Westport Information:
First Selectman • Jim Marpe
Westport Town Hall
110 Myrtle Ave.
Westport, CT 06880
203-341-1111
Web site: www.westportct.gov
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
E-Mail: selectman@westportct.gov
Commission for Senior Services
Provides public forum for the study and discussion of needs of Westport’s seniors and advocates for appropriate change. The Commission serves to advise and consult with the First Selectman, Department of Human Services, and the senior community on issues and resources pertaining to seniors in Westport.
Chair • Les Wolf
Robert Fox
Municipal Agent for Seniors
Appointed by First Selectman, under state law, to represent elderly and their families and caregivers. Assists seniors by providing information and referrals to community resources and by helping with applications for benefits.
Kristen Witt, LCSW
203-341-1067
E-mail: kwitt@westportct.gov
Department of Human Services
Promotes independence, personal development, and enhanced quality of life for Westport’s senior residents. Department works in partnership with other community organizations, service providers, and funding sources.
Town Hall
110 Myrtle Ave.
Westport, CT 06880
203-341-1050 • Fax: 203-341-1973
E-mail: humansrv@westportct.gov
Director • Elaine Daignault, MS, NCC
203-341-1165
E-mail: elained@westportct.gov
Finance Manager • Susan Stefenson, MBA
203-341-1072
E-mail: sstefenson@westportct.gov
Social Worker/Municipal Agent for the Elderly • Kristen Witt, LCSW
203-341-1067
E-mail: kwitt@westportct.gov
Social Worker/Municipal Agent for People with Disabilities • Michelle Bottone, M.A., LMFT
203-341-1068
E-mail: mbottone@westportct.gov
Administrative Assistant • Margaret Pinheiro
203-341-1050
E-mail: mpinheiro@westportct.gov
Programs and services for eligible Westport seniors, including Town relief programs, fuel assistance, rent and sewer relief, short-term financial assistance. Also: Counseling, information, and referrals regarding alternative living resources, such as independent living, assisted living, skilled facilities, home care, and day care. And protective services in cases of elder abuse. Various transportation services are made available as are programs offering volunteer opportunities. Department publishes The New Perspective, a newsletter for Westport seniors, and the Community Resource Directory for Seniors.
Center for Senior Activities
Offers nutrition program and multifaceted recreational and educational programming.
21 Imperial Ave.
Westport, CT 06880
203-341-5099 • Fax: 203-341-1187
www.westportct.gov/seniorcenter
Search on Facebook by typing in “Westport Senior Center.”
Hours: Mon.-Wed. & Fri., 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.;
Thurs., 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Director • Susan Pfister • 203-341-5098
Program Manager • Holly Betts • 203-341-5096
Administrative Assistant • Denise Puskas • 203-341-5095
Receptionist • Benjamin Palmer • 203-341-5099
Nutrition Program Coordinator • Kristin Malagise
• 203-341-5097
Programs and services—call for times and possible fees—include: Senior Cafe. Noon meal Mon.-Fri. Reservations required at least 24 hrs. in advance. Suggested donation: $5. • Arts/Crafts. • Classes/ Lectures/Discussions. • Music/Drama/Films • Exercise/Dance. • Culinary Arts Presentations • Games. • Blood pressure/glucose screenings and flu clinic.
Supportive Services for Families and Caregivers
Municipal Agent for Seniors and Department of Human Services have information on such services • 203-341-1050.
Information covers any programs or services useful to seniors in local and regional areas. Many services
available on sliding-scale fee schedules.
Westport Weston Health District
Regional health department providing full-time professional public health services. Programs of immunization, counseling, testing, screening include ones targeting ailments that afflict seniors.
180 Bayberry Lane
Westport, CT 06880
203-227-9571
Director of Health • Mark A. R. Cooper, MPH, RS
Senior-oriented programs include: Pneumonia Vaccine Clinic. Once-in-a-lifetime vaccine for those 65 years and older. Fee covered by most Medicare plans.
