Mayor Ganim announced that Pillar Properties led by principal Kuimarz Geula will undergo a major rehabilitation of the AT&T building located in downtown Bridgeport as well as construct a new housing development on the adjacent parcel. The AT&T building located at 430 John Street will be reconstructed into mixed-use development including mixed-income housing and the city’s first rooftop restaurant. Behind the AT&T building will stand the newly constructed housing development at 455 Fairfield Ave known as the “Fairfield Residences.” In total, these two developments will contain 137 units of market-rate and affordable housing.
Mayor Ganim stated, “I would like to thank Kuimarz Geula and the rest of Pillar Properties for this investment and interest in Bridgeport. While housing costs in the area are at historic levels, these properties will offer affordable housing options in this challenging market. This project is consistent with my administration’s goals of aggressively developing properties, especially in the downtown, and addressing the housing shortage. We are also excited about the opportunity for new, fun dining option that this project will bring to downtown Bridgeport.”
Of the 137 unit being offered by this project, 50% of the units are deed-restricted affordable. The City will be contributing funding from the HOME Program to support affordable housing in both developments. Along with a rooftop restaurant, there will also be the construction of an artist gallery display and event space which will add to the fast-growing art culture in Bridgeport. Rehabilitation of the AT&T building is set to begin in the spring of this year, with the 455 Fairfield Ave development slated to break ground six months later.
Westport, CT – The Town of Westport has announced that the collection of the Inclusionary Zoning Fee for the Town’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) account will begin on February 23, 2024. Per the ordinance adopting the Affordable Housing Plan and establishing the AHTF, a formal Town committee to oversee the fund will be appointed over the next few months.
The adoption of the Affordable Housing Plan by the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) in July, 2023 called for the establishment of the AHTF and the method by which funds would be raised. At its December 2023 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission, under the leadership of Chair Paul Lebowitz, adopted a Text Amendment to establish an Inclusionary Zoning Fee and recommended to the RTM a Fee Schedule of 0.5% of the construction costs of all projects for which Zoning Permit applications are filed. The Westport RTM adopted the Inclusionary Zoning Fee of $5 per $1000 of construction cost at its February 6 meeting. This fee has the potential to raise up to $1 million annually for the AHTF.
Westport joins neighboring communities New Canaan and Fairfield in having such a fund. It will give the Town the opportunity to buy property, adaptively reuse buildings, construct housing or potentially purchase market rate units in an effort to address the need for affordable housing in the community.
The effort, spearheaded by RTM members Matthew Mandell and Seth Braunstein, saw a near unanimous bipartisan vote by the RTM throughout the process. The actions of the RTM and the P&Z Commission followed the procedural steps necessary to enact this important piece of legislation.
First Selectwoman Tooker said, “I extend my thanks for the combined efforts of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the RTM in this achievement – realizing one of many goals listed in the 2022-2027 Westport Affordable Housing Plan. Adopting the Affordable Housing Plan and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and codifying the inclusionary zoning fee is a proactive and locally controlled approach towards meeting the demand for affordable housing.”
Friends Meeting Includes “Sneak-Peek” of CHESTER BAILEY
Friends of Square One Theatre Company, the volunteer organization of the Stratford-based theatre, will hold its final general meeting of its 33rd season on Tuesday, February 27 at 7 pm at the Stratford Library, 2203 Main Street in Stratford. The meeting, which is free, open to the public and held in the Library’s Lovell Room, will focus on the theatre’s final production of the season, “Chester Bailey”, opening March 7.
A short business meeting, conducted by President Carole Fanslow, and a rundown of upcoming Friends events will begin the program. The Friends are currently making plans for their annual spring lunch fundraiser at the Library as well as other volunteer activities.
Artistic Director Tom Holehan will discuss the theatre’s upcoming production, the Connecticut premiere of Joseph Dougherty’s mysterious new play, “Chester Bailey”. Actors Alexander Kulcsar and Kiel Stango will perform scenes from the play about a young man suffering catastrophic injuries at the close of World War II and the troubled doctor assigned to his care. A question/answer session will follow the preview. Light refreshments will also be served.
For further information, call the Square One Theatre Company at 203.375.8778.
