Common Council Meeting

Public Participation:

Todd Bryant: Head of Fodor Farm Study Committee. Supports resolution before you. Do have some reservations however, we ask you to vote for it, but wish to express reservations. Thinks that the council should have had the opportunity to study the historic district next to the deed restriction plan. Land must be subdivided, deed restrictions need to be written, conservation needs to be … and that with these steps the houses will remain unoccupied for another winter.
Asks that a line be amended to include the standards of the department of interior which are the universal guide to rehabilitation of historic properties. We ask that council formally dissolve the committee. Norwalk needs another historic district. There are 177 local historic districts in the state, and that there are missed opportunities for funding.

[Read more →]

(Although I missed the first part I picked uop around 7pm)

The usual Norwalk political flunkies were out in force for the ethics hearing. In the audience were Gewn Briggs, Doug Hempstead and Art Scialaba who is managing Moccia’s campaign. Kydes was represented by a lawyer [Rubin]. The lawyer was busy discounting all of the allegations that Poruban made going as far as doing a title search.

Wall 71 LLC has one member John C. Donnegan. Kydes cast two votes that Poruban highlights that Kydes cast votes when John C. Donnegan was the sole owner. The lawyer alleges that Prouban didn’t bother checking out the land records because this was all public info.

[Read more →]

Back in March, when the flood waters ravaged homes throughout Norwalk, the Common Council was focused on addressing the infrastructure of Norwalk.

Douglas E. Hempstead said capital spending priorities now are often geared toward two-year council terms with elected officials taking a “year-to-year mindset” on capital spending.

“Every year we’re ’stealing’ money,” said Hempstead, referring to shifting capital dollars. “We’re always pushing something further back and back, so you’re in a lot larger hole than you want to be. A lot more money this year is going into drainage issues than road issues.”

[Read more →]

Governor Rell has released a statement, according to the Courant:

“Our drivers deserve the reassurance and peace of mind of knowing that our bridges are routinely inspected, maintained and kept as safe as possible, ” Rell said in a prepared statement.

The state’s 10 deck truss bridges - similar to the span that collapsed in Minneapolis - have been found to have “no major issues” following recent reviews or re-inspections, Rell said.

Yet, in the same article:

[Read more →]

I really like Chris Dodd.

He’s been my Senator for pretty much my entire adult life. But more than that, I enjoy his performance on the national stage.

He is articulate and funny, he connects with the people in the room with him, and it comes across on TV.

I’m kinda, y’know, proud he’s from Connecticut.

He’s my idea of a Connecticut politician - personable; urbane without pretension; sophisticated yet practical; substantive without losing his sense of humor; principled yet pragmatic; and silver-tongued.

[Read more →]