Month: October 2025

Fairfield Business Owner: “Our Whole Building Was on the Line” After Siting Council Denies UI’s Docket 516R

FAIRFIELD — With the Connecticut Siting Council’s denial of United Illuminating’s Docket 516R, Fairfield business owner Stephen Boccarossa says a weight has been lifted from his staff and customers—at least for now.

Boccarossa, who owns Boccarossa Insurance, said the company’s headquarters sat squarely in the project’s crosshairs. “Standing right here, the transmission line would have gone directly over the top of our building,” he said. “If an access road were added later, they could take the building. That’s how close this came.”

Beyond the physical route, Boccarossa said the risks extended into legal and financial territory that could threaten a small business’s survival. After consulting with colleagues, he said he learned of cases where property owners beneath high-voltage lines had to prove they could carry adequate liability insurance to cover potential injuries. “If you can’t demonstrate the proper coverage, there’s precedent to take the entire property,” he explained. “That’s unbelievable—and terrifying for any business owner.”

Boccarossa also took issue with what he described as a lack of transparency during the earlier hearing process. He said plans showed his entire parcel encompassed by a “work path,” yet he could not get a clear explanation of what that meant in practice. “When I see my whole property inside a work path, it looks like you plan to take my whole building,” he said. “I asked for an explanation—and got nothing. How is that fair?”

With Docket 516R now denied, Boccarossa expects a fresh application and a more accountable process. “Now they have to answer the questions,” he said. “New laws bring more accountability, and that matters not just for my property but for everyone along the line—today and in the future.”

State Senator Tony Hwang, who has supported affected residents and businesses throughout the fight, credited the decision to persistent community advocacy. He called the ruling “a people-first outcome” and said any future proposal must fully address safety, property rights, and local impact. “This was always about lives and livelihoods,” Hwang said. “Going forward, the process must respect that.”

Boccarossa agrees the community’s unity changed the trajectory—and could shape future infrastructure planning for years to come. “This isn’t just about one docket,” he said. “If the rules are stronger and the questions actually get answered, that protects a lot of people for a long time.”

Fairfield Police Department to Launch Automated Speed Enforcement in School Zones

Fairfield, CT — In a continued effort to enhance traffic safety and protect our most vulnerable road users, the Fairfield Police Department is partnering with Altumint to launch an Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Device (ATESD) program in designated school zones throughout town. This initiative, which comes at no cost to taxpayers, will use camera-based enforcement technology to deter speeding in areas where children and pedestrians are most at risk. Per the town ordinance passed at a Representative Town Meeting, these cameras will be installed in school zones to deter speeding. Six school zones have been selected based on crash history, engineering analysis, and community feedback:

  • Dwight Elementary (Redding Road): Selected due to two past fatal pedestrian crashes, one involving an impaired driver and another likely caused by distraction.
  • Notre Dame High School (Jefferson Street): The site of a major crash involving a speeding driver that resulted in multiple injuries.
  • Burr Elementary (Burr Street): Chosen due to frequent complaints about speeding and anticipated traffic shifts from nearby enforcement zones.
  • Riverfield Elementary: Identified for infrastructure concerns including long stretches of roadway with limited traffic controls, which often result in excessive speeding.
  • Fairfield Ludlowe and Fairfield Warde High Schools: Included due to the high volume of younger, less-experienced drivers.

Operating hours and speeds: Automated enforcement zones will operate 24/7. During the start and end of the school day, cameras will enforce a reduced speed limit of 20 MPH. Outside of these designated school hours, and when school is not in session, a speed limit of 25 MPH will be enforced.

Update/clarification: For Riverfield School on Mill Plain Road, the speed limit will revert to 30 MPH outside of pickup and drop-off times (the normal posted limit for that road). This is the only difference from other zones.

School Zone Schedules (20 MPH windows):

  • Riverside Elementary — Morning: 8:30–9:30 a.m. | Afternoon: 3:15–4:15 p.m.
  • Timothy Dwight Elementary — Morning: 8:30–9:30 a.m. | Afternoon: 3:15–4:15 p.m.
  • Burr Elementary — Morning: 8:30–9:30 a.m. | Afternoon: 3:15–4:15 p.m.
  • Fairfield Warde High — Morning: 7:15–8:15 a.m. | Afternoon: 2:00–3:00 p.m.
  • Fairfield Ludlowe High — Morning: 7:15–8:15 a.m. | Afternoon: 2:00–3:00 p.m.
  • Notre Dame High — Morning: 7:30–8:30 a.m. | Afternoon: 1:45–2:45 p.m.

