Editor’s note: following is an opinion submitted by Westport resident and RTM District 3 candidate Srikanth Puttagunta.

A lesson from scouts

As an Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 36, I’ve started working with our scouts on the Citizenship in the Community merit badge. It asks them to learn about local government, attend a public meeting, and reflect on how decisions get made. Watching them take part reminded me that civics isn’t just something taught in school. It’s something we all need to practice every day.

With Westport’s local elections coming up on November 4, it’s a good reminder for all of us to do the same.

Staying Informed

One of the best ways to experience democracy in action is by attending town meetings. These gatherings show not only how complicated local issues can be, but also how much care and effort neighbors, administrators, and volunteers put into shaping Westport’s future.

Even if you can’t make it to every meeting (and let’s be honest, who can?), showing up once in a while helps you stay connected before an issue lands on your doorstep. I’ve brought my son to a few meetings because civics is best learned by watching it in action. 

Keeping up with what’s happening in town is easier than you might think. Here are a few local resources that help you stay connected:

A quick note of caution: columns like this one, or the comments that follow, can be helpful for perspective, but they’re still just one person’s opinion.

My path into town service

When Coleytown Middle School closed in 2018, I, like many parents, wanted to understand how the town would respond. I started attending Board of Education meetings and later joined both the Coleytown and Long Lots school building committees, where I could lend my professional experience.

What struck me most wasn’t just how complex the projects were, but how dedicated our town employees and volunteers are. They give so much of their time to make Westport better. I’ve learned that civic service isn’t only about solving problems. It’s about strengthening our community and making sure decisions reflect our shared values.

Those experiences deepened my appreciation for how local government works and for how much it relies on residents getting involved. That’s what ultimately led me to take a more active role by running this year for the Representative Town Meeting in District 3.

Balancing many needs

Projects like school construction, the Hamlet at Saugatuck, Parker Harding, or the Cribari Bridge affect many parts of town life. Every concern is valid, but not every wish can be met. Real progress comes from listening, weighing priorities, and taking action on workable solutions that move the community forward.

In my professional life as CEO of Steven Winter Associates, I face similar tradeoffs every day. If every project team received all the resources it wanted, the organization would eventually collapse under its own weight. Leadership, whether in business or in town government, is about balancing competing needs and making choices one believes are in the best interest of the collective.

And yes, it means being open to both appreciation and criticism from residents who may be affected. As much as we’d love for every resident to be happy with every town decision, that’s just not reality. What matters most is clear communication of priorities and openness about how and why decisions are made.

Moving forward together

We all care about Westport and want the best for our town. We will not always agree on how to get there, but disagreement does not have to turn into division. Our conversations work best when we stay respectful and avoid making it personal. When we listen with respect, even when we feel strongly, we build understanding and keep our community strong.

So, as Election Day approaches, I encourage you to:

  • Learn about the issues.
  • Get to know the candidates.
  • Attend a meeting—or at least read the agendas.
  • And most importantly, vote on November 4.

That’s how we keep Westport strong: by showing up, staying informed, and taking part in the civic life that makes our town special.

Srikanth Puttagunta
Oak Street
Westport

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