The What: This Week in Southwest Connecticut
The What is your look around southwest Connecticut for the week of September 25.
Monday, September 25
Happy Monday! This week we’re highlighting climate resilience-related grants for Stamford and Norwalk as well as looking at the proposed cuts to Metro North service.
Starting with Metro North, commuters could see impacts to train service on the Metro North with slightly reduced service and higher fares, according to a new proposal from Connecticut’s Department of Transportation.
State officials said in a statement that “rail service changes are being proposed to reflect post COVID-19 weekday ridership levels and travel patterns.”
The cuts for southwest Connecticut would include:
- A reduction of two trains—from 239 to 237—on Monday through Thursday service on the New Haven Line
- A reduction of eight trains—from 241 to 233—on Friday service on the New Haven Line
- A reduction of two trains—from 28 to 26—on all weekdays on the Danbury Line
- A reduction of two trains—from 41 to 39—on all weekdays on the New Canaan Line
These cuts and fare increases send a conflicting message from state officials who have been emphasizing transit-oriented development around train stations in the region, including proposed development around the Merritt 7 station in Norwalk. It also comes at a time when government officials have been touting infrastructure improvements, such as the Walk Bridge project, which connects the Northeast Corridor in Norwalk.
Learn more about the proposed cuts or check out our video.
Stamford and Norwalk received more than $1.5 million in state grant funding for planning and project development grants related to climate resilience. The funding will go towards a citywide flood resilience plan in Norwalk, neighborhood-level plans for the Downtown, West Side, and Waterside neighborhoods in Stamford, work in the Cummings Pond watershed in Stamford, and mitigation efforts in the Toilsome Brook watershed in Stamford.
“As a coastal city, Stamford is acutely aware of the impacts of climate change, and my administration is committed to creating a more resilient and sustainable community now and in the future, which is why I signed an executive order on climate change earlier this year,” Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons said. “The funding for these three projects helps further these goals and I’m grateful for the state’s partnership and focus on supporting municipalities across Connecticut as we work to become a more green and resilient state.”
Learn more about the climate change-related grants or check out our video on them.
Let’s see what else is happening this week.
Stamford
The Legislative and Rules Committee of the Board of Representatives will meet on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. and hold a public hearing on a tax abatement agreement that includes the city, the Housing Authority, and Oak Park 1 Limited Partnership which would facilitate the development of 61 below-market rate housing units at Ursula Place in Stamford.
The Fiscal Committee will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. and review plans to fund a South End Transportation Improvement Plan, which would include adding a raised crosswalk, raised intersection, and several bump outs to Pacific Street.
Other meetings this week include:
- Tuesday, Sept. 26: Housing/Community Development/Social Services Committee at 6:30 p.m. | Planning Board at 6:30 p.m. | Board of Education at 7 p.m. | Education Committee at 6:30 p.m. | I-95 Stamford PEL PAC Meeting #2 at 1 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 28: Land Use and Urban Redevelopment Committee at 7 p.m.
Norwalk
The Common Council will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. and vote on approving a 10-year master and strategic plan for parks in the city.
On Thursday, Sept. 28, starting at 5:30 p.m., there will be a Complete Streets Workshop that will allow residents to participate in helping shape the way the city is designing Norwalk’s streets.
Other meetings this week include:
- Tuesday, Sept. 26: Board of Health at 8 a.m. | Fair Housing Advisory Commission at 3 p.m. | Zoning Citation Hearings at 3 p.m. | Conservation Commission/Inland Wetland Agency at 6 p.m. | Tree Advisory Committee at 6 p.m. | Board of Education at 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 27: Harbor Management Application Review Committee at 6:30 p.m. | Parking Authority at 6 p.m. | Planning and Zoning Commission at 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 28: Affordable Housing Action Plan Advisory Committee at 3 p.m. | Norwalk Transit District at 6 p.m. | Public Safety & General Government at 7 p.m.
Fairfield
On Tuesday, Sept. 26, the Town Plan & Zoning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. and discuss proposed updates to the 10-year Plan of Conservation and Development and zoning regulations in the town.
Other meetings this week include:
- Tuesday, Sept. 26: Board of Education at 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 27: Police Commission (Traffic) at 8:30 a.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 28: METROCOG at 10 a.m. | Greater Bridgeport & Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization at 10 a.m. | Human Services Commission at 4 p.m. | Parking Authority at 7 p.m.
Greenwich
There will be an Affordable Housing Trust Fund Open House on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m., which will be a chance for residents to to learn about what the trust fund does and its future efforts.
Other meetings this week include:
- Monday, Sept. 25: Energy Management Advisory Committee at 4 p.m. | Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency at 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 27: Board of Parks and Recreation at 6:30 p.m. | Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals at 7 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 28: Board of Selectmen at 10 a.m.
Darien
The Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. and receive a presentation on the results of the Thriving Youth Survey and an update on youth mental health and wellness.
Other meetings this week include:
- Tuesday, Sept. 26: Darien Housing Authority at 6:30 p.m. | Planning & Zoning Commission at 7:30 p.m. | Pedestrian Infrastructure Advisory Committee at 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 27: Zoning Board of Appeals at 7:30 p.m. | Advisory Commission on Coastal Waters–Mooring Policy Committee at 7:30 p.m.
Westport
The Representative Town Meeting Ordinance Committee will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss and make a recommendation to the full RTM on a proposed ordinance to adopt a Westport Affordable Housing Fund.
Other meetings this week include:
- Tuesday, Sept. 26: Zoning Board of Appeals at 6 p.m. | Long Lots School Building Committee at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 27: Board of Selectwomen at 9 a.m. | RTM Public Protection Committee at 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 28: Sherwood Mill Pond Committee at 5 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