will announce the specific rules and regulations related to the beach opening. We will encourage you to follow them and remind you that everyone in town is relying on your compliance. Social distancing and wearing masks is imperative if we are to keep the beaches and golf course open.

Public health experts have determined that wearing a cloth face covering may prevent transmission by an infected person. The use of appropriate personal protective equipment in public places is of critical interest to all of us. If you are in a public place and cannot maintain a safe social distance of at least 6 feet, then you must cover your nose and mouth with a mask or cloth face-covering. The best advice is to have a mask available at all times if you are outside of your home and most certainly when you are at our beaches and parks. I keep mine around my neck when I step outside so it’s ready to go if necessary.

The Town of Westport has procured 25,000 face masks with the help of the Grace Farms Foundation in New Canaan and plan to distribute them to the general public Tuesday morning.  Further details will follow on Monday.

Please continue to stay connected with the town as the COVID-19 response and reopening evolves.  For updates, please check the Town website at westportct.gov/covid19 or the ReOpening site at westportct.gov/reopening.

This press release was made possible by:

 

2020-05-09@ 8:48pm–Westport firefighters were dispatched to a report of a chimney fire with fire coming from the roof at 8:28 PM Saturday evening. The initial dispatch was Engines 4, 2, 5 and 6, Truck 1 and the Shift Commander. Upon arrival, Engine 4 reported smoke coming from around the area near the top of the chimney. Units entered the house and searched for fire extension. The remaining fire in the fireplace was extinguished and the burnt material was removed from the home. Truck 1 operated from the aerial device and found that there was active fire in the void space around the flue pipe in a wood and stone veneer chimney. Additional firefighters checked each floor for fire while Truck 1 had to cut around the chimney cap to access the void spaces. The fire was extinguished and firefighters checked for any additional fire while working to control water and smoke damage in the structure. The cause of the fire is under investigation and all fire units cleared with no reported civilian or firefighter injuries.

 

Westport Fire would like to remind homeowners to ensure that they have their chimneys serviced and cleaned on a regular basis by a qualified technician.

 

This press release was made possible by:

 

Westport, CT – First Selectman Jim Marpe today provided additional details on the establishment of the ReOpen Westport Advisory Team (Advisory Team). As previously stated, the purpose of the Advisory Team will be to advise the First Selectman on issues relating to the reopening of our local economy and community as we navigate the risks of COVID-19 for the foreseeable future.

The members of the Advisory Team are as follows:

Jennifer Tooker, Second Selectwoman – Chair

John Bayers, Director of Human Resources & General Administration – Westport Public Schools
Mark Cooper, Director – Westport Weston Health District

Jen Fava, Parks and Recreation Director

Sara Harris, Operations Director

Chief Foti Koskinas – Westport Police Department

Mary Young, Planning and Zoning Director

Randy Herbertson, President  – Westport Downtown Merchants Association
Matthew Mandell, Director –   Westport / Weston Chamber of Commerce
Brian Stern, Chair – Board of Finance

The Advisory Team will be focused on working with the local business community. It is not charged with making regulatory decisions. Westport will generally follow the guidelines issued by the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group and Governor Lamont. However, there will likely be operational issues that will arise with our local business owners through this gradual reopening phase. The Advisory Team will seek feedback from them and assist in their understanding of the guidelines as the businesses transition through this uncertain period.

The ReOpen Westport Advisory Team will seek input from local business and community leaders in the following areas (more may be added):

Real Estate	Retailers
Medical Offices	Restaurants/Bars/Delis
Salons/Spas	Offices
Banks	Fitness Facilities
Houses of Worship	Day Camps
Day Care/Pre-school	Grocers/Liquor Stores
Dry Cleaners	Dealerships/Automotive Repair Shops

Mr. Marpe stated, “My administration has always prioritized being accessible and supportive to our local businesses.  With Second Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker as Chair of this Advisory Team, we will continue to bring that same philosophy to these unprecedented challenges ahead.  This team of operational experts will be in communication with our local business owners in an effort to guide them through issues that will undoubtedly arise in the coming months.”

The ReOpen Westport Advisory Team’s initial public meeting/work session will be held on Wednesday, May 6 at 11 am. Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order No. 7B, there is no physical location for this meeting. It will be held electronically, live-streamed on www.westportct.gov, and broadcast on Westport’s Optimum Government Access Channel 79 and Frontier Channel 6020. The public is invited to view the meeting but will not be able to participate.

An exclusive email has been established for the Advisory Team. General comments and questions may be submitted at any time to reopenteam@westportct.gov.