On February 15, 2024, the Bridgeport’s Police C-shift Patrol Division responded to 361 Madison Avenue on a report that a male was seen displaying a firearm while in a dispute with his uber driver. Responding officers came upon a male, while approaching the male a pistol was observed sticking out of his pocket. The suspect, who was later identified as Alex Rosado apparently vomited in the uber car before getting out and arguing with the uber driver. At one point the uber driver stated Rosado pulled out a firearm. Officers seized the firearm before calling for medics due to Rosado’s intoxicated behavior. The suspect was transported to St. Vincent’s for further review and evaluation. Officer checked the firearm through the State and learned that it was a reported stolen firearm. Rosado’s history showed he is a convicted felon and has no legal right to possess a firearm or ammunition. He was released from the E.R. and transported to Bridgeport PD to be processed. Rosado was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, criminal possession of a firearm / ammunition, theft of a firearm and breach of peace. Bond was set at $10,000.
Gear up for summer job opportunities with Job Applications 101 on February 20th from 4:00 to 5:00 pm in the Board Room. Open to those aged 16 and above, no registration is required. Learn tips on successfully completing applications, and don’t forget to bring your resume.
On February 22nd at 4:00 pm in the Lovell Room, Grades 6-12 can unleash their artistic side at Paint & Sip. All art supplies, including canvas, easels, paints, oil pastels, and brushes, will be provided, along with hot chocolate, tea, and treats. No registration is required, and it’s first come, first served.
Anime enthusiasts, Grades 6-12, can join the Anime Club on February 26th at 3:30 pm in the Board Room. Watch the latest anime while enjoying Japanese snacks. No registration is required for this entertaining event.
Explore the world of Microbit on February 29th at 6:00 pm in the Board Room with uCreate: Microbit Mania! Part 1 (6-6:45 pm) introduces Microbit, a pocket-sized computer with versatile applications. Part 2 (6:45-7:30 pm) dives into creating more complex and fun programming projects. Registration is required, and the event is open to Grade 6 – Adult.
Governor’s Budget Proposal Includes Historic Investments For Both K-12 Schools and Early Childhood Education Providers
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today expressed his support for sending state funding intended for education services directly to classrooms, saying that students will benefit best when this money is used to support the hiring of teachers and the purchasing of necessary classroom equipment.
The governor’s fiscal year 2025 budget proposal that he presented to the legislature earlier this month recommends:
Increasing education cost sharing (ECS) funds to K-12 school districts by $128.8 million over the current fiscal year; and
Increasing state funding for early childhood education by $43.4 million over the current fiscal year.
The increase in ECS funding will help Connecticut reach full funding of the formula by fiscal year 2026, a full two years sooner than the original ten-year goal. Additionally, the increase in funding for early childhood education will increase the number of families eligible for Care 4 Kids and go directly to child care providers, enabling them to support the expansion of services in classrooms, such as through the hiring of more teachers and purchasing of necessary classroom equipment.
Combined, these will be some of the largest investments ever made for Connecticut’s K-12 schools and early childhood education providers.
“Money intended for education works best when it goes to the classroom,” Governor Lamont said. “I am proposing that we use critical state resources to ensure that our state’s children have access to the classroom support they need to succeed. We can accomplish this by increasing ECS funding for our K-12 schools, working with schools to fully expend the $400 million in remaining ARP ESSER funds, and supporting an expansion of early childhood education services. The ability of our K-12 education system to succeed depends in great part on the success of our early childhood education system, and we have a desperate need to expand these services, including through the hiring of more teachers. There are thousands of families in our state who are unable to enroll their children in early childhood education because of a lack of resources. We have an opportunity this year to increase access to education for our youngest residents, and we should do it.”
“The governor’s proposed budget increases funding for classrooms, providing resources where it can make a real difference in improving student outcomes,” Jeffrey Beckham, secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and Governor Lamont’s chief budget advisor, said. “The current budget disguises municipal aid as education funding, essentially sending aid budgeted for magnet and vo-ag students back to their home district as a tuition subsidy rather than adding resources for classroom learning. Our proposal increases ECS funding, fully funds charter schools and vo-ag schools at the statutory amount, and increases the per pupil grant for both magnet schools and open choice schools. It supports the continuation of free school breakfast statewide, subsidizes the student’s share of reduced-price meals, and permanently funds the nationally recognized LEAP program, addressing chronic absence. If the General Assembly is truly serious about ensuring that all Connecticut students will be successful, they will support the governor’s proposal.”
The following chart represents the increase in ECS funding Governor Lamont is proposing to send to K-12 school districts for fiscal year 2025, as well as the balance of federal ARP ESSER funding available to K-12 schools for the year:
Nearly 400 Recent Lead Poisoning Cases Connected to Recalled Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches Highlight Urgent Need for Stronger Protections
(Hartford, CT) — Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take urgent action to protect babies and young children nationwide from lead and other toxic metals in baby food. In a letter sent this week, Attorney General Tong and the coalition urged FDA to act on their October 2021 petition and subsequent June 2022 petition and letter, which asked FDA to issue specific guidance to the baby food industry to require testing of all finished food products for lead and other toxic metals. The coalition emphasizes the critical need for FDA to act, citing recent findings of hundreds of childhood lead poisoning linked to recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches that were sold in stores throughout the country without first being tested for toxic metals.
