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The What

The What: Speed Cameras Across Lower Fairfield County, Manresa Wilds Proposal, and more

The What is your look around southwest Connecticut for the week of July 13.

The What: Speed Cameras Across Lower Fairfield County, Manresa Wilds Proposal, and more
Hope everyone is safe from the crazy storms we had at the start of last week. This weekend's weather was lovely. (Photo by Kelly Prinz)

Monday, July 13

Happy Monday! This week is a pretty busy one so we’ve got you covered. Hope you’re all enjoying your summer. 

Highlights 

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

  • Greenwich and Fairfield are two of the first communities in lower Fairfield County to implement speed cameras in school zones. But as speed camera programs begin to grow, some residents are raising concerns about them—particularly around issues of privacy. 
  • On a related note, following questions and concerns about the program, Fairfield is hosting a is hosting a Public Information Session on Vision Zero, Speed Cameras and Roadway Safety Initiatives on Tuesday, July 14 at 7 p.m. to allow members of the public to learn and ask questions about many of the roadway safety initiatives taking place in the town, particularly speed cameras. 
  • In Norwalk, the Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Wednesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. and continue discussing and reviewing the application from Manresa Wilds for a map change and zone creation for a proposed privately owned public park at the site of the old power plant. Residents are invited to weigh in on the proposal, which officials said would be transformative for the city.

Spotlight

This section features our main reporting each week.

Ask any local official across southwest Connecticut what the biggest complaint from their constituents is and the answer is almost always reckless driving and/or speeding. 

That’s a main reason why local communities like Fairfield, Greenwich, and Stamford are implementing speed camera programs in their municipalities. 

“Speeding is the number one complaint received by the Greenwich Police Department and the Board of Selectmen—I will get calls every day,” Greenwich Sergeant JD Smith said at a public hearing on the cameras in May.

Fairfield Chief of Police Michael Paris said in a statement that he’s personally seen some of the “most horrific crashes imaginable,” and the goal of the cameras is to help make the streets safer.

“I have stood on roadways in the middle of the night next to mangled vehicles, comforted grieving families, and witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences that speeding can have on human life,” he wrote. “These are moments that stay with you forever, and they shape how you view traffic safety. Our goal with these cameras is simple: To slow drivers down and save lives.” 

But even though many residents say they want safer streets, some aren’t happy with the decision to turn to cameras.

“I believe there are real practical issues,” Greenwich resident and RTM member Danielle Eason said at the May hearing. “I also have real concerns about privacy related to the cameras. “Can other government agencies like ICE access the information? Can insurance companies or another FOIA the data? Can another state’s police department or attorney general’s office subpoena the data in a vigilante justice effort regarding women’s health care should someone seek healthcare in Connecticut?”

Let’s dive into the growth of speed cameras across the region (and the state), why communities are turning to them, and what some of the concerns are. You can also watch our highlight video on the issue. 

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 Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. and receive an update on projects in the city including the Remington Arms Munitions Factory and shot tower.

Bridgeport

Stamford

Featured Meetings: The Parks and Recreation Commission will meet on Wednesday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. and receive a presentation on the conceptual design plans to renovate the playground at Cummings Park.

Norwalk

Featured Meetings: The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Wednesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. and continue discussing and reviewing the application from Manresa Wilds for a map change and zone creation for the proposed privately owned public park. Residents are invited to weigh in on the proposal, which officials said would be transformative for the city. Explore the proposal for the site.

Fairfield

Featured Meeting: The town is hosting a Public Information Session on Vision Zero, Speed Cameras and Roadway Safety Initiatives on Tuesday, July 14 at 7 p.m. to allow members of the public to learn and ask questions about many of the roadway safety initiatives taking place in the town, particularly speed cameras. 

Greenwich

Darien

Featured Meeting: The  Board of Selectmen will meet on Monday, July 13 at 7 p.m. and receive an update on Great Island. 

Westport

Featured Meetings: Residents are invited to a Beach Resiliency Planning Presentation and Discussion on Monday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m. The event will include a presentation of the studies taking place at Compo Beach, Old Mill Beach, Burying Hill Beach, and Canal Beach, including existing site conditions, potential beach profiles, anticipated regulatory requirements and cost implications related to future beach resiliency planning. Also on Monday, July 13, the Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. and continue to discuss the proposed plans for 606 Riverside Avenue that call for bringing 165 units to the site, which was a part of the failed Hamlet plans at its meeting on Monday, July 6 at 6 p.m. 

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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