It’s getting harder and harder to find old New England, in new Westport.
Traditional stone walls give way to faux ones, with symmetrical stones as even as countertops.
Hundred-year-old trees are clear cut; 1800s homes are replaced by meh.
But one vestige of our past remains. The Representative Town Meeting — one of the few such governmental organizations left in the state — is 75 years old this year.
A celebration is set for Tuesday (December 3, 7 p.m., Town Hall). The public is invited. The legislative body’s regular monthly meeting follows in the Town Hall auditorium, at 7:30.
Some history: In 1949, the RTM replaced the even older and quainter New England “Town Meeting” concept. Westport was growing quickly, and needed a nimbler, smoother means of governing itself.
According to Ann Sheffer (whose father Ralph was an early, much-revered moderator, and who served on the RTM along with her husband Bill Scheffler — making them part of the dozen or so “RTM couples”), that first year there were 124 candidates for 26 seats.
Only 4 women were elected that first year — but by the 60th anniversary in 2009, both the moderator and deputy moderator were females.
Initially, Ann adds, each member represented 250 citizens. Today it’s about 700.
In the 7 decades since 1949, several RTM votes have impacted Westport dramatically.
In 1960 the body authorized $1.9 million to buy the 191-acre Longshore Beach and Country Club. Part of a 19-day political blitzkrieg, it prevented 180 homes from being constructed on the site of the failing private club.
Nine years later the RTM approved $220,000 to buy Cockenoe Island from the United Illuminating Company — derailing a plan to construct a nuclear power plant there. (A referendum bid to overturn the decision failed.)
One of the RTM’s most momentous decisions: purchasing Cockenoe Island, to save it from becoming a nuclear power plant. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
In the years since, the RTM has debated land purchases including Allen’s Clam House on Hillspoint Road; the Baron’s property (now Winslow Park), and more of his land on South Compo; Gorham Island, and Hall-Brooke on Long Lots Road.
Some of those purchases were approved; others were not. All generated controversy — and greater attendance than usual at RTM meetings.
The RTM also has the final say on the town and education budgets (separate votes). In recent years, approval has been relatively routine. Decades ago, those debates resembled raucous WWE battles.
In 1972 the RTM made the New York Times, with a 17-15 vote demanding an immediate withdrawal of US troops from Vietnam. In 1982 they voted 24-2 (with 7 abstentions) in favor of a nuclear arms freeze.
But most meetings are taken up with mundane matters: approving contracts, moving money from one account to another, public protection, transit issues and the like.
And, oh yeah: townwide bans on plastic bags and gas-powered leaf blowers.
One other RTM function: marching in the Memorial Day parade. (Photo/Dan Woog)
From its start, the RTM has been non-partisan. A host of party activists have served, on both sides of the aisle. Their names — Aasen, Arcudi, Belaga, Ezzes — read like a who’s who of Westporters. Ultimately, of course, all had the best interests of their town at heart.
Jeff Wieser is the latest in a long list of moderators. Giants who preceded him include Allen Raymond, Herb Baldwin, Ralph Sheffer, Gordon Joseloff and Velma Heller.
The traditional 75th anniversary gift is diamonds. But the 36 RTM members don’t want anything like that. They’ll be glad if you know the names of your 4 district representatives.
That’s easy. Just click here. (And if you don’t know your district, click here.)
FUN FACT: Greenwich is the largest Connecticut municipality with an RTM. It also has the most members: 230. I think their last month’s meeting is still going on.
(“06880” reports often on our RTM. If you appreciate our coverage, please click here to support our work. In the spirit of Westport’s governing body, we accept donations on a non-partisan basis.)
