The What: School Construction Updates; New Greenwich Train Station; and Budget Meetings

Monday, February 2

Happy Monday! I cannot believe it’s already February. This week, we’ve got updates for you on two areas we’ve been reporting on and a bunch of important meetings, so let’s dive in.

Highlights 

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

• Stamford and Norwalk are two of the largest districts in the region and they have some of the biggest construction programs. Here’s the latest on a few of their projects.
• After months of construction, the new Greenwich train station is officially open. We previously took you in and around the area through our All Aboard series.   
• Fairfield is hosting a special election for its First Selectperson on Tuesday, February 3.

Spotlight

This section features our main reporting each week.

As we’ve previously reported, districts across Connecticut are investing millions of dollars to upgrade their school facilities. 

Stamford and Norwalk are two of the largest districts in the region and they have some of the biggest construction programs. Here’s the latest on a few of their projects.

• The Stamford Board of Finance approved demolition plans for the Roxbury and Westhill school sites, but cautioned school officials that it expected to review all the contracts related to the construction program. “The board has to be apprised of any contract and you have to come before us for any amount over $100K so if you do want the funding you have to come back and get our approval on the contract,” Chair Mary Lou Rinaldi told the school district officials in January. The board also asked for a detailed update on the projects which is now scheduled for Thursday, February 5 at 7 p.m.
• Norwalk has pushed back its plans to replace West Rocks Middle School with a “new state-of-the-art” building by one year in an effort to get a little more state reimbursement for the project. 
• Norwalk community members are invited to an open house related to the new planned roundabout at the intersection of Meadow Street, South Main Street, and Wilson Avenue near the South Norwalk Elementary School. 
• And speaking of the South Norwalk school, it could soon have a new name as the Land Use and Building Management Committee is reviewing a request to name it after Dr. Ruby Shaw, a local educator and leader. 

In addition, commuters got their first look inside the new Greenwich train station this week which opened on January 30 after months of renovations. 

The new station aims to “enhance access and improve the experience for anyone using the train station,” according to a statement from First Selectman Fred Camillo.

While the station itself is open, construction is continuing in the area as part of the overall “Greenwich Crossing” project. That work includes a new 5,000-square-foot “anchor” restaurant, improved building facades, and landscaping improvements. That work is expected to continue into spring. 

“It is going to enhance our downtown and my congratulations go out to Ashforth for completion of this much-needed phase of the project,” Camillo said.

Learn more about the station or check out our video that goes in and around the area.

This Week at a Glance

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

• In Bridgeport, the Board of Park Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, February 3 at 5:30 p.m. to receive a presentation on the Park Equity Accelerator ParkScore Project, which aims to assess the parks within the system.
• In Stamford, the Board of Finance will meet on Thursday, February 5 at 7 p.m. to receive an update on the school construction projects at Westhill High School and Roxbury Elementary School.
• Also in Stamford, there will be a Board of Education Public Budget Hearing on Thursday, February 5 at 7 p.m.
• In Norwalk, there will be a Roundabout Open House on Monday, February 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the South Norwalk Elementary School where residents are invited to learn more about the installation of the City's first roundabout. 
• In Fairfield, there is a special election for its First Selectperson on Tuesday, February 3.
• In Greenwich, the Board of Estimate and Taxation is beginning its review of the proposed budget, starting on Tuesday, February 3 at 9 a.m.
• In Darien, the Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, February 3 at 7 p.m. and post a public hearing on the proposed budget. 
• In Westport, there will be a Board of Finance Budget Meeting on Monday, February 2 at 6 p.m., where the board will review human services, parks and recreation, the Wakeman Town Farm, and public works. 

Plan Your Week

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

Bridgeport

• Monday, February 2: City Council at 7 p.m. | Police Commission at 6 p.m. 
• Tuesday, February 3: Board of Park Commissioners at 5:30 p.m. 
• Thursday, February 5: Miscellaneous Matters Committee at 6 p.m.

Stamford

• Monday, February 2: Board of Representatives at 7:30 p.m. | Harbor Management Commission at 5:30 p.m. | Police Commission at 5 p.m. 
• Tuesday, February 3: Planning Board at 6:30 p.m. | Board of Education at 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, February 5: Board of Finance at 7 p.m. | Board of Education Public Budget Hearing at 7 p.m.

Norwalk

• Monday, February 2: Roundabout Open House at 5:30 p.m. 
• Tuesday, February 3: Public Works Committee at 7 p.m. | Board of Education at 7:15 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 4: ADA Transition Committee at 10 a.m. | Planning and Zoning Commission at 6 p.m. | Land Use & Building Management Committee at 7 p.m. | Fair Rent Commission at 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, February 5: Economic and Community Development at 7 p.m | Shellfish Commission at 7 p.m.

Fairfield

• Tuesday, February 3: Dwight School Building Committee at 2 p.m. | Housing Authority at 6 p.m. | Sustainable Fairfield at 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 4: Fairfield Cares Leadership at 8:30 a.m. | Board of Selectpersons at 4 p.m. | Board of Education Finance Committee at 5:30 p.m. | Inland Wetlands Committee at 7 p.m.
• Thursday, February 5: Economic Development Commission at 8:30 a.m. | Zoning Board of Appeals at 3 p.m. | Board of Finance at 7 p.m. | Fire Commission at 7 p.m.
• Friday, February 6: Sustainable Fairfield Food and Waste Committee at 8 a.m.

Greenwich

• Monday, February 2: RTM Special Joint Committee Meeting of Budget Overview, Education, Finance & Legislative & Rules at 7 p.m. 
• Tuesday, February 3: Board of Estimate and Taxation Budget Meeting Day 1 at 9 a.m. | First Selectman’s Youth Commission Board at 7 p.m. | Planning & Zoning Commission at 4 p.m. 
• Wednesday, February 4: Representative Town Meeting at 8 p.m. 
• Thursday, February 5: Board of Estimate and Taxation Budget Meeting Day 2 at 9 a.m. | Conservation Commission at 7 p.m. | FS Sustainability Committee at 11 a.m. 
• Thursday, February 5: Board of Education at 7 p.m. 

Darien

• Monday, February 2: Board of Selectmen at 7 p.m. | RTM - Education Committee at 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 3: Sewer Commission at 4:30 p.m. | Board of Education at 7 p.m. | Planning & Zoning Commission at 7 p.m. 
• Wednesday, February 4: Environmental Protection Commission at 7 p.m. | RTM Finance & Budget at 7:30 p.m. | RTM Parks & Recreation at 7:30 p.m. 

Westport

• Monday, February 2: Planning and Zoning Commission at 6 p.m. | Board of Finance Budget Meeting at 6 p.m. 
• Tuesday, February 3: Zoning Board of Appeals at 6 p.m. | Representative Town Meeting at 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 4: Shellfish Commission at 6:30 p.m. | RTM Health & Human Services and RTM Environment Committees at 7:30 p.m. | Flood and Erosion Control Board at 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, February 5: TEAM Westport at 10 a.m. | Board of Education at 7 p.m.
• Friday, February 6: Conservation Commission at 1 p.m. 

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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