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The What

The What: Research and Education on Manresa Wilds; New Plans for the Saugatuck area in Westport; and more

The What is your look around southwest Connecticut for the week of June 1.

The What: Research and Education on Manresa Wilds; New Plans for the Saugatuck area in Westport; and more
Hope your June is off to a great start—and filled with beach days, like the one pictured above! (Photo by Kelly Prinz)

Monday, June 1

Happy Monday! There’s something very satisfying about the first of the month falling on a Monday. I think it’s a sign that June is going to be a great month—and a busy one! Let’s see what’s going on around southwest Connecticut.

 Highlights 

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

Spotlight

This section features our main reporting each week.

“A hub for discovery and learning.” That’s the vision for the newly formed Research and Education Station (R.E.S.A.) at Manresa Wilds in Norwalk. 

The research consortium, which features five partners—Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), The Maritime Aquarium, Wesleyan University, Sacred Heart University, and Norwalk Public Schools—aims to expand environmental learning and scientific research along Long Island Sound, while providing hands-on learning opportunities to students of all ages. 

"Manresa Wilds should be a place of discovery, where people can help shape a more resilient future,” said Austin and Allison McChord in a statement. The McChords are the benefactors for Manresa Island Corp, the nonprofit transforming Manresa Island from a decommissioned power plant into a 125-acre community park called Manresa Wilds.

 “R.E.S.A. brings that vision to life by connecting students, researchers, and the broader community to the site. We’re excited to be supporting partnerships that will make Manresa Wilds a hub for learning and coastal stewardship for generations to come,” the McChords said. 

One of the main overarching goals of R.E.S.A is to help “strengthen the region’s capacity to understand and respond to the climate challenges reshaping Connecticut’s coastline.”

Officials celebrated R.E.S.A. on Friday, May 29, at Veterans’ Park in Norwalk. Jessica Vonashek, executive director of Manresa Island Corp, dubbed it a “huge milestone” day for the project, and said it was “one of the clearest examples of what Manresa can become.” 

Go deeper into the new research initiative. You can also explore our video piece on the overall Manresa Wilds project. 

This Week at a Glance

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

Bridgeport

Featured Meetings: The City Council will meet on Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m. to review and take action on numerous items including scheduling a public hearing for an easement for United lluminating at 1130 Broad Street. Also on Monday, June 1, the Board of Education will discuss and vote on approving an executive search firm for the superintendent position at 5:30 p.m. 

Stamford

Featured Meeting: The Board of Representatives will meet on Monday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. to review and take action on numerous items including approving additional funding for the Stamford High School renovation project and a feasability study for a potential public boat launching facility at Stamford Harbor.  

Norwalk

Featured Meetings: The Board of Estimate & Taxation will meet on Monday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m. and vote on a special appropriation of $200,000 for recycling yard and food composting initiatives. On Wednesday, June 3, Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. and review a request to modify an approved application for 24 Belden Avenue to add a 99-room hotel and 102 housing units. 

Fairfield

Featured Meeting: The Board of Selectmen will meet on Tuesday, June 2 at 4 p.m. and receive an update on the budget and speed camera program in town. 

Greenwich

Featured Meeting: There will be a Joint RTM Committee Meeting of Education, Finance, Land Use, Legislative and Rules and Public Works on Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m. which will include the review of multiple items including the town’s speed camera program and interim funding for the Central Middle School project. 

Darien

Featured Meeting: The Board of Selectmen will meet on Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m. to receive an annual update on Darien TV and vote on numerous items including being a part of a pathogen monitoring network.

Westport

Featured Meetings: It’s a busy one at the Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday, June 1 at 6 p.m. The commission will be getting its first official look—through a preapplication presentation—for the next proposal for the former Hamlet site. Spinnaker Developers are proposing 157 residential units (of which 10% would be affordable) along with a “complimentary mixed-use component” along Riverside Avenue. In addition, the commission is reviewing its own proposed text amendments for the Saugatuck Marina area (and other portions of the town). On Wednesday, June 3, the Board of Finance will meet at 7:30 p.m. and vote on appropriating $1.1 million for Safe Streets initiatives. 

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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