The What: This Week in Southwest Connecticut

Monday, June 12

Happy Monday! This was a crazy week in Connecticut, with some of the worst air quality in the world as the region was impacted by smoke from the Canadian wildfires. Learn more about their impact and how officials are keeping their eyes on the situation.

This past week, Norwalk officials also got their first look at plans for the community center at 98 South Main Street. We’ve covered community center-related issues across the region, including the Glenbrook Community Center in Stamford, and officials said that they hope this one will be a resource for the whole city.

Learn more about the proposed plans or check out the history of 98 South Main Street.

June is Pride Month, with multiple events happening around our area. See some highlights from Pride in the Park in Norwalk this past weekend on the Triangle Community Center page or see what’s planned for Fairfield on Thursday, June 15.

Let’s see what else is happening this week.

Stamford

There’s a special meeting of the Board of Representatives on Monday, June 12 at 8 p.m. to vote on funding for the new South School project.

The Planning Board will meet on Tuesday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m. and discuss establishing regulations for marijuana and cannabis-related uses in order “to protect the welfare and safety, in particular, of children and adolescents.” The proposed regulations include minimum distance requirements from schools and limits on signage.

Other meetings this week include:

• Monday, June 12: Steering Committee at 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 13: Charter Revision Committee at 5:30 p.m. | South End Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Initiative at 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, June 15: Environmental Protection Board at 7:30 p.m.

Norwalk

There will be a Special Common Council meeting on Monday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. to review the proposed changes to the Norwalk charter, which is the document that governs the city. Check out the Charter Revision Commission’s recommended updates to the document.

Other meetings this week include:

• Monday, June 12: Commission on the Status of Women at 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 13: Conservation Commission/Inland Wetland Agency at 6 p.m. | Common Council at 7:30 p.m. | Board of Education at 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 14: Police Commission Special at 2 p.m. | Ad Hoc Sustainability and Resilience Committee of the Common Council at 6 p.m. | : Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs Committee of the Common Council at 7 p.m.
• Thursday, June 15: Community Services Committee of the Common Council at 7 p.m. |  Zoning Board of Appeals at 7:30 p.m.

Fairfield

The Board of Education will receive a presentation on enrollment projects, facility utilization, and racial balance from consultant S.L.A.M. Collaborative at its meeting on Tuesday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m.

State Senator Tony Hwang, of Fairfield, is hosting a Children’s Mental Health Awareness Forum on Tuesday, June 13 at 7 p.m. The event will feature panelists: Jim Kuczo, of Kevin’s Afterglow, a nonprofit that Kuczo and his wife founded after their son died by suicide; Michael Patota, president and CEO of The Child and Family Guidance Center; Martin Pino, the assistant vice president of health and wellness for Fairfield University; Pedro Espada of Notre Dame Catholic High School; and Makayla Cunningham of Fairfield Warde High School.

Other meetings this week:

• Monday, June 12: Solid Waste & Recycling Commission at 7 p.m. | Board of Health at 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 13: Housing Authority at 6 p.m. | Town Plan & Zoning Commission at 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 14: Police Commission at 4:30 p.m. |  Board of Education Policy Committee at 4:30 p.m. | Shellfish Commission at 7 p.m. | Affordable Housing Committee at 7 p.m.
• Thursday, June 15: Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee at 6 p.m.

Greenwich

Officials condemned the hate signs that were placed around the Pride flag at Greenwich Town Hall after last Sunday’s celebration.

“This kind of hate speech and toxic attack is completely out of place in Greenwich, in Connecticut or anywhere. It’s also eroding our democracy,” Congressman Jim Himes said in a statement.

Check out the Greenwich Free Press for a full article on what happened and the response to it.

Other meetings this week:

• Monday, June 12: Planning and Zoning Commission and Architectural Review Committee Joint Meeting at 2 p.m. | RTM Budget Overview Committee at 6:45 p.m. | Representative Town Meeting at 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 13: First Selectman's Diversity Advisory Committee at 12 p.m. | First Selectman’s Youth Commission at 7 p.m. | Shellfish Commission at 5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 14: Operations Planning Committee at 11 a.m.
• Thursday, June 15: First Selectman Active Transportation Task Force at 4 p.m. | Board of Education at 7 p.m.

Darien

The Planning & Zoning Commission will meet on Tuesday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. and review a proposal from the town “to rent the stables and associated equestrian facilities on Great Island to an outside operator with the specialized expertise necessary to run a full-service show stable for programmed active recreational use with specific restrictions and limits.”

Other meetings this week:

• Monday, June 12: Advisory Commission on Coastal Waters at 7:30 p.m.
• Monday, June 12: Board of Education at 7:30 p.m. | Advisory Board of Health at 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 14: Operations Planning Committee at 8:30 a.m. | Advisory Committee on Sustainability at 12 p.m. | Blight Review Board at 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, June 15: Police Commission at 4 p.m.

Westport

The Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday, June 13 at 6 p.m. to discuss and consider adopting the Strategic Preservation Plan for properties in the town.

Other meetings this week include:

• Monday, June 12: Commission for Senior Services at 10 a.m. | Board of Education Policy Committee at 1 p.m. | Board of Education at 6 p.m. | Planning and Zoning Commission at 7 p.m. | RTM Health & Human Services Committee at 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 13: Arts Advisory Committee at 12 p.m. | Zoning Board of Appeals at 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 14: Board of Selectwomen at 9 a.m.
• Thursday, June 15: Commission on People with Disabilities at 9 a.m. | Tree Board at 4:30 p.m.

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