Westport Finance Board to Review $17. 6M School Projects and More
The board will gather at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Westport Town Hall. The session will be open to the public and can be followed on Channel 79 or streamed via the town’s website. Residents can find the agenda online by clicking the provided link.
A major request on the table is a $17,569,712 allocation for the Board of Education’s building plans in fiscal year 2027. This sum covers a range of upgrades. Greens Farms School will seek $2,235,137 for roof work and exhaust fan fixes. Staples High School needs $1,523,082 for new air handling units near the pool area. Staples also aims for $1,451,934 to replace cooling towers and conduct a structural review. Additional items include $1,322,330 for gas‑fired rooftop units at Staples, $1,103,973 for hot water pump replacements, and $1,038,982 for cooling towers at Saugatuck Elementary. The district also wants $1,036,921 for science lab upgrades at Bedford Middle School and funds for other mechanical and facility improvements.
Other capital ideas are also on the list. The town plans to spend $3.56 million to replace water lines at Longshore Club Park, with money going to the Municipal Improvement Fund. Public safety gear includes a $404,852.36 renewal for body and dashboard cameras used by the police department. The fire department seeks up to $225,000 for a used aerial truck, covering $175,000‑$185,000 for the vehicle and $40,000‑$50,000 for prep and repairs. A separate discussion will cover school security funding for fiscal year 2027, and First Selectman Kevin Christie will present the town’s capital forecast for that year. The agenda also lists a finance director’s report and a presentation by Jeff Hammer on spending trends, both for discussion only. Finally, the board will consider approving minutes from its September 16 and October 7 meetings.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 79 or through westportct.gov. To find the stream, select "How Do I" then "Watch Town Meetings." All meeting documents will be posted on the town’s Meeting List & Calendar page for easy access.