Norwalk: Common Council MTG

by turfgrrl

May 22nd, 2007 · 19 Comments

Tags: In the News · Norwalk

19 Responses so far ↓ “Norwalk: Common Council MTG”

• 1 East Norwalk native // May 23, 2007 at 12:19 am

  I belive the line is “leave the gun - take the cannolis”.

• 2 Watchdog // May 23, 2007 at 6:53 am

  Nothing much going on here, Turfie. Now… what do you think of Mr. Kimmel taking that U(unaffiliate) turn, eh?

• 3 Anonymous // May 23, 2007 at 7:08 am

  The transfer station can’t be moved… in that case, why not start promoting it as a Norwalk attraction since it’s right on the river path and adjacent to the Lockwood Mathews Mansion, an historic cemetery and Stepping Stones Museum?

  Come to think of it, along with the sewage treatment plant on the other side of I95 and the river, it could be part of a double feature!

  We all know the river is key to successful redevelopment between Wall St. and South Norwalk. Industrial and sanitary facilities like the asphalt plant and Devine Brothers will make great partners and a much-needed diversion from the charm and boring character of what’s being planned by Seligson, DiScala, et al.

  Personally, I know I enjoy the wafting odor of factory effluence, garbage and sewage on a muggy July morning. Way to go Norwalk!

• 4 Anonymous // May 23, 2007 at 8:09 am

  Better yet: move the transfer station to Veteran’s Park and put a mini-golf course in where the present one is! Fred Bondi could probably get that worked into the Master Plan.

• 5 turfgrrl // May 23, 2007 at 8:22 am

  Watchdog: It’s says Kimmel perhaps is ready to take the gloves off and reform the BOE. It says also that the Democratic leadership has abandoned its governance on principle.

• 6 savit // May 23, 2007 at 8:25 am

  Also, there was an official proclamation from the Governor that the week of May 20 be “Norwalk Preservation Week” in the State of CT. How cool is that?

  I suppose it’s to differentiate this week from the other 51 “Norwalk Tear it Down” weeks…

• 7 Anonymous // May 23, 2007 at 8:28 am

  Maybe that proclamation could go up on the wall at City Hall with the one that “Frankie Goes to DC” Esposito received in the White House for the historic preservation of Sono.

  Wait… I forgot. That one never got put up.

• 8 Anonymous // May 23, 2007 at 8:31 am

  Oh, and the latest excuse from da Dickster: Metro-North is responsible for the flooding problems. Between them and FEMA, I’d say you’re doing a heckava job, Dickie!

• 9 Mr Greenpeace // May 24, 2007 at 9:09 pm

  a question for the experts,,is the sediment in the storm drains hazardous? In other states the drains contain asbestos from brake pads and chemical runoff from lawns,,the new systems to catch pollution hold over a ton of solid waste and when its time to dispose of it all course our dpw must now have a haz mat crew to remove it who pays for the disposal i only assume its another 10 maybe 20 thousand dollar bill that will be a surprise or a forgot to mention expense that needs to be paid,,

  then again I’m sure the sediment will make great backfill when the gas tanks at the police station are removed to offset any pollution there.

  yes Norwalk pay for it now or pay for it later its all about choices, like the politicians pay for it later.

• 10 Anonymous // May 24, 2007 at 9:46 pm

  All water runoff eventually ends up in the surface waters. The route in which the water takes determines the quality of the surface waters. One route for water flow is through seepage into the ground and then to surface waters. Water also travels a more direct route by storm water drains or the sanitary sewer lines. If water goes through the storm water drains, it does not receive any treatment. If liquid or debris goes down the storm water drain with the water, then it also goes directly to the surface water. Water sent to the waste water treatment plant, by sanitary sewer lines, is treated and then discharged out to surface waters. However, there are instances in which the waste water treatment plant cannot treat the water due to a liquid or debris in the water. If this occurs, then some of the water could enter the surface waters without adequate treatment.
  As a community we need to control what we place on the lawn, put down household drains and storm water drains, and send to the landfills. Some factors that reduce the quality of our surface waters are sediments, debris, soil erosion, storm water runoff, chemicals, organic matter, and leachate from landfills.

