Minutes of the West Norwalk Association
May 1, 2017
Board Members Present: Anthony Carrano, Brian Forschino, Ken D’Arinzo, Isabelle Hargrove, Ted Stepanoff & Rob Notley. Kristin Clemens was not in attendance. Tom Livingston attended as a guest.
Anthony called the meeting to order at 7:35pm.
Anthony motioned to approve the April minutes and Ken seconded. The Board members present unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s Report – Ken D’Arinzo
Current bank balance is $3,616.33 which represents no change from last month.
Oak Hills Update – Anthony Carrano
No one from the Board was able to attend the April meeting.
CNNA Update – Isabelle Hargrove
The CNNA continues to have discussions on the Plan of Conservation and Development and on charter revision.
95/7 Update – Original plan was for the space to be mixed use and included plans for a hotel. General Growth Properties has asked the City to remove the plans for a hotel and would like the property to be 100% retail. As compensation they offered to pay the City $3.5M. The CNNA believes retail malls are outdated. Tom indicated that they expect to break ground next month regardless of the ruling on the hotel.
Big Box Store on Main Avenue Update. Plans for the space have yet to be finalized and published.
Establishment of Halfway House for Federal Prison Re-Entry Program. A public hearing will be held on Thursday, May 4th.
Spring Clean-Up
The WNA Spring Clean-Up was originally scheduled for May 20th and the Spring Social event is scheduled for May 25th. As we won’t be able to advertise both events on our signs, the Board discussed cancelling this year’s clean-up and will look to schedule next year’s event closer to the City of Norwalk’s clean-up day. This was agree to by all Board members present.
Spring Social Event
The WNA Spring Social event is scheduled for May 25th from 6pm to 9pm at the Oak Hills Restaurant. Prices will be a little bit higher than last year. Isabelle will confirm the pricing, update the invitation and will speak to Stephen about advertising on FaceBook and our Website and about sending an e-mail blast. Anthony will put the signs out. Brian will print out membership forms. Anthony suggested putting out a sign in sheet to collect e-mails. Isabelle will get name stickers and pens.
Brien McMahon Scholarship Update
Applications are due May 15th. Stephen will sanitize the applications and circulate them to the Board Members for review. Final decision needs to be made by May 22nd. The ceremony is June 1st. Anthony will reach out to Linda Forcellini about making the presentation. If she is not available, Anthony will make the presentation.
New Business
Total Printing – Owner Rich passed away at the end of March.
Real Estate – Two houses on Morehouse Lane were on the market. Two signs at the end of Morehouse Lane (on West Norwalk Road) were taken down on a Sunday. When questioned, the City said that real estate signs are not allowed on City properties.
Five Mile River Committee – Bob Wagman has stepped down as the lead of the Committee. Ken is looking for a replacement.
Tom asked about the Board sponsoring a Night Out with the Mayor. The Board would not want to do something related to the election. Mayor Rilling has attended WNA social events in the past so we can discuss it with him if he comes to the Spring Social.
Anthony asked Tom about whether the City is addressing the school overcrowding problem. Tom indicated that the City is trying to look into it.
Brien McMahon has students roaming the halls because there are not enough teachers to teach specials for all of the children. As a result, the children have additional study halls and more free time. Tom indicated that the Board of Education promised to remove second study halls if the current year budget was approved. Brien McMahon has hired additional teachers for 2018.
We should try to get a copy of the Norwalk Grand List. It is unclear to Board members why all of the recent construction has not significantly increased the Grand List. Isabelle indicated that Norwalk’s Grand List went up 1% last year and Westport’s went up 2%. Anthony suggested charging a higher mill rate for multi-family homes.
Anthony closed the meeting at 8:25pm.