Norwalk City commissioners set onboarding steps for new fair housing officer, recommend later afternoon availability

Norwalk City Fair Housing Commission members discussed onboarding steps and public access expectations for the commission’s newly hired Fair Housing Officer, Sabrina Roman, who is scheduled to start April 7.

Commissioners considered office hours, initial outreach priorities and administrative support as part of their effort to ensure residents can reach the new officer once she begins work.

The commission discussed setting Roman’s regular in‑office hours later in the morning so she can be available into the late afternoon. One commissioner proposed scheduling her for a roughly eight‑hour day that begins about 9:30 a.m. and extends to about 4:30 p.m. Commissioners agreed that outreach work — including travel to meetings outside Norwalk — should be counted as part of an eight‑hour workday and that some after‑4 p.m. availability would help working families contact the office.

Members said the commission does not plan to provide a permanent in‑office backup when Roman is out; instead, they expect to use an answering machine so callers can leave messages, and Roman would return calls when she is available. Commissioners also discussed having transitional overlap with the outgoing officer, Margaret, and said Margaret is expected to be available around Roman’s start date to hand off files and information.

The commission discussed holding a short introduction or proclamation event during April’s Fair Housing Month to introduce Roman to City staff and the public. Commissioners debated whether to hold that event in City Hall’s atrium — which would raise public visibility — or in the community room, which offers easier logistics and more seating. The chair said they would contact the mayor’s office to arrange a proclamation and banner and coordinate a simple reception for department heads and community partners.

Members also discussed practical onboarding tasks: getting Roman a city email account, phone contact information, and a cleared office space. Commissioners said they would share contact details among themselves and with Roman to support relationship‑building; several commissioners offered to stop by the office during the first weeks to assist with the transition.

On scheduling, commissioners confirmed the commission’s regular meeting remains the third Monday of the month at 3 p.m., and they discussed offering a hybrid option (Zoom plus in‑person) to increase accessibility. The commission noted Roman has preexisting plans that include two dates during the summer when she will be unavailable; exact dates were not specified in the meeting.

The meeting concluded with a procedural motion to adjourn that carried by voice vote.

The commission’s next scheduled meeting is April 21; Roman will have been at work about two weeks by that meeting, and commissioners said they expect to provide an update on outreach and office operations then.