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The What

The What: Poor Air Quality Poses a Challenge to Fairfield County Residents, Bridgeport Day at the State Capitol, and more

The What is your look around southwest Connecticut for the week of May 19.

The What: Poor Air Quality Poses a Challenge to Fairfield County Residents, Bridgeport Day at the State Capitol, and more
The unofficial start of summer is almost here! (Photo by Kelly Prinz)

Monday, May 19

Happy Monday! With Memorial Day next Monday, we’ll be in your inbox on Tuesday next week. 

Highlights 

This section gives a brief overview of the key items in the newsletter.

  • A new report from the American Lung Association states that Fairfield County has the worst air quality in the NYC metro area. Check our new piece on the report or dive into our previous reporting on this issue.  
  • Members of the Bridgeport school community are heading to Hartford on Monday, May 19 at 10 a.m. for Bridgeport Day at the Capitol. The goal, according to a statement from the school district is to “advocate for increased funding and equitable education for every student in our city,” in light of the budget issues the district is facing.
  • In Norwalk, there will be an Affordable Housing Informational Fair on Thursday, May 22 at 6 p.m. where residents can learn about resources available to them and get questions answered such as if they qualify for affordable housing or what types of down payment assistance are available to them. 

Spotlight

This section features our main reporting each week.

Fairfield County has the worst air quality in the NYC metro area, as residents experienced more than 20 unhealthy air quality days from 2021 to 2023, according to a new report. Air quality is an issue we’ve covered at Coastal Connecticut Times before, as this is something that affects many residents in our region.

The 2025 “State of the Air” report from the American Lung Association grades exposure to unhealthy levels of ozone air pollution—also known as smog—and exposure to particle pollution—also known as soot. Across the country, the report found that “156 million people (46%) are living in areas that had unhealthy levels of air pollution.”

“Unfortunately, too many people in Connecticut are living with unhealthy levels of both ozone and particle pollution,” Ruth Canovi, director of advocacy for Connecticut for the American Lung Association, said in a statement. “This air pollution is causing kids to have asthma attacks, making people who work outdoors sick and unable to work, and leading to low birth weight in babies.” 

Officials from Connecticut’s Department of Energy & Environmental Protection noted that the state “suffers from some of the worst air quality in the United States.” In 2024, the state had 23 days that exceeded the federal level for ozone pollution. Officials noted that air pollution is often linked to respiratory illnesses like asthma. 

Dive into air quality issues in the region, check out our previous reporting on this issue, or watch our video. 

This Week at a Glance

This section aims to highlight the most important meetings and news taking place each week.

  • In Bridgeport, members of the school community are heading to Hartford on Monday, May 19 at 10 a.m. for Bridgeport Day at the Capitol. The goal, according to a statement from the school district is to “advocate for increased funding and equitable education for every student in our city,” in light of the budget issues the district is facing.
  • In Stamford, the Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. and vote on the superintendent’s plan to reduce the budget by the $3.5 million cut by the Board of Finance.
  • Also in Stamford, the Zoning Board will continue its public hearing on Monday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. on an amendment to create a research overlay zone around UCONN Stamford. Officials said this would “promote higher education and cultural institutions, encourage affordable housing for students, faculty, and staff, allow for faculty, students, and staff to live in the vicinity of their work, promote uses that complement the needs of higher education and cultural institutions, improve multimodal access and create a more pedestrian-oriented environment.” Residents have questioned what this means for those who currently live in the neighborhood and if they will be forced out. 
  • In Norwalk, there will be a Charter Revision Commission Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. Check out the revised draft of the city charter ahead of time. 
  • Also in Norwalk, there will be an Affordable Housing Informational Fair on Thursday, May 22 at 6 p.m. where residents can learn about resources available to them and get questions answered such as if they qualify for affordable housing or what types of down payment assistance are available to them. 
  • In Fairfield, the Flood Prevention, Climate Resilience and Erosion Control Board will receive an update on the Master Flood Mitigation and Resilience Plan at its meeting on Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m.
  • In Greenwich, the Board of Estimate & Taxation will set the town mill rate, or how taxes are calculated at its meeting on Monday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. It will also receive an update on the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
  • In Darien, the Board of Selectmen will meet on Monday, May 19 at 7 p.m. and receive an update on projects to address flooding issues in town. 
  • In Westport, the Hamlet at Saugatuck proposal, which would be a new commercial center in town that includes 57 residential units, retail, restaurants, a hotel, and a rehabilitated office building, is still in front of the Planning and Zoning Commission which is meeting on Monday, May 19 at 6 p.m. 

Plan Your Week

This section includes a list of meetings, events, and programming happening around southwest Connecticut each week.

Bridgeport

Stamford

Norwalk

Fairfield

Greenwich

Darien

Westport

Stay in touch!

As we continue to grow and evolve, please join us! You can do that by:

Please note: All of these agendas and information here are current as of Sunday night. Meeting times and agendas may get adjusted throughout the week.

Have a great week,

Kelly Prinz

Founder, Reporter at Coastal Connecticut Times

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