By John Schwing
WESTPORT — First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker was alerted to state Department of Transportation plans to build a new, larger maintenance building to replace an existing garage on its Post Road East property nearly 18 months before the project was engulfed in controversy when neighbors were shocked as mature trees shielding their community from the truck depot were cut down without notice.
In letters addressed to Tooker dated Nov. 16, 2023, and Oct. 8, 2024 — obtained by the Westport Journal from the DOT — the first selectwoman was provided details about the new maintenance building planned on the site. Both times, she was asked to provide her own comments or any concerns her constituents might have about the project to the state. (The full text of both letters is attached to the end of this article.)
“It is the department’s policy to keep the public informed when such projects are undertaken. It is important that the community share their concerns with us to assist in the project’s development,” Adam G. Fox, a DOT principal engineer, wrote in the 2023 letter to Tooker. “Should you or any of your constituents have any questions, or wish to assist us in this project, please contact the project manager, Mr. Michael J. Strong at (860) 594-3306.” Fox repeated a similar offer in the 2024 letter.
The state engineer also wrote in 2023: “If there is adequate interest, an informational meeting will be conducted.” Although, he added, “At this time, it is not anticipated that a formal public hearing will be necessary.”
A release about the project also was sent in 2023 by the DOT to federal and state legislators — including Westport’s state Sen. Ceci Maher and state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg — who neighbors say never reached out.
Truck depot tripled, housing study fumbled
Under plans announced in early March, the state is constructing a new 22,600-square-foot maintenance building, roughly three times the size of the existing garage, to house the fleet now based at its 900 Post Road East property. The old building will be maintained for storage.
About 1.8 acres of the 11-acre property, bordered by West Parish and Hillandale roads, and Sherwood Island Connector, remain designated for potential town use.
The town in 2022 had allocated $150,000 in federal pandemic aid to conduct a feasibility study of developing affordable housing on that slice of the state land, but the study was never carried out. Facing loss of the unspent money, officials last November re-allocated that money to help pay for the $5.6 million project to replace the Mill Pond tide gates and walkway.
Unanswered questions
Tooker was specifically asked twice over the last week by Westport Journal if there are records to document whether and when she or her staff responded to the DOT with questions or concerns about the garage project, or whether she thought the offer of a public information meeting would be a good idea.
No letters or other records, however, were provided by the first selectwoman’s office.
With no evidence to the contrary, it appears the first selectwoman did not communicate at all with the DOT about the project after being alerted to the plans in November 2023 until controversy erupted over the tree clearing a few weeks ago. (If later documentation is provided by the Selectwomen’s Office, despite none provided so far, this article will be updated.)
Her nonspecific response also supports statements made by angry neighbors that they were told by a DOT engineer the state agency heard no response from Town Hall to any of its outreach efforts.
Tooker: “We had no issues with the project”
In answer to the Journal’s inquiries, while avoiding direct answers about whether she had responded to DOT requests for comments and the offer to host an informational meeting, Tooker said, “For context, when a project is initiated and managed by a state agency on state property, such as this one, it falls under state jurisdiction rather than local town governance. The planning, permitting, and public engagement process is led by the DOT, not the municipality where the project is located. It is neither feasible nor appropriate for the town to be the public communication resource for state projects.”
When the Journal later sought clarification of that statement, she said, in part: “We had no issues with the project since the resulting upgrades will benefit the entire community and improve traffic flow in and out of the facility.” (The full text of Tooker’s statements are attached to the end of this article.)
DOT warned of tree cutting
In one of the statements, Tooker also references a Jan. 30 DOT letter sent to the Planning and Zoning and the Conservation commissions — a copy of the agency’s application to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for a permit to carry out the maintenance building project — which falls entirely under the state’s jurisdiction.
Nonetheless, the letter did ask local officials to comment on the application. The application was posted on a lengthy agenda for the Conservation Commission’s March 19 meeting, during a work session when no public comments are allowed. After a brief description of the project by Conservation Director Colin Kelly — primarily focused on a wetland portion of the property that would be affected by construction of the new facilities — commission members moved on with no comment.
A paragraph in the letter, however, calls into question a statement Tooker made regarding the tree-cutting controversy to the “06880” blog: “The town had no prior notification of the clear-cutting activity, nor the timing of the start of the project.”
In fact, the detailed January application shared with town officials states: “Regarding potential habitat for federally listed species, there are trees on site which could be suitable habitat for federally listed bat species and as such the project will adhere to TOY [Time of Year] restriction for tree cutting from April 15th-October 31st of any given construction year.”
