By Thane Grauel
WESTPORT — The Representative Town Meeting on Tuesday voted to approve a Long Lots Elementary School Building Committee.
The item was not approved without difficulty.
There was a motion to add language to the committee’s charge suggested by Sustainable Westport and proposed by Kristin Schneeman, District 9.
The proposed wording, according to Schneeman, was “Explore and research sustainable and energy-efficient design, to achieve the best long-term value and benefit to the town, in support of the 2017 resolution committing Westport to use best efforts to become a net-zero community by 2050.”
That motion was voted down, eight in favor, 17 opposed, with one abstention.
RTM member Louis Mall, District 2, noted the experience of some of the proposed committee members.
“We have five very capable people that can help us make this decision for us,” he said. “They’re the ones with the expertise.”
Harris Falk, District 2, said he believed RTM members, like Don O’Day of District 3 and Jay Keenan of District 2, could not be part of the body because, he said, “RTM members can’t be on elected or appointed committees.”
First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker disagreed. Assistant Town Attorney Eileen Lavigne Fluge addressed that point.
“The town charter says no elected official can serve as on an appointed board or commission,” she said. “But RTM members have often served on committees.”
Falk mentioned the recent controversy about TEAM Westport membership.
Some thought the building committee proposal would have been among the least of controversial items of the evening. Jimmy Izzo, District 3, included.
“I can’t believe we went down this path tonight,” he said.
“I want to thank the committee, first selectwoman and everyone who’s doing what they’re doing,” Izzo said. “We have a great team ahead of us. Thank you, guys, for volunteering your time, good luck.”
The committee’s creation was then approved, 24-0, with two abstentions.
Voting members of the new Long Lots panel are:
• Tim Wetmore, an architect who has served on earlier school building committees.
• Joe Renzulli, an electrical engineer who has served on many town bodies, including school building committees.
• Srikanth Puttagunta, a mechanical engineer with 20 years’ experience, and who served on the Coleytown Middle School Building Committee.
• Don O’Day, an RTM member from District 3 and a retired Citibank executive. He has served as chairman of the Board of Education and on the Coleytown Middle School Building Committee.
• Jay Keenan, a nine-term RTM member from District 2, and an architect who has served on many school building committees.
Non-voting members are:
• John Broadbin, deputy public works director.
• Liz Heyer, Board of Education vice chairwoman.
Thane Grauel, executive editor, grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond more than three decades. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.
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