Transportation Services
• American Cancer Society, volunteer drivers take ambulatory patients anywhere in the area for cancer appointments. No cost but requires 72-hours’ notice. 1-800-227-2345 (Dial option 1).
• Family & Children’s Agency—Home Care Plus, offers assisted transportation in wheelchair-accessible van for those at least 60 years of age to appointments, bank, post office and shopping. • 203-831-2900
• Westport Transit District’s Door-to-Door Service for Westport Residents, offers door-to-door transportation services to New Cannan, Norwalk and Wilton for Westport residents 65 years or older or certified as disabled.
Mon.-Fri., 8 a. m.-6 p.m. • Application and tickets ($3.50 per ticket or 10 for $35.00) available at Town Hall/Room 200 or Senior Center. Contact the Department of Human Services for additional options.
Tax Relief Programs
The Assessor’s Office administers State and Town programs for tax relief (credits, deferrals and exemptions) for Seniors, Totally Disabled and Veterans.
Applications are taken at Town Hall by the Assessor’s Office (203-341-1070) and the Department of Human Services (203-341-1050) for homebound clients only.
Assessor • Paul Friia • E-mail: pfriia@westportct.gov
Probate Court
Town Hall, Room 100
203-341-1100
Fax: 203-341-1153
Judge • Lisa K. Wexler
E-mail: lisa@lisawexler.com
Westport Public Library
Active community programming features noted authors, artists, musicians, performers. One of Library’s emphases is drawing users’ attention to informative Web sites, including those relating to senior concerns.
Services include:
Large print books and other publications with large type and increased spacing between lines to make the print easier to read.
E-readers • The Library lends Kindle e-readers, which have large type settings.
Mail-A-Book • At-home service.
For information contact Margie Freilich-Den at 203.291.4845 or mfreilich-den@westportlibrary.org
20 Jesup Rd.
Westport, CT 06880
203-291-4800
Hours: Mon.-Thurs 9 a.m.- 9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m.- 5 p.m.
Fax: 203-227-3829 • Web site: www.westportlibrary.org
Executive Director
Bill Harmer
203-291-4801
E-mail: bharmer@westportlibrary.org
Call 911 for all emergencies.
Police Department
All officers also certified as Emergency Medical Technicians or Medical Response Technicians and function as First Responders to all emergency medical calls, with assistance of Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services in ambulance crews.
50 Jesup Rd.
Westport, CT 06880
Non-emergencies: 203-341-6000 • Fax: 203-341-6092
Chief • Foti Koskinas
203-341-6008
Fire Department
515 Post Road East
Westport, CT 06880
Non-emergencies: 203-341-5000 • Fax: 203-341-5009
Chief • Robert Yost
E-mail: ryost@westportct.gov
Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services (WVEMS)
Not-for-profit organization whose volunteers work with Police Department to assist in providing emergency medical care to community. WVEMS staffs ambulance service 24 hours a day every day.
50 Jesup Rd.
Westport, CT 06880
Non-emergencies: 203-341-6081 • Fax: 203-454-6157
Web site: www.westportems.org
Deputy Director • Marc Hartog
203-341-6056
WVEMS promotes File of Life Program. Information about residents’ medical conditions and medications is placed in magnetic holder on refrigerator, with sticker for front door to notify responders in emergency. Card to carry also provided.
Other Important Phone Numbers
Animal Control • 203-341-5076
Public Works • 203-341-1120
Registrars of Voters • 203-341-1115
Tax Collector • 203-341-1060
Town Clerk • 203-341-1110
Westport’s Population by Age
(Source: Latest Decennial U.S. Census)
60-64 1,576
65-74 2,177
75-84 1,421
85+ 628
Total 60+ 5,802
Total population of Westport: 26,391
Percentage 60 years of
age or over: 21.9%
Land area: 20.0 sq. mi.