Memorial Day, Transportation Bills, and more

May 22, 2026

Dear Neighbors,

This Memorial Day weekend, as we focus on community gatherings and the start of summer, I recognize the veterans who lost their lives so that we can continue to enjoy the freedoms and privileges we have. There are many community celebrations in Bridgeport and Fairfield. Here are some of the ways you can honor the fallen:

Please read below for some Memorial Day events in the area

Saturday, May 23, 10am: Sea Ceremony at South Benson Marina
Sunday, May 24, Noon: Military Remembrance Mass at Assumption Church, Fairfield
Monday, May 25, 9am: Memorial Day Flag Lowering at Veterans Park, Bridgeport
Monday, May 25, 10am: Fairfield Memorial Day Parade steps off from the corner of Post & South Pine Creek Roads, finishing in front of Old Town Hall
Monday, May 25, 10am: Full Memorial Day Flag Program - Soldiers & Sailors Monuments at Seaside Park, Bridgeport

Transportation Bills

This year, the legislature passed a number of critical transportation bills. Today, I want to highlight a few of them.

SB 484: An Act Concerning Distracted Driving and the Safe Operation of a Motor Vehicle in a Highway Work Zone

This bill makes it a reckless driving charge if a person is engaged in activities prohibited in our distracted driving laws while driving through a highway work zone.

HB 5464 - Implementing the recommendations of the Department of Transportation, and more

This bill does a number of things including:

Makes changes to the Traffic Signal Grant Program. It requires the Department of Transportation to give priority under the traffic signal modernization grant program to projects located in heavily congested areas, rather than to grant applications submitted by two or more municipalities
Requires 90%, rather than 100%, of school buses to be zero-emission by 2040 and sets an interim deadline for distressed municipalities
Updates and reorganizes the distracted driving law to reflect current device and vehicle technology and how it is used. The law now prohibits driving while a video is visible to the driver in the normal driving position, regardless of the technology used to play the video. It now prohibits holding or supporting a mobile electronic device with any part of the body while driving and failing to maintain a proper lookout.
Allows for Dynamic part-time "flex" lanes, with the first of those projects planned for Danbury in the I-84/Route 7 corridor. The lane will allow people to drive on the shoulder of the road during peak travel times to address congestion and mobility. It’s a few years down the road, but the aim is to relieve congestion.

Speed Camera Enforcement in Fairfield

Beginning June 1, fines will be issued in six school zones in town for speeding violations captured by new Automated Traffic Enforcement Devices, or cameras.

In 2023, the legislature passed HB 5917 - An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Vision Zero Council. One of the nineteen sections of the bill allowed municipalities to adopt an ATED program in specific areas. The bill was in response to the increase in roadway fatalities, which had reached a decades long high in 2022.

In testimony in support of the bill, the Transportation Commissioner wrote, “the fact remains that automated traffic enforcement devices, such as red light cameras and speed cameras, have been proven to significantly reduce crashes and serious injuries, and ultimately save lives.” There was bipartisan support for the bill.

Locally, the town, Representative Town Meeting, Local Traffic Authority, Police Department, Board of Selectpersons and others have worked together to pass an ordinance and develop this new enforcement program.

I am aware that, as the fines are about to go live June 1, many questions have arisen, and many complaints have been registered with the Chief, the First Selectperson, and the Fairfield Traffic Authority. You can find information about the program on the Fairfield Police website. Here are a few important things to know:

ATED / Speed Camera enforcement is in six designated school zones – near Riverfield, Dwight, Burr, Fairfield Warde, Fairfield Ludlowe and Notre Dame Prep
Speed Camera enforcement occurs 24/7
There are lower speed limits during designated school hours
Citations are sent to the owner of the vehicle by mail after review by both the vendor and an authorized police official

The Speed Camera programs, which have been in operation for many years in other states, are new to Connecticut. A number of other municipalities have also approved and are beginning programs, with some up and running for about a year.

As I mentioned above, I know there are a lot of questions, most of which are likely best answered by our local officials. However, if I can be helpful or if you would like to discuss it, please feel free to give me a call or e-mail.

In the District

Though the session is completed, I continue to meet with community organizations, constituents, advocates and fellow elected leaders all year. Today, Rep. Leeper and I had the opportunity to meet with Governor at one of our local Fairfield businesses, Black Rock Coffee House & Kitchen.

In addition, this week I had the opportunity to:

Visit the Madison Avenue Wakeman Boys and Girls Club in Bridgeport and see the clubhouse in full swing
Attend the Riverfield Patriotic Day event and sing along with the students performing
Serve as a panelist for a national webinar on Connecticut’s prescription drug discount program, Array RX
Speak on a Housing Collective webinar about the intersection of housing and health
Meet with Yale experts on access to palliative care
Meet student interns interested in getting more involved in government
Gather with The Hub CT’s prevention leaders to discuss gambling, suicide, cannabis, alcohol, and vaping prevention

Community Events

Please join the Town of Fairfield to recognize and acknowledge Pride and our LGBTQ+ community at the Open Hearts Festival on Thursday, June 4 from 5-8pm.

From 5-5:30pm, there will be guest speakers followed by the flag raising at the Old Town Hall steps.

And from 6-8pm, you can enjoy music, dancing, food trucks, and more at Burr Mansion!

Stop Hate Together: A Community Conversation About Hate Crimes
Thursday, June 11, 6:30-8pm
Board of Education Conference Room 295A/B, 2nd floor (501 Kings Highway East, Fairfield)

As always, please feel free to reach out directly with your ideas, questions, or concerns. You can reach me by phone at (860) 240-8585 or (203) 522-3037.

Take care,