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Norwalk council approves appointments, school renaming and police wellness contracts
Summary
The council unanimously reappointed the parks director, approved five Urban Forestry commissioners and reappointed three members to the Commission on Gender Equity; members also voted to rename South Norwalk Elementary as Dr. Ruby M. Shaw Elementary and approved police behavioral‑health funding and a wellness app contract.
At its Feb. 10 meeting the Norwalk Common Council approved a slate of personnel and program items including reappointments, commission seats, a school renaming and police program funding.
Appointments and reappointments: The council unanimously reappointed Robert Stowers as director of Recreation and Parks and praised his work on a parks master plan, playground replacements, the marina and revenue‑generating programs. Councilors also voted to appoint Peter Vittoretto as chair and to approve four other appointees to the new Urban Forestry Commission, citing their experience in landscape architecture, environmental education and land stewardship. The council unanimously reappointed Christina Testa Buzzi, Jasmine Presley and Chantelle Coffey to the city’s Commission on Gender Equity.
School naming: Council moved to rename South Norwalk Elementary School as the Dr. Ruby M. Shaw Elementary School. Multiple council members and family representatives spoke in favor of the change, citing Dr. Shaw’s decades of work in Norwalk public schools, the establishment of the district’s first magnet school and programs supporting student achievement. Family member Patrice Hunt and others attended and thanked the council; the motion passed unanimously.
Police programs and contracts: The council authorized a third amendment to the Recovery Network agreement to continue two full‑time social workers in the police behavioral health unit for up to $300,528 for a one‑year period and approved a one‑year contract with Lexipol (Cortico app) for employee wellness and crisis support (funding not to exceed $21,600). Police Chief Walsh described the behavioral health unit’s outcomes, saying social workers handled hundreds of cases last year and that the wellness app has been used by a large share of department personnel with multiple crisis calls routed through the service.
Other approvals: The council also adopted a city Arts & Cultural Plan after a consultant presentation highlighting public outreach and financing options.
What’s next: The council will proceed to agenda items and adjourned at the close of the meeting.
