Month: October 2021

STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to conduct a series of
small prescribed burns between Monday, October 4, and Friday ,October, in the Great Meadows
Marsh Unit of Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. The burn is part of a larger effort to
improve habitat for wildlife, increase resilience of the marsh to rising sea levels and coastal storms,
and reduce mosquito nuisance problems.

Prescribed burns occur under a tight set of conditions to minimize impacts to wildlife and the public.
The dates of the burns will depend on weather conditions, tides, and proper fine fuel moisture. Using
multiple small burns will reduce smoke and increase safety. Smoke may still be visible from the west
side of the Great Meadows Marsh Unit.
The Service is working with local municipalities to provide updated prescribed burn information. We
have requested the municipalities share the information via the reverse 911 messaging systems or
other mechanisms they use to share information with local residents. The Service is also working
with the Stratford Fire and Police Departments and has notified other authorities, including the
United States Coast Guard and CT DEEP. The Service will remain in contact with municipal offices
and local organizations throughout the burn period. The Great Meadows Unit will be closed to the
public during prescribed burn operations.
The prescribed burn will be accomplished by a team of trained wildland firefighters from the
Service’s Northeast Regional Fire Program, in close coordination with the Stratford Fire Department
and nearby Sikorsky Airport.

The Great Meadows Marsh Unit in Stratford, Connecticut, is one of the largest salt marshes
remaining in the state. However, manmade changes to the marsh decades ago led to prolonged
flooding and invasion by dense common reed and other non-native plants. The prescribed burn will
reduce the amount of vegetation so refuge staff can implement restoration in the fall.
The project will restore critically important nesting habitat for the at-risk saltmarsh sparrow. It will
also benefit the state endangered marsh pink plant, which occurs nowhere else in Connecticut, and
the diamondback terrapin, a species of special concern in the state. Increasing tidal exchange and
eliminating ponded freshwater will benefit other wildlife, including fish that eat mosquito larvae, and
reduce mosquito production sites.

Restoration partners include the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Service, as well as Audubon Connecticut
through a public-private partnership working collaboratively on the project. The effort is supported
by funds for natural resource injuries related to the Raymark Industries Superfund Site, Lordship
Point Gun Club Site, and the Housatonic River – Connecticut Site.

This press release was made possible by:

2021-10-03@7:11pm–#Bridgeport CT– Report of an assault in the 300 block of Bunnell Street.

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2021-09-10-03@2:22pm–#Stratford CT– A person at the Sherwood Apartments was stabbed in the hand on Sherwood Place.

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I was late to the Bunnell Street fire because I was at church. I left my family to go to the scene, but I still had people complain that I was late, even though I was the first to report. My sponsors are help me make ends meet, but I cannot afford to hire anyone to cover for me. If I get sick or injured, there will be no reporting. If even just half the people who liked our page voluntarily subscribed just $2 a month I’d have other reporters giving you even better coverage. Just two bucks a month. To voluntarily subscribe go to: https://www.patreon.com/doingitlocal

2021-10-02@12:36am–#Bridgeport CT– Route 8/25 southbound is closed just past exit 3 due to a crash. Crash traveling southbound must get off exit 3.

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The Bridgeport Finance Department on received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award. Presented by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), this Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

The Award is based upon a GFOA review of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Statements of the City and was judged by an impartial GFOA panel to ensure the highest standards of the program are met. This process includes demonstrating a “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial results to the City Council and public.

Mayor Ganim stated, “We commend the accomplishments of the Finance Department which are clearly exhibited by receiving this Award.  A completely clean audit opinion from outside auditors demonstrates the competence and effectiveness of our Finance Department and their operations.”

Finance Director Flatto stated, “We are very pleased to get this Award which demonstrates our fiscal responsibility and the strong work ethic of the Finance Department.”

#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, October 3, 2021, in recognition of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, an observance honoring the sacrifices of firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The nationwide recognition occurs annually during Fire Prevention Week.

Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags – including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise – should also be lowered during this same duration of time.

“Firefighters are a core component of our communities, providing an invaluable service to protect the lives of complete strangers while oftentimes putting their own lives in danger,” Governor Lamont said. “Here in Connecticut, this year alone we lost two firefighters in the line of duty – Ricardo Torres Jr. of the New Haven Fire Department and Colin McFadden of the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department – both of whom gave their lives while responding to residential fires. They are heroes, and their bravery and courage will always be honored. I am thankful to the firefighters who protect our neighborhoods and our people, and I urge every resident of Connecticut to take time on this day of remembrance to reflect upon the bravery of the firefighters who have given their lives in service.”

“Today we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice after dedicating their lives to serving their communities,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “In honor of the 40^th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, I hope we can all take a moment to pay tribute to the lives that were lost. We send love and strength to their families and co-workers.”