Constituent Coffee Hour, Survey for Norwalk Residents, and More!

August 22, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday! The first day of school for Norwalk and Westport Schools is next week. Best of luck to all of the students, teachers and school staff members - I hope you have a successful and fruitful year!

Please read below for information on the Westport Citizens'  Police Academy, the CT Veterans Hall of Fame, and more! 

2025 Westport Citizens’ Police Academy

The Westport Police Department announced that the annual Citizens’ Police Academy will begin  on September 18th.  Participants will gain a better understanding of the role of the police department in the community. This class provides participants and officers an opportunity to get to know each other and discuss issues that affect our community.

Class participants will meet from 7:00pm- 9:30 pm for 8 weeks on the following dates:

  • Thursday, September 18th
  • Thursday, September 25th
  • Thursday, October 9th
  • Thursday, October 16th
  • Thursday, October 23rd
  • Thursday, October 30th
  • Thursday, November 13th
  • Thursday, November 20th

The academy is open to Westport residents aged 21 and older. 

Click here for an electronic copy of the application. Completed applications should be emailed to Lieutenant Cabana (jcabana@westportct.gov). Applications can also be picked up and dropped off at police headquarters.

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, August 27. 
 

Arts & Cultural Plan Survey For Norwalk 

Attention Norwalk residents -  the city is looking for your input in shaping their Arts & Cultural Plan.

Last year, an area around Norwalk's downtown was named an official Arts & Cultural District, making Norwalk the first large city in Connecticut to earn this designation. 

As a result, the City of Norwalk is developing a community-driven plan to guide investments, public art, programs, and partnerships over the next decade. Take the short survey and tell the City what inspires you, what's missing, and how the City can better support the arts. The survey is quick and available in English and Spanish. It will remain open until September 5.

Constituent Coffee Hour This Saturday 

Do you have a question about the legislative process? Do you have a suggestion on how we can make our community even stronger?

If so, please join me for a constituent coffee hour this Saturday, August 23 on the Norwalk Green from 10 AM - 11 PM. You can bring your own coffee, or support the Farmers Market across the street,  which will open at 9 AM. 

Hope to see you there! 

Norwalk Meetup Hosted By WBDC 

Join the Women's Business Development Council, the Greater Norwalk Chamber, and the City of Norwalk to meet and mingle with business professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders. This free event will be held at Coals Pizza on Tuesday, September 16 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. 

Click here for more information. 

Nominations for the Class of 2025 Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame 

The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations for the Class of 2025. The Hall of Fame honors veterans from Connecticut who have made a positive impact in their community after the conclusion of their military service. 

To be eligible, nominees must have been born in Connecticut or resided in the state for a minimum of five years. They must also meet the definition of a “veteran” under Connecticut General Statutes § 27-103 and have received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.

The submitted nomination package must contain the completed nomination form, the veteran’s discharge documents, and a detailed narrative of the veteran’s community and/or public service at the local, state, and/or nation level and the veteran’s contributions to the community at large. The focus of this honor is on the veteran’s service to their community after leaving the military.
 
To download the nomination package, visit portal.ct.gov/dva/pages/ct-veterans-hall-of-fame.
 
Completed nomination packages must be submitted to the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs by September 15. They should be delivered either by email to lindsay.jesshop@ct.gov or mailed through the U.S. Postal Service to:
 
Office of the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
ATTN: CT Veterans Hall of Fame
287 West Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
 
Detailed instructions and information on eligibility criteria can be found within the nomination package.

Upcoming Library Events 

The Norwalk Public Library will hold several events over the next few weeks. If you want more information, click on the corresponding flyer or visit the Norwalk Public Library website. 

Westport Public Library also has a robust lineup of programming. Please visit their website to learn more. 

ICYMI

The City of Norwalk will hold a mattress and box spring recycling collection on Saturday, September 27 from 9:00-12:00 PM at 15 South Smith Street in Norwalk. This free collection program recycles mattresses and box springs through the City’s partnership with the Mattress Recycling Council’s Connecticut Bye Bye Mattress Program.