This indicates the state did intend to cut down trees on the Post Road East property. However, no questions about that aspect of the project apparently were posed by town officials when reaction was solicited in January.
The application also explains why the trees were axed so suddenly to comply with the April 15 deadline. (A copy of the letter and application is attached to the end of this article.)
Active construction now, landscaping later
In a brief statement to Westport Journal, accompanying the DOT letters sent to Tooker, an agency spokesman addressed the tree cutting, writing: “While the site is currently an active construction zone, once completed, it will include new landscaping and fencing to improve the appearance and functionality of the property.
“As with any active construction site, the lot had to be cleared for work to be conducted safely,” he added.
“Infuriated” neighbors petition for help
Ever since trees surrounding the DOT property were cut down without warning in early April, exposing Greens Farms neighbors to the noise and grime of an active construction site where a large truck depot will eventually sit, residents have pressed agency officials for information about the project going forward.
An online petition, signed by 132 people as of Wednesday, demands, “Restore the Trees: Reforest the DOT Lot in Greens Farms, Westport.”
Following the tree removals, the petitioners contend, “Our quiet, residential neighborhood is completely exposed to an industrial lot filled with trucks, equipment and constant noise.” The deforestation also destroyed “an active wildlife sanctuary,” they said.
Tooker, Steinberg and Maher still have not responded to the petitioners’ request for comments, according to the change.org site.
Comments also flooded the “Westport Front Porch” Facebook page in the aftermath, with common themes of shock and condemnation reflected throughout the thread.
A sampler of the comments: “A tragedy for all of us that this large plot of land that was full of trees in the middle of our beautiful town is now a complete eyesore” … “Devastating” … “This is awful” … “Total disregard for peace, home and health” … “This goes on so many times that our citizens are not informed as to what is going to happen in their neighborhood” … “Horrific! All involved should be sued” … “Absolutely shameful” … “Paved paradise to put up a parking lot.”
Matt Snow, who posted the change.org petition, and his wife Stina, who are among the neighbors most outspoken about how the DOT project unfolded, told the Journal that subsequent contact with state engineers indicates a willingness to adjust plans to try to address their concerns about future re-plantings and screening around the property.
Nonetheless, they said, “We understand that this is now a construction site and it will look different in two years when they’re done, but even if they replant some trees around the new facility — which we certainly hope they do — the damage that’s been done is irreparable.
“This was dense vegetation that provided a visual and sound barrier from both the DOT facility and the Sherwood Island Connector. And the loss of the wildlife habitat that the trees and vegetation provided for generations is beyond devastating,” they added.
DOT reached out to Town Hall, heard back “nothing”
But most “infuriating,” the Snows said, was “hearing from the DOT engineers responsible for the project [whom we identified and talked to as this deforestation was happening] that they had reached out to the Westport town leadership multiple times since 2023 to offer updates on the plan and to let them know that they would love to have had the community’s input on the project.
“That they were very open to feedback, but heard nothing back from the town. Nothing. And the town leadership didn’t even bother to inform the community that this project was coming,” the couple added.
“We’re so appalled it makes our blood boil.”
“Shame on them all”
Lisa Mann, another neighbor, said “numerous” neighbors on West Parish Road sent emails to state and town officials urging them “to take immediate action and plant fast-growing trees [or provide other sight/sound barriers] on the DOT property abutting W. Parish, to no avail — not a single response.”
“The equipment, noise, stockpiling of supplies, etc., have increased tenfold,” she added. “
“What my husband and I find so infuriating is that we’ve been good neighbors of the DOT lot for 40 years, and yet there is no effort whatsoever on the part of the state to be good neighbors in return,” Mann said.
“We’ve lost the trees, the wildlife, the peace and quiet, and the value of our properties. It’s heartbreaking to all of us, yet of no consequence to our local or state officials.
“Shame on them all!”
John Schwing, consulting editor of the Westport Journal, has held senior editorial and writing posts at southwestern Connecticut media outlets for four decades. Learn more about us here.
Following are the letters sent to First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and town boards about the DOT maintenance garage on Post Road East, and Tooker’s responses to Westport Journal questions:
Shocking, great expose. It shows how incompetence can destroy a beautiful community.
Way back in the day when they built the transfer station we were rather engaged, as citizens, living on Greens Farms Road, as we were.
Also the Stauffer Chemical Headquarters was only allowed because a 10 million dollar grant to the Westport School system.
