“Westport thrives because of its people — the community. And local government exists to support that community.”
That was the heart of new 1st Selectman Kevin Christie’s first “State of the Town” address yesterday.
He and Board of Education member Abby Tolan spoke at the Westport Library, to a crowd of 150. Others watched on livestream. The 9th annual event was co-sponsored by the Westport Rotary Club and Westport Sunrise Rotary. Representative Town Meeting (RTM) moderator Jeff Wieser emceed.
Board of Education member Abby Tolan and 1st Selectman Kevin Christie respond to questions. (Library photos/Dan Woog)
The pair also answered nearly 2 dozen questions, from audience members on a wide range of topics. There were no surprises in Christie’s and Tolan’s answers.
For example, the 1st selectman said the town is “getting its arms around” new state legislation (HB 8002) on affordable housing. He is “optimistic” about Department of Transportation’s focus on local traffic issues. His administration is studying next steps for a combined Police/Fire/Emergency Medical Services facility.
He hopes for a new community gardens site “as soon as practical,” and is in conversation with gardeners and others.
Naming a new chair for the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee is a top priority. Christie will include a “seat at the table” for merchants. He acknowledged a need to improve Parker Harding Plaza, along with river access.
A new maintenance facility “has to go somewhere,” he said “Anyplace it goes, there will be tradeoffs.”
The town is also examining the reason swimming in Long Island Sound was closed often last summer, and speeding up the process for re-opening.
Tolan spoke about ongoing efforts to address girls’ sports facilities inequalities; the need for Coleytown Elementary School renovations, and the next “deep dive” exploration of programs by the Board of Ed. It will focus on special education.
=================================================
In his prepared remarks Christie — in office just 76 days — said support shows up “in many ways.”
1st Selectman Kevin Christie, with a photo of a packed Compo Beach.
He gave shout-outs to specific departments.
Last year, for example, Police handled over 27,000 calls, including more than 5,500 traffic stops.
The Fire Department responded to over 4,000 incidents, with an average response time under 4 minutes.
The Building Department issued 3,045 permits, and generated more than $2.6 million in revenue.
Public Works, Christie continued, touches daily life in every neighborhood. In 2025 the department repaired or reconstructed 9 miles of road, completed 9 additional miles of pavement preservation, and repaved 2 parking lots. They also secured almost $11 million in grant funding. Just last week, they responded to a near-record snowfall, working long shifts for days at a time.
1st Selectman Christie praised Public Works for their response to the recent snowfall. He took a snowplow ride-along earlier, and learned a lot about department operations. (Photo/Rick Carpenter)
Parks and Recreation supported 10,895 program registrations, about 1.2 million beach visits, and 40,000 rounds of golf.
Through the Department of Human Services and the Senior Center, the town provides over 24,000 congregate and home-delivered meals annually, and administered $2.9 million in housing and community grants over the last 2 years.
In 2025, the Planning and Zoning office issued over 430 administrative zoning permits, while processing 42 applications to the Planning and Zoning Commission, and 75 to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Conservation Department issued nearly 200 permits, and currently oversee 49 violations going through the enforcement process.
The Historic District Commission processed over 150 applications across HDC, Architecture Review Board, and the Joint Committee. They now have a fully digital application process.
The Historic District Commission helps preserve and honor homes like this one, on Long Lots Road.
Westport recently completed a state-mandated property revaluation — the first since COVID. After notices were mailed, the Assessor’s Office met with over 1,000 property owners through informal hearings.
The Tax Collector delivered over a 99% collection rate.
The Town Clerk’s office recorded 464 property transfers — well over one a day.
Christie also hailed the teams in information technology, finance, personnel, the town attorney’s office, and his own selectman’s office.
Collaboration is one key to successful governance, Christie said.
Cross-department collaborations are crucial to good governance.
For example, Human Services and the Police Department recently launched a Community Care Unit. It connects residents to behavioral health and social service support outside of traditional law enforcement paths, and “reflects a shared commitment to prevention, care, and appropriate response.”
Similarly, joint work between Human Services, the Police Department, Westport Public Schools, and community partners around underage drinking, social hosting and early intervention address challenges no single department or board can handle alone.
Returning to last week’s snow, Christie said that Fire and the Emergency Management director, Public Works, Police, Human Services and staff “worked together around the clock to keep roads passable, critical services running, and residents safe.
“We all rely on one another as a community — staff, boards, volunteers, residents and more. (But) this only works because people collaborate, share information, and take collective responsibility for serving the community well.”
1st Selectman Kevin Christie illustrated his talk about “community” with a photo of the Compo Beach playground.
Turning to finances, Christie noted the need for “discipline and planning.”
In the current budget season, “trade-offs become real and priorities have to be weighed carefully. The decisions we make over the coming months will shape not just the next fiscal year, but the town’s trajectory over the longer term.”
His focus is on “making sure those conversations are grounded in facts, transparent, and aligned with the long-term interests of our town.”
Board of Finance budget workshops begin tonight, and continue February 9 and 25 (6 p.m., Town Hall Room 307/309.
Looking ahead, Christie turned to sustainability. While Westport has set ambitious goals — including being net-zero by 2050 — “meaningful progress usually comes from steady, thoughtful steps, not going from zero to 60 all at once. The work ahead is about integrating long-term thinking into everyday decisions, and doing so in a way that is responsible, practical and transparent.”
Also ahead: the new Long Lots Elementary School and Stepping Stones Preschool. Bids for the next phase of construction are due this month.
On the horizon: a new Long Lots Elementary School.
“Westport is a special place not because of any single project or initiative, but because of the people who care deeply about this community and show up for it in ways large and small,” the 1st selectman concluded.
“Local government’s role is to support that community — to provide services, plan responsibly, and create space for thoughtful decision-making. I’m grateful for the trust placed in town leadership and staff, and I’m optimistic about the work ahead.”
=================================================
Tolan (filling in for Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein, in Washington for a conference) touted the school district’s new strategic plan; its AI pilot for Staples and Bedford Middle School 6th graders; Staples’ designation as a bell-to-bell phone-free school; an upcoming technology audit; Board of Finance approval for upgrades to the Staples auditorium and girls locker room, plus the BMS science labs — and of course, groundbreaking for Long Lots Elementary School.
Some Westport Public Schools’ achievements.
Tolan also listed a host of awards and honors for the Westport Public Schools.
There were group achievements (Science Olympiad, History Day, All-State Music Festival, We the People, WWPT-FM, team championships) and individual accomplishments, by students and staff members.
Click here for the full list of awards and honors
=================================================
(“06880” regularly covers town politics, and education. If you appreciate stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Two members of the East Hampton Rotary Club have donated a 50-foot semi-truck, and a 26-foot box truck, to transport collected materials.
