2020-03-08@1:14am–While on routine patrol at approximately, an officer observed a vehicle stopped hazardously; partially in the traveled portion of the roadway on the Sherwood Island Connector. Upon contact with the vehicle, the operator and sole occupant was found to be asleep. He was later identified as Carl Bryant. Seen in Bryant’s hand upon the officer’s initial approach was an item immediately recognizable to the officer as a bag of narcotics; suspected crack cocaine later found to weigh approximately two grams. Also observed on the adjacent front passenger seat was a glass pipe commonly used for smoking narcotic substances as well as additional narcotics; approximately twenty-four wax folds containing suspected heroin. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded additional empty wax folds. Presumptive testing for the suspected narcotics yielded a positive result for both presence of crack cocaine and heroin. Based on these findings Bryant was taken into custody and charged with two counts of 21a-279(a) Possession of a Controlled Narcotic Substance as well as 21a-267 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $15,000.00. Bryant was able to post this bond and was released from custody. He is scheduled to be arraigned on these charges at Norwalk Superior Court at 9:30am on Wednesday March 18, 2020.
Westport, CT – Department of Human Services Director Elaine Daignault announces the return of the American Job Center Southwest’s new and improved Career Coach at Westport Town Hall. On Thursday, March 12, the Coach will offer a beginner’s class in upgraded Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 from 10 a.m. – noon, followed by an intermediate class in PowerPoint 2016 from 1 – 3 p.m. The Career Coach is a “training center” tour bus equipped with ten wireless computer labs offering free computer classes to residents in the greater Norwalk area. The mobile unit operates on a monthly schedule of visits to various community locations and is accessible to people with disabilities.
Area residents interested in registering should contact the Westport Department of Human Services at 203-341-1050 or via e-mail at humansrv@westportct.gov. For more information, including the current Career Coach schedule, check the website for American Job Center Southwest at http://www.ajcswct.com.
Ms. Daignault stated, “I hope that by offering the American Job Center Southwest’s Career Coach in the Westport area, many residents who wish to improve their computer skills will find it convenient and useful in pursuing their personal goals.”
#Westport CT–On Wednesday, March 6, 2019, an officer began an investigation into Jaiman Shah based on a complaint made by his former employer that through various means he had used company funds to make personal purchases. This initial investigation led to prior criminal charges against Shah and prompted his former employer to further review Shah’s activities while employed with the company. This included a review of Shah’s credit card purchases, corporate e-mails, and expense reimbursements. This investigation yielded new information not previously reported to police suggesting that Shah had made additional personal purchases which, through various means, he attempted to pass as legitimate work-related expenses. Additionally, it was alleged that Shah had submitted reimbursement invoices for training classes that he did not attend. It is alleged that the total amount of misappropriated funds by Shah in these incidents is $42,758.77. All of this information and supporting documentation was provided to a member of the detective bureau, as the company sought criminal prosecution in the matter. An arrest warrant was sought and granted for Shah in connection with this investigation.
On the evening of Tuesday, February 25, 2020, Jaiman Shah came to police headquarters to turn himself in on this outstanding warrant. Per the warrant, he was charged with 53a-122 Larceny First Degree, 53a-128c(a) Credit Card Theft and 53a-128g Receipt of Goods by Illegal Credit Card Use.
2020-03-05@4:57pm–#Westport CT– #cttraffic– First responders on the way to the Merritt Parkway northbound between exits 41 and 42 for a person in a white Mercedes who was shot by an accidental discharge of a firearm.
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#Westport, CT – Planning & Zoning Director Mary Young has announced that on March 5, 2020 the Planning & Zoning Commission will review an amendment to the Westport Zoning Regulations. Authored by the Planning and Zoning Commission’s Zoning Regulation Revision Subcommittee, Text Amendment #775 proposes to add definitions and remove regulatory obstacles for property owners seeking to conduct beach nourishment or replenishment activities and reduce erosion on their properties abutting Long Island Sound.
Ms. Young explained that residents who own property adjacent to coastal waters frequently experience wave action resulting in beach depletion and land erosion. Building berms and dunes are techniques to mitigate erosion. This mitigation involves changing the existing topography or grades. Currently such grade changes are subject to Special Permit/Site Plan approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission pursuant to §32-8, Excavation and Filling of Land. Text Amendment #775 proposes exempting these grade changes from the excavation and fill requirements which were not originally intended to apply to beach nourishment or replenishment projects. Currently the excavation and fill regulations require the slope of sand dunes, and all manmade earth slopes, cannot exceed five (5) horizontal to one (1) vertical (20%). In most cases, sand dunes are more effective with a slope greater than 20%.
Comments supporting the proposal were received from the State of CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as well as the Westport Conservation Department.
Ms. Young stated, “It is resource-intensive to fight mother-nature and restore what storm events deplete in the form of sand. By reducing the requirements to submit an application and await public hearing review, residents’ resources can be focused on their nourishment and replenishment projects.”
