Dominique Johnson

Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday! I hope you are doing well.

If you plan on traveling by train over the holiday weekend, please note that the East Norwalk Train Station shuttle service will not run buses on Monday, September 2. The shuttle service will promptly resume on Tuesday, September 3 and will operate through Friday, September 6.

The East Norwalk Train Station, currently closed for station improvement work, is scheduled to re-open on Saturday, September 7.

Please read below for information on upcoming CTSBDC programs, hazardous waste collection, and more!

Community Connect, a program that  provides first responders with critical information about residents, businesses and their properties during incidents and major disasters, is now available in Westport. 

The secure, user-friendly platform allows Westporters to voluntarily share essential household information with emergency service personnel.

The information provided allows first responders to act even more swiftly and effectively than they otherwise could.

The application is voluntary, and residents have full control over the information they choose to share. Residents and business owners can create profiles now. Click here to begin.

As a small business owner, you understand the importance of being ready for opportunities when they arise. Whether you are looking to apply for a loan, grant, or credit line, having a good handle on your numbers increases your chances of approval and favorable terms.
In this interactive virtual 4-session course, you will:

• Learn to track the money coming in and going out, so you know when you have extra cash or need more.
• Learn how to read your financial statements, so you can improve the profitability of your business.
• Understand the lending process and how lenders view your company from a financial perspective.

Link to Register
 
SBIR/STTR Accelerator
September 17 – October 22 (6 Tuesdays, 12 PM – 1:30 PM).
Deadline to apply: September 9.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide up to $1 million non-dilutive grants to eligible companies to help them conduct research and develop and work to commercialize their innovations. In this interactive 6-week virtual program, industry experts will provide hands-on assistance to help your company prepare for an SBIR/STTR grant application. You will learn:

• What Federal Agencies seek in the SBIR/STTR program and how to address the complexities of the application process.
• How to conduct research and test your business concept, identify key risk factors, and best practices.
• How to define your technological innovation and understand Federal Agency objectives.
• The essentials of commercialization.

Link to Register

This year’s event will be held at Ponus Ridge Middle School on 21 Hunters Lane, instead of Norwalk High School, due to construction. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection allows Norwalk residents to safely dispose of their hazardous items. At our HHW event, we will accept hazardous materials such as oil, lighter fluid, poisons, insecticides, pesticides, fluorescent lightbulbs and more.

Here is how you can safely transport your hazardous materials:

• Leave materials in original labeled containers. Tighten caps & lids.
• Pack containers in sturdy upright boxes and pad with newspapers.
• Sort & pack separately: paint, pesticides, household cleaners, etc.
• Pack your car and drive directly to the HHW event.
• Please do NOT mix chemicals!
• Please have your driver’s license, vehicle registration or Norwalk Disposal Pass available.
• Residents ONLY = NO Commercial or Business loads accepted.
• Latex Paint is NOT Hazardous Waste but will be collected on HHW Day. Residents can dry Latex Paint completely and dispose as regular trash, once completely dry and solid!

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 2024 Household Hazardous Waste Collection, please visit https://www.norwalkct.gov/503/Household-Hazardous-Waste.

For any questions regarding the HHW collection, please contact the Customer Service Center atCustomerService@norwalkct.gov or (203) 854-3200.

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.