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The What

The What: This Week in Southwest Connecticut

The What is your look around southwest Connecticut for the week of July 11.

The What: This Week in Southwest Connecticut
Happy Summer from the team at Coastal Connecticut Times. (Photo by Kelly Prinz)

Monday, July 11

Happy Monday!

I-95 is one of the largest highways in the country, spanning the East Coast from Maine in the north to Miami, Florida in the south. The 25+ mile section of I-95 that passes through our region, from the New York State border through Fairfield, is one of the most traveled.

A look at how construction projects on I-95 will impact our regions. (Photo by Kelly Prinz)

“More than a dozen mainline locations experience more than 160,000 vehicles on an average weekday and occur within Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Norwalk, and Bridgeport with somewhat lower volumes occurring through Westport, Fairfield, Stratford, Orange, Milford and West Haven,” a 2016 DOT study of I-95 congestion found.

With all of that use, the road needs a variety of improvements and additions to make sure it stays safe and usable for those who travel on it. However, because it’s such a popular travel option, any construction projects cause a significant impact on the area.

Just a few weeks ago, an approximately $100 million project kicked off between Norwalk and Westport, stretching from exit 16 to past exit 17. As the Norwalk-Westport project kicks off, the repair project on the Yankee Doodle Bridge in Norwalk is starting to wrap up.

But meanwhile, the biggest proposed project for I-95, which totaled more than $200 million in work from the Connecticut border to exit 6, is getting a second look after local officials and residents raised questions about the project.

Take a look at the projects that are currently in progress, about to start, or are in the works for our region.

Let’s take a look at what else is happening around our area.

Stamford

Investing in infrastructure, utilizing state and federal funds, and improving the city’s technology and cybersecurity, were the key topics discussed in Mayor Caroline Simmons’ State of the City this week.

Learn more about the other initiatives and programs taking place in the city.

Mayor Caroline Simmons gave her first State of the City address to the Board of Representatives. (Courtesy of Stamford)

The Board of Representatives voted 27-7-2 to pass a resolution calling on the state to allow municipalities to use automated speed cameras, particularly in school zones. Advocates for the resolution said that it would help curtail dangerous driving habits around areas where students and their parents are walking. Some of the opponents cited concerns about infringement on people’s rights and the cameras effectiveness.

Learn more.

The Zoning Board will meet on Monday, July 11 at 6:30 p.m. and continue the public hearing on the city’s proposed rezoning of properties located east of Pacific Street that could potentially be rezoned to Residential High Density District. Learn more about what this might mean for the city and its residents.

Other meetings this week include

Norwalk

The Public Safety & General Government Committee of the Common Council will consider spending $215,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds for a Community Response Initiative. The committee will meet on Tuesday, July 12 at 6 p.m.

Other meetings this week include

Fairfield

There will be two special meetings of the Board of Selectmen this week: one on Monday, July 11 at 3 p.m. and one on Tuesday, July 12 at 2 p.m. to continue discussing and reviewing the proposed changes to the town charter.

Learn more about some of the recommendations.

Also this week, the Town Plan & Zoning Commission will meet on Tuesday, July 12 at 6:30 p.m. to review the special permit application for 116 Sherman Street for a new 3-story mixed-use building.

Other meetings this week include

Greenwich

The Board of Education will host a special meeting on Monday, July 11 at 7 p.m. to review and vote on the Central Middle School Educational Specifications. The “ed specs,” as they’re more commonly referred to, describe how the school will be used and is considered a key part of the approval process to get a new school built or a school renovated.

The Planning and Zoning Commission is hosting a special workshop on outdoor dining on Tuesday, July 12 at 7 p.m. The town had been allowing restaurants to utilize the outdoor dining provisions outlined by Governor Ned Lamont through an executive order, HB5271. However, next season, town officials said they plan to “use our local zoning regulations” for outdoor dining. In order to draft and construct those, the town is asking for feedback on what those should look like. Some questions the commission will consider include:

  • Should parking spaces (public and/or private) be used for dining?
  • What is the impact of outdoor dining on retailers, residents, customers, employees?
  • Do you have a different tolerance for Greenwich Avenue than for the villages?

For residents who can’t attend the meeting, but wish to weigh in, please send your comments to: Katie.DeLuca@greenwichct.org

Other meetings this week include

Darien

The Board of Selectmen will receive an update on redevelopment properties in town at its meeting on Monday, July 11 at 7 p.m.

Other meetings this week include

Westport

The Board of Selectwoman will meet on Wednesday, July 13 at 9 a.m. and will vote on the road closures needed for the “Slice of Saugatuck” event scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10. It’s the 10th year of the event which is sponsored by the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce and features food tastings, family fun, and live music.

Other meetings this week include

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.

Thank you for reading!

If you are interested in being a part of our reporting or just want to share your thoughts, please reach out at coastalconnecticuttimes@gmail.com.

Have a great week,

Kelly Prinz

Founder, Reporter at Coastal Connecticut Times

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