[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6079353,"mediaKeyId","2956085-64add32c27211da1e31064bc5dad5f7c","parentId",2956085,"title","Historical Commission seeks funding to finish Smith Street jail interior, Lockwood projects and cemetery upkeep","audioSeconds",353,"startMs",2247000,"endMs",2600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956085-64add32c27211da1e31064bc5dad5f7c&start=2247&end=2600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956085-64add32c27211da1e31064bc5dad5f7c/thumbnail_2247000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079353/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Historical-Commission-seeks-funding-to-finish-Smith-Street-jail-interior-Lockwood-projects-and-cemetery-upkeep","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079353-a6bac05ae283399941fac64217350f61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174508&Signature=fsWPGKmBS19TxWBX4tAt0N-UjcRXcLN46TYOBa8XzCRpkvFFGstrLsBTzb~8HWhl8HFu~eLAk4OeQlHsrRVzUactRTXNPH2jpurpIJKfHpCufrPozaB6Rqr005a56ecKfc4YAHf5xpi11Yqmbye~qCoYzQ8E1MKdcLQT~njW3U6xefRafA9FzHow9RstNMJOj9S9s~knWAEyLpoDUVT~MKN5ILK2bU46UcG3bnQJnOZTZEumr7adEM5w7XtACZ~LRJDUtmqmefQPrXEg5hUiPyhd0SDPJnCjLd-FYuxA-RTnabdury8xuw6pDlKoxfW5CrrHuoqAn7p0PXv1hv4uOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Norwalk, CT","date","2025-03-31T00:00:00Z","article","David Westmoreland, representing Norwalk’s Historical Commission, told the Economic Community Development Committee on March 31 that the commission seeks several targeted capital allocations to finish long‑standing preservation projects.

Westmoreland outlined four requests: $375,000 to complete interior restoration and exhibition work at the Smith Street jail (first floor cells, pottery exhibits on the second floor and storage on the third); $150,000 to finish the Lockwood House basement to add classroom and exhibit space as the fifth phase of a multi‑phase renovation; $75,000 for a conservator‑led specification and scope for exterior repairs to the Lockwood‑Matthews Mansion (wood sills, masonry repointing and ornamental replacements); and $10,000 for routine cemetery site work to repair fallen trees and damaged tombstones at city‑owned cemeteries including Pine Island and Mill Hill.

Westmoreland said some Lockwood‑Matthews work will be pursued through grants once a professional scope of work is prepared; he also said the mansion’s interior renovations funded earlier now require exterior conservation planning. Council members asked whether such items should be moved into operating budgets for long‑term maintenance; Westmoreland and staff said the Lockwood‑Matthews items are one‑time conservation/specification costs tied to a larger capital renovation and therefore belong in capital.

Why it matters: The Historical Commission’s projects affect city cultural assets used by residents, school groups and tourists. Westmoreland said several projects are already partially funded and that the commission will seek outside funding for larger exterior conservation work once the scope is defined.

Ending: The committee thanked the Historical Commission for its work and directed staff to keep the commission’s proposals under review as part of the capital process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Norwalk Economic and Community Development Committee 03-31-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Historical Commission asked the committee for modest capital to finish interior work at the Smith Street jail, continue Lockwood House basement improvements, pay for a conservation study for the Lockwood‑Matthews mansion exterior, and cover routine cemetery repairs.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",4245,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079356,"City seeks $450,000 for ADA upgrades including lowered service counters and library accessibility",377,3238000,3615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956085-64add32c27211da1e31064bc5dad5f7c&start=3238&end=3615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956085-64add32c27211da1e31064bc5dad5f7c/thumbnail_3238000.jpg","/articles/6079356/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/City-seeks-450000-for-ADA-upgrades-including-lowered-service-counters-and-library-accessibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079356-808bdd420c49bb568e70aff84979dd7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174508&Signature=nGyz-zFYogq60F8bKZIzkPzWy-W~hI3nrDBI~zX7kolFYY7~V3FjEpg8rgi6T-vnJ3GakVEeFDusGXDsv9VrPEPfhaAgTEW~OfM5PLILCglwIBw6Ur4XA2cnbyytEda5Jxd2HMsa3m-O4CP5ALwsrivE6mkCTCTQnv-z6slpgt8MVzkFpv7-tTkBa9I1lGgQh~n0DB9vyDR52AGyWvQV5m-QGN0La6hE~A1OYuDQH-NIBYXke3vG8V4b3FB6CL4p97-J5TdgeyZgtnuIb6FHmW44vx23eciOLT65bFQN0YwREUxUXdBCihYGC8uYXt01OwavCE5K7IPwmuILkq5lAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Community Services and the city’s ADA team presented a $450,000 capital request for improved public access at city facilities during the March 31 committee hearing.

