IN YOUR TOWN
What’s going on in your neighborhood
WESTPORT 1 FD urges care when digging near gas lines
After fire units had to respond for a gas line struck at a home in town Saturday afternoon, the Westport Fire Department is reminding residents to “Call Before You Dig.”
Call Before You Dig is a free service that can be reached by calling 811. The service sends out someone to check for gas lines before any kind of construction is done that will involve digging. Any time digging is done, no matter how minor, there is always the chance a gas line could be hit.
In Saturday’s incident, firefighters got to the house around 12: 30 p. m. after work crews at a home on Caccamo Lane struck a gas line.
Three fire engines, a ladder truck and the shift commander all responded to the home. Firefighters worked to protect the area until Southern Connecticut Gas got to the home and shut down the leak.
For information on Call Before You Dig, visit call811. com/ map- page/ connecticut.
— toneill@ hearstmediact. com
DERBY 1 Demolition of old fieldhouse on YouTube
Demolition of the old fieldhouse at Ryan Field will begin Monday morning to make way for a brand new, state- of- the- art fieldhouse, according to Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway.
Those interested in watching the demolition, can do so online on YouTube.
Conway said demolition of the building itself is slated to take two days, while the foundation is expected to be demolished in three days.
A couple years back, Derby secured some $ 2.9 million state funding to renovate its athletic complex, but it was only enough to build a field for track meets and line the football field with artificial turf. It wasn’t until Joan Payden, chief executive officer, president and founder of Payden and Rygel, a $ 110 billion asset management firm with offices in the U. S. and overseas, made a $ 2 million donation in her father’s memory, J. R. Payden, that the fieldhouse of dreams was to be born.
Payden donated another $ 2 million to help with the entire athletic complex renovation, which will include a new baseball and girl’s softball field.
— Jean. sos@ snet. net
FAIRFIELD 1 Household hazardous waste day coming up Saturday at park
Fairfield’s household hazardous waste collection day is planned for next Saturday. Town residents will be able to drop off hazardous waste from their homes at Veterans Park, 909 Reef Road, from 9 a. m. to 2 p. m.
Items like nail polish remover, paint thinner and rat poision will be accepted. But items including ammunition, tires and fire extinguishers will not be accepted.
For the full list of what will and won’t be accepted, visit www. fairfieldct. org/ hazwaste.
For information, reach Michael Zembruski at MZembruski@ fairfieldct. org, or Audrey Sciuto at ASciuto@ fairfieldct. org or 203- 256- 3023.
— toneill@ hearstmediact. com
TRUMBULL 1 Chief warns of back- to- school dangers
With the new school years approaching, Trumbull Police Chief Michael Lombardo has some words of caution.
“This time of year brings about more traffic, which includes buses, other vehicles and pedestrians on local roads,” he said.
Lombardo begged residents to remember that buses make frequent stops as they pick up and drop off students to prevent any accidents.
“Those of us that are driving near a school bus need to be alert for their flashing yellow lights,” he said. “Once they are illuminated it is your signal that the red flashing lights and stop sign will soon be activated, requiring you to stop your vehicle,” he reminded residents.
Drivers who don’t stop for a school bus and instead choose to pass it can be fined up to $ 465.
Even if drivers are on a four- lane roadway in the furthest lane from a stopped bus, they must still stop their vehicles.
And distracted driving — and even distracted street crossing — is a huge concern.
“I ask that motorists refrain from being distracted by their phone or other means and that pedestrians are aware of their surroundings when walking or crossing the street,” Lombardo said. “Be certain that the motorists have stopped and are aware of your presence before crossing.”
— toneill@ hearstmediact. com