Norwalk committee advances FY2025–26 capital budget; highlights include firehouse addition, police fleet replacement, Wall Street work and digital permitting

Norwalk’s Economic & Community Development Committee on April 3 voted to advance the FY2025–26 capital budget to the Common Council for approval after hearing requests and presentations from police, fire, transportation, information technology, schools and redevelopment staff.

Committee members and department leaders debated several large and high-profile requests before voting to advance the package to the council. The committee recorded a unanimous vote to forward the capital plan; the action moves the proposed projects into the council review and appropriation process rather than authorizing immediate spending.

What was on the table

- Police: Chief Walsh told the committee the department requested $950,000 for FY25–26 to buy eight patrol cars and one prisoner transport van. He said patrol cars are estimated at $85,000–$90,000 each because of rising costs for vehicle outfitting, dash cameras and laptops; the prisoner-van retrofit was described in testimony as needing to meet seat-belt and camera requirements, with a retrofit estimate cited during the meeting in a range referenced by the chief.

- Fire: Chief Gatto presented seven capital projects. The largest is a renovation and addition to Station 4 (Westport Avenue) to increase on‑duty staffing from four to eight firefighters per shift; the department’s most recent cost estimate for that project is about $4,000,000. Gatto also said the department is seeking $2,900,000 for a replacement ladder truck (long lead time on manufacture) and $720,000 to complete a…