Dear Sustainable Westport Community,

The future of our town is in your hands! The Town of Westport is hosting two crucial public meetings, and we’re counting on you to make your voice heard.

Whether or not you joined us for “Walkable Westport” with Urban Planner and Author Jeff Speck, you have a unique perspective to share on how we can transform Westport into a more walkable, bikeable, and sustainable community. 

At the upcoming Traffic & Pedestrian Safety meeting on October 17, you’ll have the opportunity to provide feedback and ideas on improving safety for all residents. And on October 23, the Westport Downtown Plan Public Charette will gather community input on the development of Jesup Green, the Imperial Lot, and potential parking solutions.

This is your chance to directly influence the future of our town. Together, we can create a healthier, more accessible Westport that works for everyone. Can’t attend? Scroll down for additional ways to share feedback with town officials.

Save the date, share your ideas, voice your concerns, and let’s work together to create a healthier and safer community for all. 

Sincerely,

Gately Ross & Johanna Martell
Co-Directors of Sustainable Westport

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE YOUR VOICE

Traffic & Pedestrian Safety
Thursday, October 17
7:00 p.m.
Town Hall Auditorium

Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Public Meeting. Presentation on the results of the SS4A Safety Action Plan Survey from Tighe and Bond and updates addressing ongoing road, traffic, and pedestrian safety initiatives throughout Westport will be discussed. 

Westport Downtown Plan Public Charette
Wednesday, October 23
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Westport Library, Brooks Room

The public charette will be a two-hour interactive event where people can learn about the project, ask questions, and give feedback. There will be maps and displays to help guide discussions. We will be gathering community ideas and concerns to shape upgrades to Jesup Green, the Imperial Lot, and the potential for structured parking.

CAN’T ATTEND? 

If you can’t attend in person, Sustainable Westport urges residents to use the following channels to share their feedback:

• If you were inspired by ideas from Walkable Westport, including the design of Parker Harding, speak up and share your opinion by emailing the RTM (RTM-DL@Westportct.gov), the Planning and Zoning Commission (PandZ@Westportct.gov), and our First Selectwoman Jen Tooker (JTooker@Westportct.gov).  
• If you want to address traffic and safety issues, Ms. Tooker has a survey on her office’s website or email the head of the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Task Force, Tom Kiely (Tkiely@westportct.gov).
• If you have other ideas about the downtown redevelopment, including the incorporation of parking structures, please share your feedback with the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee (DPIC) here.

With National Drive Electric Week here (Sept. 27-Oct. 6), there’s no better time to start exploring the transition to electric. Are you curious about making the switch but unsure where to start? The EV Club of CT has made the process easier than ever with its comprehensive EV guide that compares all of the current EVs on the market.

Concerned about the upfront cost of an EV? There are currently around 20 incredible electric vehicles that cost less than $50K and nearly 40 that are under 70K.

Worried about range anxiety? The EV guide breaks down the details of over 70 EV models currently available, including battery range, charging speeds for various chargers, and more. You’ll get a clear picture of what today’s EVs can really do.

The guide examines the total cost of EV ownership, explaining how fuel and maintenance savings can offset the higher sticker price. It also offers solutions for charging at home, at work, and on the road so you can feel confident about keeping your EV powered up.

Ready to make the switch to an emissions-free ride? Download the EV Club of CT’s  EV guide now to explore all the exciting electric options on the market. 

Learn the “how” and “why” of composting with Westport-based author Scott Smith, Park City Compost Initiative founder and executive director Tim O’Connor, and Sustainable Westport co-director Gately Ross.

Composting not only benefits a backyard garden; it can be a simple, homemade solution for bigger issues such as reducing waste, improving soil, boosting biodiversity, and combating climate change. Backyard composting also strengthens efforts in making communities more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Whether you have a garden or not, composting can be a small way to make a big change.

Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

Scott Smith is a longtime Westport resident, avid gardener, and author of On Compost: A Year in the Life of a Suburban Garden. Smith’s book illustrates how composting can reduce waste, enrich soil, and combat climate change. More than just a guide to composting, On Compost is a heartfelt ode to community and connection. Through his narrative, Smith shows how a simple compost heap can bring neighbors together, foster a sense of community, and create shared experiences. Smith’s passion for sustainability is infectious, and his detailed guidance makes it easy for readers to start their own composting journey.