Maybe the Roan Lifestyle Imagineers can grant one billion dollars to Westport children in exchange for the construction of their “Hamolot” , at the risk of mixing metaphors.
Tooker’s shameful reign in Westport needs to be broadcast statewide. Tooker is no leader of the people. She is annoyed by her constituents yet enamored with self absorbed photo ops and overdevelopment of the town.
She razed the town’s only community garden; is about to clear cut portions of Baron’s South; encourages the oversized Hamlet development in Saugatuck; is overseeing unprecedented potential tax increases from the highest level of spending now and in the future; and cannot get past herself to fix the downtown parking situation with the easiest of solutions (tiered Baldwin lot).
Now she thinks she can wriggle out of any accountability for the DOT clearcutting disaster. It could have been avoided, plain and simple. The ball was in her court.
With the sound of chainsaws buzzing all around, she is leaving Westport in sawdust to embark on a journey to Hartford.
I failed to mention her unsuccessful effort to cut down mature trees at Jesup Green and pave it over for a parking lot.
Many thanks to the Journal for this very straightforward and thorough reporting. It’s extremely disappointing that the Administration did not take the opportunity to alert and engage the community on this major project when they had the opportunity. They have also muffed the opportunity to move forward with building affordable housing on a piece of that parcel that the State had offered as a potential location; again the Administration blames the State for not moving that effort forward when it is the Administration that took its foot off the gas. Just the latest in a long list of ideas abandoned when it turns out they require time and effort and collaboration to complete. We deserve better leadership in Westport.
Ugh this is just a mess. I feel for these neighbors- everyone. The whole thing brings back memories of clearcutting exit 41. (Maybe in 15 years the little trees that they planted back might be big enough to do .. anything? Many don’t survive though) https://06880danwoog.com/2018/07/30/arborcide-you-decide/
A competent First Selectperson would have immediately handed the State’s correspondence to the local Town committee of professional architects, engineers and builders, known as the Public Site and Building Commission, tasked with acting as the Owner’s Representatives for all Town projects, for interaction with the State.
Technically, the land belongs to the State however, State correspondence requested interaction with Town officials which apparently was ignored, either through negligence, incompetence or both.
The PSBC would have immediately met with the State, reviewed the drawings and raised concerns to protect the neighborhood from the massive clearcutting of the mature trees.
Abutting neighbors have no reason to be surprised if they paid the slightest attention to the current Selectwoman’s style of governance. A casual observer would note the numerous ongoing debacles she has presided over such as; the Long Lots School project, the destruction of the Community Gardens, the unresolved Downtown Parking issues and the worst planning and zoning decision in the history of the Town of Westport, the ill conceived Hamlet Project in Saugatuck.
Historically, democracies that demonstrate an unwillingness to work toward compromise with opponents from across the aisle have an extremely high rate of failure.
You have to admire an excellent straight-up example of community-minded investigative journalism. Why do this? As has been said for a century: to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. In this case, both apply.
The phrase was invented a century ago by the American humorist Finley Peter Dunne. His character, Mr. Dooley, said; “Th newspaper does ivrything f’r us. It runs th’ polis foorce an’ th’’ banks, commands th’ milishy, controls th’ ligislachure, baptizes th’ young, marries th’ foolish, comforts th’ afflicted, afflicts th’ comfortable, buries th’ dead an’ roasts thim aftherward.”
Tooker has apparently checked out of Westport issues as she tries for higher office. Since Hartford government has been a disaster for Connecticut, especially the wealthy towns they seem determined to destroy, she certainly won’t be any worse than what’s up there now though probably not better either.
The lack of leadership, transparency and communication continues with our First Selectwoman. She says in her response, “It is neither feasible nor appropriate for the Town to be the public communication resource for state projects.” Although it surely is the State’s responsibility to handle the general communication, what harm would it have done for our First Selectwoman to issue a press release and orchestrate a public meeting by inviting the State? We are, for now, her constituents and it is the responsibility of our elected officials to both represent us and ensure we are informed. Is over communication on something like this a bad thing?
Regarding not answering the State’s requests for comments, a courtesy answer of “Your letter is acknowledged and we have no comments at this time.” would have been appropriate. Both from personal experience and anecdotally, this Selectwoman’s office does not answer emails from constituents and I guess from the State as well!,
Incompetence or arrogance, you decide!
Now that’s what I call reporting. Nice spade work, Westport Journal. To our Selectwoman: I don’t care if it’s considered state land or Humpty Dumpty land. It belongs to us, the residents of Connecticut.