Town of Westport in Focus - September 10, 2025

A Note From Jen 

Although the last vestiges of summer remain in the air, we all know that September means back to school, and Labor Day brings the start of a new season in Westport. After a relaxing summer, there is a shift in the vibrancy and energy with folks settling into new, engaging, and exciting events and activities focused on school, home, family, and community.

The Levitt Pavilion’s outdoor venue will have performances into October, the Westport Farmers Market is open each Thursday on Imperial Avenue through November, and the beaches, playgrounds and parks will certainly have warm, comfortable days to relax and enjoy Westport’s outstanding amenities. Fall events will flourish throughout town, including the public schools’ sports and P&R programs for all to enjoy and participate. If you are a local non-profit planning an event and want to submit information, or for the general public wishing to check out our community events calendar, please see: Celebrate Westport

Happy September, Westport!

Schools

BACK TO SCHOOL REMINDERS

From the Police Department:

The Westport Police Department will continue to target traffic violators in school zones with its annual “Back to School” enforcement and education campaign. Our officers will be observing traffic for drivers who are using cell phones and speeding in school zones as well as monitoring bus stops and routes, citing those that disregard school bus signals. A list of suggestions for drivers, students and parents is attached here: PD Back To School. Parents are encouraged to discuss these safety tips with their children and with young or inexperienced drivers in their home.

We all have a responsibility to make sure children make it to and from school safely. Let’s work together to have a safe back to school season.

From the Human Services Department:

The Human Services Department has launched its annual Back-to-School and Afterschool Care Campaign to make sure every child starts the year with the supplies, clothing, and support they need to succeed. See: DHS Back To School

Your continued support today means a child starts school ready, confident, and prepared for success.

Long Lots School Building Committee

The latest projection from the Long Lots School Building Committee is that end of September, early October, will see groundbreaking for the geothermal wells and site mobilization for the New Long Lots Elementary School and Stepping Stones Preschool construction. This marks the first major step in the construction process and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Long Lots and the entire Westport community.

We recognize that this phase of construction—and the work to follow—will inevitably bring disruption, particularly as we continue to maintain a positive and supportive environment at the current school. Navigating this transition will be a challenge over the next few years, but we are confident that the end result will be a state-of-the-art school and a vital infrastructure improvement that will serve Westport families for generations to come.

A heartfelt and sincere thank you goes out in advance to everyone—especially the students, parents, caregivers, staff, teachers, and neighbors of Long Lots—who will undoubtedly bear the brunt of the inconvenience. Your patience, understanding, and continued support are deeply appreciated by the entire community.

The Long Lots School Building Committee remains committed to overseeing this complex project with professionalism and thorough due diligence. For regular updates, documents, and further details about the project, please visit the Long Lots School Building Committee page on the Town of Westport website. 

Traffic

TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Task Force is excited to introduce a new initiative aimed at raising awareness and educating the public on key driver, pedestrian, and cyclist safety issues in Westport. Beginning in September, we’ll be sharing regular safety tips across our Facebook, Instagram, and the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety page.

We invite residents to continue submitting questions, comments, and concerns through our website Traffic & Pedestrian Safety.  Your input helps the Task Force address real-time issues and better understand traffic conditions and safety needs throughout our neighborhoods.

Additionally, the Task Force will be hosting another public session in October to provide updates on its progress, work, and to gather additional community feedback.

Thank you for helping us make Westport safer for everyone.

Town Departments

FIRST SELECTWOMAN'S OFFICE - PURA TESTIMONY 

The Town of Westport has joined with other municipalities in leading the opposition to Eversource’s proposed sale of Aquarion, in a contested hearing before the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (“PURA”).

Eversource worked together with the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (“RWA”) to draft legislation that was adopted at a special legislative session to allow for the sale of Aquarion.  The proposal is to sell Aquarion for $2.4 billion, to be financed exclusively through debt.  Aquarion would be transformed into the “Aquarion Water Authority” (“AWA”), a quasi-governmental utility (like the RWA), which would be controlled in large part by the RWA.  Under the law, the sale can only occur with PURA approval.  If the sale is approved, PURA would no longer have any ability to regulate water rates. The new legislation would also substitute payments-in-lieu-of-taxes for property taxes and would give the RWA a controlling majority of seats on the AWA’s board of directors.

The Town of Westport intervened in the PURA proceeding, alongside the towns of Fairfield, New Canaan, Ridgefield, and the MetroCOG and WestCOG municipalities. At a series of evidentiary hearings before PURA, it became clear that the proposed change of control would result in staggering annual water rate increases, a complete lack of regulatory oversight, reduced tax payments to municipalities, and would place decision-making authority over our water supply in the hands of an RWA-controlled board of directors.

The Town of Westport submitted testimony, cross-examined witnesses, and filed legal briefs throughout the summer in opposition to the proposed change of control. PURA is scheduled to hear oral argument on September 15th, and it is expected to issue its final decision on November 19th.  As First Selectwoman, I will continue to fight for the residents of Westport on this critical regulatory issue.

Town Departments

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - ALBERTO VARGAS, JR 

I am very pleased to announce that Alberto Vargas, Jr. has joined the staff as Director of Information Technology, effective August 4, and following the retirement of 30+ year employee Eileen Zhang – who we honor and congratulate on her retirement.
 
Alberto is an exceptional addition to our leadership team. He brings experience leading digital transformation, modernizing enterprise systems, and strengthening cybersecurity in both public and private sectors. His track record of transforming IT operations and his vision for leveraging technology to serve the public make him the ideal person to lead our IT Department. I am confident that we will continue advancing Westport’s digital infrastructure and services for residents and staff.

Upon his appointment, Alberto stated that he is honored to join the Town of Westport and eager to build on the strong foundation laid by Eileen Zhang. His goal is to deliver secure, innovative, and user-focused technology solutions that enhance Town services and strengthen connections with our community.

We wish Alberto well in this new role and look forward to working collaboratively while seeing his enthusiasm and expertise benefit our Westport community. For more information about Alberto, including his extensive professional background, see A Vargas News.

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