WESTPORT–The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) is the Town of Westport’s legislative body.
The RTM’s responsibilities include approving all town expenditures of over $20,000, passing ordinances, reviewing changes to town property and reviewing changes in zoning regulations, among others.
Westport is divided into nine districts, each with a similar number of residents. In odd years, like 2025, each district votes for four members of the RTM.
This year, four districts are uncontested–there are four candidates for the four slots.
However, more than four people are vying for spots in five districts, Districts 1 through 4 and District 9.
Over the next five days, Westport Journal will publish the answers that each of the candidates in contested districts submitted last week, when asked the question:
Given the opportunity, how will you apply your experience and enthusiasm to best serve the members of your district?
Responses appear in the same order that District 1 candidate names will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot.
- Gail Coykendall
- Chris Tait
- Andrew Bloom
- Kristin Mott Purcell
- Matthew Mandell
Gail Coykendall
With the transition from Household CEO to consultant for my children, I am eager to lean into my next chapter, leveraging my experience in healthcare and my volunteer efforts on the board of the Saugatuck Island Special Taxing District. My passion for our community and caring for others has inspired me to run for the RTM so I can represent our wonderful community and town.
I’ve seen firsthand the time and commitment required to represent Westport, and am ready to dedicate the time to review proposals that will come before our various town committees. I enjoy leaning into topics such as town infrastructure, education, and emergency services, and hope I can bring a fresh perspective to our area.
My husband, John, and I moved to Saugatuck Island 21 years ago, and our greater community truly feels like home. We have raised our two children here, our daughter, Kate is set to graduate from Staples in May and our son, Jake, is a sophomore at the University of Richmond. Both of our kids have attended Westport Public Schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade and we are so fortunate to live in a town with an incredible school system and community. We love our schools, teachers, and staff, and I am committed to investing in our future.
I also care deeply about our senior and aging populations, committed to finding ways to help these groups age in place, and hope to use my healthcare experience to support the senior center.
Chris Tait
I was born and raised in District 1, the very district I am proud to represent as I run for reelection. My goal is to keep Westport a place where people want to move, raise families, and retire. If reelected, I will bring both experience and enthusiasm to ensure our community’s voices are always represented thoughtfully and fairly. I believe good government starts with listening, and I am committed to being accessible, responsive, and transparent so residents feel engaged in decisions that shape their daily lives.
My professional background is in the hotel and hospitality industry, where I held leadership roles in ownership, sales, and operations. That experience taught me to evaluate issues carefully, ask the right questions, and work collaboratively to find solutions.
As an RTM member for 12 years, including 10 as Chair of Parks and Recreation, I have been a strong advocate for this crown jewel of Westport. I secured funding to reclaim and maintain our beautiful beach assets, reinforcing my belief in the power of collaboration to protect what makes Westport unique.
A clear example of that collaboration is my work leading the successful effort to save the Old Mill Grocery & Deli (OMG). By engaging neighbors, building consensus, and focusing on shared values, we ensured this historic landmark remains a vibrant gathering place for generations to come.
By combining my skills, commitment, and energy, I will continue to be a dedicated advocate for District 1 and for the future of our town.
Andrew Bloom:
If I’m re-elected to the RTM, I will approach the opportunity to serve as a conduit for my constituents, an agent of change tasked with improving the standard of living for all residents, and a balancer of power checking the actions of other town bodies. To the extent that issues come up, I will be sure to listen to residents, educate myself on feasible outcomes, and work with others to affect the best course of action for Westport.
Our town has changed a lot over the last few years with the influx of new people, many of a younger generation – myself included. This is exciting on many levels, and it’s important to bring this youthful enthusiasm to our town politics where there is a need for fresh engagement. However, it is also important to understand our town’s cherished history. As someone who grew up here (and a product of the public schools) I have this viewpoint, as well. My experience with the town, both new and old, affords me a unique outlook to share with the RTM.
District 1 covers Compo, Saugatuck and Saugatuck Shores, and faces challenges around waterfront living, zoning and development, of which I’m acutely aware. I look forward to working on these issues together and trust that what we all have in common is that we want Westport to be the best town it can be, now and in the future.