Anna Vivian, representing ADA compliance, said the bulk of the request — $300,000 — would allow the city to bring seven public service counters into ADA compliance at City Hall and high‑traffic public counters including the town clerk, tax collector, tax assessor, community services desk, security desk, registrar of voters and the building department. ADA staff and building management assessed counters citywide and found only roughly 18% of public facing counters meet the 36‑inch accessibility reach; the $300,000 is an estimate to complete a prioritized set of seven counters.

Bill (identified in the meeting as the part‑time ADA staffer who conducted assessments) told the committee the tax collector’s counter is significantly more expensive to renovate (estimated at $125,000) because it is a bank‑style, security‑glassed fixture that may require wide reconstruction rather than a simple lowered section.

Anna Vivian said the remaining $150,000 would finish partially completed projects: approximately $100,000 to complete renovated restrooms and lobby work at the concert hall (which required more demolition and rebuilding than expected), and $50,000 to complete curb‑ramp and sidewalk grade work on City Hall Drive toward Eversley Avenue.

Why it matters: Committee members asked whether the tax collector counter’s cost could be reduced; Bill and building management said they would seek alternate designs but that security requirements and the existing construction make the current estimate conservative. Council members and staff also discussed moving recurring ADA maintenance into operating budgets over time; city staff said the first year’s costs could be covered from bond premium while the city transitions certain maintenance items to operating budgets.

Ending: ADA and building staff said they will work with architects to refine designs and return with any possible cost savings; the committee took no vote and will consider the request as part of the broader capital review process.","Community Services staff requested $450,000 for ADA compliance projects: $300,000 to modify or replace seven public service counters at City Hall and other buildings, and $150,000 to finish several ongoing accessibility projects, including concert-hall restrooms and curb ramps.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079361,"Parks officials push Broad River athletic complex; council members raise PFAS and drainage concerns",997,6763000,7760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956085-64add32c27211da1e31064bc5dad5f7c&start=6763&end=7760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956085-64add32c27211da1e31064bc5dad5f7c/thumbnail_6763000.jpg","/articles/6079361/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Parks-officials-push-Broad-River-athletic-complex-council-members-raise-PFAS-and-drainage-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079361-b5845a5a80c6d1d3b7c066b85f8ee405/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174508&Signature=DiAkLowt98exwuFND-Axz4VSUaw8oH0N7xEevVk50iRbLS7qX20swE6BYVXoD9LdwgB0FELu-zA-ueakkU9qCLDeC3LDw0whvhAbVFL6t69BA5QSCTUTJUDY3s9TVQgBAchyTbLpIlHoUCiqIfb87QORMxpp-GIoprJp2JyX26j3e5p09782VrmozfwuEkRwvwz27SBE7XP29aMoGENEBdAp5VLmxrSZIbX6XytSte~HKZmJPx8GAuI5DiXQFBUN3zcaziLkX0BjDs8uPTBQvxb6VBXDrDb6ZST09xFtr9SOTKuvPHt0nct8TyJuN0loqFRu5z5RFjVfGNfoF63ddg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and Recreation Director Robert (last name not specified) and staff presented plans for a multi‑field Broad River athletic complex on March 31, saying the city has already committed several million dollars and seeks additional funding to complete fields, lighting and parking.

Robert said the project would create three high‑quality fields, parking, restrooms and support amenities and that about $5 million has already been accumulated for the site. The current package before the committee includes roughly $2 million more for field construction and another $2 million in drainage work led by public works and engineering; together, project alternates and drainage could push total program costs into the high single‑digit millions.

