Editor’s note: this is part two in a series about the candidates running to serve on the RTM. We covered District 1 yesterday.

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.

This week, 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 2 candidate names will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot.

District 2:

• Louis Mall
• Jenna Petok
• Jay Keenan
• Mike Perry
• Harris Falk
• Melissa Levy

Louis Mall

Given the opportunity, I will continue the work I’ve been committed to for the past fourteen years. My voting record and consistent participation in regular and committee meetings reflect my dedication to Westport. I have always supported the core services that make our town strong: public education for excellent schools, public protection through police and fire for a safe community, public works for reliable infrastructure, and public parks for welcoming outdoor spaces.

I make it a priority to be accessible. I return phone calls and emails promptly and connect residents of District 2 with the right Town departments to get the help they need. My goal is simple: to improve the quality of life for Westport residents.

Looking ahead, we face important challenges—from building a new school to addressing affordable housing, consolidating police and fire headquarters, and maintaining our parks. These require common sense, fiscal responsibility, and the ability to get things done on time and within budget. That’s where experience truly makes a difference, and I bring both the commitment and the enthusiasm to keep serving effectively.

Jenna Petok

Walking to school with my sons and our neighbors each morning, I see how the small choices we make as a town — safer crosswalks, connected sidewalks, and support for local businesses — shape our everyday lives. That perspective is what motivates me to serve on Westport’s RTM.

I believe that Community Creates Value, and have dedicated both my professional career and personal endeavors to embodying this. I’ve shown up for Westport — as a community leader, a parent, and a neighbor who cares deeply about our town.

As a co-leader of Bike Westport, I’ve advocated for traffic calming, improved crosswalks, and better bike and pedestrian infrastructure to make our town more accessible. On the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee, I’ve worked with businesses, residents, and town leaders to shape a stronger, more vibrant town center.

Professionally, I run a placemaking and marketing consultancy at the intersection of neighborhood development and real estate — shaping people-centered projects that support connectivity and strengthen local businesses. This experience gives me both the vision and practical skills to help Westport thrive.

On the RTM, I’ll focus on three priorities that matter to our community:

• Safe, accessible streets for all ages and abilities.
• A vibrant downtown that supports our economy and quality of life.
• Responsible development and budgeting that balances growth with preserving Westport’s character.

Most importantly, I will listen and work collaboratively. Westport is strongest when we bring people together and create value through community.

Jay Keenan

Given the privilege to serve another term, I will continue the work I’ve been dedicated to for the past 26 years as a volunteer in Westport — including 20 years on the RTM. I will continue to champion the qualities that make our town truly special: strong public education, effective public safety, reliable infrastructure, and exceptional parks and recreational facilities.

As an architect, I offer a hands-on understanding of design, cost, and function. I’ve served on several major town building committees — including Bedford Middle, Staples High School, Kings Highway, and Coleytown Middle — and I currently chair the Long Lots Building Committee. These experiences have given me valuable insight into the complexities of town planning and infrastructure, always prioritizing transparency, fiscal responsibility, and long-term community benefit.

Westport faces important decisions in the years ahead: maintaining our excellent schools, preserving cherished public spaces such as Compo and Longshore, and addressing essential infrastructure needs such as bridges, sewers, and public buildings — all while keeping taxes reasonable, protecting our AAA credit rating, and helping seniors remain in town.

Balancing these priorities requires experience, sound judgement, and the willingness to make tough decisions.  My professional experience and my work as Public Works Chair and on building committees have prepared me to meet these challenges.

My wife and I raised three children in Westport, and I want future generations to enjoy the same opportunities our family has had here. I remain dedicated to working hard, listening carefully, and serving every resident of our town with integrity.

Mike Perry

As a longtime Westport resident, I appreciate how special this town is.  Following retirement from a career in magazine publishing and advertising sales management, I volunteered to join the RTM 3 years ago representing District 2.  Re-elected in 2023, I have gained a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the district and town.  As a member of the RTM Finance, Planning and Zoning, Employee Compensation and Library, Museum and Arts committees, I have worked to actively engage our local government in the interests and concerns of our district community.  

I have the non-partisan perspective, understanding and concern necessary to ensure Westport continues to grow and evolve as an outstanding place to live and raise families.

I am particularly attuned to the needs of the District 2 community including the threats posed by unchecked development, traffic/speeding, environmental issues and the accompanying negative impact on safety and quality of life.  During my first 2 terms on the RTM, I gained an understanding of how Westport can continue to grow while maintaining high-quality schools, recreation and town services.

What’s important

• Modernize town and school infrastructure 
• Support local zoning to responsibly expand affordable housing 
• Maintain Westport’s historically low mill rate and property taxes 
• Preserve our parks, beaches and recreational facilities, including Longshore upgrades
• Advocate for speeding and traffic enforcement in District 2 to make streets safe for all walkers, runners, bikers and motorists
• Safeguard and support Earthplace and Harbor Watch

Harris Falk

Almost 15 years ago, my wife, Liz, and I moved to Westport. Here we raise two wonderful children, one a graduate of the Westport schools, the other a high school junior. Our home is shared with two cats, two fish, and one snake.

A polymath and factotum (fancy words for Jack of all trades), I have always felt more comfortable behind the scenes doing research and developing solutions, whether as Assistant Director for the Governor of New York in the 90s, as Director of IT of the Whitney Museum, as a freelance consultant, a Chief Technology Officer, or even a pipe organ builder. If a job needed doing, I learned it, and I did it.

Public speaking has never been my forte, I hate it.

However, community calls for participation. So, I am compelled to step out of my comfort zone. I believe in value, efficiency, effectiveness, openness, and doing what is best, not just for me and my family but for everyone and their families, for the community.

I’ve been involved in the PTA, the Library, many other local organizations, and served two terms on the RTM. I am a known fixture at meetings of the Town and do the research into the past and the present to find solutions for the Westport of the future.

Ultimately, the role of being a representative on the Representative Town Meeting is to represent. Represent the people. Listen to their voices and do what is best for the community. 

Shall means shall.

Melissa Levy

I have gained a tremendous amount of experience during my first term on the
RTM. I have learned about the nuanced process of how meetings are run, created
respectful relationships with my fellow RTM members, town staff and other
elected officials as well as made myself available to my constituents when they
have had questions or problems that needed to be solved.

I have demonstrated my enthusiasm for doing this work by thoroughly evaluating
any issue that comes before the RTM, listening to and speaking with my
constituents and making my voice heard, even when it is challenged or challenging
to do so.

I plan to continue to dive into the numerous important topics that have arisen
within our town and to speak up for the voices that I represent.
Westport is currently facing multiple major topics that need to be assessed and
addressed thoroughly and also properly communicated to the public so that they
understand the issues.

Whether it’s traffic, infrastructure, spending or transportation, it is important to
have elected officials that are willing and able to listen to all sides of the issue,
understand the inherent challenges, communicate effectively, and make the best
possible decision to keep our town healthy and thriving.

I’m grateful to have the opportunity to do this work and will continue on the same
path in my next term.