New First Selectman Tetreau Ready to Get Started:

New First Selectman Tetreau 
Ready to Get Started:

Ceremonial swear-in held 

Friday morning at Sullivan Hall

By Mike Lauterborn

(posted to Fairfield-Sun.com 6/10)

6/10/11

Fairfield, CT – Looking dapper in a dark blue pinstripe suit and light blue paisley patterned tie, Fairfield’s new First Selectman, Michael C. Tetreau, was excited about his mission and anxious to get started.

In remarks shared prior to a ceremonial swearing-in at 10 a.m. Friday in a conference room on the first level of Sullivan-Independence Hall, Tetreau said, “It’s like the first day of football. You know it’s going to be tough ahead.”

Among his top initial priorities, the 59-year-old named several items. “The train station is the biggest project ahead, ensuring that it opens on time in October,” he said. “I need to meet with all the department heads and review the impact of budget adjustments by the Board of Finance and RTM -- a July 1st deadline is coming up quickly. I also have have a very important meeting with the rating agencies on July 6. Overall, with the multiple transitions, I want to make sure no one drops any balls and all goes smoothly for the town.”

Tetreau also mentioned his predecessors, commending their service. “I have two big challenges – following Ken Flatto, who was in the position over 10 years and accomplished a tremendous amount over time and, on top of that, following Sherri Steeneck who, in 30 days, set a great example for energy dedication and commitment.”

A Democrat who was officially appointed Thursday, Tetreau will serve at least until the Nov. 8 municipal election, in which he is a candidate.

Many friends and family members packed into the conference room to support and congratulate Tetreau. Among them was his mother and father “Fern” and Rowena Tetreau, godmother Rita Jackson Bradtmuller, brother Jack and Jack’s girlfriend Crissy Sepot. Among town and area officials were State Representative Tony Hwang, Fairfield Fire Chief Dick Felner, Probate Judge Dan Caruso, Town Clerk Betsy Browne, Fairfield Police Chief Gary McNamara and Fairfield Police Lt. Jim Perez.

Standing at a podium at the head of the room, Browne administered the oath to Tetreau and the pair shook hands, eliciting hearty applause and cheers from the gathering. The new first selectman then launched into brief remarks, which included a thanks to his brother Bill, currently serving in Afghanistan, and an old high school friend, Dave Seres, who read online that Tetreau had made a remark about receivers and reminded him that he caught every pass that Tetreau threw his way.

With a smile, Tetreau admitted to having a Twilight Zone moment. “I was looking at my Blackberry just after midnight and saw a congratulations from John Sullivan,” he said. “My immediate reaction – uh, oh, he really is still on the job… then I opened it and saw that it was the one from my high school, not the one we’re all thinking of.”

Tetreau further acknowledged Steeneck, saying she approached her job with a long-term view. “She didn’t dodge any task or activity,” he said, “and put in long hours and worked weekends – down to the very last minute. It’s 4:30 a.m. on her last day and what is she doing? Getting up to buy fruit and water for the DPW. That type of commitment will be tough to match.”

In a general sense, Tetreau said, “Fairfield is a great community. There is so much that is special about this town. I appreciate more than ever the many opportunities that Fairfield has given me, and having a Fairfield education prepared me for the challenges at Princeton University and beyond.”

In conclusion, Tetreau remarked, “There have been a lot of people that have helped me throughout my life and it is time for payback. I am ready to get started and I promise not to let you down. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

Aspetuck Land Trust Meet Spotlights Explorer Richard Wiese

Aspetuck Land Trust Meet Spotlights Explorer Richard Wiese:

Weston resident shares 

tales of adventure

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

6/2/11

Fairfield, CT – From stories of crocs and dogsledding to climbing the heights of Everest and Mt. Kilimanjaro, the good-natured Weston resident kept the audience rapt.

Explorer Richard Wiese was the highlight of the Aspetuck Land Trust’s (ALT) Annual Meeting, held Thursday evening at Southport’s Pequot Library. The event attracted a full house of Land Trust members, board members, volunteers and curious locals who came to enjoy a welcome reception, Board presentation on ALT’s activities and Wiese’s talk focused on his amazing adventures. Wiese also signed copies of his book “Born to Explore”, which provides skills, projects and information for budding explorers. Wine and lemonade was provided by Newman’s Own, courtesy of ALT board member Lissy Newman.

