Westport Finance Board To Consider $17.6 Million In School Building Projects, Other Capital Requests

WESTPORT, CT — The Westport Board of Finance is scheduled to consider more than $17.5 million in funding for school building improvements, along with several other major capital appropriations, during its meeting Wednesday, Nov. 4.

The board will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Westport Town Hall. The meeting will be held in person and broadcast on Channel 79 and/or livestreamed on the town's website. Click here to view the agenda.

Among the largest items on the agenda is a request from the superintendent of schools for a $17,569,712 appropriation, along with bond and note authorization, for Board of Education building projects in fiscal year 2027.

The proposed improvements include heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades, roof repairs, science laboratory renovations and locker room improvements at several district schools.

The largest individual project is a $6,499,810 proposal to replace air handling units serving the field house, gym, locker rooms and fitness center at Staples High School.

Other proposed projects include $2,235,137 for roof replacement, repairs and exhaust fan upgrades at Greens Farms School; $1,523,082 for air handling unit replacements serving the Staples High School pool and supporting areas; and $1,451,934 for cooling tower replacements and a structural evaluation at Staples.

Additional requests include $1,322,330 for gas-fired rooftop unit replacements at Staples, $1,103,973 for hot water pump replacements and related work at the high school, and $1,038,982 for cooling tower replacements at Saugatuck Elementary School.

The school district is also seeking $1,036,921 for science laboratory upgrades at Bedford Middle School and funding for other mechanical system improvements and facility renovations.

In a separate agenda item, the board is scheduled to consider a $138,942 appropriation for additional school building projects, including $93,942 to install room numbers at exterior windows, $20,000 for an auditorium acoustical study and $25,000 for auditorium interior renovations.

Longshore Water Line Replacement

The board will also consider a $3.56 million appropriation, along with bond and note authorization, to replace water service lines at Longshore Club Park.

The funding request, submitted by the director of public works, would be allocated to the town's Municipal Improvement Fund.

Police Cameras And Fire Equipment

Public safety equipment purchases are also on the agenda.

At the request of the deputy chief of police, the board is scheduled to consider a $404,852.36 appropriation for a five-year renewal of the Police Department's body and dashboard camera program.

The fire chief is requesting an emergency appropriation of up to $225,000 to purchase a used aerial truck.

According to the agenda, the request includes between $175,000 and $185,000 for the vehicle and up to $40,000 to $50,000 for preparation, equipment modifications and repairs of identified deficiencies. The total expenditure would not exceed $225,000.

School Security And Capital Planning

The board is also scheduled to discuss funding for a fiscal year 2027 capital improvement project involving school security.

The agenda indicates that members are expected to vote on entering executive session for that discussion. The school security item is designated for discussion only.

First Selectman Kevin Christie is scheduled to present the town's fiscal year 2027 capital forecast, also as a discussion-only item.

Additional agenda items include a financial report from the finance director and a presentation on capital spending, budget history and trend analysis prepared by Jeff Hammer. Both are listed for discussion only.

The board is also scheduled to consider approval of minutes from its Sept. 16 and Oct. 7 regular meetings.

Residents can watch the meeting on Channel 79 or through westportct.gov by selecting "How Do I" and then "Watch Town Meetings." Meeting materials will also be available on the town website through its Meeting List & Calendar page.

The agenda is subject to revision.