Plans for a security survey of the town's schools, yanked from legislative action in March after questions arose over the no-bid process school officials used to award the $100,000 contract, appear to be back on track. The Board of Education, after opening the job to bidding in its second attempt to win funding for the project, won almost unanimous support from three Representative Town Meeting committees Thursday for $98,000 to conduct the survey. For the revised effort, 12 firms submitted proposals and an expanded committee that included police officials, decided the original choice for the survey -- Questions were also asked about Kroll's experience working with public school systems. Most of the consulting firm's clients have been businesses or universities, and a few private schools. Call said he had raised that question, but he and school officials had been satisfied by the consultants that they can work effectively with school administrators. Education, Finance and Public Protection -- approved the funding request by an overall 14-0 vote, with one abstention.

Westport doubled the number of permits for temporary pop-out cafes Wednesday, as the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved applications from Bobby Q's Barbecue & Grill on Main Street and Cru restaurant, a new restaurant in the lower level of the Gap building on Main Street scheduled to open in three weeks. Pop-out cafe permits, modeled after outdoor dining areas at eateries in New York City and elsewhere, allow restaurants to temporarily set out tables and chairs for diners in public parking spots. Bobby LeRose, owner of Bobby Q's, said his outdoor seating area will take over two parking spaces on Main Street.

Tabling the request to vote Tuesday night in support of the downtown group's plans came after Lou Gagliano, the committee chairman, presented an update on its progress followed by lengthy discussion and questions from HDC members and the public. The Downtown 2020 is seeking to build support from town boards in advance of its formal request for up to $175,000 in town money to fund the master plan. HDC member Grayson Braun on Tuesday expressed concerns she would like to see addressed before taking a vote, among them the financing for the master plan; what the role of the Historic District Commission would be in the process; how the master plan would differ from the Village District plan, and who is involved in creating the master plan document. In his presentation Gagliano said there are currently eight to 10 development projects proposed or in various stages of progress for the downtown area -- the public library, Bedford Square, National Hall and a movie theater, to name a few, all of which would substantially change the map of the downtown area if they all come to fruition Van Dorsten feared the acceptance of private funding rather than public money for the master plan "would not maintain that Chinese wall."

Two former Planning and Zoning Commission members are organizing a new political party focused on land-use issues, with the goal of fielding candidates for the P&Z in this year's town election. On May 2, they filed an application to reserve their party designation with the Secretary of the State, one of several moves needed to secure a place on the Nov. 5 ballot. The coalition could field registered Democrats or unaffiliated voters as its candidates this year, but not Republicans because the town charter does not allow more than four members of one political party on the P&Z. The seven-member P&Z already has four GOP commissioners, none of whom are up for re-election in November. If the coalition files a nominating petition by Aug. 7 and a statement of endorsement for its candidates by Sept. 4, its ticket would appear on the ballot. If the coalition's candidates collect more than 1 percent of the votes cast for P&Z commissioners, it would then gain "minority party" status. Minority party candidates do not need a nominating petition to appear on the ballot. Desiree Soli, the Republican Town Committee chairwoman, had no comment on whether she has a preference for Democratic or coalition commissioners serving alongside the GOP members.

[...] notice, officials said this week that overnight camping and fires are not allowed on Cockenoe Island, where the four campsites and fire pits were wiped out by the storm. For decades, the town's Conservation Department has issued overnight camping permits at the four sites on the 18-acre island, each of which accommodates two tents. The wrack debris is probably filled with who-knows-what underneath it, (and) it's a good breeding ground for little no-see-ums and flies, not to mention the fact that with it being so dry, it's a high fire danger. Mozian is seeking volunteers to help repair Cockenoe's storm damage and assist in a cleanup, which she said will probably not be completed before June. Anyone interested in helping with Cockenoe Island restoration efforts should call the Conservation Department at 203-341-1170.