“We’re all about connecting people to land, which aligns well with Wiese’s book about exploring right in your own backyard,” said David Brant, ALT’s executive director, with regard to choosing the adventurer as the evening speaker.

“Richard has young children now, so his focus is changing to local pastures,” added Princie Falkenhagen, ALT board president. “I think he wants to instill the love of nature and exploration in his own family. ALT is also focusing on young children, the future stewards of our preserves, and offering programs like ‘Short Hikes for Short People.’ Parents need help counterbalancing technology overload with good, natural outdoor fun.”

Before Wiese launched into his tales, Falkenhagen thanked, in particular, fellow Board members for their various efforts, including getting the organization on Facebook and Twitter. “If you build it, they will come,” she said. “Our name is out there, our preserves are being used and our parking lots are suddenly full. Now we’re balancing the needs of the public with the mission of being stewards of the land.”

In terms of Trust business, Falkenhagen, Don Hyman, Jack Light and Ken Bernhard were all re-elected to the ALT Board for four-year terms, as Directors for Easton, Fairfield, Weston and Westport respectively, while Cynthia Williams was tapped as director at-large.

Wiese said he had selfish reasons for wanting ALT to do well. “As a local resident, I’m a user of the product, the product being the Land Trust,” he said. “I hike the trails with my kids, wife and friends. All winter, I skied Trout Brook Valley. I’d like people to look at the outdoors with new eyes, see that nature is nourishment and use it like they do gym time.”

Wiese stars in a new TV show, launching Sept. 3 on ABC, titled “Born to Explore”, like his book. “The goal is to awaken people’s innate curiosity about the outdoors,” he said. “There’s a cultural component to it as well, showing how people live in other parts of the world. I used to go on a lot of expeditions and what you think is going to be the most interesting moment – climbing a mountain, for instance – usually isn’t. It’s the people along the way.”

Wiese said his father was an early inspiration. “My dad was an airline pilot with Pan Am,” he said. “He introduced me to so many things. The first thing we always talked about was the weather. When I was 11, he took me to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. I’ve since climbed it 18 times.”

When Wiese became president of the Explorers Club, he had the thrill of having a Boy Scout camp named after him. “I stayed in the camp and, in one of life’s ironies, got a case of chiggers on my rear end,” he laughed.

He noted that the North Pole was a highlight experience. “It was often 25 below and the ice was constantly shifting,” he said. “This, and the fact that the sun never set, would keep me awake at night.”

In the TV work Wiese does, he’s often asked to handle snakes. “I was raised in Long Island and we really didn’t have snakes,” he said, smiling.

“Alaska as an outdoor resource is fantastic,” Wiese said. “I had an opportunity to climb a mountain there that had never been climbed before. It’s neat to think about that.”

In terms of adventure value, he said the Everglades is best. “There are crocs and alligators living in the same place, and a wide variety of birds,” he said.

Mt. Kilimanjaro is likely Wiese’s favorite adventure. “It’s so novel and breathtaking,” he said. “It will be a tragedy when it loses its ice cap.”

As thrilling as his world adventures have been, Wiese said the Land Trust is a jewel worth noticing and preserving. “I get as excited seeing bobcat tracks in Devils Den as seeing a moose in Alaska,” he mused.

The Aspetuck Land Trust maintains 42 trails and 113 parcels of land across Weston, Easton, Fairfield and Westport, preserving open space for public benefit. For more information, visit: www.aspetucklandtrust.org

Violent Quick-Moving Storm Thrashes Area

Violent Quick-Moving Storm Thrashes Area:

Trees down, local flooding and power outages mark passage

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 6/9)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

6/9/11

Fairfield, CT – The darkening skies and wind-whipped trees foretold the arrival of a wicked thunderstorm that dumped buckets of rain, interrupted power and knocked down trees across Fairfield early Thursday evening.

Around 6 p.m., the storm rolled in from the west, bringing premature darkness and driving people off beaches and streets to find shelter indoors. Rain came down so hard that visibility was stunted to less than 100 yards at one point, as windshield wipers fruitlessly slapped at the heavy precipitation. Roadways quickly flooded, as the torrents could not be absorbed fast enough, and cascades of water flashed up as cars drove through accumulated pools.

