Informational Meetings, Funding for Nutrition Programs, and More!

February 16, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,

During Wednesday's session, we approved $17 million in additional cold weather heating assistance funds – many residents and families who receive assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or Operation Fuel will have access to funds to ensure they can heat their homes through the cold weather season.

As your State Representative, it is my responsibility to stand up for my constituents. This funding ensures that none of our neighbors must choose between paying their bills or freezing.

I am committed to enhancing the safety and quality of life for all residents, and I will continue to do so throughout this legislative session.
Public Invited to Informational Meeting on Construction in Norwalk
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct a virtual public information meeting concerning the rehabilitation of Bridge Nos. 00058 and 03563 carrying I-95 and TR803 over Crescent Street and Metro North Railroad on March 7, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
 
The virtual public information meeting is being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed project. The meeting will take place on Zoom, and registration is required. A question and answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation, which will be recorded. For instructions on accessing the meeting and ways to provide comments and ask questions, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/DOTNorwalk102-372.
 
The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate Bridge Nos. 00058 and 03563, which carry I-95 and TR803 (Exit 14 to Northbound Route 7). The rehabilitation will address concrete substructure deterioration, patch the existing reinforced concrete deck, and repair/strengthen structural steel.

Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (877) 853-5257 and enter Meeting ID 898 2720 3203. Individuals with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). Individuals with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Francisco Fadul at Francisco.Fadul@ct.gov or (860) 594-2078.  
 
Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT Language Assistance Call Line (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least five business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.  
 
This meeting will also be livestreamed on the CTDOT YouTube channel; no registration is required. Non-English language closed captioning will be available on Zoom and YouTube. The recording will also be posted immediately following the meeting in the list of CTDOT virtual public meetings at portal.ct.gov/ctdotVPIMarchive. 
 
Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by March 19, 2024 to DOTProject0102-0372@ct.gov and 860-594-2020 or Francisco Fadul, Francisco.Fadul@ct.gov; (860) 594-2078. Please reference State Project No. 0102-0372 in the email or voicemail
$2.8M Awarded to Fund 53 Farm-to-School Based Projects

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is awarding 53 grants totaling more than $2.8 million through its Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Grant (CTG4CTK Grant) program. The purpose of this grant is to increase the availability of local foods in child nutrition programs, allow educators to use hands-on educational techniques to teach students about nutrition and farm-to-school connections, build relationships with local farmers and producers, and help children build healthy habits from a young age.

A few organizations in our community are set to receive funding:

  • Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy in Norwalk was awarded $2,250 for their “Digging In” project to provide their farm to school program with high quality soil and the ability to maintain that quality using vermicomposting. This grant will also go to the continued support of their project “Edible U” which brings students through each step of the food system from seed to plate through activities in the classroom, garden, and cafeteria.
  • Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Norwalk: Early Language and Literacy Initiative (ELLI) Classroom Farm to School Learning Project has been awarded $45,730 to support their Early Learning and Literacy initiative classroom students in the study of the relationship between food, the environment, and sustainability within the big idea of global citizenship and a healthy foodshed. The classroom curriculum will be supplemented with active gardening participation, visits from local farmers, bi-weekly lunches sourced directly from the Museum’s Healthyville Café farm partners and CSA shares.
  • High Ridge Hydroponics, LLC was awarded just under $250,000 in the shipping container category to provide funding for facility development and educational initiatives.
Housing Survey From the City of Norwalk 
The City of Norwalk and the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency (RDA) have released a survey to help shape the future of affordable housing, with a focus on transit-oriented development (TOD). The City of Norwalk and the RDA are seeking feedback from residents as they plan to develop sustainable, equitable, and affordable housing opportunities throughout the City, as well as TOD in and around the City’s multi-modal transit hubs.

I encourage all Norwalk residents to fill out this survey. It will take no longer than five minutes to complete, is available in Spanish and Haitian- Creole, and will help ensure that the public's voice is heard.

Click here to access the survey. It will be open until Wednesday, February 28. 
The WorkPlace - Platform to Employment Reentry Informational Meeting 

Platform to Employment Re-Entry is a statewide program to reduce unemployment and recidivism rates among those who have been involved with the criminal justice system. Formerly incarcerated individuals are provided with work readiness and career development training. The core of the training focuses on life skills and professional development training to enhance confidence and improve employment opportunities. 

There will be an informational session every second Monday of each month at the Norwalk City Hall. Please see the flyer below for more information. 
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.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dominique Johnson
State Representative
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