“There is zero excuse for toxic metals in baby food. For years, we have urged the FDA to adopt strong, specific guidance around testing for toxic metals in baby food. For years, FDA has delayed its duty. Now, hundreds of children have been permanently harmed due to untested toxic lead in cinnamon applesauce pouches. The FDA cannot wait any longer to protect our children and the safety of our food supply,” said Attorney General Tong.
Despite the agency concluding years ago that babies’ and young children’s smaller bodies and metabolisms make them more vulnerable to the harmful effects of toxic metals, FDA has established only one action level for one type of toxic metal (inorganic arsenic) in one type of baby food product (infant rice cereal) to date. Under current FDA policy, baby food manufacturers are left to decide whether or not to even test their products for toxic metals and other contaminants.
This delay in FDA action is both a public health concern and a matter of environmental justice, as children from low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by lead through exposure to lead-based paint, lead in drinking water pipes, and other sources. Lead in their food only exacerbates the existing inordinate and inequitable hazards these children face.
In April 2021, FDA announced the “Closer to Zero” plan, under which the agency committed to proposing “action levels” for lead in various baby foods by April 2022, inorganic arsenic in various baby foods by April 2024, and cadmium and mercury sometime after April 2024. FDA has since removed those deadlines from its Closer to Zero website. In October 2021, Attorney General Tong joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general in filing a petition with FDA urging the agency to issue clear industry guidance on testing for lead and other toxic metals in finished baby and toddler food products. After FDA denied the 2021 petition, Attorney General Tong and the coalition sought reconsideration of the decision in June 2022. The letter sent today renews the call for FDA to take urgent action to protect families from lead and other toxic metals in baby food products.
In the letter, Attorney General Tong and the coalition highlight recent widespread childhood lead poisonings related to high levels of lead detected in WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis brand cinnamon applesauce pouches, that were not tested for toxic metals and have since been recalled. The now-recalled WanaBana pouches were sold in Dollar Tree stores throughout the country. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has identified nearly 400 confirmed or probable childhood lead poisoning cases in connection to consumption of these cinnamon applesauce pouches.
3 things all parents should do following the FDA’s pouch recalls | BabyCenter
WanaBana Recalls WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée Pouches & Cinnamon Apple Sauce Due to Elevated Lead Levels | FDA
Weis brand applesauce pouches among recall for lead levels: FDA, CDC
Consumers who have purchased these recalled products and may still have them in their homes should not feed them to children or anyone else. Instead, these products should be safely discarded by carefully opening each pouch and emptying the contents into the garbage to prevent others from possibly salvaging and consuming the recalled products. For more information on these recalled products, consult FDA.
Joining Attorney General Tong in sending this letter to FDA are the attorneys general of New York, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Assistant Attorney General Jill Lacedonia and Deputy Associate Attorney General Matthew Levine, Chief of the Environment Section, assisted the Attorney General in this matter.
Report of a car into a building at the 100 block of Norman Street. First responders on scene are saying it’s a car that went into the porch of the home and that there is structural damage to the building, and appears to be unoccupied.
At 7:47pm the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a homeowner on Burr Farms Road reporting a fire in their house. The Westport Fire Department responded with 4 fire engines, 1 ladder truck, and the Shift Commander. First arriving fire companies found heavy smoke coming from the garage. Entry was made to the garage where firefighters located and quickly extinguished the fire. All occupants safely evacuated the house and there were no injuries.
The Westport Fire Department would like to remind everyone to have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes. The homeowners were alerted to fire by a properly working smoke detector. Westport EMS and Westport Police assisted on scene. The fire remains under investigation from the Fire Marshal’s office.
Earlier this morning, a Westport resident received a voicemail from a person who represented that they were Captain David Wolf from the Westport Police. The individual requested that the resident call them back. Upon returning the call, the party who answered stated that the resident had a bench warrant and requested that she pay a $5,000.00 fine. This is a SCAM as this call was not placed by Captain Wolf nor any other member of the Westport Police Department. Fortunately, the resident realized it was a scam and therefore did not suffer a financial loss. Please remember that no member of the police department will ever request that a fine be paid over the phone nor call to solicit any type of payment. Additionally, as a reminder, do not give any personal banking information such as account numbers to someone who may call unless you are absolutely sure of you are speaking with.