  Sediment and Debris

  When storm water drains are plugged up with sediment and debris the storm water has no direct water way to discharge into the surface waters. The storm water runoff will remain in the road, picking up sediment and debris, until it finds a route to surface waters.
  Activity Why
  Sweep paved surfaces This prevents sediment and debris from entering storm drains
  Consider an alternate de-icer to replace sand Sand clogs the storm water drains and buries aquatic animals and plants
  Preserve and plant trees Trees help to keep the soil in place
  Use stones, wood decks, patios, or interlocking stones instead of pavement These items allow storm water runoff to seep into the ground, thus reducing the amount of sediment picked up by storm water runoff
  Sweep leaves away from storm drain openings, curbs, and paved areas This keeps the storm drains clear and keeps the leaves out of the runoff

  Sediment deposit is the number one pollutant to our surface waters. A primary cause of sedimentation in our surface waters is improper sediment controls during construction. Settling ponds and filter fences are used to contain eroded sediment, picked up by storm water runoff, on the construction site. These types of controls filter out the sediment before the storm water runoff enters the surface waters. Some sediment controls reduce the rate at which the storm water runoff is flowing allowing the sediment to settle before it reaches the surface waters.

  Sediment and debris that settle at the bottom of surface waters destroy animal and plant habitats, and in some cases the sediment and debris kill these organisms. Sediment and debris that float in the surface waters prevents light from passing through, hindering plant respiration, animal respiration and digestion.

  Soil Erosion & Storm Water Runoff
  This is an outfall discharging into surface waters. The water coming from the outfall typically has not been treated in any way. Because the water receives no treatment, it is important that sediment and debris are absent from the water.

  Activity Why
  Do not over water This keeps the amount of
  runoff to a minimum
  Guide storm water onto
  grass Allows the storm water to
  filter into the ground
  Install gravel trenches
  along driveway or patios
  (1 foot deep by 3 foot
  wide) This allows the storm
  water to filter slowly into
  the ground
  Use stones, wood decks,
  patios, or interlocking
  stones instead of
  pavement Unlike pavement, these
  items allow storm water to
  seep into the ground,
  decreasing the amount of
  storm water runoff
  Sweep leaves away from
  storm drain openings,
  curbs, and paved areas This keeps the storm
  drains clear
  Use a single pathway to
  the edge of the water for
  access This will keep the soil in
  place and prevent
  sediment from washing
  into the surface waters
  Activity Why
  Plant and protect
  vegetation on stream
  banks and areas nearby Vegetation prevents the soil
  from becoming loose and
  eroding into the surface
  waters
  Clear away fallen trees
  and debris from natural
  waterways and storm
  water drains Clear waterways and
  storm water drains
  reduces the intensity of
  the storm water runoff
  Keep grazing animals and
  heavy loads away from
  the edge of the water Grazing animals eliminate
  the plants needed to keep
  the soil in place
  Protect wetlands Wetlands slow down and
  store runoff, and also
  filter out pollutants

  Soil erosion and storm water runoff occurs when the environment is changed. Many times the changes are made to develop an area. Construction typically removes plant life at the development site. When it rains, there is nothing on the site to keep the soil in place. The soil is carried to surface waters via storm water runoff. Soil erosion continues even after the development is completed. Now the storm water does not have a place to seep into the ground. Again storm water runoff is formed, following any path it can find. Eventually the runoff will find a stream or creek, but the force of the flowing water is much greater than before, thus eroding the streambank. The material picked up by the runoff will now be deposited in the larger surface waters. The erosion caused by the runoff destroys animal and plant habitats along the streambank.

  Chemicals & Organic Matter

  Activity Why
  Compost yard waste Yard waste provides too
  many nutrients for
  organisms found in
  surface waters
  Sweep leaves away from
  storm drain openings,
  curbs,and paved areas Leaves provide too many
  nutrients for organisms
  found in surface waters
  Recycle Recycling reduces the
  amount of material going
  to the landfills
  Use ground cover rather
  than grass Ground cover does not
  need to be fertilized and
  does not require a lot of
  upkeep
  Use native plants Native plants can sustain
  themselves naturally
  Pick up animal waste and
  bag it, and keep grazing
  animals away from the
  edge of the water This prevents animal
  waste, which is organic,
  from entering surface
  waters

  Maintain septic tank and
  field A septic tank is like a
  mini waste water
  treatment plant, treating
  household wastes before
  the water filtering into the
  ground
  Drain swimming pools
  onto expanse lawn This allows the chlorine
  to evaporate and the
  water to filter slowly into
  the soil
  Consider an alternate de-
  icer to replace salt Salt contaminates the
  drinking water supply and
  can be toxic to fish
  Activity Why
  Use non-hazardous
  cleaning products Non-hazardous cleaning
  products can be treated at
  the waste water plant
  before being discharged to
  surface waters
  Properly dispose of
  hazardous household
  waste This will prevent
  hazardous household
  waste from going to the
  landfills and from
  interfering with the
  process at the waste water
  treatment plant
  Avoid chemical fertilizers,
  and if used, follow the
  directions given Excess fertilizer
  encourages algae and
  weed growth in surface
  waters
  Use pesticides labeled
  with “caution”; apply the
  amount specified and only
  to the plants and areas
  stated in the instructions These pesticides are
  considered the least toxic;
  pesticides can harm
  people, animals, and
  helpful plants
  Never use pesticides near
  wells, streams, ponds or
  wetlands To prevent the pesticides
  from getting into the water
  supplies
  Shovel or sweep any
  spills into a container and
  dispose properly To prevent the pesticides
  from getting into the water
  supplies
  If a pesticide spills into a
  waterway, build a soil
  dam down stream and
  contact the proper
  environmental authorities The soil dam will absorb
  the pesticide and the
  environmental authorities
  can clean up the dam and
  dispose the soil properly

