By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — Recently retired Conservation Director Alicia Mozian was asked to give the invocation at Tuesday’s meeting of the Representative Town Meeting.

She expressed heartfelt thanks to her family, staff and volunteers that have helped with environmental causes. She also called on people to be mindful of nature around them, and to act as stewards for the environment.

Mozian was one of the town’s longest-serving employees when she stepped down Oct. 1, having worked 36 years under seven different first selectwomen and selectmen.

The RTM gave her a standing ovation.

She began as an aide to the planning and zoning director, then was a conservation analyst, then was an assistant zoning planner, before being appointed conservation director in 2001. She was only the second conservation director in the town’s history.

Deputy Moderator Lauren Karpf, District 7, introduced Mozian.

“Alicia is well respected and trusted by applicants, professionals, elected officials, homeowners, contractors, citizens, coworkers and the town land-use boards,” Karpf said. “She is always prepared, well informed and willing to educate others, including our youth, on how to protect our environment, including our town’s wetlands and watercourses.”

“Her historical knowledge and expertise, combined with her even temperament, have been invaluable,” Karpf said.

“She helped Westporters get a 10 percent discount on flood insurance for townwide flood hazard mitigation that continues today,” Karpf said. “She also received a National Wetlands Community Leader Award from the Washington’s Environmental Law Institute, for her work improving water quality through the Sasco Brook Pollution Abatement Committee.”

Mozian also was instrumental in getting the town’s plastic bag ordinance passed, Karpf noted.

“Alicia, thank you for all that you have done for the environment, both universally and here in Westport, and for our community,” she said. “We wish you all the best in your retirement.”

The RTM gave a robust round of applause and a standing ovation for Mozian, who began remarks by saying she promised herself she wasn’t going to cry.

“Tonight, the theme of my invocation is a message of thanks, and a call for stewardship,” she said.

She thanked her parents, her staff, and [newly appointed Conservation Director] Colin Kelly, “who I know appreciates nature as much as I do.”

“I know the office will be in good hands, and this has really helped me to transition, and put my mind at ease,” Mozian said.

“To all the volunteers, there have been so, so, so many over the years,” she said. “From RTM members like yourselves, to commissioners, committee members, League of Women Voters, Boy Scouts, Rotarians, Harbor Watch volunteers. The town is fortunate to have so many devoted citizens providing their talents and free labor.”

“I could not have accomplished as much as I did without your help, inspiration and passion,” Mozian said.

She said democracy can be a time-consuming process, and can be physically and emotionally challenging. So she thanked her family and friends for supporting her and providing balance in her life.

“When you go home tonight, I want you to thank whoever is your support system,” Mozian said.

“And finally, to nature, which is where I get my inspiration, where I go to recharge and find peace, and where I feel closest to God,” she said. “There is so much beauty in this world.”

“Which brings me to my next message of stewardship,” Mozian said. “Stewardship starts with having an awareness of the world around us. Take time to look around. Look up at the sky, note the clouds, what kind are they? Fair-weather or storm? Feel the wind. From what direction is it blowing? Are there bees pollinating your flowers? Be aware the changing tides, the cycle of the moon, the days getting longer and shorter.”

“I’ve lived in many different environments around the country, the deserts in Utah, the Rocky Mountains, the lakes region of New Hampshire,” she said. “But being so close to the ocean, to the Sound, is where one can really see the control of nature on a daily basis. With the change of the tides and the shoreline profile.

She said once aware, one can then see the impacts of their actions.

“Do we use pesticides? Are we still fertilizing even when the growing season has ended? Are we maintaining our septic system?” she asked. “When a tree falls in our woods, why not leave the trunk to the decomposers? And do we have to cut all the trees? It’s been proven that they do add monetary value.”

“How much of our land is impervious?” she asked. “Do we have a vegetative buffer next our pond and stream rather than mowing right to the edge? Do we rake our leaves into the wetland or blow them into the river? Do we pick up a piece of litter when we see it on the ground?”

“And what about how we design your houses?” she asked. “Why not be more creative and embrace designs that meet the land instead of making the land meet the design?”

“We need to start being more aware of our impact,” Mozian said. “Make those connections with nature. Let Mother Earth speak to you.”

She finished with a quote from a 19^th century Cree Indian on a postcard hanging on a bulletin board outside her office. Mozian said she considers native Americans to be the ultimate environmental stewards.

“’Only when the last tree has died, and the last river has been poisoned, and the last fish has been caught, will we realize that we cannot eat money,’” she read.

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.