By Gretchen Webster

A dumpster was placed in the Parker Harding lot by J Crew under a short-term agreement with the town, but was later removed. 

WESTPORT — A large metal dumpster placed in Parker Harding parking lot behind J. Crew has drawn the attention of many citizens who have wondered if it was in violation of a town regulation aimed at limiting the number of giant metal trash bins on town property during construction projects.

The Board of Selectwomen and the Police Department have solved that mystery, and on Wednesday, the regulation was used to approve a temporary agreement for the J. Crew store to place the dumpster in the parking lot periodically during a remodeling project at the store.

The selectwomen voted unanimously to approve the easement agreement for the J. Crew dumpster “contingent upon compliance with safety recommendations, terms, conditions and inspections from relevant town departments … through a November 2025 date to be determined.”

The project in the store located at 145 Main St. is likely to take about seven months to complete, according to contractor Matthew Boyle of the United Construction Group, who spoke at the selectwomen’s meeting. During the construction, a temporary J. Crew store is open at 27 Main St.

“We’re here to do what it takes,” Boyle said to the selectwomen during discussion of the dumpster agreement. “We’re here to do our part.”

Police confirm dumpster placement was authorized

The dumpster policy approved last November allows for the request for a construction easement for a dumpster on town property. When one is requested, the Department of Public Works, as well as police and fire officials will review the application to make sure the dumpster is placed in a safe position, emptied regularly, and not left indefinitely on town property. When the easement is needed for longer than 7 days, it must be approved by the Board of Selectwomen.

 According to police Cpl. Alan D’Amura, J. Crew had applied for and was granted a temporary permit, which was active for the required seven days. He said the company needed a longer-term easement for a dumpster as more construction was underway, and “was not in violation” of the new policy.

D’Amura noted that dumpsters in the Parker Harding lot would be better than placing an unsightly dumpster on Main Street. Boyle said that the company may also use a garbage truck at times to take away debris without bringing in a dumpster.

Going forward, J. Crew told the Board of Selectwomen that the company has agreed to the following terms of the easement agreement:

  • Only two parking spaces will be used for the dumpster in the Parker Harding lot.
  • The dumpster will be covered at all times.
  • The dumpster will be emptied whenever it is full.
  • Placement of the dumpster in the parking lot will be restricted to Mondays and Tuesdays only, and it will be removed on other days.
  • The dumpster will be removed when there is a large event in the downtown area requiring the use of the Parker Harding lot.
  • The police will be alerted when the company brings the dumpster into the parking lot.
  • Construction debris will be kept inside the store until the dumpster arrives.

Freelance writer Gretchen Webster, a Fairfield County journalist for many years, was editor of the Fairfield Minuteman and has taught journalism at New York University and Southern Connecticut State University.