Community Corner

Weston Wants Out, the Giants Practice and Nimbyism Triumphs

A look back at the way Westport was 50 years ago to the week.

This is the first of a weekly column that provides a look at what was happening in Westport 50 years ago with the help of newspaper archives.

Weston Wants Out of Staples High School

With Weston lacking a high school, students had to attend nearby Staples High School. By 1960, the price was becoming a little too steep.

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A  report presented to the Westport Board of Education predicted that the enrollment of Weston students will explode in coming years. In 1961, there could be 160 students. By 1964, that number was expected skyrocket to 360 students. Weston would owe Westport $210,000 for all those students.

Some believed it was time for Weston to have its own school and the report was optimistic about the prospect of a Weston high school Dr. Howard D. Wood wrote that it is evident "that we can run a very good junior-senior high school with 650 to 700 pupils."

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Weston's first and only high school opened ten years later in 1970.

New Nursery School Denied, Nimbyism Prevails

In other education news, the Planning and Zoning Commission rejected a petition proposing a nursery school and East Ferry Lane. The reason for the rejection was partly due to organized opposition that hired an attorney.

"It would not allow this area to develop in an orderly fashion," said an attorney representing neighbors that opposed the plan. "The value of the property would be impaired.

Longshore Rates Slashed

The Board of Selectmen decided to cut back prices all over the town's latest investment: Longshore Club Park. In April, the property was purchased by the town.

First, a $2 fee for people without hand passes was nixed during evenings so that people could eat at Longshore Restaurant without paying extra. Rental fees for the pavilion and clubhouse were cut by 20 percent. Finally, renters of the cottages at the park, which no longer exist, were also given a reprieve. Their rents dropped 20 percent.

The New York Giants Come to Fairfield County

Coach Jim Lee Howell came to the area with the New York Giants to practice at nearby Fairfield University. "All workouts are open to the public and will provide area football fans with a good look at last year's Eastern Division Champions," the photo caption noted.

Howell was a championship-winning coach (Super Bowls did not exist at the time), but 1960 turned out to be a disappointing season. The Giants won six games, lost four and tied two. Howell never coached professional football again, but his assistants went on to legendary success. Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry were both inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame decades later.


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