Conservation Director Alicia Mozian to Retire; “her presence in Westport will be sorely missed.”

First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker announced today that she has accepted the retirement letter of Conservation Director Alicia Mozian, effective October 1, 2022. 

A Town employee since 1986, Alicia began her career as a Planning Aide in the Planning and Zoning Department.  Subsequently, Alicia was a Conservation Analyst, Zoning Inspector and Planning Assistant. From 2000 to 2001, she was the Acting Conservation Director, becoming the Conservation Director in June, 2001. 

First Selectwoman Tooker said, “The Town of Westport and its residents have been extremely fortunate to be the beneficiaries of Alicia’s expertise and historical knowledge for over 35 years, and her presence in Westport will be sorely missed.”

Ms. Mozian stated, “I am grateful to have served a community that is so engaged and proactive in environmental affairs. Their enthusiasm both challenged and inspired me to do my very best every day to help protect the many natural resources whose care we have been entrusted to protect. I have worked hard to balance the rights of the property owner with the need for environmental protection and I’m proud of my department in achieving this goal. I also want to thank the many volunteers who have supported and continue to support our department’s mission and foster good stewardship practices of not only our wetland and water resources but also the environment in general.”

Ms. Tooker expressed her gratitude to Ms. Mozian, stating, “On behalf of the citizens of Westport, her fellow employees, and her colleagues, I am grateful for Alicia’s longstanding, exemplary and dedicated service. On a personal level, I have always considered her a valuable friend and colleague. I started my service to the Town as a volunteer member of the Conservation Commission and Alicia was the first Town Department Head with whom I interacted. Ever since, through my varied activities in public service, she has been there for me. I am thankful that her positive demeanor, and unprecedented professional knowledge and skill were available to me, and to the many residents in Westport. I wish her all the best as she enters a new and exciting chapter in her life.”

Ms. Tooker continued, “Because of Alicia’s training, professionalism and positive rapport with her direct reports, I am very confident that the Westport Conservation Department will remain in capable hands. To that end, I am pleased to announce that Colin Kelly will be promoted to Director of Conservation upon Alicia’s retirement. Colin has the ability, knowledge, skill and understanding to seamlessly transition and effectively manage the Conservation Department.”  

First Selectwoman Urges Greens Farms Residents to Attend Cell Tower Hearing

First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker is notifying the public that on August 9, 2022, the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) will conduct an evidentiary hearing at 2:00 PM and a public comment hearing at 6:30 PM regarding Tarpon Towers/AT&T’s proposed cell tower at 92 Greens Farms Road in Westport. Details on the virtual hearings are attached and below.

First Selectwoman Tooker stated, “I urge neighbors of Greens Farms Road, and 92 Greens Farms Road in particular, to participate in the CSC hearing on August 9. I continue to have concerns about locating a public utility on residential lots such as 92 Greens Farms Road, and am urging officials to consider alternate sites. The August 9 public hearing will provide an opportunity for neighbors and the Westport community to communicate their opinions and provide additional comment on this issue.”

Note that those wishing to speak at the 6:30 PM hearing must sign up in advance with the CSC; others may provide written comment in advance.  Instructions to do so are included in the Notice and as follows per the Siting Council:

The purpose of the hearing is to receive evidence on the applicants' assertions that the public need for the facility outweighs any adverse environmental effects from the construction, operation, and maintenance of the facility. The 2:00 p.m. evidentiary session will provide the applicant, parties and intervenors an opportunity to cross-examine positions. No public comments will be received during the 2:00 p.m. evidentiary session. The 6:30 p.m. public comment session is reserved for the public to make statements into the record. Public statements are limited to 3 minutes. During the 6:30 p.m. public comment session, the applicants will present an overview of the proposed facility.

Attendees can join by clicking (or entering) the following link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87168810392?pwd=YrnFPblBrSnpNUEtXTUOzTjZpbHFKOT09

from a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Meeting ID: 871 6881 0392 and Passcode: 3ktfnw No prior software download is required. For audio-only participation, attendees can join by dialing in at 1(929) 205-6099 (not toll free) and then enter the Meeting ID: 871 6881 0392 Passcode: 406721 from a telephone.

Interested persons may join any session to listen but must sign-up in advance to speak during the 6:30 p.m. public comment session.

To participate in the 6:30 p.m. public comment session by computer, smartphone or tablet, please send an email to siting.council@ct.gov with your name, email address and mailing address by August 8, 2022. To participate in the 6:30 p.m. public comment session by telephone, please leave a voicemail message at 860-827-2935 with your name, telephone number, and mailing address by August 8, 2022. Public comments may also be submitted to the Council by electronic mail or by regular mail.

“Racist Graffiti” Found at Compo Basketball Court; Westport Police Investigating

Press Release

First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and Police Chief Foti Koskinas made the following statement today regarding racist graffiti that was found on Town property:

Late last evening, Parks & Recreation employees, in the course of their routine duties, discovered racist graffiti on the basketball courts at Compo Beach.

These employees immediately contacted their supervisor and the Westport Police Department.  The Police Department responded, documented the evidence, and opened an investigation, which is ongoing.  

The offensive graffiti was removed and the basketball courts were cleaned and opened for recreational play as of 7:00 AM this morning.

First Selectwoman Tooker stated, “In my short term in office, I have repeatedly talked about ensuring that Westport is a community where everyone feels like they belong. This incident runs completely contrary to that goal and is inexcusable.”

She continued, “I am grateful to the Parks & Recreation Department employees and the Police Department for the swift action they took to address the situation professionally and respectfully.”

Anyone having any information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Police Department at 203-341-6000.

Westport’s Affordable Housing Plan to be Discussed June 27th

Town of Westport Press Release:  

Planning and Zoning Director Mary Young announced today that the Town of Westport’s Affordable Housing Plan 2022-2027 will be discussed at the June 27, 2022 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.  This is the final scheduled public forum for this Plan.  

Five (5) prior meetings were held in different forums to ensure residents had access to and were comfortable congregating and participating at public meetings. These included in-person meetings at Town Hall, in-person meetings at host-site Temple Israel, and remote meetings using Zoom technology during the day and evening hours. Additionally, in May, a survey was posted on the Town’s website and was emailed to residents of Westport and others. The survey is available through June 23, 2022 on the Town’s website here.

Connecticut General Statute §8-30j requires preparation of an Affordable Housing Plan:

“(a) At least once every five years, each municipality shall prepare or amend and adopt an affordable housing plan for the municipality.  Such plan shall specify how the municipality intends to increase the number of affordable housing development in the municipality...”  Effective July 24, 2017

At the June 27, 2022 meeting, public testimony will be received and the Planning and Zoning Commission may potentially vote to adopt the Draft Affordable Housing Plan.  The Plan is available to view on the Town’s website here. 

Comments on the Draft Plan may be emailed to the attention of the Planning and Zoning Commission at PandZ@westportct.gov .  

To Stay Connected and learn more about the plan visit: www.westportct.gov/government/affordable-housing-plan