This program is only open to Norwalk residents. All mattresses and box springs must be dry and intact.

Unacceptable items include:

  • Severely damaged, twisted, wet, frozen, or soiled mattresses.
  • Mattresses infested with bed bugs or other living organisms.
  • Sleeping bags, pillows, cushions, loose bedding, mattress pads or toppers, etc.
  • Car beds.
  • Juvenile products, i.e., carriage, basket, stroller, crib bumper, etc.
  • Water beds.
  • Camping or air mattresses.
  • Fold-out sofa beds.
  • Futons for furniture.

For additional information about the program, click here.  

For questions, contact the Customer Service Center at CustomerService@norwalkct.gov or (203) 854-3200. 

WBDC Grant Opportunity 

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) announced the next round of Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Programs.

The Ignite Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses grow. The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million. The application period for Ignite grants runs through September 16. You can find additional information on Ignite here.   
 
The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The program offers grants targeting different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand. The application period for Child Care Business grants runs through August 31. You can find more information on the Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants here.
 
Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods. These sessions will help applicants understand the grant requirements and provide an opportunity for those interested to ask questions about the grants. Interested applicants can register for a live information session here. 

Norwalk Household Hazardous Waste Collection

The City of Norwalk will hold a FREE Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection event on Saturday, August 23 from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. This event will be held at Ponus Ridge Middle School.

Hazardous materials such as oil, lighter fluid, poisons, insecticides, pesticides, fluorescent lightbulbs will be accepted. 

Here is how you can safely transport your hazardous materials:

  • Leave materials in original labeled containers. Tighten caps & lids.
  • Pack containers in sturdy upright boxes and pad with newspapers.
  • Sort & pack separately: paint, pesticides, household cleaners, etc.
  • Pack your car and drive directly to the HHW event.
  • Please do NOT mix chemicals!
  • Please have your driver’s license, vehicle registration or Norwalk Disposal Pass available.
  • Residents ONLY = NO Commercial or Business loads accepted.
  • Latex Paint is NOT Hazardous Waste but will be collected on HHW Day. Residents can dry

Latex Paint completely and dispose as regular trash, once completely dry and solid!

If you plan to attend, please have your driver’s license, vehicle registration or Norwalk Disposal Pass available and remember to leave all hazardous waste in its original packaging. It is also recommended that you pack your waste containers securely in a box so they can be transported without spilling and removed from your vehicle efficiently.

To view acceptable and unacceptable waste for the 2025 Household Hazardous Waste Collection, please click here. 

For any questions regarding the HHW collection, please contact the Customer Service Center at CustomerService@norwalkct.gov or (203) 854-3200.

Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program

The Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program, established by the Connecticut General Assembly and administered by the CT State Department of Education (CSDE), is now open and accepting applications!

This scholarship supports students who:

  • Graduated from a public high school in an Alliance District
  • Are enrolled—or will soon enroll—in a teacher preparation program at a four-year college or university
  • Are in good academic standing
  • Meet any additional CSDE eligibility requirements

 Up to $10,000 per year is available for eligible students, including:

  •  High school seniors planning to begin a teacher prep program this fall
  • Undergraduate or graduate students already enrolled in an approved program

Don’t miss this opportunity to get financial support as you prepare to inspire the next generation of learners!

Apply now and take the next step toward becoming an educator. To learn more, click HERE.

American Legion Hosts Golf Tournament

The American Legion in Norwalk is hosting its first golf tournament in over 20 years! The tournament will be held on October 6 at the Silvermine Golf Club. Click here for more information, including how to register. 

SONO Saturday Market

The next SoNo Saturday Market will be held on Saturday, August 30. Over 30 vendors & exhibitors will cover the lawn at 50 Washington for a fun day of shopping, snacks, music & outdoor fun for all! Please see the graphic below for more upcoming dates. 
 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions and concerns you may have - I can be reached at Dominique.Johnson@cga.ct.gov, or through my office phone - 860-240-8585.

Sincerely,

Dominique Johnson
State Representative

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