  Microbes (bacteria) are organisms that decompose organic matter. When chemicals and biodegradable materials are washed to surface waters algae and weeds begin to grow at a fast rate. After the algae blooms, it dies and starts to decompose. The microbes come in to help with this process using up the dissolved oxygen that is needed by aquatic plants and animals.

  Chemicals that go through sanitary sewer lines can kill the microbes needed to “clean” the waste water, thus reducing the effectiveness of the waste water treatment plant. Or, the chemically tainted water may bypass the treatment process at the plant, and go straight to the surface waters. This is not any different than dumping the chemical onto the ground or down the storm water drains.

  Materials that are sent to landfills increase the potential to pollute ground water and surface waters. The materials, chemical and biodegradable, decompose, making leachate. The leachate has the potential to filter through the ground, contaminating the ground water and surface waters.

  ——————————————————————————–

  We would like to acknowledge the following documents as sources of information for this article:

  Community Partners for Clean Streams,
  written by The Washtenaw County Office
  of the Drain Commissioner

  Controlling Nonpoint Source Pollution in the Huron River Watershed,
  written by The Washtenaw County Office
  of the Drain Commissioner

  Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control Training Program,
  presented by Claude A. Schmitt,
  Land and Water Management Division,
  Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

  The Storm Water Management Program for the University of Michigan,
  Ann Arbor Campus,
  written by Terry Alexander,
  Occupational Safety & Environmental Health,
  University of Michigan

  Water Resources - an Essay on Managing Water in Public Works,
  written by The American Public Works Association

  What’s New
  Major Programs
  Department Areas
  Links
  MSDS
  Home

  E & HMM
  Air Quality
  Environmental Remediation
  Soil Erosion Control
  Spill Prevention
  Waste Management
  Water Quality
  Staff

• 11 Mr Greenpeace // May 24, 2007 at 10:21 pm

  wow someone informed, now go to the EPA website look up Norwalk and comment on all the facts that they have on who emit toxins in So Norwalk and what is known going into the sound where the Brownfield commission will probably neglect to tell its residents. I have chased pollution for many years into waterways worked with the coast gaurd to find its source and applaud what posting ten has done. The textbook outline that has been given is informative and correct but Norwalk is not unique to its shortfalls, I would welcome the facts on Norwak to surfice soon by someone who actually understands what was just written.

  I have seen cars straddle the curb off the sidewalk in So Norwalk so the owner of the car does his oil change over the storm drain sending his waste into the sound,,textbook is great but my street experience tells me the public has a long way to go before we are told the truth and the examples of where pollution comes from for the most part.I’m sure if coaxed i can add to the above article in real time examples yet to be written or published by the EPA or any water resource article.

  It takes street experience to understand its not the innocent who does the most damage its the obvious blue trails of water entering the sound that are ignored created by people who simply don’t care.

  The path of least resistance is when that pollution goes down the street and catches those great ditches of crushed stone to houses for water, sewer or electrical utilities and creates environmental nightmares for the owners,,that occurs when pipes leak and need fixing or replacing. A

  after they are cleaned yet another expert needs to come to the tax payers and tell them they need to do more,,I am sorry I didn’t see any info on that from the DPW must of been another shortfall.Open up a can of worms and expect to go fishing.

  Mr Greenpeace

• 12 Anonymous // May 24, 2007 at 10:54 pm

  Mr Greenpeacethere is actually quite a bit of information on the internet like the one I posted. It’s quite interesting when you surf key words and come up with so many opinions and factual stories.

• 13 Mr Greenpeace // May 25, 2007 at 12:08 am

  I agree posting number 12 and sincerly I enjoy seeing the info, anyone like yourself that does take the time and post should be thanked. I’m concerned about Norwalk and its inability of its dept heads to grasp what it is we need and to pass on to the public concerning money allocation and dangers. My examples can be taken from whats happening here effecting our own residents and their health. The last Hazardous waste day(last week) went completely unreported knowing personally the amount of waste diverted from our sewers and landfills was substantial. It would of been nice to go to the net and read about our own endeavors and what we could do to help contribute our own energy into a clean environment at the same time saving tax payers money in the process.My own stories and tales are from arrests and court cases involving criminal cases,,from those you know what to look for in your own backyard can only be passed on. observance deduction and comprehension is the best tools we have.

