Westport RTM Approves School, Infrastructure Spending And Beach Concession Settlement

WESTPORT, CT — The Westport Representative Town Meeting approved a series of capital appropriations totaling more than $4.7 million earlier this month, including funding for school construction projects, infrastructure planning, and a settlement to terminate a town food-and-beverage concession lease early.

The RTM met for just over three hours at Town Hall on Jan. 6, voting on nine agenda items. Thirty-six members were present at the start of the meeting, according to the meeting's minutes.

Roadway discontinuance approved

Members unanimously approved the discontinuance of a proposed private roadway known as “Proposed Road” between Lots 37 and 38–40 on Map No. 965, near High Gate Road. The action was taken under Connecticut General Statutes Section 13a-49. The vote was 35-0, with one member absent.

$275,000 settlement with concessionaire

The RTM voted 35-0-1 to appropriate $275,000 to fund a settlement agreement between the town and Hook’d on the Sound LLC. The agreement provides for early termination of a food and beverage concession lease dated Aug. 27, 2020, covering the Compo Beach Pavilion, Halfway House, and Longshore Pavilion space.

The appropriation was recommended by the Board of Finance. RTM member Rachel Schneeman abstained.

School infrastructure and facilities funding

Several appropriations related to Staples High School and other school facilities were approved unanimously.

The RTM authorized $51,083 in bond and note financing for the Staples High School Water Pumps and Valves Project, approving the request from the finance director by a 36-0 vote.

Later in the meeting, members approved $3,574,260 for Board of Education fiscal year 2026 building projects, following a recommendation from the Board of Finance and a request from the superintendent of schools. The package passed 32-0, with four members absent.

The funding includes:

• $3,037,790 for construction costs related to the Staples High School auditorium, including stage rigging, lighting, and sound.
• $32,000 for design work to upgrade science labs at Bedford Middle School.
• $30,000 for renovations to the girls’ locker room at Staples High School.
• $25,000 for design work on concession stands with bathrooms at Staples High School athletic fields.
• $70,000 for roof replacement and exhaust fan work at Greens Farms Elementary School.
• $181,500 for replacement of a motorized folding gym partition at Saugatuck Elementary School.
• $172,970 from the General Fund for districtwide exterior façade painting.
• $25,000 from the Capital and Non-Recurring Fund for wireless access points at Staples athletic fields.

One component — the $25,000 design appropriation for concession stands — drew opposition, passing 28-3, with RTM members Andrew Braunstein, Sandy Wiley, and Julie Batteau voting no.

Infrastructure planning projects approved

The RTM approved $220,000 for analysis, design, permitting, and construction documents related to replacing the Longshore Water Supply System. The measure passed unanimously, 35-0, and included authorization to issue general obligation bonds.

Members also unanimously approved a $440,000 appropriation, also backed by bond authorization, to fund design and planning work for replacing the Easton Road sidewalk from Weston Road to North Avenue.

Both infrastructure items were recommended by the Board of Finance and requested by the director of public works.

Levitt Pavilion stage replacement debated

A $124,000 appropriation to replace the Levitt Pavilion stage passed 33-2. Schneeman and RTM member Michael Gold voted against the measure. The funding will come from the Capital and Non-Recurring Fund.

Appointments and withdrawn item

The RTM unanimously approved the appointment of Deputy RTM Moderator Lauren Karpf as Westport’s alternate representative to the Western Connecticut Council of Governments. The term runs from November 2025 through November 2027.

A proposed resolution to have Westport join the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority, submitted by petition from at least 20 electors, was withdrawn and not voted on.