Please continue to stay connected by signing up or following us at:

–          Online:  www.westportct.gov/COVID19

–          Get Updates:  Signup for emergency alerts

–          Get Updates:  Sign up for email subscriptions

–          Social Media:  #Westportctcovid19info

 

For information on town services and facilities status reopening plans: www.westportct/reopen

 

This press release has been made possible by:

 

2020-4-29@10:04 AM–#Westport CT– Westport firefighters were dispatched to a report of a fire at a residence on Marilane. The initial dispatch was four Engines, one Rescue Company and the Shift Commander. A mutual aid Ladder company was added en route. Westport PD arrived and advised all occupants were out of the house. Westport Engine 6 located a fire in a 1 st floor bedroom and used a 1 ¾’ handline to extinguish the fire. The Rescue Company completed a primary search and checked for fire extension. Additional arriving companies assisted with ventilation, utility control, salvage, and overhaul. The fire was confined to the room of origin. There were no injuries to firefighters or occupants. The Westport fire Marshal’s office was on scene to investigate the cause of the fire. Additionally, Westport EMS and PD assisted on the scene, as well as the Red Cross. Wilton and Fairfield Fire Department provided mutual aid. The last Fire Department unit cleared at 12:10 PM.

 

2020-04-28@2:38pm–#Westport CT– #cttraffic– A crash on I-95 southbound near exit 18 is causing a backlog of traffic.

 

Westport, CT – First Selectman Jim Marpe provided the following update and reminders today.

As we are all aware, the Coronavirus crisis is ongoing. Public safety and the safety of town personnel is paramount.  To that end, the following update related to the Transfer Station management will now be enforced. Further, it is imperative that we remain vigilant in our efforts to socially distance and insure we are using face masks when outside our homes.

 

Transfer Station Traffic Management and Use of Face Masks

 

Public Works Director Peter Ratkiewich announced today that new rules at the Westport Transfer station will go in effect on Saturday 4/25. In order to facilitate the Governor’s social distancing and mask directives, the following must be observed:

• Anyone and everyone using the Transfer Station will be required to have a mask covering their nose and mouth.

 

• The number of vehicles allowed into the facility at any time will be limited and monitored. Please obey the directions of Transfer Station personnel.

• During high traffic periods, (Saturdays, Mondays), residents are instructed to queue in a single line and wait to enter the station on the southbound side of the Sherwood Island Connector.  DPW Personnel will be directing traffic.

• Residents are expected to dump and move out of the transfer station as soon as they are done.  No loitering or congregating will be tolerated.

• No walk-ins will be allowed

 

• Transfer Station personnel have been instructed to refrain from coming into contact with either individuals or refuse brought to the station by residents.  As a result, they will not be assisting residents with the removal or disposal of solid waste from vehicles.  Residents should not bring bulky waste items that require uploading assistance and should keep these items at home until this protocol is lifted.

• During this time, all fees and collection of refuse tickets will be waived.

This press release was made possible by:

 

(Westport, CT) – Police Chief Foti Koskinas announced today that, after careful consideration and in collaboration with First Selectman Jim Marpe, the Westport Police Department has chosen not to participate in the Draganfly drone “Flatten the Curve Pilot Program.”

 

The Department’s recent announcement of its plan to partner and participate in a test of new drone technology has resulted in varied expressions of public concern and reservations. To those who have reached out directly to the police department, to the Selectman’s office or otherwise made public these questions or concerns, we sincerely thank you for your continued community engagement and seek to assure you that your voices have been heard.

 

First Selectman Marpe said, “in our good faith effort to get ahead of the virus and potential need to manage and safely monitor crowds and social distancing in this environment, our announcement was perhaps misinterpreted, not well-received, and posed many additional questions. We heard and respect your concerns, and are therefore stepping back and re- considering the full impact of the technology and its use in law enforcement protocol.”

 

Chief Koskinas states, “I am always committed to bringing our community the most innovative solutions to the public safety problems that it faces. Although I see the greater potential of this technology, I will always be responsive and respectful of the concerns of our citizens in every decision that I make. It is a fact that the COVID-19 virus continues to spread through the global community, and therefore poses a serious and credible threat to us all now and in the future. In our steadfast commitment to public service, we remain honored to have been given an opportunity to assist in a pilot program which could someday prove to be a valuable lifesaving tool. We thank Draganfly for offering the pilot program to Westport and sincerely hope to be included in future innovations once we are convinced the program is appropriate for Westport.”

 

The Westport Police Department has always made public safety its primary focus while simultaneously respecting the civil liberties of our residents and visitors. We remain steadfast in honoring this commitment.

 

This press release was made possible by:

 

2020-04-15@6:20pm–#Westport CT– #cttraffic– A rollover accident with injuries and extrication required on I-95 southbound near exit 17.