BREAKING: Fairfield Wins UI Case!

April 25, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday!

I want to start off this eblast with some amazing news: a judge has ruled in Fairfield's favor and overturned the Siting Council's decision on United Illuminating's plan to construct monopoles along the Metro North train tracks!

This is incredible news that carries a lot of meaning for our community. This ruling is proof that regardless of how powerful a utility company may be, communities who come together and speak out and stand up are more powerful. This is such an important win for our community that so many worked to achieve together. I’m so proud to have been a part of this fight.

Fairfield and Bridgeport have been unified in this effort and today’s decision is the result of an incredible, dedicated team, who sacrificed countless hours and resources to push back on this egregious utility proposal and approval process.

Thank you to the Southgate Lane neighbors who first sounded the alarm, thank you to every member of SCNETI for leading this charge and to everyone who organized and contributed to make this work possible. Thank you to First Selectman Gerber for taking on this fight and seeing it through to this decision in our favor.

And thank YOU for joining me in this fight and showing what happens when a committed group of neighbors work together.

You can read more about this monumental victory for our community here.

In the rest of this week's eblast, you can read about great local events, an update on our state budget, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
 

State Budget Update

We had a long Appropriations Committee meeting this week, but we took an important next step in the negotiation process by passing the committee's budget. While there are still many needs not addressed in this budget, we did, for the first time ever, fully fund the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant, which helps provide every school district the funding they need!

As the full legislature begins meeting more regularly next week, I'll keep you informed on important updates.
 

Upcoming Charter Revision Commission Meeting 

Next Thursday, May 1, at 7pm at the Fairfield Regional Fire School, the Charter Revision Commission will hold a public hearing for comments on the final version of our town charter.

Our town charter is a document that guides our governance, establishes our powers, and defines our community, so I hope you'll take the time to attend this meeting and make your voice heard!

You can read more about this event here.
 

DEA National Take Back Day 

Saturday, April 26 from 10am-2pm is DEA National RX Take Back Day at the Fairfield Police Department (100 Reef Road, Fairfield). If you have unused, unwanted, and/or expired OTC and/or prescription medicine in your cabinets, now is a great time to safely dispose of them.

Many police departments already have permanent medication drop boxes in their building, but DEA Take Back Day is a great day to dispose of these meds, too!
 

Work Zone Awareness Week 

This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week which honors the workers and professionals who help keep construction zones safe, including highway crews, public works, utility companies, contractors, and law enforcement.  Motorists in Connecticut are urged to take an active role in protecting roadway workers and drivers.  

Work zone crashes remain a major safety issue in Connecticut and nationwide. According to data from the Connecticut Crash Data Repository at UConn, between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024, there were more than 2,000 crashes and six fatalities in Connecticut work zones. Nationally in 2022, the most recent year of verifiable data, there were 891 work zone fatalities.

In 2023, during Connecticut’s one-year pilot program for work zone speed safety cameras, nearly 25,000 motorists received written warnings for exceeding speed limits by 15 miles per hour or more in designated work zones. A permanent work zone camera program is expected to launch again in this year.

Click here for up-to-date information, safety tips, and news regarding work zone safety.
 

Climate Change Legislation in Connecticut 

This week it was Earth Day. In Connecticut, we’re not just celebrating our planet - we’re taking action to protect it. From expanding clean energy to investing in climate resilience, Connecticut is committed to a sustainable future for all.
 

Fairfield's Shop & Stroll Into Spring 

A reminder that the Fairfield Shop & Stroll into Spring is returning Thursday, May 1 - one week away!

Over 20 merchants will participate in this yearly celebration of Fairfield's small businesses. You can find the latest fashion apparel, sporting goods, best-selling books, and more!

And this year, you can help raise funds and awareness for the Friends of the Fairfield Public Library, an organization supporting our wonderful library.

I hope you'll check out this wonderful event! Click here for more information and to see the list of participating vendors.
 

Fairfield's Earth Day Celebration

Don't forget - Fairfield's Earth Day celebration is this Saturday! Our community is passionate about protecting our environment, so we put in a lot of effort to celebrate our planet!

You can see graphics and more information below about this upcoming event.
Fairfield Earth Day Pt. 1
Fairfield YMCA (841 Old Post Rd., Fairfield)
April 26, 10am-1pm
Read more here
Fairfield Earth Day Pt. 2
Roger Sherman Elementary School (250 Fern St., Fairfield)
April 26, noon-3pm
Read more here
 

Summer Concert Series 

An amazing Fairfield tradition - our Summer Concert Series - begins May 15 with Italian-American music from I'Luguri! The concerts take place every Thursday and Sunday from 6:30-8:30pm at the Sherman Green Gazebo, and I can't wait to check them out!
 

Community Events 


Fairfield Mattress Collection Event
Fire Training Grounds (205 Richard White Way, Fairfield)
May 10, 8:30am-12:30pm
Read more here
On-Field Movie Night
Haydon Field (210 Old Dam Rd., Fairfield)
May 9, 7:15
Read more here
 

I'm committed to ensuring your voice is heard. Please don't hesitate to call my office at (860) 240-8585 or email me if there's anything I can do for you. Be sure to follow @LeeperForFairfield on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol.


Sincerely,

Jennifer Leeper
State Representative

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