Tim O’Connor is the executive director and certified transfer station/volume reduction facility operator by CT DEEP at Park City Compost. He worked for Scott Paper, Cannondale Associates, and Diageo before starting his own consulting company. He serves on a number of non-profit boards in the arts, education, and community development.

Dr. Gately Ross joined Sustainable Westport as co-director in September 2021, bringing a strong commitment to sustainability and conservation. Throughout her career, she has focused on the health and conservation of wild and domestic animals and their environment. She combines her extensive clinical veterinary practice experience with a deep understanding of ecology and the impact of human activities on populations and ecosystems. Gately uses her expertise to foster sustainable practices, create projects, and build partnerships that engage and inspire Westport residents to join Sustainable Westport’s mission. Gately has called Westport home since 2007, with her husband, their three sons, and their rescue dog.

Bravo to our Zero Waste Team who volunteered this weekend at Westport Rotary’s LobsterFest. Together, we helped divert 1,000 POUNDS of food from our waste stream! Special shout out to members of the Staples Players for volunteering with energy and enthusiasm to help us reduce waste and encourage sustainable practices in our community.

This is the second year that Sustainable Westport has partnered with the Westport Rotary LobsterFest to implement eco-friendly event practices. We applaud their commitment to making LobsterFest both successful and more sustainable. Wondering how you can make your next at-home event more sustainable? Check out the Sustainable Hospitality Guide on our website.

The Sustainable Westport Zero Food Waste Team will be volunteering at the Westport Rotary LobsterFest at Compo Beach on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. Learn more and purchase tickets to Lobsterfest here.

Help us make Lobsterfest a Zero-Waste event! 🦞🍽️ We’re looking for volunteers leading up to and onsite during the event to help prepare and run our Zero Waste Stations.

💚 Food Scrap Sorting Leaders Needed: If you are knowledgeable about food scrap collection and want to lead by example, we need your expertise to help train our onsite volunteers in sorting waste effectively.

💚General Volunteers: From assisting with preparing materials before the event to engaging attendees with waste disposal tips onsite, there are several opportunities to jump in and help reduce waste and contribute to making Lobsterfest a truly sustainable event. No experience necessary!

📧 Interested in Volunteering? Email zerowaste@sustainablewestport.org to sign up and coordinate your shifts. 

Sustainable Westport recently hosted “Walkable Westport,” an evening conversation designed to encourage our community to consider short and long-term opportunities to transform Westport into a more walkable, bike-friendly, and sustainable community. The gathering brought together residents, organizations, and renowned urban planner Jeff Speck to discuss the importance of walkability and its positive impact on the economy, environment, and overall quality of life. The event was a resounding success, leaving nearly 200 residents not just inspired but also feeling a part of a larger movement, motivated to help shape the future of Westport.

Sustainable Westport Co-Directors, Gately Ross and Johanna Martell opened the event by expressing their gratitude to the attendees and sponsors who made the evening possible. In her opening remarks, Martell shared, “We believe that creating a more walkable Westport is key to fostering a sustainable and economically vibrant environment. It’s about making small changes and big commitments that will benefit us all in the long run.”

The highlight of the evening was Jeff Speck’s insightful keynote address, which highlighted not only his personal experience in urban planning but also his learnings from various economists, environmentalists, and epidemiologists, who all advocate for walkability from various perspectives. As Jeff explained, “Changing all your lightbulbs to energy savers saves as much energy in a year as moving to a walkable neighborhood saves in a week. Location efficiency plays a pivotal role in reducing our carbon footprint and creating a greener future.”

In his presentation, Jeff explored how parking, vehicle size, speed limits, the environment, the number of lanes, and the width of our city blocks and roads impact walkability and safety. 

As Jeff explained, “It’s not enough to rely solely on electric cars or individual efforts. We must embrace a collective change in mindset and design our communities to prioritize walkability. Together, we can create a more sustainable and vibrant Westport.”

The morning after the community event, a small group of local officials including the First Selectwoman and members of the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee (DPIC) met with Speck and Sustainable Westport to discuss some of the ideas included in Jeff’s presentation. During the workshop, Speck reiterated the importance of a comprehensive master plan that addresses parking policy and strategy alongside riverfront redesign and other development efforts.