Accompanying high winds pulled trees up from their roots while large limbs split off other trees and came down, blocking through access on thoroughfares like North Benson Road just north of the railroad overpass, and Penfield Road in the Beach Area, north of Quincy Street. Police were onsite at each incidence diverting traffic.

Power outages in the area south of the Post Road were reported, though they were brief and electric service was soon restored.

The storm had peaked by 6:30 p.m. and fast-tracked east, the skies still rumbling and flashing with thunder and lightning as it moved out. 

Hundreds of Complaints Drive Traffic Light Reprogramming

Hundreds of Complaints Drive Traffic Light Reprogramming:

Gridlock alleviated along Grasmere Ave. by new Whole Foods

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 6/9)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

6/9/11

Fairfield, CT – The complaints were fast and furious, rolling in by phone, in person and email, all about the traffic tie-ups occurring almost around the clock over the past month along Grasmere Avenue by the newly opened Whole Foods Market.

The culprits were three traffic lights, at Grasmere and Kings Highway East on the north side of the railroad bridge, Grasmere and Kings Highway East on the south side of the railroad bridge and Grasmere at the entrance to Home Depot. While appropriately installed, the programming of the lights was based on traffic forecasts and set on a coordinated vs. actuated timer, meaning that lights changed on a clock rather than in response to actual traffic flow.

Thursday morning, officials from the Fairfield Police Dept., Fairfield Asst. Fire Chief Stephen Curry, Town Engineer Bill Hurley, state engineers, a private consulting firm and Arthur Hersch, chairman of the police commission, all came together onsite to collaborate and find solutions.

“We’re here to try to mediate the problem,” said Sgt. Suzanne Lussier, standing with the group at the corner of Grasmere and Kings Highway East on the north side of the bridge. “The lights need to be resynched and timing changed to alleviate the commuter and routine traffic backlog that’s here. We organized all the professionals today to reevaluate the conditions. If we don’t rectify the problem now, it will be exacerbated.”

The lights were first installed in January 2011 and put in a blinking mode initially so that area residents could get acclimated to them and used to traffic patterns around the new Whole Foods and train station facility. The lights then went into full operation about a month ago.

“Since they went on, we’ve had hundreds of complaints, from residents, commuters, business owners and emergency services that can’t get through,” said Fairfield Police Lt. Jim Perez. “It’s a dangerous situation that we didn’t foresee. It’s hard sometimes to know the outcome, and patterns change according to the time of day. The police commission made decisions at the time based on information they had.”

Perez said 20 to 25 cars have often been in line in all directions at certain times of the day, and all day from the Post Road to Grasmere bridge and from Westie’s Storage traveling east to Grasmere Ave. “We had reports of people making u-turns, which causes anxiety and could lead to real problems,” he said.

“It’s infuriating everybody,” said Commissioner Hersch. “We want to try to correct the situation now before the railroad station comes into play, or the traffic will get out of control.”

“And there will be a lot of late slips in the city,” half-joked Perez, who added, “The engineers will be here as long as it takes. Any decision affects all the light coordination.”

As he spoke, Don Halberg, a project coordinator from Marlin Controls in Danbury, busily reprogrammed the computer inside the traffic control box at the corner. “I’m adjusting the timing and sequence of the lights based on what the engineers recommend,” he said. “The original traffic counts may have been a little off. Now, with more stores opening, more traffic is being attracted, which affects the timing. I think it’ll run smoother now – snappier with faster response time and less back-up.”

That was particularly good news for the fire department’s Stephen Curry. “We have a pre-emptive device that can change the lights to green in the direction of travel during an emergency call, which makes it safer in response mode. The sensors were off and had to be fine-tuned. Our other issue was the gridlock that was jamming up the intersection, which was making passage difficult for our vehicles.”

Overseeing the process as a professional courtesy was Joe Ouellette, in the traffic division of the Connecticut Dept. of Transportation. “We’re all concerned about safety and keeping traffic moving,” he said. “The DOT and town talked about solutions and are implementing them here today. They were essentially timing challenges. Sometimes you have to make field adjustments. It just needed tweaking, it’s fairly common.”

