NORWALK, Conn. – Tuesday night’s joint meeting of the Common Council Public Works Committee and Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs Committee sorted out some issues:
- ‘Adaptive’ traffic signals for West Avenue
- Drain Cleaning
- Gardella Marina/Calf Pasture plan being reviewed
Additional West Avenue adaptive traffic signals
The Public Works Committee advance a $30,000 contract for Boston-based engineering firm VHB Inc. to design seven “adaptive” traffic signals on West Avenue, north of Maple Street. Adaptive traffic signals’ timing adjusts to real-time traffic conditions as opposed to signals programmed for specific time frames.
A state grant will fund the construction and installation of the new signals at an estimated cost of $400,000. Several Committee members noted that the seven adaptive signals already in operation on West Avenue south of Maple Street have reduced speeding and enabled a smoother traffic flow. The new construction is anticipated for late 2020.
Drain Cleaning
The Committee advanced $515,680 for drain cleaning by National Water Main Cleaning Company. It was stated that certain hard-to-access drains periodically need a more thorough purge than the Department of Public Works can accomplish, and that several years have passed since the last heavy cleaning. Areas said to be most affected by these difficult drains include Surrey Drive, West Cedar Street, Scribner Avenue, Hunters Lane, and Andrews Field. When Recreation and Parks Committee Chairwoman Darlene Young (D-District B) mentioned North Water Street flooding, a DPW representative replied that Water Street’s problem is not caused by clogged drains.
Still no decision on Gardella Marina/Calf Pasture plan
After hearing architect Scott Ross of Boston-based Landwise Advisors reiterate Gardella Brothers’ 2-year old proposal to redevelop Cove Marina “to “keep up with new boating trends” and to alter Calf Pasture Beach’s roadways, the Committees requested more information, deferring any decisions until after a public hearing slated for Jan. 7.
“When this was first presented to us several years ago, it was part of a large-scale development,” remarked District C Council member John Kydes. Ross replied that that the proposed $20 million marina reconfiguration would yield surplus land which would be repurposed to pay for that reconfiguration.
“There is not a master plan,” he said, “because the Gardellas are not developers. The marina is at the heart of this, and the rest will come in subsequent proposals.” Alluding to the potential for “waterfront retail, restaurants, housing, hotels and mixed use” Ross emphasized that Cove “has the potential to be the top destination marina on Long Island Sound, but it’s lacking amenities at the moment, and the Gardellas will try to bring those in.”
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