Month: April 2024

Living Bird-Friendly Series Takes Flight in Fairfield on April 12 and 13

Fairfield, Conn, April 1, 2024–Pequot Library is pleased to launch its Living Bird-Friendly series on April
12 and 13. The series, free and open to the public, includes remarks from Fairfield First Selectman Bill
Gerber on April 13 at 10:30 a.m. and a host of presentations designed to inspire community action on
behalf of birds, for the joy and beauty that they bring to all of us.
Living Bird-Friendly will provide more information about how to live more “bird friendly”, including
eliminating window collisions; decreasing light pollution; planting native plants and flowers; and
following bird-friendly pest control strategies. According to Pequot Library Adult Programs Manager
Charlie McMahon, “Pequot Library is proud to take a leadership role on this important topic by
convening area experts who can teach us all about how to best care for our environment and natural
world. This series follows International Dark Skies Week (April 2-8), and is planned as part of the library’s
ongoing climate and environment crisis initiative. Last year we hosted the ‘Lights Out Panel,’ and this
year, we’re thrilled to further that mission.”
The 2024 program hosts and committee members would like to devote this talk to the memory of Flaco,
the New York City Eurasian owl that captured the public’s imagination, who died as a result of an avian
virus as well as lethal levels of four different kinds of rat poison from eating poisoned rodents on the city
streets. We aim to use this series to help raise awareness of the threat of rodenticides to our raptor
populations.
Pequot Library has paired with 11 local advocates and nonprofits, creating programs for participants of
all ages. For example, children will delight in the Owl and Hawk Encounter: Meet Amazing Nighttime
Neighbors on April 13 at 10:30. This activity, featuring live birds, will be led by representatives from
Connecticut Audubon Society and the Fairfield Pollinator Pathway. “It brings people joy to see bluebirds
in their yard or hear a robin sing–or catch a glimpse of a hummingbird or a screech owl, but it’s not easy
for birds these days. They face so many different perils,” said Meredith Barges, co-chair of Lights Out
Connecticut. “This series is all about giving people the tools and knowledge they need to turn their yards
into safe, colorful, vibrant places where birds can thrive.”
Other programs will explain how to make your home or business safer and more inviting for birds. Each
session will feature a short presentation by experts followed by hands-on learning about the practical
aspects of making your home a safe haven where birds can thrive. In the process, gain a greater
understanding of the different threats that our native birds face in Fairfield and across Connecticut.

Community partners involved in this series include Fairfield Forestry Committee, Lights Out Connecticut,
Dark Sky, UrbanScapes Native Plant Nursery, Mow Green, Connecticut Pesticide Reform, Fairfield
Pollinator Pathway, Aspetuck Land Trust, Connecticut Audubon Society, and Sustainable Fairfield.
ABOUT LIGHTS OUT CONNECTICUT: Lights Out Connecticut is a nonprofit project of the Menunkatuck
Audubon Society working across Connecticut to pass meaningful nighttime lighting policies and increase
public understanding of light pollution’s harms for migratory birds and local ecosystems. We organize
residents, businesses, and schools to turn off or dim nonessential lights during peak bird migration with
our online pledge. For more information, visit www.lightsoutct.org.
ABOUT FAIRFIELD FORESTRY: Appointed by the Town Tree Warden, the Forestry Committee, founded in
2006, is charged with promoting stewardship of Town-owned trees and assisting the Tree Warden with
the implementation of the Town’s Community Forest Management Plan. The committee pursues its
mission by: providing public events and programs to encourage participation in the Community Forest
Management Plan; providing opportunities for the general public to give feedback regarding the
Community Forest Management Plan; conducting studies at the direction of the Tree Warden; providing
advisory assistance to the Tree Warden; pursuing grants and other sources of funds to advance the
Community Forest Management Plan; and encouraging and supporting the participation of residents
and neighborhood groups for implementing the Community Forest Management Plan.

