2020-05-14@1:42pm–#Bridgeport CT– There were some tense moments when wires came down snaring the family’s car on Anton Street at Madison Avenue. Fortunately, it was phone lines with no serious voltage and firefighters untangled the wires and the vehicle was able to go on its way!
#WESTPORT, Conn. – First Selectman Jim Marpe announced positive results from Tuesday’s $34.4 million bond sale, which yielded competitive interest rates on the strength of solid reviews from Moody’s Investors Service, one of the three major Wall Street Rating Agency firms.
“It is great to see these results and the fact that our bonds were in such a high demand,” said Mr. Marpe. “We are very pleased with these results as they keep our debt service costs, and the burden on the taxpayers, as low as possible.”
He continued, “I would like to thank Westport’s Director of Finance, Gary Conrad and his staff for assembling the volumes of information required to prepare for this offer at the same time that our annual budget was being finalized, all during this unprecedented health crisis. My thanks also to our long-time municipal bond consultants at Phoenix Advisors who once again have steered us to an extremely successful bond issue.”
The Town received a total of ten bids on the Bonds with Morgan Stanley & Co. submitting the winning bid. Morgan Stanley beat out firms such as FHN Financial Capital Markets who was the second place bid, Citi, JP Morgan, Janney Montgomery Scott, and Piper Sandler, among others.
The interest rates bid on the bonds ranged from a winning bid of 1.93% to a high bid of 2.10%. It was a tightly contested competitive sale with bids from the top nine firms within a range of only 10 basis points (0.10%). The bonds will primarily finance renovations at Coleytown Middle School along with a number of other smaller projects including Synthetic Turf Fields at the track at Staples High School and a number of other public improvement projects.
“Considering the extreme municipal market volatility that we experienced in mid-March, today’s results cannot include enough superlatives,” said Matthew Spoerndle, senior managing director of Phoenix Advisors and Westport’s municipal advisor. “It’s very rare to receive double digit bids on a sale, and even more rare for a 20-year bond to sell at an interest rate under 2%. Congratulations to the Town!”
Moody’s affirmed Westport’s rating at Aaa, which is the highest rating available. Within the report, Moody’s referenced the Towns “large, stable tax base with extremely strong income and wealth levels” and “stable financial position” while also noting that “management’s willingness to aggressively address liabilities” like pensions and other post-employment benefits is a credit strength. Also of note is the fact that the Town’s debt ratios are in line with national Aaa medians. The Town will be retiring roughly 74% of all existing debt over the next 10 years which is viewed very favorably.
Moody’s also mentions the Town’s “history of financially stable operations, conservative budgeting practices and target fund balance policy” among the factors influencing the Town’s high credit rating. This has become increasingly important since the forward-looking view is tenuous at best for many sectors as a result of the effects of the COVID19 pandemic.
The settlement date for the sale is May 27, 2020, after which the funds become available to the Town.
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The American Red Cross in Connecticut is launching a Virtual Family Assistance Center to support Connecticut families struggling with loss and grief due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
People can visit redcross.org/vFAC Virtual Family Assistance Center provides resources to those struggling with loss and grief due to the pandemicto access a support hub with special virtual programs, information, referrals and services to support families in need. The hub will also connect people to other community resources provided by 2-1-1, CT VOAD, and other partners. People without internet access can call 833-492-0094 for help.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for everyone, but especially for those who have lost a loved one due to COVID-19,” said Mario Bruno, CEO, American Red Cross in Connecticut and Rhode Island. “Not only have these families experienced the unexpected passing of a loved one but are also facing additional challenges caused by this public health emergency. We’re proud to work with our community leaders and partners to provide comfort and support to these families across Connecticut during these difficult times.”
Many families have experienced a disrupted bereavement and grief process due to restrictions related to COVID-19. To help, the Red Cross has set up a virtual team of specially trained mental health, spiritual care and health services volunteers who are:
All Family Assistance Center support will be provided virtually, is completely confidential and free.
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9:50pm–#Norwalk CT– Firefighters quickly extinguished a house fire on West Couch Street. Everyone made it safely out of the house.
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2020-05-13@10pm–#Bridgeport CT– Tonight’s vehicle fire was discovered by police on patrol on Brooklawn Avenue near the intersection of North Avenue. There were no reported injuries.
2020-05-13@6:20pm–#Bridgeport Ct– #Stratford CT–#cttraffic– Expect delays on I-95 northbound near exit 3o for a multi-car crash.
HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut has received its single largest shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the fight to combat COVID-19. The equipment, which came from suppliers in China, has been delivered over the last couple of days to the state’s commodities warehouse. It includes:
· 6 million surgical masks;
· 500,000 protective masks;
· 100,000 surgical gowns; and
· 100,000 temporal thermometers.
