Mayor's Neighborhood Preservation Commission

Mayor's Neighborhood Preservation Committee 2/03/10 Minutes (Final) CITY OF NORWALK MAYOR’S NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 3, 2010 ATTENDANCE: Richard A. Moccia, Mayor; Maribeth Becker, Wall Street; Katherine Griffing, Golden Hill Association; Glenn Iannaccone, Norwalk Fire Department; Marilyn Maitland, Norwalk Health Department; Christine Names, NASH; Ron Muller, Village Creek Homeowners Association; Frank Strauch, Planning and Zoning; Arthur Port Draper, Harbor Shores Association STAFF: Connie Blair, Customer Service CALL TO ORDER Mr. Shockley called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 6, 2010 MEETING MINUTES The following correction was noted: Page 3, paragraph 2, line 4: please change from: “that the” to “that they should contact him.” ** MR. IANNACCONE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 6, 2010 MEETING AS CORRECTED. ** MS. GRIFFING SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. CUSTOMER SERVICE Ms. Blair had nothing to report. ANNOUNCEMENTS City Staff: Mayor Moccia said that the Norwalk Public School District was continuing to work on recycling in the schools. Ms. Blair reported that she had gotten a call from a parent who had received information from the schools about recycling and wanted to know how to obtain a recycling bin. City of Norwalk Mayor’s Neighborhood Preservation Task Force Regular Meeting February 3, 2010 Page 1 Mayor Moccia said that Yankee Gas has detected more leaks on Ohio Avenue Extension. They just filed permits to begin digging up the street to repair the leaks. The residents realize that the street can not be repaved until after the asphalt plant reopens in the spring. There has been very good cooperation between Yankee Gas and the City regarding this issue. Norwalk Hospital will be presenting their expansion plans to the City soon and the proposed facility will be quite beautiful. The Hospital has started many new outpatient programs. The Emergency Room will be completely renovated and a separate waiting room will be provided in order to for the serious ill patients away from those who are waiting for family and friends and not ill. The Mayor said that the recently approved emergency angioplasty unit has performed at least 40 procedures. He added that as the hospital moves forward they will be working towards full cardiac care. The Mayor said that there may be a possibility of having the Hospital give a presentation to the Neighborhood Preservation Task Force on the planned expansion. Mr. Shockley introduced Mr. Arthur Port Draper as the new representative for Harbor Shores. Mr. Iannaccone requested that when snowstorms occur, neighborhood groups dig out the fire hydrants if possible. Mr. Shockley said that the first Board meeting for the Keep America Beautiful Affiliates has taken place. The next meeting will be February 18th. It is clear that just picking up litter is not enough; local awareness has to be changed. Mr. Shockley said that there was a flyer outlining the litter program and the target date for neighborhood clean ups will be April 24th. Ms. Maitland said that there were no outstanding issues from the Health Department. The Mayor complimented Ms. Maitland for her great work and said that she is very tenacious regarding the long standing issues. Neighborhood Representatives Village Creek – No report. The Mayor said that the Historic District letters have been sent out for the Village Creek District. Golden Hill – Ms. Griffing reported that there was still no wastebasket in front of Crystal Theater. Mr. Shockley asked if an advertising garbage unit would be acceptable. Ms. Griffing said it would. If this is not possible, a regular trash receptacle will be put out. City of Norwalk Mayor’s Neighborhood Preservation Task Force Regular Meeting February 3, 2010 Page 2 It was commented that the area around 50 Washington Street had a lot of litter. The Mayor and Mr. Shockley said that the two buildings located there form a wind tunnel and it only takes one newspaper left on a bench to scatter to the winds. Ms. Griffing said that people on Fairfield Avenue are still putting garbage out in plastic bags. One residence in particular does this repeatedly. This will be looked into. Ms. Maitland said that the Health Department would send a letter. The Mayor congratulated Ms. Griffing and the Golden Hill Neighborhood Association on the fact that Cedar Street became a Village District recently. Silvermine – Ms. Names said that the speeding continues on Silvermine Avenue. Ms. Names announced that the Silvermine area had received Approval to create Historic District for Silvermine Avenue and the group will begin to work on that. Wall Street – Ms. Becker said that Wall Street area is working on having a clean up day. There have been discussions between the merchants and the City about upcoming changes to the parking. Mr. Shockley said that the hanging baskets and urn plantings have very little funding this year. Ms. Becker said that she was considering suggesting that the various groups plant the urns and baskets. Harbor Shores – Mr. Draper said that the group holds monthly meetings at the Police Department Community Room. The police staff have spoken twice to the group and been very impressive. Speeding on Woodward was mentioned and the speed trailer was put up shortly afterwards. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Shockley adjourned the meeting at 10:33 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon L. Soltes Telesco Secretarial Service City of Norwalk Mayor’s Neighborhood Preservation Task Force Regular Meeting February 3, 2010 Page 3