Kristin Mott Purcell
Given the opportunity, I will continue to apply my extensive experience and unwavering enthusiasm to serve District 1 and Westport at large with the same dedication I’ve demonstrated since 2017.
I bring hands-on experience with Westport’s legislative processes and deep understanding of how our RTM oversees significant town expenditures and enacts key ordinances. As chair of the Library, Museum and Arts Committee and member of the Education and Parks and Recreation Committees, I have worked extensively to help craft and pass legislation that protects and enhances the education we provide our children, the recreation, beaches and programs provided by our Parks and Recreation and the services and accessibility of The Westport Library and Earthplace.
As an active, pragmatic, and independent community member, I bring enthusiasm for finding practical solutions while maintaining the independence to vote based on what’s truly best for District 1 and all of Westport—no party politics. My goal is to accurately reflect your views on issues important to preserving and enhancing our Westport community.
Given the opportunity to continue to serve, I will focus my efforts on the critical areas that directly impact our daily lives: ensuring our children receive excellent education, maintaining and improving our town jewels (beaches, Longshore, parks and Library) and supporting thoughtful, inclusive growth that preserves what makes Westport special.
It would be my honor to continue serving as your advocate, working tirelessly to maintain the unique qualities that make Westport the place we chose to call home.
Matthew Mandell
Experience and enthusiasm are exactly the words that embody who and what I am on the RTM. Whether it was creating the Slice of Saugatuck to promote my district’s exceptional commercial center, to standing side by side with the residents of Hiawatha, or ensuring sewers were finally installed in Saugatuck Shores, my constituents recognize I have the knowledge, energy and insight needed. They know I don’t just point at the right door, but I walk them through it, together, as any good representative should.
District one is unique and has special challenges that arise from having a train station, highway intersection and historic bridge. Simply traversing through it can be a daily frustration. The State sees the area as a prime location for future growth and of course the Hamlet project and the future of the Cribari Bridge are still in flux. As chair of the RTM’s P&Z committee I have been intricately involved at both the state and town levels in ensuring local control and advocating for reasonable and sustainable development. In the last term I initiated and created an Affordable Housing Fund to address the growing need, but that does it on our terms.
Longshore and Compo beach are our jewels, and I am proud to continue to enhance both for the enjoyment of us locals and that of the entire town.
I am always just an email or phone call away and hope to hear from you. I look forward to your support in November.
I do not vote in District 1 but only a few of the incumbents deserve a return to elected service, and a newcomer.
Matt Mandell, Chris Tait and Gail Coykendall. Matt has been a good champion for merchants, residents and common sense. Chris has also championed the public’s right to be heard. Gail has shown leadership with her work with the Saugatuck Alliance.
It is my opinion that Ms. Purcell is a tool of the current administration, and should not be returned to the RTM.
In the case of Mr. Bloom, I believe he appears slightly conflicted, enough so to be an uncomfortable choice given his relationship to the town attorney.
Although I generally enjoy the Westport Journal, the generic question it has posed to RTM candidates is far from enlightening, especially given the numerous key questions facing the town. As a Westport resident generally, and a District 1 resident specifically, I would like the candidates’ positions on the following:
1. Do they support the P&Z’s rejection of the Hamlet at Saugatuck, and, if so, what do they believe the next steps should be as far as redevelopement there?
2. What is their position on the reconstruction/replacement of Cribari bridge and should access to tractor trailers be permitted?
3. What is their position on the various school rebuilds/reconstructions that have been raised recently? What should be done, how much should be spent and when?
4. Do they support the reconstruction of the community garden and, if yes, where and how much should the town contribute to support?
5. Should developers be allowed to provide 530-g housing off-site?
6. What is their position/recommendations concerning downtown parking?
7. What is their position on residents’ right to petition the RTM under the RTM’s rules and how did they vote on that question in the past?
8. What is their position on downtown parking? Should a parking garage be built? How should Parking Harding Plaza be improved?
I’m certain other readers of the Westport Journal have other questions they would like answered by the candidates I would urge the Westport Journal to follow up with specific questions to the candidates that would be published so that voters can be as informed as possible about the candidates seeking to serve on the RTM. Thank you.
These are excellent questions to which EVERY candidate should give their voters answers.