Several council members praised the need for improved recreation fields but raised environmental health questions about hybrid or artificial turf. Council Member Lisa Shanahan said the committee should “carefully evaluate” whether any turf products contain PFAS; Council Member Barbara Smith and others flagged watershed and water‑quality risks because runoff from the site ultimately reaches drinking‑water and coastal resources. First Taxing District testing capacity was raised; Council Member Jalen Seed noted regional lab bottlenecks for PFAS analysis.

Parks staff said the planned fields would use a hybrid approach (synthetic infield, natural outfield), would avoid crumb‑rubber fill and would pursue vendors that can demonstrate non‑PFAS materials. Parks also said drainage improvements for the site are being designed now and that the city intends to coordinate drainage work, field construction and grant opportunities to avoid losing earlier state or private funding.

Why it matters: The Broad River complex is a major parks investment that would expand tournament‑grade play opportunities for Norwalk youth sports; it also sits in an area that has required drainage remediation. Council members called for stronger assurances on materials testing and environmental safeguards before committing final funding.

Ending: Parks staff said they will provide the committee with detailed cost breakdowns and vendor information, and engineering staff will coordinate drainage design and grant timing so the city can bid the project in the near term.","Parks director and staff asked the committee to fund remaining work at the Broad River athletic complex; committee members acknowledged demand for fields but expressed concern about PFAS in hybrid turf and the project's drainage and total cost.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079366,"WPCA officials present 10‑year collection and treatment plan, say state review pending",595,4881000,5476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956085-64add32c27211da1e31064bc5dad5f7c&start=4881&end=5476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956085-64add32c27211da1e31064bc5dad5f7c/thumbnail_4881000.jpg","/articles/6079366/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/WPCA-officials-present-10year-collection-and-treatment-plan-say-state-review-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079366-82f45ee0a91b460faab1df56fb55692b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174508&Signature=nPYP6H3uxgHUlmloTu5PQVNfKjXAPihN3B48lsNlX4nhdkEnYRUnhZC6Sp8DUa~Ln1D6TbxYv~zP65kJovhVawJbLlMSNiGKosnLqSwcT0LJcOca8wkC~rb7wE6-0YNwInypaY9W9wrtehMQt3f-d5Wbpmlwrcu4ovY65BCH16j4lfCCr0MUcdtCLcXz2vD5KchXK8g0QiCRccwQhKU8lRXtQvIXDoyZPTGpf0oUs55f5Chm4RXMY~GFQzRiTsrh4g0XIT5SkZ-Vfl0hri4Q5kfbxREZywXwklhX2xqnYiMkF002oZL04YcqjVKBT6-GEV26agT3yp3c7pnOhNo4bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ralph Kolb, senior environmental engineer with Norwalk’s Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA), briefed the Economic Community Development Committee on March 31 about a multi‑year plan to rehabilitate the city’s wastewater collection system and upgrade treatment facilities.

Kolb said the WPCA manages roughly 200 miles of sewer pipe and proposed a 10‑year program of pipeline rehabilitation, manhole repairs and trenchless pipelining (CIPP) in several neighborhoods. He said the plan, submitted to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in September 2022, is intended to reduce inflow and infiltration, preserve existing assets and help comply with a pending consent‑order process.

Kolb and Vanessa Baladares, chief of operations and public works, said the city is already doing targeted lining and manhole work in places such as Bell Island, Samus Street and Martin Beach. They asked the committee to authorize roughly $7.6 million this year for collection‑system work, saying that amount reflects projects ready for bidding and construction and that prior authorized but unissued project balances remain available.

On treatment‑plant work, Kolb said Norwalk has filed a wastewater treatment plant facility plan with DEEP and is beginning design of final settling tanks; DEEP may partner on construction funding and will factor the project’s priority points when allocating Clean Water Fund assistance.

Why it matters: The WPCA is an enterprise fund; its projects are usually financed by revenues of the authority but require council authorization for bonding. Kolb and Baladares said some work is being staged while the city awaits DEEP’s formal response to the facility plan. Committee questions focused on whether the scaled‑back request for this year is sufficient; WPCA staff said the shown amounts reflect a realistic, staged work plan and remaining unissued authorizations carried forward from prior years.

