A Note From Jen

It’s November and the Holidays are here! I feel blessed and grateful to lead a community where people are engaged, helpful, and work together to make Westport the best place in the region to live, work, play and learn. Please click here for my 2024 Thanksgiving Message.

And to those who will be celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or other festive events in the upcoming month, I wish you a peace-filled, safe and joyous Holiday Season.

Downtown

Downtown Plan Implementation Committee

The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee (DPIC) is continuing to work diligently in meeting and engaging the public while keeping a firm grasp on the final goal of a vibrant Downtown Westport that is welcoming to residents, businesses, and visitors alike. The DPIC held a meeting in mid-November where it reviewed the results of the Public Participation and Engagement Study conducted by consultant Colliers Engineering and Design. This report is comprehensive and informative, including stakeholder interviews and the results of focus groups interviews and the public charette. (see Nov 2024 Engagement Study)

The Updated Parking Analysis and Parking Structure Site Feasibility Study report, currently in progress and being conducted by Consultants BFJ Planning, is due by the end of 2024. Once that is complete, reported, and discussed in a public meeting, the two studies will then inform the overall Jesup Green and Imperial Avenue Parking Lot design options. It is anticipated that this next phase will be in progress and close to completion by Spring 2025. The public will continue to be invited to participate through these, and all phases, of this important community project.

For additional information on DPIC and the project status, please visit: downtownwestportct.com

TOWN DEPARTMENTS

Food Scrap Recycling Program

This is the time of the year when we traditionally gather in our homes to entertain and prepare meals together. As a result, we naturally generate additional food waste. Please consider taking the extra steps during the holidays to recycle, compost your food waste, and participate in the Town’s Food Scrap Recycling Program.

Many residents may not be aware that the Department of Public Works Food Scrap Recycling program has been ongoing since 2020. Westport was one of the first municipalities in Fairfield County, with the help of Sustainable Westport, to provide a food waste recycling program to its residents. 

Food waste is one of the heaviest, wettest, and most expensive waste streams for the Town of Westport to process, and nearly one out of every four bags of groceries end up in the trash. But food waste is not trash…it can become a valuable resource when turned into compost. Recycling food scraps into compost captures its nutrients and energy and returns them to the environment, whether in your own backyard, or through this Town-sponsored and managed program. 

This simple and easy program will help our community and future generations reach the goal of decreasing residential food waste and being a NetZero Community by 2050. All you need to participate is a covered container to collect and transport food scraps from your home to the Westport Transfer Station’s Food Waste Drop Off Area located at 300 Sherwood Island Connector. 
 
For more information about Westport’s Food Scrap Recycling Program or Starter Kit availability, please contact [email protected], call the Department of Public Works at 201-341-1793, visit SustainableWestport.org, or click here: Food Waste Recycling Flyer

TOWN PROJECTS

Affordable Housing Committee

The  Affordable Housing Committee  has been constituted, has already met to establish its path going forward, and will soon start working in earnest to explore and address diverse housing opportunities in our community. This includes reviewing and researching some properties that are already owned by the Town. Through this committee’s efforts, affordable housing opportunities will make our community more welcoming to all. Thank you to those members who volunteered to champion affordable housing in Westport. Affordable Housing Committee

IN THE COMMUNITY

November 7 – The Westport Police Department and Westport Sunrise Rotary hosted a Food Drive at Stop & Shop. All donations directly supported Homes with Hope and Westport Human Services’ Food Pantries. Thank you to all who stopped by and donated.

November 11 – We joined with fellow Westporters in honoring our country’s heroes and heroines at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony in Town Hall. A highlight was the incredible personal address to the Veterans from Staples High School Senior Alessandro Alderucci.

November 13 –The Westport Fire Department and the Westport Firefighters Charitable Foundation arranged the delivery of 1,415 coats, totaling 1,397 pounds, to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. Thank you to all the volunteers and those who contributed for making the coat drive so successful.

November 17 – The Staples Wreckers Field Hockey team did it again, bringing home the 2024 Class L State Championship! Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and supporters who made this incredible victory possible.

November 25 – StartUp Westport hosted its first Young Innovators Forum featuring 4 panelists and a moderator, all recent Staples High graduates, and all pioneers in the tech innovation space. We formally recognized the Computer Science Department for their contributions to the success of these young adults.

COMING UP…

Thursday, November 28 – Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 29 – Town Hall Offices Closed

Thursday, December 5 – Annual Town Hall Christmas Tree Lighting, Town Hall, 5:00 PM

Monday, December 16 – Pre Hanukkah Gathering, corner of Post Road East and Main Street, 6:15 PM

Celebrate Westport

Other winter and holiday events sponsored and organized by local non-profits are listed in the Celebrate Westport Calendar.

Town Meetings

Everyone is encouraged to stay informed and engaged in your town government. To view upcoming Town meetings or to sign up to receive meeting notices, visit Town Meeting Calendar.

Click Here for more information.