From Longshore to Long Lots, and safety to sustainability, the state of the town is very, very good.
That not-unexpected verdict was delivered this afternoon by 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein.
They spoke at the 8th annual State of the Town meeting, at the Westport Library. The Westport Rotary and Sunrise Rotary Clubs co-sponsored the event.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker (left) and Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein.
Tooker began by listing her top 5 priorities.
Calling traffic “my favorite topic,” the town’s chief executive said her multi-pronged task force “is rocking it.” They tackled over 50 issues, while the Safety Action Plan provides a “road map” for coming years.
Tooker cited improvements in sidewalks and at intersections, and a 54% increase in traffic stops last year.
At Longshore, replacement of the maintenance shed and renovation of the Inn are key first steps to long-term improvement.
“There is no question in anyone’s mind that Parker Harding needs to be redone,” Tooker said, referring to downtown parking.
While “a shovel-ready design could be implemented tomorrow,” Tooker said that land-use bodies want a more comprehensive plan for all lots.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker
Flood mitigation and stream management are another priority. “We are a very wet town,” Tooker noted. “45% of our land is wetlands. Long-term, expensive projects” are ongoing.
Ensuring that everyone feels welcome and included in our community and schools “is a real goal of mine,” the first selectwoman said.
She hailed the work of Homes with Hope, particularly their renovations of the Gillespie Center and Susie’s House, as “clear investments to protect our most vulnerable residents.”
Tooker said she will continue to advocate for the renovation of 5 buildings at Baron’s South, for affordable housing. The Planning & Zoning Commission meets tomorrow (Monday, 6 p.m., Zoom) to discuss a text amendment that would allow multi-family housing there.
She emphasized that there would be no change to any other part of the 22-acre property.
“Golden Shadows,” the main house at the Baron’s South property.
Tooker lauded the Senior Center for its increase in visits (up 25% from last year) and lunches (up 38%).
She also discussed the town’s new partnership with Silver Hill Hospital. Starting yesterday, the New Canaan facility offers free urgent mental health assessments for Westporters.
Westport continues to focus on sustainability, Tooker said. Vehicle fleets — including Police and other departments — are being electrified wherever possible.
The first selectwoman spoke about the new Long Lots Elementary School. The “largest building project ever in town” is also “big, complex, and the most exciting,” she said. The projected completion date is 2027.
A very preliminary plan for Long Lots Elementary School.
Tooker praised Startup Westport. The public/private partnership brings together tech and innovation founders and funders. Over 200 mentors and mentees have collaborated, and special interest groups are thriving.
She concluded with a shoutout to her colleagues and staff. “They are the best of the best,” Tooker said.
Board of Education chair Goldstein began by touting state and national awards, in areas like arts, journalism, science, math, academics, TV and radio, achieved by students and staff.
A slide showing some of the many Westport Public Schools honors won in 2023-24.
She noted that Staples High School graduates attend 176 different institutions. Students “leave Westport public schools equipped for what comes next, and happy and excited to take on their next chapter.”
She cited the work of Staples’ new student council, which has made “significant improvements” in areas like support centers, exam centers and wellness activities, and similiar initiatives at the middle and elementary schools.
Goldstein hailed the 2 student representatives on the Board of Education, who have voiced concern about proposed schedule changes at Staples.
She praised “Senior Walks,” a new program in which seniors return to their elementary schools prior to graduation, to greet former teachers and meet current students.
Goldstein also focused on the district’s approach to preventing “mean and excluding behavior.” That includes the ADL’s’ “No Place for Hate” project, and the School Climate Committee at Staples that addresses areas like suicide prevention and the adjustment of incoming freshmen.
Goldstein noted the schools’ efforts in aras like culture and identity, collaborative learning and community conversations.
The Board of Ed chair mentioned the Long Lots Elementary School building project at the end, thanking the building committee for their “tireless” work.
She showed a preliminary design, calling it “everything we, on the educational specificiations side, could ask for, within reason.”
Goldstein promised more information over the next few months about costs and site plans.
Another view of the preliminary Long Lots plan.
Finally, the budget. The board will vote at its next meeting on fiscal year 2025-26.
“The cost component remains consistent,” she concluded. “We’re a people business, and 80% of the budget is salary and benefits.”
Representative Town Meeting moderate Jeff Wieser posed questions submitted by the audience.
RTM moderator Jeff Wieser (right) fields questions for 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Board of Ed chair Lee Goldstein.
Tooker spoke at length about a new site for the Westport Community Gardens.
She reiterated her support for a Baron’s South location, adajcent to the Senior Center. It could be ready in 2026, and would require no P&Z change.
Tooker has written to all gardeners about the plan. “They need to want to move,” she said. “I’m happy to talk to them.”
Asked about the effects of possible federal funding cuts in areas like education and transportation, Tooker said there is no federal money on the town’s operational side.
Goldstein reported that there is little funding for education. As to fears about possible ICE raids, she said, “We receive children as they come to su. We will support students and staff as best we can.”
She added, “I am concerned about the material harm, and the ways we may be dimished spiritually and psychologically, by this fear.”
Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein. (All photos/Dan Woog)
Goldstein took a moderate approach to a question about artificial intelligence in schools.
“Students should use AI, while learning fundamental skills, because that’s the world we live in. Thinking, reasoning and communicating all use AI, but it can’t supplant the human spirit.”
She addressed a possible ban on smartphone use at Staples by noting its strong support among elementary and middle school parents. High school parents have mixed feelings.
Wilton High School banned phones this year, and Westport will examine that experience.
Goldstein predicted a ban next year here. “That may be one area where we don’t ask students for too much input,” she concluded.
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