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The What

The What: Where SW CT Budgets Stand; Habitat for Humanity in Fairfield; and more

The What is your look around southwest Connecticut for the week of May 4.

The What: Where SW CT Budgets Stand; Habitat for Humanity in Fairfield; and more
Happy May! We're excited for the warmer weather, Memorial Day, and Mothers' Day all coming up this month. (Photo by Kelly Prinz)

Monday, May 4

Happy Monday! May the fourth be with you to all the Star Wars fans out there. Budgets are slowly getting finalized around the region and we’ll have a detailed analysis next week about what this means for you. But here’s a look at where things stand before some crucial decisions are made this week. 

 Highlights 

This section gives a brief overview of the key items in the newsletter.

  • Ahead of some key votes this week in Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, Fairfield, and Westport, we have a look at where budgets stand around the region.
  • The Stamford Planning Board will meet on Tuesday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m. to review a request to increase authorizations up to $27.5 million (with a 60% reimbursement from the state) for work at Stamford High School to enhance labs, classrooms, and the structure of the 1971 building.  
  • In Norwalk, the Economic and Community Development Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 6 at 6 p.m. and vote to update the contract between the city and VHB for Design and Engineering Services for the Gregory Boulevard Roundabout & Fifth Street Shared-Use Path Project.
  • Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen will meet on Tuesday, May 5 at 4 p.m. and vote to enter into an agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County, Inc. for the redevelopment of 254 Greenfield Street to create up to four units of affordable housing.

Spotlight

This section features our main reporting each week.

The first week of May is a busy one across southwest Connecticut as many communities are finalizing their budgets. And there’s some potential good news: most municipalities should be receiving some additional support from the state.

This week, Governor Ned Lamont announced that the state plans to provide an additional $170 million in school funding and an additional $100 million in municipal aid to communities across Connecticut. 

“I have heard directly from mayors, first selectmen, superintendents, students, and taxpayers across Connecticut who are feeling the squeeze of rising costs. This $270 million is a direct response to the strains being placed on town, school district, and family budgets. By closing funding gaps for our schools and municipalities, we can help communities avoid raising property taxes while keeping classrooms running and local services strong,” he said in a statement. 

But as communities wait to get more information about what additional funding could come their way, let’s take a look at where budgets stand across the region. 

Check out our piece to see where your community’s budget stands. 

This Week at a Glance

This section includes a list of meetings, events, and programming happening around southwest Connecticut each week.

Bridgeport

Featured Meeting: The Budget & Appropriations Committee continues its review of the budget this week, culminating in a discussion and committee vote on the operating budget on Saturday, May 9 at 9:30 a.m. After that, the budget will go onto the full City Council next week. 

Stamford

Featured Meeting: There’s a special Board of Representatives: Budget meeting on Thursday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. where the board will officially vote to adopt this year’s budget. 

Norwalk

Featured Meeting: The Board of Estimate & Taxation will meet on Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. to vote on the budget for 2026-2027. 

Fairfield

Featured Meetings: The Representative Town Meeting will meet on Monday, May 4 at 8 p.m. for its annual budget meeting where the legislative body will vote to approve the budget for the 2026-2027 year. In addition, the Board of Selectmen will meet on Tuesday, May 5 at 4 p.m. and vote to enter into an agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County, Inc. for the redevelopment of 254 Greenfield Street to create up to four units of affordable housing.

Greenwich

Featured Meeting: There will be a RTM Joint Committee Meeting of Finance and Education Committees on Monday, May 4 at 7:20 p.m. to discuss and review the school district’s budget.

Darien

Featured Meeting: The Board of Selectmen will meet on Monday, May 4 at 7 p.m. and have its annual review with the Advisory Committee on Sustainability about its efforts and initiatives.

Westport

Featured Meeting: The Representative Town Meeting will meet on Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5 (and potentially Wednesday, May 6 if needed) at 7:30 p.m. to review and vote on the budget for 2026-2027. 

Stay in touch!

As we continue to grow and evolve, please join us! You can do that by:

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.

Have a great week,

Kelly Prinz

Founder, Reporter at Coastal Connecticut Times

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