Dear Representative Town Meeting:
On Tuesday, the RTM will address the Transit subcommittee’s recommendation for a Westport Transit District co-director to serve a four-year term. You should vote ‘no’ on the subcommittee’s recommendation. Before installing a co-director, the full RTM must first decide whether the WTD should be consolidated with another transit district (as per CT Public Law 22-40), or continue in its present form and thereby risk losing state funding.
Unfortunately, the Transit subcommittee dodged that issue and instead (in a closed-door session) selected a co-director candidate who lacks any direct prior involvement or relevant experience on any of the big issues facing the WTD (including consolidation). To use an old-school transit metaphor, this is “putting the cart before the horse.”
WTD is at a crossroads. In May 2022, Public Law 22-40 was enacted with overwhelming bipartisan support. Under PL 22-40, the RTM has until early 2025 either to: (1) merge WTD operations with another Transit District (Norwalk, Bridgeport, or CT Transit) thereby joining a fully-staffed agency in which WTD co-directors would have voting authority as board members or (2) not merge and face state funding cuts. The clock is ticking.
A decision on consolidation should be done in cooperation with the first selectwoman and other impacted boards and commissions. Appointing someone to a four-year term as co-director needs to be considered in context of this major decision. Is a new co-director going to be a board member with voting authority over important transit decisions facing Westport for four years? Or is this co-director just going to serve as an unpaid staff person to support the current director? The co-director should at a minimum be someone from within the town government, or at least someone currently appointed by the first selectwoman on a related town board or commission.
The next four years are important. Historic levels of funding for transit improvements (from the federal bi-partisan infrastructure act) are available for entities that are poised to use them effectively. The Hartford greater region, for example, is repeatedly awarded capital funds as a nationally recognized “Walk Friendly Community.” CT Transit Services was recently awarded a $26.4 million federal grant to support its mission for communities around Stamford.
Public Law 22-40 gives the Westport RTM an “exit ramp” which you should discuss, debate and vote on. Regardless of that vote, the RTM should not select a new WTD co-director until we have a better understanding of the direction and future of our Transit District for the next four years and beyond.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Johnson
Former WTD co-director & RTM District 9 Representative
It makes about as much sense for Westport to have its own Transit District as it would to have its own Air Force.
Sick of transit.
Gloria
Monday
I agree. Let’s be proactive. CT is looking for consolidation. Towns that are proactive are likely to have a greater say and bigger slice of the transit funding pie. Westport prides itself in being at the top of everything. It should be the same for transit.
Dear Mr. Hood,
Your late entry in the comments section following Jenny Johnson’s spot on analysis of our Town’s seemingly eternal disconnect regarding the future of the WTD has prompted me to double dip.
Having made your opinions apparent in comments you’ve posted regarding Sebastian (Sal) Liccione’s professional endeavors, I surmise that when you referred to him as “Sal”, absent a title or surname, your intention was not to elevate him to the superstar status of others who walk through the world enjoying single name recognition like Cher, Charo, Elvis or Sting.
For all the snide remarks made by grown-ups in our Town leadership regarding the neurological disability that hampers Mr. Liccione’s writing expertise, he wouldn’t dream of disrespecting you by referring to you as Bert.
Besides, there’s already a world famous celebrity who goes by just the name Bert. He and his similarly single-named friend Ernie are stars of Sesame Street.
And while we’re on the subject of disrespect, shame on those RTM members and others in our local government who think it’s okay to discriminate against a man with a recognized learning disability. I highly recommend that you (and you know who you are) bone up on the Federal enabling legislation found in the Americans With Disabilities Act, which requires that we make accomodations for those of us with handicaps, whoever we may be and however they may affect us.
Bravo Gloria. Well said.
Thank you Jennifer for highlighting the huge importance of a sensible and progressive transit system.
So many people would use it if it has a timetable and is reliable. Think of the parking we might save in main street area, not to mention the traffic and the saving on Ubers…
Thank you Gloria, for your kind and real comments.
It is high time that Sebastian ( Sal) be recognized as an utter gem. Always relentlessly doing the right thing for the people for the right unselfish reasons.
I cannot imagine a town government without him in it .
If Westport had a mayor, Sebastian Liccione would most certainly have my vote, and many others. Nobody works harder.
Well done for recognizing Mr. Liccione’s tireless efforts to make our town an inclusive and sensible place to live in.
Ciara