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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 November 27.

The What: This Week in Southwest Connecticut
Happy last week of November! (Photo by Kelly Prinz)

Monday, November 27

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and got to enjoy some time off with your family and friends.

This week, we’re diving into the plans from United Illuminating to rebuild its transmission lines from New Haven to Fairfield and detailing why they’ve sparked backlash in Fairfield. 

“The proposed project will have a detrimental impact to abutting and neighboring properties as well as to the Town as a whole,” outgoing First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said in her testimony against the application. “The lack of preparedness and evasive answers from the UI has caused the Town and its residents to feel that their legitimate concerns have not been heard and properly considered.”

Kupchick added that the “preservation of the historic and communal nature of our community is of utmost importance to me, my administration and the public at large and while the alternatives of placing the project underground or rebuilding it in its existing location may cost more (as per UI), the permanent damage to our town under UI’s preferred alternative cannot be measured in dollars and cents.”

UI’s application to move forward with these plans is currently in front of the Connecticut Siting Council, which has jurisdiction over power facilities and transmission lines, as well as hazardous waste and other forms of infrastructure such as telecommunications sites. The Council continued its evidentiary hearing, which includes the presentation of exhibits and witnesses, on the application to Tuesday, November 28 at 2 p.m. 

Learn more about the proposed plans and why officials, residents, and business owners are opposed to them. You can also watch our video, which highlights some of the main issues the community has with the project. 

Let’s see what else is happening around the region this week.

Stamford

Now that the state is allowing local municipalities to use automated cameras to enforce speed limit and red light violations, members of the Board of Representatives are looking to add these devices near school zones. At the Transportation Committee on Wednesday, November 29 at 7 p.m, members will discuss a potential ordinance related to adding them to those areas. Stamford was one of the municipalities that advocated the legislature for this change last year. 

Other meetings this week include: 

Norwalk

The city is hosting its second Norwalk Talks Housing – Community Listening Session this week on Thursday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m. This one is virtual for attendees and will allow them to answer questions about whether the current housing stock meets their needs, what types of housing should be built, and what are their concerns about quality of life and housing conditions. Learn more about the first workshop—which was in person—through our piece in partnership with NancyonNorwalk.

Other meetings this week include: 

Fairfield

The town’s new First Selectman Bill Gerber and new Selectwoman Christine Vitale will officially be sworn in on Monday, November 27, after winning a very close election over incumbent First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick—so close that it required a recount. 

“Fairfield voters came to the polls in support of a collaborative government that will find meaningful solutions to the challenges facing our community,” said Gerber in a statement. “We are grateful to everyone who came out to make their voices heard on Election Day, as we intend to create a government that works for and is inclusive of all citizens. I also want to thank First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick for her dedication and service to the people of Fairfield. I look forward to our teams working together throughout the transition and the continued collaboration with all members of our community as we begin our work.”

Their first Board of Selectmen meeting will take place on Monday, November 27 at 4 p.m.

Other meetings this week include: 

Greenwich

Two public hearings will continue at this week’s Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on Tuesday, November 28 at 4 p.m. The first is on a proposal to demolish an existing 217-bed skilled nursing facility and build a five-story, 215 unit building which would include 30% affordable housing units at 1165 King Street. The second is on a proposal from Greenwich American Inc. to build 198 new townhouses at 1 American Lane. 

Other meetings this week include: 

Darien

The town is presenting its plans for improving 155 Nearwater Lane to the Planning and Zoning Commission at its Tuesday, November 28 meeting at 7:30 p.m. The improvements, which include “open lawn areas, a paved loop pathway, and an expansion of the beach area,” would “create a passive recreational area, intended to integrate with the remainder of Weed Beach Park to the west.” The application also calls for upgrades on the site including the “installation of stormwater management.” 

Other meetings this week include: 

Westport

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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