Once Around the City: School snow days, Fifth District trash talk

NORWALK, Conn. –  Norwalk Public Schools are running out of snow days to dole out.

The last day of school is now June 20, Deputy Superintendent Tony Daddona said. It’s impossible to keep school open past that date because grants run out, he said.

Board of Education Chairman Mike Lyons said the kids’ April fun might be in jeopardy.

“We can legally go to June 30, but no way we’ll let that happen,” he wrote in a Sunday night email. “We may need to cut into April vacation if more snow days build up.  I’m hoping the latest forecasts are right and we won’t close tomorrow (maybe just a delay).”

Taking out the trash

Common Council members are considering city-wide garbage pickup. To that end, Public Works Committee Chairman David McCarthy (R-District E) has set up a website strictly to look for opinions from people in the Fifth Taxing District.

The topic came up at the last Public Works Committee meeting, when Bruce Kimmel (D-At Large) questioned Department of Public Works Director Hal Alvord on the topic. McCarthy was not present.

“Dave asked me to do some investigation on that,” Alvord said in response to Kimmel’s questions. “The ordinance needs to get cleaned up first and then we have to get cost estimates and figuring out how many properties are involved.”

“We’ve done some look at what the difference is and what the mill rate is between the Fourth District and the Fifth District and what people generally pay on a monthly basis for garbage collection,” he said. “There would be a heck of a deal if they were actually brought into the Fourth District. They are paying $30, 35, 40 a month for garbage collection and I think the mill rate increase is about $200 a year.”

Kimmel said he had gone to a meeting in Silvermine once, where people said the mill rate did not come close to covering their garbage pickup. But then he talked to other people who were not interested. Half wanted it, half didn’t, he said.

“Imagine what the people in Rowayton would say if we just brought them into the Fifth Taxing District, how great that would be,” Kimmel said, bringing laughter.

Majority Leader Jerry Petrini (R-District D) said he was concerned about the mom and pop businesses picking up garbage in the Fifth District now.

“I might have a little problem with it,” he said.

McCarthy announced his website at the recent West Norwalk Mayor’s Night Out. He said he had no opinion in the matter, but was just looking for input.

In other news:

• The Oak Hills Park Authority has posted its proposed master plan on its website. This is in advance of a public hearing on the topic at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the City Hall community room.

• The League of Women Voters is offering a chance for you to meet with your local legislators next Saturday morning, and maybe have some quiche while you’re at it.

The league’s Pie and Politics event is at 9 a.m. March 8 in the Norwalk Police Department Community Room at 1 Monroe St. It’s free. Quiche and a light breakfast will be served.

State Sen. Bob Duff and state Representatives Larry Cafero, Gail Lavielle, Bruce Morris, Chris Perone, and Terrie Wood have been invited. For more information call 203-394-1710 or email: [email protected]