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WESTPORT, Conn. Theres just one day left until Westport residents head to the polls and cast their votes in this years municipal election. Residents will vote for their favorite candidates in six races: Board of Finance, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Assessment Appeals, and Representative Town Meeting.
Board of Finance
The Board of Finance has seven members who serve four-year terms. Among its responsibilities, the board reviews and approves the town and Board of Education budgets, sets the towns tax rate and approves supplemental appropriates.
Five candidates are running for four seats. They are: Incumbent Ken Wirfel (Democrat), Janis Collins (Democrat), incumbent Tom Lasersohn (Republican), John Pincavage (Republican), and Michael Rea (Republican).
Board of Education
The Board of Education is made up of seven members, each serving four-year terms. Its chief responsibilities include overseeing operation and maintenance of the towns public schools, reviewing and revising curriculum, and proposing an education budget to the Board of Finance.
Four candidates are running for three seats. They are: Incumbent Mark Mathias (Democrat), Michael Gordon (Democrat), Jeannie Smith (Republican) and Jennifer Tooker (Republican.)
Planning and Zoning Commission
The Planning and Zoning Commission has seven members who serve four-year terms, and three alternates serve two-year terms. The commission oversees development in town, and its responsibilities include reviewing and approving home improvement and land development proposals.
There are five candidates running for four seats. They are: Incumbent Catherine Walsh (Republican/Save Westport Now), Chip Stephens (Republican/Save Westport Now), Jack Whittle (Republican/Save Westport Now), Al Gratrix (Republican/Save Westport Now), and Jennifer Johnson (Democrat).
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals comprises five members who serve four-year terms. Three alternates serve three-year terms. This board acts as a court of appeals for planning and zoning regulations. The board is responsible for reviewing and granting requests for variances from planning and zoning regulations.
Three candidates are running for three seats. They are: Incumbent James Ezzes (Democrat), incumbent Elizabeth Wong (Republican), and incumbent William Harris Jr. (Republican).
Board of Assessment Appeals
The Board of Assessment Appeals is made up of three members who serve four-year terms. It serves as a court of appeals on property values and is responsible for reviewing appeals on property tax assessments after a townwide revaluation and home improvements.
One candidate running for the lone seat: Incumbent Garson Heller Jr. (Republican).
Representative Town Meeting
The Representative Town Meeting is a nonpartisan body of 36 members from nine districts who serve two-year terms. It serves as the towns legislative body. Known as the RTM, its responsibilities include adopting town ordinances, granting final approval on appropriations, granting final approval on the town and Board of Education budgets, and hearing appeals on Planning and Zoning decisions.
There are four elected representatives in each district. The following are the candidates.
District One: Incumbent Matthew Mandell, incumbent Diane Cady, Don Bergmann and Cornelia Olsen.
District Two: Incumbent Sean Timmins, incumbent Jay Keenan, incumbent Michael Guthman, Joseph Arcudi, Frank Rac, Louis Mall and Catherine Calise.
District Three: Incumbent William Meyer, incumbent Hadley Rose, incumbent Amy Ancel, Jimmy Izzo and Melissa Kane.
District Four: Incumbent Jeffrey Wieser, incumbent Jonathan Cunitz, incumbent George Underhill and David Floyd.
District Five: Incumbent Richard Lowenstein, incumbent John Suggs, incumbent Paul Rossi and Dewey Loselle.
District Six: Incumbent Cathy Talmadge, incumbent Christopher Urist, incumbent Paul Lebowitz and Hope Feller.
District Seven: Incumbents Jack Klinge, Allen Bomes, Stephen Rubin and Arthur Ashman.
District Eight: Incumbent Lois Schine, incumbent Wendy Batteau, incumbent Heather Cherry and Lee Arthurs.
District Nine: Incumbent Velma Heller, incumbent Eileen Flug, incumbent John McCarthy, Gilbert Nathan and Sal Liccione.
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