Gordon Joseloff First Selectman

any well-wishers have asked me repeatedly in the three weeks I’ve been in office how I like the job. I’ve told them I’m enjoying it but still am getting accustomed to the pace.

To give you an idea of what it’s been like these past couple of weeks, here’s a rundown of how my day went Monday (with some excerpts from my notes and memory, such as it is).

8 a.m. – Reported to the headquarters of the Norwalk Transit District for my first meeting of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, known as the MPO. For those unfamiliar, the MPO is the federally-mandated transportation planning agency for our region that works hand-in-hand with the South West Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA).

Staffers briefed area CEOs on the status of various projects, ranging from the big (new rail cars on the New Haven line – coming in 2009, ugh) to the small (Westport’s Saugatuck train station will get a backlit display showing the Westport Transit District routes).

9:45 a.m. - After the formal meeting, Pamela Kilbey-Fox of the Connecticut Department of Health briefed us on an April exercise that simulates a bioterrorism incident. The Westport Weston Health District is participating and will go through an actual drill involving dispensing medication to residents at Bedford Middle School. (They need volunteers to participate – contact Sue Jacozzi at the district to sign up.)

10 a.m. – Met with Lou Schulman, director of the Norwalk Transit District, and Bud Titsworth, the Westport rep to the district, on various issues. Among them was the often expressed concern by parents about their kids standing on after school buses that take their children to various activities. We may need to add a fourth bus to the three already assigned.

The district is pushing for bus shelters in the vicinity of Stop & Shop. There is one shelter in a turn around area but not on the main Post Road East roadway. P&Z approval will be needed as well as permission from the property owners.

11 a.m. – Back at Town Hall for a meeting with Finance Director Don Miklus. (Second Selectman) Shelly Kassen joined us. Discussed reval, our liability on medical costs for current employees and retirees, as well as the internal auditing process.

11:30 a.m. – Meeting with Fire Chief Chris Ackley. Discussed need for training facilities, open positions, minority recruitment, personnel matters.

12:30 p.m. – Conferred by phone with Tax Assessor Bill Gaffney on the reval notices going out today from our Massachusetts-based company. Bill has high confidence in the numbers. (Keeping fingers crossed.)

12:45 p.m. – Quick lunch break at home. Made calls en route both ways.

1:30 p.m. – Meeting at Westport Fire Headquarters to demonstrate prototype of software for the Tax Collector’s office.

2:15 p.m. – Returned call to Will Rowlands, editor of the Westport News, who asked about the menorah that’s been sitting in a case in the third floor hallway for two years after it was gifted to the town and Diane Farrell. (I had asked Town Attorney Ira Bloom to research the issue following a complaint from a constituent who said there should be a Christian religious symbol in Town Hall as well.)

Decided the menorah will be moved downstairs next to the “Heritage Tree” being erected by the Westport Historical Society for the holiday season (just as it was last year ) – then put in storage until next December. Also agreed that we will have a Christian (and any other religion’s) symbol next to the tree as well. Rowlands said John Izzo had written a letter complaining that Town Hall did not call our tree a Christmas tree. Told them John never complained to me but that he can call the tree whatever he likes – I’ll stick to what the Historical Society calls it, a “Heritage Tree.”

2:30 p.m. – Westport Center for Senior Activities – Officiated at the second annual Westport Weston Y’s Men Camera Club contest and exhibition. The pictures are outstanding. We have so many talented photographers in Westport. Larry Untermeyer, perhaps best known as a WestportNow contributing photographer, walked off with three top prizes, including Best in Show.

3:30 p.m. – Back at Town Hall for the decorating and lighting of the “Heritage Tree.”

4 p.m. – Meeting with Dave Matlow to discuss our “Celebrate Westport” initiative and other matters.

4:30 p.m. – Returned phone calls and answered e-mails. One call was from a Saugatuck El fifth grader doing an interview for his school paper. Getting lots of good response to my call for volunteers for a technology task force. We have so many talented Westporters willing to give their time. Now must figure out how to pull it together.

5:30 p.m. – Off to Fairfield for a Peoples Bank holiday reception.

7 p.m. – Stopped at home to let out Abby (my Sheltie).

7:30 p.m. – Back to Town Hall where I sat in for a while at a Parks and Rec Commission meeting.

8 p.m. – Moved over to the Town Hall Auditorium where three RTM committees were holding a hearing on a petition to reverse a P&Z decision on creation of a new Saugatuck Business District area.

10:30 p.m. – Headed home where I answered phone calls and e-mail.

1:15 a.m. – To bed, after posting this.