Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 45. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. North wind 13 to 16 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind 10 to 14 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. North wind 7 to 11 mph.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker Reads Proclamation for Civic Learning Week, Engages With Students in Staples Town Hall
Press ReleaseOn Monday, March 6, Westport’s Board of Selectwomen visited Staples to celebrate the start of Civic Learning Week. The goal of the nationwide week is to empower students with the tools to become active, civically engaged members of their community.
At the event, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker read the Proclamation to declare Civic Learning Week in Westport from March 6th-10th. Then, in a Town Hall moderated by Staples seniors Scarlett Siegel and Spencer Yim, Tooker and her fellow Selectwomen, Andrea Moore and Candice Savin, answered questions from students. Topics ranged from the structure of the town’s government to the Board’s efforts to address sustainability, traffic, and other policy areas.
Members of the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society assisted with the event. Lauren Francese, Social Studies Coordinator, stated, "Staples students asked great questions and really enjoyed learning about public service. It's a great opportunity to see civics in action, especially in a local context. When students have these opportunities, they make meaningful connections to the civics knowledge and skills that they're developing in the classroom." Additional events for students will be held on Thursday and Friday with guest speakers from the Registrar of Voters and Board of Education.
Cross Highway Road Improvement Info Session Slated for March 14
Press ReleaseMembers of the public are invited to attend a Public Information Meeting (“PIM”) on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Westport Town Hall Auditorium (110 Myrtle Avenue) to review the proposed improvements to the corridor along Cross Highway from North Avenue to Bayberry Lane (the “Corridor”). First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, the Department of Public Works Engineering staff, and other Town representatives will be available to discuss and answer questions regarding the proposals and any potential impacts to the neighborhood. The design engineer will be participating online with access to design data and drawings to aid in the discussion. Resident participation is encouraged.
The Town of Westport has identified this Corridor as an area in need of roadway and sidewalk traffic and safety improvements. To implement these improvements, the Town contracted with a design engineer who has developed several potential traffic and safety improvement concepts. These proposed improvements are designed to manage the traffic volume and congestion as well as reduce the potential for traffic accidents on Cross Highway at its intersections at North Avenue and Bayberry Lane.
The proposed concepts range from minor traffic sign upgrades to complete intersection reconstruction. They include but are not limited to:
Adding crosswalks in key areas;
Construction of new and/or repair of existing sidewalks;
Adding revised signage along the right-of-way;
Relocation of utility poles;
Installation of traffic signals;
Roadway widening at the intersections to realign approach and turning lanes;
Installation of roundabouts at the intersections;
Bridge replacement (over Dead Man's Brook).
Please contact the Town Engineer Keith Wilberg at (203) 341-1128 or kwilberg@westportct.gov should you have any questions regarding this project.
Westport RTM March Meeting: $3.1 Million Appropriated for Public Works Projects
March 7th, 2023 Agenda & Results
Westport’s Representative Town Meeting met via Zoom for a session beginning at 7:30 and adjourning at just after 9:40 this evening. Over 3 million dollars were appropriated for three different projects for the Department of Public Works, all of which involved the community’s sewer systems - including a new pump station on Riverside Avenue and adding several streets to the existing sewer & water lines.
1. To take such action as the meeting may determine, upon the recommendation of the RTM Rules Committee, to approve an amendment to Section 22-1 of the Code of Ordinances, establishing new and/or reaffirming voting districts following the 2020 Census as provided in Section C5-2 of the Town Charter. First reading. No vote needed. First reading completed.
2. To take such action as the meeting may determine, upon the request of the Director of Public Works, to approve an appropriation in the amount of $1,900,000.00 along with bond and note authorization, to the Sewer Reserve Fund Account for the replacement of Pump Station #3 Force Main Sewer Line and Pump Station Upgrades. Unanimously approved by all present RTM members.
3. To take such action as the meeting may determine, upon the request of the Director of Public Works, to approve an appropriation of $416,000.00 along with bond and note authorization to the Municipal Improvement Fund Account for additional funding for construction to extend the Sanitary Sewer System to Whitney Street, Roseville Road, Fernwood Road, Plumtree Lane, Pamela Place and Ledgemoor Lane. Unanimously approved by all present RTM members.
4. To take such action as the meeting may determine, upon the request of the Director of Public Works, to approve an appropriation of $790,000.00 along with bond and note authorization to the Municipal Improvement Fund Account for additional funding for construction to extend the Sanitary Sewer System to Evergreen Avenue, Evergreen Parkway, Tamarac Road, Lone Pine Lane, Gorham Avenue, Compo Road North and Brookside Drive.Unanimously approved by all present RTM members.