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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 January 29.

The What: This Week in Southwest Connecticut
Happy last few days of January! (Photo by Kelly Prinz)

Monday, January 29

“Coastal cities like Stamford know better than many [that] climate change is here.”

That was the message from DEEP’s Deputy Commissioner Emma Cimino at Stamford’s first-ever climate summit held on January 25.

“This summer was, unfortunately, an overwhelming example of what we can expect to see in the future,” she said. “2023 was one of the hottest years on record for Connecticut and for the globe, and also one of the wettest in many parts of the state. Stamford alone experienced 150% additional rainfall in July and August, which I probably don't have to tell most of you because you lived it.” 

The summit brought together city officials, local partner organizations, and representatives from Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to highlight some of the challenges Stamford—and surrounding communities along the coast—will face due to a changing climate and what some of the steps the city is taking to try and mitigate its impacts. 

Some of those efforts include:

  • Launching and expanding a food scraps recycling program
  • Adding sustainability measures into infrastructure projects.
  • Increasing opportunities for active transportation—like walking and biking—instead of using cars
  • Investing in tree-related efforts.

Learn more about Stamford’s work related to climate change or check out our video highlighting some of the local efforts.

Stamford’s work related to climate change is just one part of ongoing efforts in the region. Residents are invited to attend a public meeting on the Southwest Connecticut Climate Action Plan on Monday, January 29 at 10 a.m.

The event is hosted by WestCOG—the Western Connecticut Council of Governments—which is a regional Council of Governments (COG) that brings together leaders from municipalities across the region to “discuss matters of mutual interest and to address shared problems.” 

The goal of the event is to “explore how a climate action plan may impact the public at the local level.”

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

Stamford

On Monday, January 29, the Fiscal Committee will meet at 7 p.m. and review a request for just under $200,000 to update the city’s 10-year Comprehensive Plan, including the Stamford Affordable Housing Plan, as well as to create the Equity Action Plan. The committee will also review a request to make roadway safety and infrastructure upgrades to Burdick Street, Upland Road, and Belltown Road.

Other meetings this week include:

Norwalk

The Ordinance Committee of the Common Council will continue discussing how the city should redistrict the Common Council districts at its meeting on Tuesday, January 30 at 7 p.m. Learn more about this process from a piece we wrote in collaboration with NancyonNorwalk.

Other meetings this week include:

Fairfield

The Representative Town Meeting will hear a State of the Town address from the First Selectman at its meeting on Monday, January 29 at 8 p.m.

On Wednesday, January 31, the Board of Selectmen will meet at 4 p.m. and discuss an agreement with Grow America to provide a benefit cost analysis for a proposed tax abatement program that would help facilitate the creation of below market rate units. The Board will also receive the “Racial Equity and Justice Task Force Blueprint” report.

Other meetings this week include:

Greenwich

The Board of Estimate and Taxation will meet on Monday, January 29 at 6:30 p.m. and consider, among other items, a request for $14,750 from the Commission on Aging for a feasibility study.

Other meetings this week include:

Darien

The budget season is underway in Darien, with multiple meetings related to department financial reviews scheduled for this week:

  • Monday, January 29: Board of Selectmen Budget Meeting at 5:30 p.m. where the Board will receive a budget overview and review the individual budgets of the town administrator; administrative offices, like HR and finance, the planning, building, and health departments; the harbor master; human services; senior center; and youth services.
  • Tuesday, January 30: Board of Selectmen Budget Meeting at 5:30 p.m. where the Board will review the budgets for parks & recreation; police; public works; and the library.
  • Tuesday, January 30: Board of Education at 7 p.m. will host a public hearing on 2024-2025 Superintendent’s Proposed Budget 
  • Wednesday, January 31: Board of Selectmen Budget Meeting at 7 p.m. where the Board will review the budgets for the fire marshal; disaster preparedness; fire departments; and EMS.

Other meetings this week include:

Westport

The Westport Transit District will meet on Tuesday, January 30 at 7 p.m. to review and adopt the proposed Westport Transit District budget.

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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