Minutes of the West Norwalk Association
May Board Meeting
May 7, 2018
Anthony called the meeting to order at 7:40pm.
Board members present: Anthony Carrano, Ken D’Arinzo, Brian Forschino, Isabelle Hargrove, Rob Notley, Kristin Clemens & Ted Stepanoff.
Treasurer’s Report – Ken D’Arinzo presented the current bank balance. The Board Members present unanimously approved the Treasurer’s Report.
Sale of Dolce – The potential buyer and potential seller are still negotiating the price but are very far apart. There is no timetable for a closing.
Oak Hills Park Update – Anthony is discussing with Oak Hills about another Boy Scout Eagle Project to move a few of the trails. The Bar area of the restaurant has been converted to the check-in area. They are looking for someone to run the Grill Room.
Coalition of Norwalk Neighborhood Associations – There is an interim Executive Committee but no current President. Ted has been appointed to the POCD Oversight Committee.
Spring Clean-Up – This year’s spring clean-up was very lightly attended. Many Board Members were not able to attend. This year’s clean-up was the same day as the City clean-up and may have detracted from attendance.
Spring Social – It is currently on hold pending finalization of the Oak Hills Restaurant. We could consider having an outdoor event on the Great Lawn.
9 Rising Road – The current resident is the Grandson of the Owner is a Darien Volunteer Fireman who comes in and out all hours with lights and sirens on. There is a zoning hearing on May 10th to address a wood burning stove in the garage. He has a business of installing marine electronics. There have been multiple different boats in the yard. There are people who come in and out at all hours of the night. The Board agreed that there is not much we can do and that the City will need to handle it.
7 Forest Hill Road – Someone is buying multi-bedroom homes and renting the rooms out to elderly people for $5,000 a month. He occasionally brings in care aids / healthcare workers. Apparently he has two homes in Stamford doing the same thing and the City was not successful in challenging him.
Plan of Conservation and Development Update – Four topic meetings scheduled for May 21st (Green, Sustainable & Resilient Norwalk), May 22nd (City Design in Norwalk), May 30th (Prosperous Norwalk) and May 31st (Connected & Complete Norwalk) from 6-8pm. Once these meetings are complete, the consultants will being to draft the plan. Ken will put the information up on our FaceBook Page.
The POCD was supposed to be done in July. The consultants have already been granted an extension until the fall.
Board Member Transition – Need to find new Board Members and new ways to increase neighbor participation and involvement.
All Other Business
The Board discussed changing from Constant Contact to Mail Chimp since they don’t charge. Anthony will speak to Stephen.
The Ponus Open Space has a Norwalk Land Trust sign but it is not actually owned by the Land Trust. It is 7 acres of City owned space. Isabelle would like to try to get the space classified as Park Space.
The wooded area next to Norwalk Community College was designated as Open Space and not Park Space.
The Board needs to get clarify on the zoning rules surrounding running businesses out of a residential property.
The meeting was ended at 9:00 pm.