Dominique Johnson

Dear Neighbor,

Happy Thursday! I hope you are doing well. Next Wednesday will mark the 23rd anniversary of one of the darkest days in American history. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives on the morning of September 11, 2001 and many more, including first responders, have died from health complications in the years following the attacks. 

Every year on the Thursday before September 11^th, Connecticut holds a 9/11 memorial ceremony at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport to honor those whose lives were lost. This year’s ceremony is tonight at 5:30 pm. 

Norwalk will hold a Remembrance Ceremony next Wednesday, September 11th at 9:00 AM. The ceremony will take place on the Eric Malmquist Track Field next to Norwalk City Hall in front of the 9/11 Norwalk Memorial, located by the flagpole.

Please take a moment to pause and reflect on this tragic event, and remember the victims and the many first responders who bravely set aside their personal safety to save lives.

We will never forget.

Please read below for information on the CGA legislative internship, sign replacement on Route 15, and more! 

Please click here for more information and to apply.

If the flooding has impacted your employment in any way, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Additionally, employers can find assistance through the CTDOL Rapid Response team.  Please check out the Department of Labor Assistance for Flood Victims webpage for more resources and links.  

Investing in Connecticut’s future starts with empowering our youth! I’m proud to report that our State’s Youth Employment Program continues to grow. This program helps teens explore careers, work side-by-side with professionals who help them build career networks, and receive job training and experience, all while earning a paycheck. It’s a great way to support the next generation of leaders and innovators. The program is available year-round for ages 14-24.
 
Click here to learn more.  

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that sign support replacements will be performed on Route 15 in Stamford, Greenwich, New Canaan, Milford, Orange, Woodbridge, New Haven, Hamden, North Haven, Wallingford, and Meriden. This project is scheduled to occur on Monday, September 9 and be completed on July 11, 2026. The project consists of replacing existing extruded aluminum signs and sign supports that have exceeded their useful service life. The existing signs have less than adequate retro-reflectivity, have evidence of damage, or do not meet the current standards set by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD standards require larger signs and therefore most of the existing sign supports are deemed structurally deficient based on the larger sign sizes and current wind loading criteria.

To be in conformance with Federal standards, exit numbers are also required to be revised from the existing sequential numbering to mileage-based numbering. Additionally, two new permanent variable message signs will be installed on CT-15 to align with the CTDOT’s statewide Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) for Limited Access Highways – Strategic Plan.

Click here for more information on lane closures on CT-15 North and South at varying times and locations.

CTDOT is holding an in-person meeting on Tuesday, September 10, at 6:00 p.m.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct a public information meeting concerning the conceptual improvements proposed for Route 7 from Grist Mill Road to Kent Road in Norwalk and Wilton on Tuesday, September 10, at 6:00 p.m. at the Cranbury Elementary School at 10 Knowalot Lane in Norwalk.  

The public information meeting is being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed project. A question and answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation. For additional information regarding the meeting and ways to provide comments and ask questions, please visit http://portal.ct.gov/DOTNorwalkWiltonPP-102-020.  

There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements. Two total acquisitions may be needed on the northwest corner of the intersection of Grist Mill Road and Main Avenue. Partial minor acquisitions may be needed in other project areas to construct turn lanes and to provide a continuous sidewalk network throughout the project limits.

The proposed project is in the early stages of development. No funding has been identified and no schedule has been determined.  

Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT Language Assistance Call Line (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least five business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.  

Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by Tuesday, September 24, to DOTProjectPP-102-020@ct.gov or (860) 594-2020, or Andrew J. Correia at Andrew.Correia@ct.gov or (860) 594-2586.  Please reference Proposed Project No. PP-102-020 in the e-mail or voicemail. 

Annual Touch-a-Truck and Open House Event Saturday, September 28th

The City of Norwalk will host its annual Touch-a-Truck and Open House event on Saturday, September 28th, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Norwalk Public Works Operations Center. This free, family-friendly, hands-on experience will include demonstrations, fun giveaways, and wastewater treatment plant tours. Children and adults will have the opportunity to explore the City’s vehicles, learn about the services the City provides and meet City officials. Visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items in support of the Open Door Shelter in Norwalk, such as peanut butter, jelly, tuna, macaroni & cheese, pasta sauce, soup and kid-friendly snacks.