All those interested in this amendment are encouraged to attend the public hearing on March 5, 2020 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall in Room Auditorium. Copies of the amendment are attached herein and are available for viewing in Town Hall both in the P&Z Office and in the Office of the Town Clerk as well as online at www.westportct.gov. For those who cannot attend this hearing, it will be livestreamed over the internet on the Town’s website, and recorded and archived for future viewing.
The Planning and Zoning Commission may receive written comments from the public in advance of the hearing. Comments should be sent to PandZ@westportct.gov. Once the public hearing is closed, no more information or comments will be accepted.
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Westport, CT – As was announced at the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) on February 4, the Selectman’s Office, in coordination with the Public Works and Police Departments, has scheduled a series of meetings with RTM districts to discuss some of the issues facing the Town in dealing with traffic, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and the steps the Town is taking with respect to those issues. Having these meetings will provide an opportunity for residents of each RTM district to talk about problems they are facing in their particular area and ask questions about possible solutions. All members of the public are welcome.
Each meeting will take place at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Auditorium as follows:
Tuesday, March 3 Districts 2 & 3
Monday, March 9 Districts 1 & 4
Monday, March 16 Districts 6 & 8
Tuesday, March 31 Districts 5 & 7
Monday, April 13 District 9
Residents may contact their RTM representatives for further information.
Westport, CT – Public Works Director Peter Ratkiewich announced that the spring Street Sweeping Program will commence on Monday, March 2, weather permitting.
There will be up to three crews sweeping 123 miles of town roadways. Work should be completed on all public roads by mid-July.
Some of the work is done early in the morning in order to avoid interference with vehicles in parking lots and school buses. The public is asked for their cooperation and patience during the operation.
Questions regarding the project may be directed to the Public Works Office at 203 341 1120.
This press release is made possible by:
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#Westport, CT – Human Services Director Elaine Daignault reminds residents that the Westport Prevention Coalition (“Coalition”) launched an online Community Readiness Survey (CRS) to measure public perception of substance misuse and mental health issues in Westport. The survey was created in partnership with Westport’s Local Prevention Council, the Westport Prevention Coalition and Positive Directions – The Center for Prevention and Counseling, as part of the Town’s ongoing efforts to address issues related to substance misuse and other health needs of the community.
Residents are encouraged to take the survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WCPCCS2020 and/or contact the Dept. of Human Services at (203) 341-1050 for more information or for assistance in accessing a paper copy.
The anonymous survey is meant to provide helpful information as the Coalition embarks on prevention and resource development efforts addressing substance misuse, mental health services and overall wellness across the lifespan. The data will be used to advise local programming efforts that enhance the health and wellbeing of the entire community.
According to Daignault, “Measuring community perceptions of substance misuse and mental health issues allows us to establish a baseline of community readiness so we can effectively develop resources that bring appropriate prevention and intervention messages to the residents. Westport’s CRS is unique in its intention to gather input from a large cross-section of age groups, as opposed to youth-only assessments. One only needs to review the daily news to comprehend the rise in mental health and substance misuse issues among children, adults, and seniors across the country.”
The CRS will serve as a complement to the youth and parent surveys which are administered through Positive Directions bi-annually in partnership with Westport Public Schools; with plans for the next youth and parent, the survey cycle will occur during the 2020-2021 school year.
Jennifer Hrbek, Executive Director of Positive Directions adds, “We are proud to continue to partner with the Town of Westport in raising behavioral health as a community priority and are excited to have this process be informed by community members in identifying and addressing the issues most important to them.”
“The information we gather will help to create a stronger dialogue among residents and gauge community interest and opinion of mental health and substance abuse issues in Town. An anonymous survey allows us to take an in-depth look at community perceptions while providing residents with an opportunity to voice their opinions openly,” said Daignault.
To learn more about available national, state and regional data on substance abuse and mental health topics, residents are encouraged to visit The Regional Behavioral Health Action Organization, The Hub CT’s website for local statistics.
Westport, CT – Public Works Director Peter Ratkiewich reminds the public that the first phase of work on the Kings Highway Bridge over Willow Brook will be commencing on February 24. This first phase will involve the installation of a 36-inch diameter sleeve underneath the existing bridge to accommodate a 24-inch waterline. This is an important first step in the effort to replace the existing bridge later on in 2020.
In order to facilitate the work, it will be necessary to close Kings Highway at the actual bridge location. All residents and businesses that are adjacent to the bridge on either side will be able to access their properties during construction, but the bridge itself will be closed. It is anticipated that the first phase of the work will take up to two months. The actual bridge replacement work is expected to begin in early June of 2020.
The Kings Highway Bridge was originally constructed in the early 1900s. In August of 2016, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) conducted a bridge inspection and found it to be in critical condition. The CT DOT de-rated the allowable load for crossing the bridge to 4 tons, and directed the Town to prepare a replacement design. The bridge is eligible for State funding under the State Local Bridge program, which provides 50% reimbursement of costs.
