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The Works: November 4th, 2021

A weekly newsletter released by the City of Stamford on Thursdays

Post Date:11/04/2021 5:01 PM

“Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus that causes COVID-19. We know millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated and with this decision, we now have recommended that about 28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated,”

  • CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H

 CDC Recommends Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5 to 11 Years | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC


What's in this newsletter?

  1. From the Mayor's Office: Announcements from Mayor David Martin
    COVID-19 Updates: Latest case numbers and how to get vaccinated.
  2. Community: Information affecting residents in Stamford.
  3. State: Information from the State of Connecticut affecting residents in Stamford.
  4. Services: Updates to City services
  5. Events & Meetings: Upcoming events, and legislative meetings in Stamford.

The content of this newsletter is compiled by the City of Stamford and relies on information provided by City staff, state elected officials, local organizations, health professionals, and members of the community. If you have information that should be included in this newsletter — or believe some information is incorrect — please contact the City's Communications Staff.




From the Mayor's Office

  • Democratic candidate Caroline Simmons has been elected as Stamford’s first female Mayor, defeating unaffiliated candidate Bobby Valentine on Tuesday, November 2 in the Stamford 2021 Mayoral election.
    • “You chose to embark on a future for our great city that builds on our strengths," Simmons, a 35-year-old state representative, told supporters at an election night gathering on Tuesday.
  • President Joe Biden has approved the State of Connecticut’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration to assist residents who have suffered damage as a result of the impact of the remnants of Hurricane Ida in early September. The approval includes the FEMA Individual Assistance Program for Fairfield County, as well as a statewide Hazard Mitigation Grant program.
    • FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program provides funding for homeowners, renters, and business owners who have sustained uninsured or under-insured damage to their property.
    • For further information please visit here.
    • To apply for assistance, residents can visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ , call 800-621-3362 anytime from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., or download the FEMA app. Residents can also go to our website at https://www.stamfordct.gov/storms for further information.
  • Mayor David Martin will deliver a proclamation pronouncing Stamford as a Purple Heart City on Sunday, November 7, at Stamford’s Veterans Day Parade.
    • Parade step off will commence at 12 p.m. at the Stamford Police Department located at 713 Bedford St.
    • Mayor David Martin represented Stamford in the viral Honor Your Hometown campaign, in which notable figured such at General Colin Powell, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and singer Dolly Parton shared personal stories about what makes their hometowns so special.
    • Personalized clips from participants, including Mayor Martin, can be viewed here.




COVID-19 Updates

Residents can read daily updates on new cases in Stamford by visiting the State of Connecticut's dedicated website for COVID-19 updates located here: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Data-Tracker

Next week, vaccines are available at the following locations free without an appointment: 

  • Cummings Park.  Sun 11-4:30 (all ages), Mon- Sat 11-4:30 (ages 5-11 only)
  • Hunt Park (Stamford Dog Park) Sun 11-4:30 (all ages), Mon- Sat 11-4:30 (ages 5-11 only)
  • Jackie Robinson Park. Sun 11-4:30 (all ages), Mon- Sat 11-4:30 (ages 5-11 only)
  • Scalzi Park. Mon.- Sun. 8:30-4:30 (all ages)
  • Henry St. (2nd Floor) Mon. 11-6 (ages 5-11 only)

Vaccines are also available by appointment at the following: 

  • Stamford Health, Stamford Hospital, By appointment only- call 203-276-7300 to schedule.
  • Stamford Health, 292 Long Ridge Rd - By appointment only- call 203-276-7300 to schedule.
  • Community Health Centers, 22 Fifth St. Mon-Fri 8:50-4:10

Visit our website for more information on free pop up locations around town.

Covid-19 Testing Sites

  • Stamford High Hillandale Parking lot- Mon, Wed, Fri 4-7 p.m. Sat, Sun 10:00 – 2:00
  • 2001 W Main St Mon-Fri 8a.m.-8 pm., Sat & Sun 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
  • 23 Hoyt St Mon-Fri By Apt Only
  • Stamford Hospital (Wheeler Building) Mon-Fri 7a.m.-4p.m. Sat- 8-12p.m.
  • 22 Fifth Street (CHC) Mon-Fri 8a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • 3000 Summer St (AFC Urgent Care) Mon-Fri 8a.m.-9p.m., Sat & Sun 8a.m- 9p.m.
  • CVS Pharmacies- Mon-Sun Check participating locations for scheduling
  • Further information on testing sites in Stamford is available here.

Other resources

  • If you are unable to leave your home or are uncomfortable traveling to a vaccine site, the Stamford Department of Health will bring the vaccine to you.  
  • Call 203.977.4378 or (203) 977-4369 to schedule your free in-home COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
  • All information about Stamford's response to COVID-19 can be found on our website at www.stamfordct.gov/covid19.
  • Please visit the State of Connecticut's Vaccine Portal for information on how to request a new copy of your card. 
  • Residents interested in volunteer efforts to assist with the COVID-19 public health emergency can visit Stamford Together for more information at https://www.stamfordct.gov/stamfordtogether.