View Finder: Whole Foods Market Open for Business

View Finder: Whole Foods Market Open for Business

Shoppers test the waters, 

checking price and quality

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 6/9)

6/7/11

Fairfield, CT – There’s something about that new store look and smell that makes you want to grab a cart and go on a shopping spree. Whole Foods Market, just opened at 350 Grasmere Avenue, should inspire that, though shoppers on a recent weekday afternoon seemed to be treading cautiously, getting the lay of the land and going light on purchases. Patch noticed a lot of price checking, curious inspection and targeted item selection. Whether shoppers would commit to the store in the long term remained to be seen, but one thing was for sure – the market puts on a good face.

The atmosphere was bright, signs readable and products accessible. Coffee flanked desserts, desserts abutted bakery items, they in turn aligned with pizza and paninis, and so on down the line. The cheese shop was stocked with artisanal varieties, breads were fresh and organic, the fruit and vegetables looked highly inviting, and seafood and meats seemed to call out “grill me, grill me” from behind their glass display cases. Both indoor and outdoor eating areas encouraged shoppers to stay a while to visit with their neighbors while cashiers extended a warm hello. And if it was a quick bite of a hot dog or burger you wanted, a promotional truck stood in the parking lot ready to take your order.

Welcome Whole Foods.

Locals Seek Relief from Scorching Heat

Locals Seek Relief from Scorching Heat:

Ocean, iced drinks, A/C and shade the popular choices

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 6/8)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

6/8/11

Fairfield, CT – Scorching. Blistering. Oppressive. Brutal. These were the words frequently used by locals around town seeking relief from temperatures that climbed into the 90s Wednesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service had issued an air quality alert indicating that ozone conditions near ground level may approach or exceed unhealthy standards. Coupled with a temperature high of 93 degrees, and a next-day forecast of 95 degrees, the news was unwelcome to most. They scurried to find air conditioning, cool drinks, ocean water and shade, while local advisory groups issued hot weather warnings and dispensed tips for keeping cool.

Fabiola Mota, who was taking care of one-year-old Ben Branson, had parked herself right by the water at Penfield Beach. The Brazilian said, “When it’s this hot, the best place to be is the beach. Even when it’s 100 degrees inland, it’s cooler by the water, especially with the breeze… and you save on your air conditioning bill. I like to put my beach chair right in the water and keep my feet in there – that’s the best way to keep cool.”

Stepping out of the Sound nearby was Chelsea Torrance, 19, and friend Jenn Babbino, 20, who were starting their summer break from college. “We came down from Trumbull to Penfield to escape the heat,” Babbino said. “We’re making a lot of trips to the water. It’s nice and cool and refreshing. We’ve also got a lot of bottled water with us and are keeping under our umbrella. With the breeze, it doesn’t feel like it’s in the 90s.”

Squatting right down in the water further along the shore was a trio from Bridgeport. “I figured the beach would be the best way to keep cool versus staying in the house,” said Wilfredo Difre, the male of the group. “It’s nice down here.”

Splashing around beside him, Shelly Inthisone, 18, added, “Life’s a beach. It’s really relaxing.”

While these beachgoers could enjoy their cooling strategies, others like landscaper Edwin Barrios were toiling away in the sun. “We’re pretty used to the heat,” he said about himself and two fellow co-workers, who were tending to a yard on Reef Road. “We’ve been doing this for 20 years. We’ve got a cooler with cold water and a lot of ice to keep cool. We take breaks often, too, so we don’t overheat.”

Conor Roach, 21, was another working up a sweat outdoors. The Dept. of Public Works employee, who was shoveling mulch into wheelbarrows from the back of a truck at the Fairfield Senior Center, said, “It’s pretty hot already and being surrounded by mulch makes it even hotter. There are lots of bugs flying around, too, and I’m getting to know them pretty well. We’re taking breaks once every two hours to sit in the shade.”

Inside the Senior Center, Executive Director Claire Grace said she is always mindful of the town’s elder citizens in hot weather like this. “We tried for several years to get seniors to come to the center to cool off and stay all day on hot days like this, but they don’t take us up on it,” she said. “If they’re going to stay home, I’d advise keeping the shades drawn, dressing loosely and drinking plenty of fluids. In the cases where there are low-income seniors who are without air conditioning, we are in a position to help with getting a fan.”

