Good morning, Westport.

Today, the Westport Community Garden Steering Committee proposed relocating the garden from Long Lots School to a site at Burr Farms Field off Long Lots Road — a location noted for its sunlight, flat terrain, and ample parking — due to health, safety, and accessibility concerns at the Baron’s South site. The committee sent the update to gardening families ahead of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on June 9 to review the town’s revised school site plan.

Westport residents have a busy schedule as the national Fine Arts Festival takes place at Main & Elm streets on May 24 & 25 with family activities and live music, StartUp Westport hosts a social at La Plage restaurant on June 5, and the Weston History & Culture Center presents a dance exhibit on May 31 & a Ragtime Tea Dance on June 1 to celebrate early 20th-century fads. Town meetings on June 4 will address Long Lots Elementary School plans and wetlands concerns, a June 8 Friends of Sherwood Island meeting will feature a True Friend Award presentation, and Westport Police reported various traffic citations issued last week.

The annual Westport Pops Concert will take place on June 6th at 7 p.m. at Levitt Pavilion where Staples High School musicians and vocal groups will perform their 'An Evening at the Movies' theme with actor James Naughton hosting—if inclement weather occurs, the event will shift to Staples High School auditorium.

Westport Schools will ban cellphones at Staples High School this fall to reduce distractions and improve student mental health—Superintendent Scarice explained that administrators will work with students and parents to create an implementation plan.

A review of the policy is scheduled for spring—officials want to learn from other schools’ experiences before finalizing the ban.

Gov. Ned Lamont said more than 100,000 residents received medical debt relief on May 22 through a partnership with Undue Medical Debt—residents with debt equal to at least 5% of their income were eligible.

Westport's Board of Finance approved a new tax rate of 18.86 mills with a 1.29 percent increase to fund the town’s $252 million budget for 2025-26 at Town Hall on Wednesday.

The board also discussed future capital projects—like the new Long Lots Elementary School—and returned minimal public comment during the meeting.

Dr. Mark Oestreicher, a trusted Westport dermatologist who spent 46 years caring for patients, will retire full-time on June 30 but will continue part-time work as he battles cancer.

He has earned deep appreciation from the community—receiving letters and cards that praise his skill and kindness over the decades.

Staples High baseball ended the regular season by winning two of its last three games and earned the No. 3 seed for the FCIAC playoffs.

They will host No. 6 St. Joseph of Trumbull in the quarterfinals at 4 p.m. today — with semifinals on May 27 and finals on May 29 at Cubeta Stadium in Stamford.

Weston Memorial Day Weekend 5K Run

7:45-10:30 AM — Weston High School — Registration fees apply — Celebrate Memorial Day with a fun 5K run open to all levels of runners and walkers.

Dan Bikel: A Little Folk Music

7-8:30 p.m. — The Westport Library — Ticket includes a complimentary drink — Experience heartfelt melodies and harmonies with local singer-songwriter Dan Bikel.

Garden Terrarium Workshop

6-7:30 p.m. — Jenni Kayne Home - Westport — Light refreshments provided — Learn to create a lush terrarium with seasonal plants in this hands-on workshop.