On Sunday more than 150 residents were joined by current and former town officials in the Trefz Forum at the Westport Library for the town’s annual State of the Town event, hosted by the Westport Rotary and Westport Sunrise Rotary.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Former First Selectman Jim Marpe was also in attendance, shown here with Kenny Epstein, President of the Westport Rotary Club, and Liz Wong, President of the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club.

The first presentation began with Board Of Education Chair Lee Goldstein who spoke at length of the many accomplishments achieved by the Westport School System. Included were Staples being named the number two high school in the State of Connecticut and Goldstein presented a slide illustrating the many areas of excellence by Staples, including state championships won by Wreckers football, Boys Lacrosse and Girls Field Hockey. Excellence in many other areas was discussed, including music, academic achievement such as being the number one public high school in CT for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The many achievements of the town’s middle and elementary were also highlighted and Goldstein also gave an update on the ongoing Long Lots project which has been a hot topic of discussion for some time.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

RTM Moderator Jeff Weiser then introduced First Selectwoman Jen Tooker who spoke abut the special place that is Westport, and upon a vast array of issues and topics of importance to Westporters. Jen stressed her efforts of her administration “to ensure that Westport continues to be the best place to live, work, play and learn in the region – a place where everyone is welcome and feels like they belong.”

Tooker mentioned the efforts to aid Westport’s sister city, Lyman in partnership with Ukraine Aid International and of her trip with Police Chief Foti Koskinas to the Ukrainian city last year.

Slides which illustrated some of the important work of her administration including the formation and partnership with Startup Westport, working with Helen MacAlinden, President and CEO of Homes With Hope. Many issues of concern were touched upon including traffic, pedestrian safety, The Longshore Capital Improvement Plan and a great many other topics of concern to Westport residents.

Following the Selectwoman’s comments, she was joined on stage by Goldstein and together they addressed a series of questions submitted prior to the start of the event by members of the audience.

To view the entire presentation click on this link: Westport Library State Of The Town