“The Fairfield Police Department is committed to reducing speeding in our school zones and preventing tragedies before they occur,” said Captain Hector Irizarry, Commander of the Special Services Bureau. “This technology allows us to address dangerous driving behavior where it matters most, near our schools, where children walk, bike, and ride every day.”

The Fairfield Police Department and Town officials have conducted site assessments and OSTA permit applications have been submitted and are now under a 60-day review. Additional school zones may be added in the future. The speed enforcement camera installations will be pending approval from the Office of State Traffic Administration (OSTA) once engineering and traffic studies are completed and submitted by the selected ATESD vendor, Altumint.

All enforcement zones will be clearly marked with signage to notify drivers of camera monitoring in the area, in accordance with state law. To ease the transition, the Town will begin with a 30-day warning period during which violators will receive mailed warnings rather than fines. Once enforcement begins, violations will result in a mailed citation to the registered vehicle owner. These infractions are civil penalties and will not result in points on a driver’s license or be reported to insurance providers. Fines: first violation $50; each additional violation $75; both carry a $15 processing fee.

This initiative supports the Town’s broader Vision Zero strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries, and to make Fairfield’s streets safer for everyone.

Structure Fire

https://www.doingitlocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/0-new-copy-16-1.mp4

After battling a porch fire in Black Rock, firefighters were called to a larger fire at the intersection of Huntington Road and Beecher Street. Chief Edwards told us everyone made it out of the building safely. There were no reported injuries. The Red Cross has been called to help with 5 adults and a child with their immediate needs. The fire marshal was called to investigate the cause of the fire.

2025-10-17@2025-10-17@11:46pm #Bridgeport CT #ctfire

Shelton Police Arrest Suspect in September 14 Street Takeover Hit-and-Run

Shelton, CT — On 10/15/2025, Shelton Police arrested Jason Berrios, 17, of Norwalk in connection with an individual being struck in the parking lot of 862 Bridgeport Avenue on 09/14/2025 during a street takeover. Berrios turned himself in on an arrest warrant issued as part of the investigation. He was processed and charged with Reckless Driving and Evading Responsibility, released after posting a $25,000 court-set bond, and is scheduled to appear in Derby Superior Court on 11/05/2025. Berrios was charged as an adult, as motor vehicle charges are applicable to 16- and 17-year-olds.

Shelton Detectives, with assistance from the Norwalk Police Department, located the vehicle that struck the juvenile male in the parking lot. Follow-up interviews with Berrios led to the arrest warrant. The juvenile male who was struck was treated and released from the hospital.

Incident Recap (Initial Release Information)

On 09/14/2025 at approximately 1:30 a.m., Shelton Police and Shelton EMS responded to 862 Bridgeport Avenue for a report of a person struck by a vehicle during a street takeover. Responding officers encountered multiple vehicles fleeing the lot as police and EMS arrived. On scene, officers located a juvenile male reportedly struck by a vehicle operating recklessly; he was transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital with serious injuries.

The Shelton Police Department continues to actively investigate this incident. Anyone with information regarding the incident or the pictured vehicle is asked to contact the Shelton Police Department Detective Bureau.

Bridgeport Man Charged in Violent Sexual Assault of Teenage Student

Bridgeport Police have arrested 28-year-old Cordero Javier Greaves of Bridgeport for violently sexually assaulting a teenage girl on her way to school this morning. Detectives from the Special Victims Unit, with help from Task Force and Patrol Officers, located and arrested Greaves at his residence around 1:00 p.m. The School Resource Unit also assisted in the investigation. The arrest took place without incident near Railroad Avenue, where the assault occurred.

Greaves faces multiple charges including Sexual Assault in the First Degree, Risk of Injury to a Minor, Illegal Sexual Contact with a Person Under 16, Unlawful Restraint, and Threatening. His bond was set at $750,000. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Davon Polite at (203) 581-5249.

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