Manhunt With Two Levels of Police Professionalism

2024-04-01@5:55pm–#Bridgeport CT–There was a manhunt at Gregory and Rennell Street for a suspect who struck a state police officer on the highway. Uncertain how the officer was injured but he followed the suspect from exit 27. State Police allowed people to walk in the area they were tracking….until they saw my camera.

https://www.doingitlocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/News-with-Template-copy-3-3.mp4

Municipal Improvement and Coastal Site Plan Applications for Renovations to the Inn at Longshore to be reviewed at April 8 P&Z Public Meeting

Westport, CT – Planning and Zoning Director Mary Young has announced that on April 8, 2024 at 7:00 PM, the Planning and Zoning Commission will be reviewing requests for a Positive Report for a Municipal Improvement and Approval of a Coastal Site Plan for substantial improvements to the Inn at Longshore located within the Town-owned property known as Longshore Club Park at 260 Compo Rd. S.

A project narrative prepared by LANDTECH on behalf of Longshore Hospitality, LLC, states: “The interior renovations include but not limited to a new HVAC system throughout, replacement of the windows and doors, an increased number of guest rooms along with the renovation of the current rooms, updated ballroom and drawing rooms, updated lobby, completely remodeled kitchen that is associated with the Inn and restaurant, various plumbing and electrical upgrades and ADA compliance updates. The architect, Ken Nadler, is proposing to create a new entrance with a porte cochere. The other exterior renovations include a series of patios that will extend across the length of the building and have access to the great lawn and shoreline, new landscaping, upgraded exterior lighting and signage and replacement of siding and roofing. The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $5 million. Site improvements will also include a new drive entrance, enhanced parking, and a robust landscaping plan around the site of the Inn.” The April 8, 2024, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting will be held virtually via Zoom, will be live streamed on the Town’s website at www.westportct.gov, and/or accessible on Optimum Government Access Channel 79. Comments can be sent prior to the meeting at PandZ@westportct.gov and interested parties may offer testimony by joining the meeting.

The Zoom meeting link is posted on the meeting agenda. The meeting agenda is available at www.westportct.gov on the “Meeting List and Calendar” web page.

Bridgeport News: Press Conference On Friday’s Shooting

Mayor Joseph Ganim: Stood in front of the building where two men were gunned down and 2 other injured Saturday night and said “This building behind us was illegally operated as an after club after hours club, the social club call it what you want”.

Chief Porter emphasized “As the mayor stated, I think it’s important that we come out and identify and address locations like this. Sometimes these are pop-up where the we have these pop-up after hours in these places, illegal activity and if they breed violence, it’s really important that we come out and we reach out to the community. And ask for the community’s help. So let us know when places like these pop-up, there’s something that we know about, and we constantly are attacking and addressing, but then there’s opportunities and oftentimes. We’re like this one where they’ll just come, they’ll open up and we don’t know so I want to say to the public if they’re establishments like these in your neighborhoods that you’re aware of. Please let us know early so we can address and shutting down as early as possible you”.

Elizabeth Rivera-Rodriguez,  Director of Health and Social Services said “you know, what’s in your neighborhood? We don’t know what we don’t know and so we really rely on you to tell us. What are you seeing what are you hearing? What have you observed? You know, what’s in your neighborhood. We don’t know what we don’t know and so we really rely on you to tell us. What are you seeing what are you hearing?”

Mayor Ganim summarized: “Our chief, our health department, our city, our residents in our neighborhood need to work together collectively, if there’s ever a cry out to residents today to help us in the area of prevention. This is the time this is the place”.

Norwalk News: Gun and Narcotics Arrest

A Norwalk man was arrested on gun and narcotics charges while driving around with an unsecured baby on his lap.

On March 31, 2024 at 11:49 AM a patrol officer observed a man driving around with a baby on his lap. The officer pulled the car over and did not see an infant car seat anywhere in the car. Officers noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the car. Officers searched the car which led to the discovery of .762 lbs. of marijuana and a Sig Sauer P365 loaded handgun.

Arrested: Naud Rodriguez 26 years old Norwalk

Date of Arrest: March 31, 2024

Charges: Illegal Possession of Weapon in Motor Vehicle, Negligent Storage of a Firearm, Risk of Injury to a Child, Illegal Transfer of Child-Front Seat Restraint, Possession of Narcotics with intent to Sell, Use of Drug Paraphernalia.

Bond: $250,000

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