On the heels of Jeff’s visit, Sustainable Westport urges residents to continue the conversation by actively contributing to the vision of a walkable Westport:

• If you were inspired by Jeff’s ideas, including his design of Parker Harding, speak up and share your opinion by emailing the RTM (RTM-DL@Westportct.gov), the Planning and Zoning Commission (PandZ@Westportct.gov), and our First Selectwoman Jen Tooker (JTooker@Westportct.gov).  
• If you want to address traffic and safety issues, Ms. Tooker has a survey on her office’s website or email the head of the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Task Force, Tom Kiely (Tkiely@westportct.gov).
• If you have other ideas about the downtown redevelopment, including the incorporation of parking structures, please share your feedback with the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee (DPIC) here and be on the lookout for opportunities to participate and share your voice at upcoming DPIC public forums (dates to be announced).

More about Jeff Speck: Jeff Speck is a city planner and author who advocates internationally for more walkable cities. As Director of Design at the National Endowment for the Arts from 2003 through 2007, he presided over the Mayors’ Institute on City Design and created the Governors’ Institute on Community Design. Prior to his federal appointment, Mr. Speck spent ten years as Director of Town Planning at DPZ & Co., the principal firm behind the New Urbanism movement. Since 2007, he has led Speck & Associates — now Speck Dempsey —an award-winning urban planning firm serving public and private clients around the world.

With Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Mr. Speck is the co-author of Suburban Nation, which the Wall Street Journal calls “the urbanist’s bible.” His 2012 book Walkable City was the best-selling city planning title of the past decade and has been translated into eight languages. He is also the principal author of The Smart Growth Manual and Walkable City Rules.

Jeff Speck has been named a fellow of both the American Institute of Certified Planners and the Congress for New Urbanism. In a recent Planetizen poll, he was voted one of the ten “most influential urbanists of all time.” Mr. Speck was the 2022 recipient of the Seaside Prize, whose former awardees include Jane Jacobs and Christopher Alexander. His TED talks and YouTube videos have been viewed more than six million times.

Last weekend, Sustainable Westport joined forces with Earthplace and Boy Scout Group 36 to bring a Free Mattress/Box Spring Recycling Event to Westport. In total, we saved 78 mattresses and box springs from ending up in landfills or incinerators. Outstanding! 

Thanks to our partnership with Bye Bye Mattress, at least 75% of the materials collected will be recycled into new products. Wood is recycled and used as a fuel source or shredded to produce landscaping mulch. Foam, fiber, and other soft commodities are compressed and turned

into carpet underlayment or animal bed padding. Metal and box springs are extracted and sent to recyclers to make new appliances and building materials. This achievement demonstrates our community’s commitment to reducing waste and preserving our natural resources.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to Boy Scout Troop 36, who helped promote this opportunity to reduce waste, worked diligently to pick up mattresses from community members, and loaded the trucks to be sent off for recycling!

If you missed the recycling event, don’t worry! You can still recycle your mattress or box spring at any time. Simply give Park City Green a call ahead of time to arrange drop-off:

Park City Green
459 Iranistan Ave
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Phone: 203-212-3858

Join us for “Walkable Westport” on Tuesday, June 4, at the Bedford Middle School Auditorium. 

6:00 – 6:30 p.m. Welcome Reception

6:30 p.m. Lecture

Sustainable Westport, along with several community partners, is excited to bring world-renowned Urban Planner and Author Jeff Speck to Westport for an evening of education, inspiration, and dialogue. Jeff will share his perspective on how Westport could be more walkable, bikeable, and environmentally and economically sustainable. Drawing from his extensive experience and firsthand observations of Westport, he will provide recommendations on short and long-term opportunities to not only reduce traffic but create a safe environment for pedestrians and cyclists. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with your neighbors and contribute to the future of Westport.

WHO IS JEFF SPECK?

Jeff has dedicated his career to advocating for and implementing sustainable urban design practices across the country. He is the author of Walkable City, a best-selling city-planning title, and the co-author of Suburban Nation, which the Wall Street Journal calls “the urbanist’s bible.” His TED Talks “The Walkable City” and “4 Ways to Make a City More Walkable” have been viewed millions of times. Jeff did a similar, incredibly well-received presentation this year in New Canaan.

We are looking forward to bringing Jeff’s expertise to Westport!