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The What

The What: Stamford Proposed Budget; Public Hearing on the Cribari Bridge; and more

The What is your look around southwest Connecticut for the week of March 16.

The What: Stamford Proposed Budget; Public Hearing on the Cribari Bridge; and more
Happy St. Patrick's Day this week if you're celebrating. (Photo by Kelly Prinz)

Monday, March 16

Happy Monday! Hope you’re all staying dry out there today.

Highlights 

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

Spotlight

This section features our main reporting each week.

Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons proposed a $747.4 million operating budget for the city and Board of Education, which is a 6.32% increase from the previous year. The total city-side of the budget is $365.2 million, or an increase of 5.6%, while the Board of Education budget is $372.1 million.

“The increases we’re seeing on the city and Board of Education side are higher than we’ve seen in years,” Simmons said at a joint meeting of the Board of Finance and Fiscal Committee of the Board of Representatives. 

She said that the budget “responsibly funds long-term obligations,” adds an additional $10 million to the school construction fund, and “reflects our values of delivering high quality services.” 

Learn more about Stamford’s proposed budget or find your community’s updates on our budget page.

And ICYMI, we took you inside the transformation of Southwest Connecticut’s waterfront. Explore our piece or watch our in-depth video.

This Week at a Glance

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

  • In Stamford, there will be a joint meeting of the Board of Finance and Fiscal Committee of the Board of Representatives on Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m. to review and discuss the proposed budget for the Board of Education. Other budget related meetings in the city this week include the Fiscal Committee of the Board of Representatives on Wednesday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. and the Board of Finance on Wednesday, March 18 at 7 p.m.
  • Also in Stamford, the Operations, Parks, and Recreation Committee is weighing a resolution to exempt qualified grocery stores in downtown and the South End from building permit fees at its meeting on Thursday, March 19 at 6 p.m. 
  • In Norwalk, the Ordinance Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 17 at 7 p.m. and review and discuss some new ordinances including one that would require a financial impact report for each piece of legislation passed in the city and one that would appoint a council member to the Board of Estimate and Taxation. In addition, the committee will review and discuss updates to the snow and ice removal ordinance. 
  • In Fairfield, the Board of Finance is continuing its budget reviews, with a look at the legal, pension, and insurance funds on Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m. and a look at public works and engineering on Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. 
  • Also in Fairfield, the Board of Selectpersons will meet on Wednesday, March 18 at 4 p.m. to review and discuss a plan to submit an application to the state for $1 million in grant funding for roadway and pedestrian safety improvements in the Greenfield Hill area. 
  • In Greenwich, the Planning & Zoning Commission will continue its review of the proposed plans for the new Dorothy Hamill Rink on Tuesday, March 17 at 4 p.m. 
  • In Darien, the Board of Finance will continue its budget discussion of town departments on Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Also in Darien, the RTM Planning, Zoning & Housing Committee will meet on Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. and discuss a proposed zoning amendment that would put a temporary moratorium on “large multi-family projects.” 
  • In Westport, members of the public are invited to attend a public hearing on the future plans for the Cribari Bridge, an historic swing bridge in the town that crosses the Saugatuck River on Thursday, March 19.

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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