WNA Monday January 13th, 2025
25 people present
3 board members
Sargent Calise and Lucy Dathan
Fox Run Cafeteria. Led by board President Anthony Carraro.
Sargent Calise speaks first.
- 4000 traffic stops
- There are 4 traffic cops in Norwalk
- Traffic is the number one complaint in Norwalk
- Sgt Calise does receive all complaints
- Did you know that we have one of the only female motorcyclist officers in the USA?
Examples given of progress regarding traffic:
- The NPD recently had 69 car stops in 3 hours
- State of CT wants to model traffic / police dept after Norwalk because our NPD is so effective and collaborative
- Marijuana smell emanating from cars has intensified, the NPD are working on it
- Please note that the digital speed signs are put up and owned by the Parking Authority.
- The police only owns 3 digital speed signs thanks to a grant. They are applying for an additional grant.
- The city of Norwalk doesn’t benefit directly from speeding ticket revenue, most of the money goes to the state of CT. Regardless, the NPD police officers take the traffic violations seriously and are very aware of the traffic issues happening in our city, including West Norwalk.
- A resident asked what we can do about the texting and talking while driving epidemic. Your best bet is to notify law enforcement and try to be extra careful.
- Did you know that in the state of CT, police officers are exempt from getting a citation or reprimand for being on the phone while driving?
Do you have a problem or complaint? Shoot an email to Sgt Calise. All you have to do is go on City of Norwalk’s website to make a complaint. Lori Diaz takes all the complaints and gets them to where they need to go
“If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.” – Sgt Calise
Lucy Dathan State Rep for the 142nd District
- In her 7th year of legislating
- Ms. Dathan sits on three committees: The Appropriations Committee, the Government Oversight Committee (Chair), and the Human Services Committee (Vice Chair)
- Can help with many things. Like lost passports, bad traffic, city issues. Please contact her and don’t hesitate to do so. Find help here: https://www.housedems.ct.gov/Dathan/needhelp
- A main focus for Dathan is assisting with the Eversource increased cost: re the public benefit charges
- Quick fixes: check the energy wellness of your home to stop wasting of utilities
- Ms. Dathan is the chair of the Government Oversight Committee – a newly formed legislative body
- As a CPA and part of the Appropriations Committee, she is very focused on budget and the moderate use of fees.
- On the Human Services Committee, Lucy advocates for better healthcare, better and more comprehensive coverage
- Medicaid – increasing costs, providers not receiving reimbursements. Haven’t raised rates since 2008. So providers aren’t taking on medicaid users.
- CT has a surplus of funds, and part of the legislative body’s focus on is paying down long term pension liabilities
- Focused on AI safety – from state perspective
- Environmental concerns – we are a coastal community and we need to treat our cities as such
- Coming back in April to update us about where we are
- Emphasis on please reach out to her to make your voice heard – can testify on zoom or send a letter
- Coffee with Lucy happens at City Hall, League of Women Voters get together at city Hall. She is available if you want to talk.
Sarah Kline
- Norwalk Meeting House
- Put on the historic registry for the state
- Grants and gifts received
- Needs help with community – can you help? Donations are especially needed.
- Needs help with grant writing and corporate sponsors – if you or anyone you know has experience, please get in touch.
- Projects: rebuilding the front doors with a historic carpenter with old/historic period appropriate lumber, installing heat and water, and a ton of landscaping.
- Down the road: windows, exteriors, and refinishing the interior
- Use of the meeting house: keeping it as it was when the bylaws were written, maintaining it as is. Community events, rentals, families. Fairs, pop ups.
- Open for rentals potentially in late 2025 but likely in 2026.
- 501c3 taxable donations