The equipment is in the process of being sorted and will be delivered in the coming days to frontline workers, including first responders, hospital staff, long-term care facility staff, direct care providers, and other people on the front lines.
“Today marks another important step as we continue to battle the novel coronavirus,” Governor Lamont said. “I want to personally thank the Chinese people for their continued support during this public health crisis. I would especially like to thank the China Construction Bank for helping facilitate this shipment and for their generous donation. Further cooperation and collaboration between the United States and China is very important as we navigate this global pandemic.”
The state’s supply of PPE has been managed by the state’s unified command structure, which includes several state agencies, and its distribution has been handled by the Connecticut National Guard. As of May 11, the state has delivered a total of 15,186,349 pieces of PPE to frontline workers, including:
· 5,852,086 surgical masks;
· 956,211 KN95 masks;
· 326,656 N95 masks;
· 448,435 face shields;
· 40,587 surgical gowns;
· 51,248 Tyvek coveralls; and
· 7,511,126 non-sterile gloves.
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HARTFORD, CT) – Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, joined by OPM Secretary Melissa McCaw, Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona, Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Sibongile Magubane, and Department of Higher Ed Executive Director Tim Larson, today announced the launch of the “Lt. Governor’s COVID-19 Computing Challenge: A statewide challenge to address a global concern.” Connecticut students in grades 3 through 12 are challenged to work individually or as a team to propose an idea for a computing technology application (functioning apps are not required). The idea for the coding challenge was inspired by the work of the Council on Women and Girls Education and STEAM Subcommittee in partnership with its Steering Committee community partners.
“Due to the novel coronavirus radically disrupting the 2019-20 academic year for the state’s students, this computing challenge provides a valuable resource for educators who are considering ways to keep their students academically engaged in rigorous problem-solving,” Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. “Connecticut students are invited to submit ideas that could be implemented with computer technology like apps, websites or computer programs, in order to defeat the spread of the disease, aid our communities, and/or encourage and inform the general public. I’m looking forward to seeing what our students come up with.”
“The current pandemic is presenting challenges unlike anything Connecticut has ever seen in our state’s history. The reliance on technology to address a variety of issues regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is astounding,” said Commissioner Cardona. “This challenge allows students to continue learning while creating a solution to a real-world problem and making a positive difference in their communities and state.”
Students with a basic understanding of computing technology can imagine themselves creating and implementing technology that will make a difference in their own, their family’s, and their community members’ lives. The goal is to have students use this period of social distancing to better their communities in one or more ways. The Covid-19 Computing Challenge provides an excellent opportunity for students to:
· Gain exposure to uses of computer technology;
· Develop interest in computer technology;
· Be creative in utilizing computer technology;
· Learn how to collaborate virtually; and
· Apply computational thinking skills.
More Information on the Challenge and How to Participate
· Students check out this flyer on how to participate.
· Teachers check out this flyer to learn how this challenge engages students’ skills.
· Parents check out this flyer to understand the benefits of their child’s participation.
Visit the Lt. Governor’s Covid-19 Coding Challenge for more information.
View video PSA here: https://www.youtube.com/
The deadline to submit to this challenge is May 29, 2020.
Email questions to computingchallenge@
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#Trumbull CT– #Bridgeport CT–In a story I was first to tell you about, On Sunday, May 10th, at about 2:00 p.m., a man recklessly driving a stolen vehicle struck and damaged several cars in Bridgeport, causing injuries, and then fled prior to being apprehended by police on Route 25 in Trumbull. Daniel Baker, age 37, of Bunker Ave., Meriden, was arrested when officers forced his car to a stop to prevent further damage and injury. Trumbull Police were advised that the suspect vehicle, a blue 2005 Honda Civic, had struck several vehicles in Bridgeport and was last seen traveling northbound on Main Street into Trumbull. A Trumbull officer spotted the heavily damaged Honda Civic traveling northerly on Main Street near Gisella Road, where the officer attempted to pull the vehicle over. The Honda entered Route 25 southbound and the driver refused to stop. The vehicle drove off the roadway near exit 9 for Daniels Farm Road, attempting to avoid police vehicles, but officers were able to block the escape.
Baker was taken into custody and charged with Larceny in the Third Degree, Engaging in Police Pursuit, Reckless Driving, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Theft of License Plates, and Misuse of License Plates. Baker was held on a $10,000 bond with a court date of May 29, 2020, at the Bridgeport Court. Baker has a lengthy criminal record which includes arrests for the Robbery, Threatening, Interfering with Police, Risk of Injury to a Minor, Assault, Larceny, Possession of Narcotics, Probation Violations, and Disorderly Conduct. Due to a current Parole violation, Baker was remanded to the custody of the Bridgeport Department of Correction.
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2020-05-12@8:11pm–#Bridgeport CT– A smoldering fire under the porch on King Street was quickly put out by the fire department. Now you know what all the noise was about.
