Norwalk political briefs: A dying wish fulfilled; NPI, 1TD

NORWALK, Conn. — Some Norwalk political briefs for you:

• Suda elected to replace Romano – granting final wish
• Matley’s Norwalk Parents Initiative goes online
• Norwalk River Watershed fights 1TD proposal in New Canaan

Suda returns to political leadership

Mark Suda went to see his dying friend, John Romano, in Norwalk Hospital just to say goodbye, but Romano had a surprise request.

Suda, a Norwalk police officer who chaired the Republican Town Committee from March 2018 to March 2020 until family needs and other time constraints prompted his exit from politics, said he thought he’d be asked to look after a Romano family member. But instead, Romano asked him to look after District D, to run the area’s RTC group as he’d done for years. “That was the furthest thing that I’m thinking about. But you know John, stubborn old man, he was straight to the point. He’s like, ‘No, I’m serious… I want you to run for my seat. Will you respect my wishes?’”

Suda said yes.

“Mark was elected unanimously at the District D meeting. I look forward to working with Mark, who brings lots of Norwalk community experience and knowledge,” said RTC Chairman Fred Wilms.

Suda said Romano asked him to continue his vision and his legacy, keeping District D as “the best district.”   His goal is to have a full slate of District D candidates for next year’s municipal election, and support them with guidance to “hopefully get them elected.” The district will hold fundraisers and school events, raising money not just for candidates but for a John Romano scholarship fund, maybe $1,000 for two Norwalk High School graduates.

“Hopefully we can get somebody that’s willing to go into political science or have something to do with politics, they volunteered on campaigns for candidates or they’re just a good general kid.”

New parents portal

Justin Matley has launched his Norwalk Parents Initiative website, designed to encourage public engagement while avoiding the pitfalls of social media.

NPI aims to:

• “Aggregate a lot of disparate information on the public schools and their involvement in the community and state in a user-friendly and simply laid out way.”
• Include a public suggestion / input forum where subscribers can “to offer issues, tips, or ideas on what the site should feature and how it can best serve the community,” visible to everyone.
• Feature a blog component, an “op-ed forum on local public education issues” on a “strict no-tolerance-for-‘jerkiness’ policy.”
• Send subscribers occasional emails updating them on specific issues that have popped up and tips for effective engagement.

Matley wrote:

“This site is not meant to be political, although unfortunately, by its very nature, public education is political. It shouldn’t be. Democrat, Republican, Independent, or Don’t Give a Crap, we take the stance that our kids and their futures come first; that public education is the foundation by which the next generation can prosper intellectually, socially, and emotionally in an increasingly chaotic world. The right answers to these challenges can come from anywhere.

“It’s up to us as parents, and those in power, to help each other and find realistic solutions that help set our children up for success in whatever ways their dreams take them. I hope this site can become one of many avenues to help do just that.”

Check it out here.

NRWA and the First Taxing District

Norwalk’s First Taxing District is planning to repair and raise the Grupes Reservoir Dam in New Canaan, removing more than 400 native trees and shrubs along 1500 feet of riverbank in the process.  The New Canaan Land Trust and Norwalk River Watershed Association have been pushing back, so far to no avail, but Monday brings a new opportunity: a Department of Public Health scoping meeting.

“The First Taxing District of Norwalk water company provides drinking water to Norwalk and a small section of New Canaan from the 4 dams and reservoirs it operates along the Silvermine River,” the Norwalk River Watershed Association (NRWA) explains. “… The { Grupes Reservoir} dam, built in 1871, is in need of repair.”

Both parties became interveners in the process, consulted with experts and decided their fears were well founded, according to the Norwalk River Watershed Association (NRWA). In 2021, the presented their objections to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

NRWA states:

• “Our wetland expert testified that the construction of the proposed berms and walls would effectively block the natural flow from a 50-acre watershed into the Grupes Reservoir. The resulting water would back up and cause flooding at the Browne Wildlife Sanctuary. Other impacts to wetlands and watercourses were identified as well that had been omitted from the water company’s application.
• “Our dam engineer expert testified that feasible and prudent alternatives had not been considered, and provided alternative construction proposals that would lessen the impacts on adjacent wetlands, reduce the need for tree clearing and earthmoving, and reduce the overall distance of the berms and walls required for this project.
• “Using the First Taxing District’s own documents and figures, we demonstrated that adequate concern had not been given to the environmental impacts of this project and that better alternatives existed.”

DEEP ruled in favor of 1TD. Now, at Monday’s hearing, NRWA plans to argue that the project requires an Environmental Impact Evaluation before proceeding.