Several expensive capital projects loom. We are a wet town, which floods regularly. Democracy is messy.
But overall, Jen Tooker and Lee Goldstein say, Westport is an “amazing” place, doing visionary things in areas like education, technology and the environment.
Our schools, businesses and restaurants are “vibrant.” There is a strong commitment to our young people. Westporters make our town “a great place to live, work, play and learn.”
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein returned to those points often, at yesterday’s State of the Town meeting.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein, at yesterday’s State of the Town session.
The 7th annual event — sponsored by the Westport Rotary Club and Westport Sunrise Rotary, at the Westport Library — drew a large crowd.
The 2 leaders offered prepared remarks, then answered questions submitted on note cards by audience members to meeting (and RTM) moderator Jeff Wieser.
Speaking first, Goldstein spoke with pride about individual and group accomplishments, student leadership initiatives, and improved transportation.
She said that educators strive to turn down the “arms race feel” of the college admissions process; noted that insurance costs rising nearly 40% drive much of next year’s budget increase; announced the imminent launch of a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging web page, and reiterated the goal of a September 2026 opening for the new Long Lots Elementary School.
The library’s big screen showed Westport schools, during Board of Ed chair Lee Goldstein’s remarks.
Tooker talked about her desire for Westport to be a town where everyone — residents, those who work here, and visitors — feels “safe, seen, heard and valued.”
Her 4 other priorities include traffic (the “number one quality of life issue”), on which a task force continues to make progress; upgrades and renovations to Longshore; downtown; and flood mitigation/stream management.
Tooker cited Startup Westport as an important public/private partnership to make this town the tech entrepreneurial hub of Connecticut.
She previewed “Skip the Stuff,” a collaborative effort of Sustainable Westport, the Westport Downtown Association, Westport Farmers’ Market and Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce to change the way restaurants offer disposable items.
Alluding to recent controversies, the 1st Selectwoman noted, “A strong, functioning democracy demands involvement and compromise. That can be messy and frustrating. But at the end of the day, the democratic process — through our Town Charter — yields the best decisions for our community.”
One of the first questions from the audience was, “How will we pay for everything?”
Tooker said that after nearly a decade without a mill rate increase, there was a hike of just under 1.5 percent last year.
“Long-term capital projects are scrutinized by multiple boards,” she said. “We have robust community conversations around these issues. Our mill rate is the third lowest in Fairfield County. My job is to keep it stable, and make sure you get great value for your tax dollars.”
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker illustrated her comments about traffic and safety with a photo of the new sidewalk near Willowbrook Cemetery.
Asked about potential affordable housing sites, she mentioned Linxweiler House on Post Road (between McDonald’s and Fresh Market) for cluster housing, and Baron’s South for the conversion of 5 buildings.
The state Department of Transportation property between Walgreens and West Parish Road has “gone quiet,” she said.
Only one question concerned the Long Lots project. Goldstein explained that the Community Gardens “terrace” must be used for staging, and geothermal wells. She said it will be “built back” near its present location, and added, “We appreciate the time, energy and intergenerational work” that has gone into building it.
In response to a query about how Westport will become a net zero community by 2050, Goldstein listed the future electrification of the school bus fleet, composting that has already begun, and the sustainability of the new Long Lots building.
Tooker said that the town is electrifying the police, fire and Emergency Medical Service fleets, and pointed to flood resiliency work.
However, she stressed, “Net zero is a community commitment. It involves residents and business owners, not just government. It’s about lifestyle choices. Everyone must contribute.”
Some things are out of Tooker’s hands. She said there is “no update” on the state Department of Transportation’s Cribari Bridge project.
The Saugatuck River will not be dredged until the Army Corps of Engineers solves the problem of where to dispose of the silt, Tooker said. “This is a federal project. We’re at their mercy.”
Goldstein fielded a question about bicycle infrastructure. “We’d love students to ride to school,” she said. “But we don’t build bike lanes.”
The town does. Tooker said that officials are looking at expanding bike lanes. Advocates like Bike Westport will have “a seat at the table,” she promised.
Describing the value of volunteers, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker showed a photo taken by Thane Grauel of her with Bill Vornkahl. The organizer of 53 Memorial Day parades died last week, at 93. (All photos/Dan Woog)
The final question asked, “What’s the biggest problem that can be solved — or avoided — to contribute to our happiness?”
Goldstein disagreed with the premise.
“I’m sitting here in this beautiful library, looking at our beautiful river,” she began.
“I’m not unhappy. This is a happy place. I’m thinking back to Jen’s commitment to a sense of belonging. We need to sand the edges.
“As she said, democracy is messy. We need to find a way to talk about issues, while providing each other with dignity. We can have disagreements, while still remaining human.”
Tooker agreed.
“This is an amazing community — a great place.
“Are we perfect? No. But history tells us: We figure stuff together well. And the decisions we make, make Westport a little better tomorrow than yesterday. We will continue to do that.”
Westport Rotary Club and Westport Sunrise Rotary sponsored yesterday’s State of the Town event.
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