By Gretchen Webster

WESTPORT — Security concerns about two new modular classrooms at Coleytown Elementary School raised last month by the Zoning Board of Appeals were addressed Tuesday, paving the way for the board to approve a variance for the project.

The ZBA’s unanimous vote rejecting a variance for the plan March 22, according to an opinion from the Town Attorney’s Office, technically was not within the land-use board’s authority to deny on the basis of security concerns.

More detailed security measures

Nonetheless, officials representing the Board of Education on Tuesday presented the ZBA with a more detailed security plan for the new classrooms to be installed adjacent to the elementary school at 65 Easton Road.

The project would include swipe card entry for the modulars, and fences with “panic gates,” which can be opened from inside the enclosure, but not from outside.

Also planned is video surveillance of all the modular classrooms’ exterior doors, as well as beneath a protective canopy for the handicapped-access entrance. 

The security plan also calls for additional lighting outside the classrooms, providing illumination of all four corners of the buildings when it is dark outside and two exits for each classroom.

“The Police Department was very satisfied,” said Ted Hunyadi, director of facilities and security for the school district, as he outlined the measures added for student safety.

“I really appreciate that you took our concerns into account,” ZBA member Amy Wistreich told Hunyadi and Phil Cerrone, the project’s architect, during the Zoom hearing.

“I appreciate the town, Board of Ed and Police Department for listening to us,” agreed board member Josh Newman, who was outspokenly critical of the initial application.

Modulars needed for growing enrollment

The school board’s plan calls for the two classrooms to be installed on the site of an older modular, and to be used for four years from the start of the 2022-23 academic year. 

School officials had sought quick approval of the plan because of growing enrollment at the school, particularly in the Stepping Stones preschool program. 

The school district had to apply to the ZBA for a lot coverage variance because the main classroom building is already over the 25 percent coverage allowed on the Easton Road property, according to Michelle Perillie, deputy planning and zoning director. Previous coverage variances have been granted on the property, most recently in 2003, she said.

Earlier security plan faulted as inadequate

The initial application for the variance needed for the modular classrooms met with resistance at a meeting March 22 as ZBA members criticized the plan as lacking adequate security.

At that meeting Newman, the parent of two children who attend Coleytown Elementary, raised concerns that the security plan, as presented, would be unable to prevent tragedies such as a mass-shooting incident. 

ZBA members also said they visited the site and were able to walk around the school property unchallenged.

At Tuesday’s meeting, however, board members said they are satisfied with the enhanced security measures as described in the application.

Cerrone told the ZBA that the Police and Fire departments have already completed an initial review of the modified plan, and ZBA Chairman James Ezzes assured his board that all pertinent town departments will review the project before construction.

No one from the public had questions or comments on the application, and after Tuesday’s public hearing was closed, the ZBA voted to grant a variance for the project.

The variance includes the condition that the modular classrooms be used for no more than four years. The board also recommends both the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Education ensure the tighter security measures will be implemented.

The Board of Finance two weeks approved a $148,656 special appropriation to install the two modular classrooms, pending school officials’ compliance with all other needed approvals.

The proposal now goes to the P&Z for review.