The police had similar advice to give. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay indoors and stay tuned to Channel 12 for advisories,” suggested one officer.

Other workers around town could be found seeking shelter from the sun in and around area cafes and eateries. Dr. Jen Epstein of Kids First Pediatric Dentistry was enjoying lunch with co-workers under an oversized umbrella in front of Firehouse Deli. “Our office, fortunately, is nice and air-conditioned,” she said. “So, in terms of the heat, I’m just hearing about it second-hand. I look forward to taking a dip later at the beach, though.”

Plastic surgeon Anya Kishinevski was on a lunch break at Chef’s Table, enjoying an iced tea and the breeze from several ceiling fans. “I actually love the heat,” she said. “I’m one of those women who’s always cold – so I’m miserable in the winter and thrilled in the summer.”

Another town worker taking a lunch break, admittedly a late one, was Kim Nagy of Orthopaedic Specialty Group, who was cooling off at Dunkin Donuts. “With the heat, I didn’t have a big appetite today,” she said. “I’m hooked on these iced coffees though. They’re definitely cooling. Combined with the a/c, this is a good recharge.”

On her own time and strolling with her young daughter Amika along the sidewalk near Victoria’s Secret, Fairfielder Meghna Chavan said she was keeping cool by “mostly staying inside, drinking lots of cold smoothies and lemonade. But if we have to be out, we go to stores with air conditioning.”

Church Fest a Berry Fine Time

Church Fest a Berry Fine Time:
First Presbyterian Church hosts Strawberry Fest fundraiser

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

6/4/11

Fairfield, CT – A tradition that started over 65 years ago and celebrated the first harvest of local strawberries, today still showcases the coveted berry but brings a whole lot more to the table as well.

Held midday Saturday, the annual Strawberry Fest, hosted by First Presbyterian Church at 2475 Easton Turnpike, offered strawberry shortcake, strawberry-themed handcrafted items and a range of other goods including jewelry, baked goods, plants, books, hamburgers and even a car wash.

Event chairperson Pam Ales, president of the church’s Women’s Association, said the event had been done more years than most can remember. “It’s an annual fundraiser for our missions,” she said. “There are different organizations that we support including Habitats for Humanity, the Salvation Army, Bridgeport Rescue Mission and many others. This is our prime fundraiser, attracting hundreds of people.”

Long-time parishioner Elaine Brown said that while early on the event marked the first strawberry harvest, “help got harder to find to pick them. So we started buying them from the store, which is also cheaper this early in the month.”

Brown added, “This church was originally on Myrtle and State in Bridgeport and when I-95 came through, it was relocated to its current site. But the Fest has been going on since the mid-40s.”

Betty McPherson, Women’s Association Treasurer, said the target is to raise about $2,000 on average from the Fest, “all of which goes to our missions.”

While the berries may now be store-bought, a couple of things haven’t changed: the whipped cream and shortcake are handmade. “This year, we made 240 shortcake squares and several gallons of whipped cream, to accompany around 90 quarts of berries,” said Ales.

Flagging down passing drivers along Easton Turnpike to steer them to the car wash feature, Valerie Boczar, 13, with friend Tamara Castro, 16, said they were “seeking to raise funds for an upcoming church youth group trip to Newark, NJ, to help out neighbors in need.”

Inside the church, John Sembrot, a parishioner from Trumbull, was busy raising funds by selling Mexican sterling silver jewelry. “I used to be a jewelry wholesaler and disappeared in Mexico for three weeks, much to the dismay of my then-fiancee,” he said. “I gave up the trade to marry her. This is leftover inventory.”

Next door to Sembrot was more jewelry, including earrings, pins, necklaces, chains and bracelets of all makes and models. Treasurer McPherson manned the display, saying, “We’re not selling the crown jewels, but some nice quality pieces anyone would be proud to have.”

Attendees were pleased with the array of goods and happy to be present. “I’ve been doing this for seven years,” said Michele Prisco. “This was my first stop in my then-new town. Now it’s a tradition and great way to support the church.”

Fellow attendee Sharon Tobin’s main reason to attend was to gobble up the shortcake. “I’ve come other years and look forward to it,” she said.

Westporter Karen Morin came for the shortcake, too, saying, “It’s delicious.” She added, “We come every year for this, looking out for their ad in the newspaper.”