Ending: WPCA staff said they will continue to brief the committee and try to time grant applications so readiness documents line up with state grant cycles.","WPCA engineers told the committee Norwalk submitted a 10‑year plan to Connecticut DEEP and will pursue collection system rehabilitation and treatment plant upgrades; projects are staggered pending state comments and grants.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079371,"Norwalk finance chief outlines capital plan, warns of borrowing limits under AAA standard",1001,597000,1598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956085-64add32c27211da1e31064bc5dad5f7c&start=597&end=1598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956085-64add32c27211da1e31064bc5dad5f7c/thumbnail_597000.jpg","/articles/6079371/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-finance-chief-outlines-capital-plan-warns-of-borrowing-limits-under-AAA-standard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079371-55f73826eb00614e81b033998a39bbec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174508&Signature=XhYScl7gLJd6djIFAQoEoTflspf1h3-Wa6z4tYtkKlov6aJ7ojXRErbYVWKNd8aP3uL5f1eu8Q5Jj~bjbGEzjAfqoR35xZPsefka6r1Vqgae8L1G7ZvhCc4hsJvrOcItWVjUWDLUY3-aN2Rtx5yh7Uw6Q~DA8TEJqu8DdfRqzb2-JCkYD5IwoVAd~63iuc7SRGRSk~fikkRgu0MYiqPiUzVF4sg29W0ppN-7cEvgzGx2~VEoiUxGjq6eleNLPlemdk5K4FBvkiaYpB3ycPxpU2SsA3ty4pgZ-VJZ8A1rWAutwMPAGZHxRjuLyyO1EICWcUp53btLrSk9HzuqM12TBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jared Schmidt, the city’s chief financial officer, told the Economic Community Development Committee on March 31 that the city’s capital plan seeks substantial authorizations this year but remains inside a legally and rating-driven borrowing ceiling.

Schmidt said the finance team recommended about $74 million in authorizations for next year’s capital plan while using bond premium to offset some debt-service payments. He and the city’s municipal financial adviser modeled a total long-term debt load of roughly $585 million under current authorizations and outstanding bonds, leaving about $64.5 million of capacity under a $650 million ceiling that supports Norwalk’s AAA credit rating.

Why it matters: The committee was repeatedly told that the $650 million cap and related metrics are central to preserving Norwalk’s top credit grade. Several members said a pattern of repeating $74 million authorizations in successive years would risk exceeding the recommended threshold and could put the rating at risk.

Schmidt explained the difference between authorization and issuance: authorizing a project does not necessarily mean the city will issue bonds and spend the money immediately; some authorizations fund multi‑year projects such as WPCA work or fire truck orders that have long lead times. He also proposed process changes, including a proposed four‑year sunset on older authorizations and moving from a five‑ to a 10‑year capital improvement plan to better match how projects actually play out.

Committee members pressed how the $64.5 million cushion should be managed. Council Member Jim Frayer and others said the city should avoid repeating large authorizations year after year; Schmidt and staff said the city retires roughly $30 million of principal annually, which offsets new borrowing, but warned of “belt tightening” in future years if authorizations remain high.

Schmidt said the city is using accumulated bond premium to pay for smaller recurring maintenance items this year instead of pushing them into the operating budget immediately; he said auditors and bond counsel had reviewed the approach. He also said the city has reduced the number of bond ratings it pays for from three to two to save tens of thousands of dollars a year.

Context and next steps: Schmidt’s presentation framed this committee’s upcoming capital reviews and a subsequent vote. The committee will continue departmental hearings and is scheduled to vote on recommendations next week before the Common Council considers the plan. The finance office recommended, and the committee heard, that maintaining the AAA rating is the underlying objective that constrains the pace of new authorizations.

Ending: Committee members thanked Schmidt for the overview and said they would use the presentation to guide department-by-department budget review at upcoming sessions.","City CFO Jared Schmidt told the Economic Community Development Committee the city is proposing about $74 million of capital authorizations this year but remains roughly $64 million under a $650 million debt cap linked to its AAA rating; Schmidt and advisers urged restraint in future years to protect the rating.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Historical Commission seeks funding to finish Smith Street jail interior, Lockwood projects and cemetery upkeep

City seeks $450,000 for ADA upgrades including lowered service counters and library accessibility

Parks officials push Broad River athletic complex; council members raise PFAS and drainage concerns

WPCA officials present 10‑year collection and treatment plan, say state review pending

Norwalk finance chief outlines capital plan, warns of borrowing limits under AAA standard