  The health of the city workers not trained in the field working on projects that may ultimately effect their and thieir family’s health, example is who usually does the laundry of a worker contaminated clothes worn that day while working on a job where suspected chemicals are present,,that could include every manhole in the city,,by the way I wonder if there done pumping gasoline out of the manhole on west avenue? They have been at it for a long time.

  I trust before much more time passes we as a city wake up to the gentle giant on meadow st.

  simply a tidbit,,there is an acceptable level of contamination in lobsters including PCB’s means nothing unless you like lobster.

  thanks again for the posting what is needed in any city is education, as long as someone like yourself takes the time to pass it on there is hope we pass on a better environment to our kids.

  Mr Greenpeace

• 14 Crunchy Granola // May 26, 2007 at 9:56 am

  I believe the EPA recommends eating only 2-1/2 lbs. of fish per person per year out of Long Island Sound due to mercury and PCB contaminants. Glad to know the government is looking out for our interests.

• 15 Mr Greenpeace // May 27, 2007 at 2:13 am

  oh but they are Crunchy Granola, they are now having the batteries that service the Coast Gaurd bouys brought back into shore, the piles were getting so high when replacing them next to the markers navigation was becoming an issue,

  So there is less lead for the critters to live in from the cracked cases when they are harvested for the table, yet another tidbit you will never see noted for all practical matters , where we are coastal and don’t want to hurt our economics you won’t hear this from the Coast Guard and sound keepers..or our resturants

  as why are so many politicians are real estate agents sitting on boards that involve open space and revitalization, one wonders where the check and balances are or at least the checks?

  Mr Greenpeace

• 16 Crunchy Granola // May 27, 2007 at 8:05 am

  “Fair and balanced” checks in Norwalk. Just look at the ethics situation and how Coffey is pulling the old Republican stunt of attacking the people who are questioning how the rules are applied. Coffey is a Lieberman “democrat” who has abandoned principals while trying to appeal to both sides while straddling the fence.

  Then you have the Bondi/Grant situation with respect to Veterans Park. Sooner or later that ugly situation will rear its head again. Let’s just hope that the public will know of it before it’s too late. Norwalk is short on open space as it is and the cronies down at City Hall are trying their damndest to commercialize it.

  Claims of how doing that will profit the City have the lie put to them by the fact that the proposed minigolf course would have brought in only $30,000-40,000 per year in lease income.

  As far as just how much the guvvamint is looking out for our interests re: the environment, you only have to look at the Broadwater debacle to realize the game is rigged in fava of da playas. Especially with Georgie and his crew of bloodsuckers running the show.

  Locally, residents will continue to be flooded until Moochie can get bailed out by the state or the feds, and since that’s not likely to happen, he’ll do nothing - a safe way to get reelected because the majority of the voting public isn’t paying attention - and will pass it on like a fetid afterbirth to whomever succeeds him in office.

  God help us all. The people who are running this City? Why is it that the least qualified to do that are the ones who always end up doing it?

• 17 Outraged Republican // May 27, 2007 at 8:22 am

  One of the Democrats common council candidates has a financial interest in buildings in a city re-development area (wall street, maybe ?)? Very interesting since it comes from crunchy granola’s side of the aisle.

  If this person was to win, that would that be a conflict of interest.

  A democratic former mayor owns commercial property with values over 10 million in the city of norwalk. Mayoralty can be profitable for crunchy granola’s esteemed democrats.

  Crunchy should crunch the numbers on her side of the aisle instead if picking on Mayor Moccia and the Republicans.

• 18 Anonymous // May 27, 2007 at 8:27 am

  Hey, if you’re going to casually toss accusations around, you might want to name names, why not share your info with all of us? That is, as long as it has any credibility.

• 19 . // May 27, 2007 at 9:15 am

  Crunchy Granola, you are a very sick person, or should I say twisted dem? One who reads what you wrote can only drive from your really dumb comments that you are another disgruntled dem who didn’t get his own way. Come on, are you really going to blame this administration for years of neglect? This council has gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the flood victims are in the very least on their way to seeing relief from flood waters. Believe me, the infrastructure decay didn’t have in the past 2 years.
  Your reference of the mayor and afterbirth is nothing less than that of a sick mind. You make assumptions and you accuse. If you can do better, run for mayor because God knows Alex Knopp isn’t our saviour.