UConn Returns to the Final Four, Strawberry Hill Avenue Closure Update, and More!

April 4, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday! Hope you have had a great week. Congratulations to the UConn Women's Basketball team for reaching the Final Four for the 24th time in school history. They will take on the UCLA Bruins tonight at 9 PM. Go Huskies! 

As a reminder, I am hosting a Pizza and Policy Office Hour and Women's NCAA Basketball championship watch party event this Sunday at Riko's Pizza in Westport. If you have a question for me, want to share a concern, or just want to eat pizza and (hopefully) watch UConn win another championship, please stop by!

I joined local leaders on the Norwalk Green to celebrate the start of Autism Acceptance Month. To honor the month, the City is participating in the worldwide “Light It Up Blue” campaign, which will help recognize the achievements and contributions that people with autism have brought to our community and our world. 

During this month and beyond, let's spread understanding, acceptance, and love as we honor the diverse experiences of those with autism. Together, we can build a more inclusive and supportive society.

Please read below for information on the hazardous waste collection schedule, a construction update, and more!

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and I would like to share with you that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is taking a stand with the launch of a statewide Distracted Driving Awareness and Enforcement Campaign to help keep Connecticut roads safe.

In partnership with State and local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the campaign will step up efforts to enforce distracted-driving laws for the month of April.

Nationally in 2022, 3,308 people were killed, and nearly 290,000 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers. In Connecticut in 2022, the last year of verifiable data, there were 5,318 crashes attributed to distracted driving that resulted in eight fatalities and more than 787 injuries.

The CTDOT urges drivers to prioritize safety by eliminating distractions while driving. Follow these simple tips to stay safe on the road:

  • If you need to send or receive a text, pull over and park in a safe location before using your phone
  • Designate a passenger to manage calls and messages while you drive
  • Avoid social media use while driving—no post is worth risking your life
  • Do not use a vehicle’s “infotainment” screen or other portable video players while operating a motor vehicle
  • If you struggle to resist checking your device, enable the “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or place your phone out of reach in the glove box or back seat until you arrive

Click here for more information on distracted driving prevention.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month 

April is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Legislation is a powerful tool for change, turning hope into action and justice into reality for survivors of sexual violence. ️

This month is the time to stand in solidarity with survivors and advocate for change. Through the power of legislation, we’re making progress, closing legal gaps, expanding protections, and ensuring survivors have access to resources and support. 

 

Hazardous Waste Collection Schedule 

The City of Norwalk will hold a Hazardous Waste Collection event on Saturday, August 23 at the Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy. Items such as oil, lighter fluid, poisons, and fluorescent lightbulbs will be accepted.

If you plan to attend, please have your driver’s license, vehicle registration, or Norwalk Disposal Pass available and remember to leave all hazardous waste in its original packaging. It is also recommended that you pack your waste containers securely in a box so they can be transported without spilling and removed from your vehicle efficiently.

To view acceptable and unacceptable waste for the 2025 Household Hazardous Waste Collection, please visit https://norwalkct.gov/503/Household-Hazardous-Waste. For any questions regarding the HHW collection, please contact the Customer Service Center at CustomerService@norwalkct.gov or (203) 854-3200.

Strawberry Hill Avenue Closure Now on April 7

Attention Norwalk residents - the start date of the Strawberry Hill Avenue closure has been changed. A section of the street, under the Strawberry Hill Avenue Railroad Bridge between Fitch and Winfield Streets, will be closed starting on Monday, April 7. All local businesses and residents will be permitted access. Pedestrians, bikes and scooters to use pedestrian shed and follow signs. Detour route to Fitch Street/East Avenue for southbound and Winfield Street to East Avenue for northbound traffic.

Click here for more information.

ICYMI

Norwalk Resident Beach Parking Pass

Attention Norwalk residents -  beach season is right around the corner. You can now confirm that your license plate is on the Grand List for your 2025 Norwalk Resident parking pass. This pass provides parking access to:

  • Calf Pasture & Shady Beach
  • Veterans Park
  • Cranbury Park
  • Taylor Farm Dog Park

Your car registration must list Norwalk as your tax town to qualify for a resident pass.

Click here to verify your plate. If you are not on the list, send a photo of your car registration to the following email address -  residentpass@norwalkct.gov.

Spring Break Camp in Norwalk

The City of Norwalk Recreation & Parks Department has partnered with Challenge Island for Spring Break Camp for children in grades K-5. The Spring Break Camp will take place Monday, April 14 through Friday, April 18 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Bunkhouse at Cranbury Park. Children will have the opportunity to enjoy hands-on experiments, daily STEAM challenges, and create slime!  

To register for Spring Break Camp, please create or sign up using an Active Net account. If you don’t have an account, you can open one by clicking here. 

Kevin M. Eidt Memorial Scholarship Fund to Announce 2025 Recipient

The 29th recipient the Kevin M. Eidt Memorial Scholarship, awarded to the most outstanding senior in the Norwalk High School class of 2025, will be announced at the Fund's annual Scholarship Presentation and Benefit Dinner Dance on April 5th at The Waters Edge in Darien.

The $130,000 scholarship will be awarded to the most outstanding senior the Norwalk High School Class of 2025 for demonstrated involvements and accomplishments across the spectrum of academics, athletics, arts, and community and religious service.

The Norwalk High School scholarship is one of 17 scholarship supported by the Fund in 2025. Since the Fund’s inception, almost $3.1 million gifts of education have been awarded to 252 recipients demonstrating achievements in the areas in which Kevin participated and excelled.

Information regarding event tickets, event sponsorship, or silent auction donations can be obtained by contacting the Fund at KevinsFund@aol.com or 203-846-9718. Additional information regarding Kevin and the scholarship fund can be found on the fund's website www.kevinsfund.org.

Unite to Fight 5K

Join Filling in the Blanks on April 6 at the Seventh Annual Unite to Fight 5K! The race will take place at Waveny Park located in New Canaan, CT with check in beginning at 7:45am, Kids Fun Run at 8:15am and the 5K walk/run beginning at 8:45am. Show your support, register as a fundraiser, walker, or runner, and spread community awareness of Filling in the Blanks’ mission of fighting childhood hunger by providing children in need with meals on the weekends. There will be prizes, t-shirts and food. To register, see the attached flyer. 

Click here to register. 

Poster Competition for CT Schools
 

The CT Coalition for Climate Action is pleased to announce the second annual Climate Change Student Poster Contest! This is a wonderful opportunity for students to engage creatively with important environmental issues and raise awareness about the impact of climate change on our planet.

Students and finalists are invited to the judging at the Capitol on May 28th between 12–2:30pm. Semi-Finalists will be displayed at the state Capitol and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place posters will receive a scholarship this year.

The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2025 and submissions can be emailed to CTClimateActionCoalition@gmail.com.

Please contact Lisa Winkler at 860-614-6102, lisa@grassrootsct.com or Tricia Dinneen Priebe at 203-464-3793, tricia@grassrootsct.com if you have any questions or need any additional information. You may also visit the Coalition website at www.climateactionct.org.
 

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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