Community

  • The City of Stamford is in the process of creating its first Housing Affordability Plan in over 20 years. Although residents and community members have been participating since the project’s beginning, the public is invited to learn more and provide feedback on initial findings through November 17th.
  • “The Patriotic and Special Events Commission along with the Veterans Park Partnership and the local Veterans groups, will be having a Veteran’s Day Parade on Sunday, November 7th , at the 12 p.m. The parade will start at 713 Bedford St., in front of the Police Dept.Attendees are asked to be present no later than 11:30.
    • The parade will march down Bedford St, across Broad and end at the Veterans Memorial Park, followed by a ceremony honoring the Grand Marshal, James l. Dudley, Jr and Stamford‘s Purple Heart recipients.
    • The event may also be seen on a live at the following link;https://events.locallive.tv/events/62937
  • Connecticut Sports Performance will host a Veterans Day camp for all ages consisting of a day of fundamental drills, competitions, and fun on Thursday, November 11, from 9 am- 12 pm.
    • The camp will be run by professional and Collegiate baseball coaching staff and will take place at 48 Union St Unit 2 C.
    • To register call 203-667-9286, or email connor@ctsportsperformance.com
  • On Sunday, December 5 at 5 pm Brian Cashman, General Manager of the New York Yankees, and friends are scheduled once again for Reckson’s Rappelling Santa. They will make their dare devil descent down the 22 stories of the Landmark Building then zip-line to the Library followed by Fireworks.
    • After the rappel, Santa’s busy holiday schedule will take him straight up Bedford Street to Latham Park where he will join the Stamford Community for holiday music and the lighting of the Holiday Tree.
    • This event is free for all.
  • The Stamford Arts & Culture Commission is now accepting grant applications for artistic and cultural projects in Stamford. The Stamford Arts & Culture (SAC) Grant — formerly known as CAPP — has provided dozens of Stamford-based arts and cultural organizations with funding to initiate special projects within the city for over 20 years.
    • To submit an application and for more information on eligibility requirements, please visit: https://www.stamfordct.gov/sacgrant. All applications are due before 11:59 pm on Monday, November 15, 2021.




State News

  • As a result of the Presidential major disaster declaration that was released on Saturday, October 30, 2021, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to businesses and residents in Connecticut following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida on Sept. 1-2, 2021.
    • Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes.
    • Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ ,and should apply under SBA declaration # 17258, not for the COVID-19 incident.
    • To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or download the FEMA mobile app.
  • Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani announced on Tuesday that COVID-19 vaccines are now available to be administered in Connecticut to children ages 5 through 11.
    • The availability of the vaccines for this age group follows the recent recommendations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    • With this announcement, nearly all of Connecticut’s school-aged children are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This roll-out is a critical tool to help keep children in school and protect not just children themselves, but also their parents, family members, teachers, and school staff. It is estimated that about 277,630 children between ages 5 and 11 live in Connecticut.
  • Governor Lamont today announced the rollout of the Screen and Stay initiative for Connecticut schools that choose to participate. Under the initiative, students and staff identified as close contacts to a known COVID-19 case but who are not yet fully vaccinated will be able to remain in school if they were wearing masks and don’t develop symptoms.
    • The initiative will bring immediate relief to the frequent and repeated quarantines that continue to impact student learning and place a burden on working families. The innovative, multi-agency solution will aid school districts through the remainder of the fall.
  • Governor Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker today announced that 40 high schools from 19 districts across the state will participate in the 2021-22 Connecticut FAFSA Challenge, an initiative designed to increase Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates, improve postsecondary access, and close opportunity gaps among high school students.
    • Participating schools will pilot innovative strategies to help students and families complete the FAFSA and access resources to support college affordability.
    • Stamford’s Westhill High school is among the 40 participating schools.


Services

  • The City of Stamford will continue to permit residents to place their leaves curbside for the 2021 Fall season. Only loose leaves that are left curbside will be collected. Please make sure that your loose leaves are not on the road or blocking the sidewalk, as this may result in removal costs and fines.
  • The leaf pickup program begins November 15th. Leaves must be out no later than:
    • North (Above Merritt Parkway): November 15, 2021
    • Middle (Merritt Parkway to I-95): November 22, 2021
    • South (South of I-95): December 6, 2021
  • If you would like further up to date updates on this year's leaf pick up program, please sign up for the City of Stamford E-Subscribe List.
  • The City of Stamford will hold a virtual Farms Road Update via Zoom on Tuesday, November 9, at 4 p.m.
  • The City of Stamford is continuing their partnership with textile collection company HELPSY, which enables residents to recycle unwanted textiles more conveniently by booking an appointment with the organization.
    • Stamford residents are able to schedule an at home pickup by:
  • The Davenport St. reconstruction project is ongoing.
    • The project is a public-private partnership to rebuild the roadway, and is in preparation for the Greenwich Ave/ Pulaski Roundabout.
    • Residents can read about the entire Greenwich Avenue Corridor Project here.

Municipal Meetings.

  • The Board of Education’s Labor, TLC, and Policy meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 9, at 6:30 p.m.
  • The Board of Education’s Fiscal & Operations Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 26, at 6:30 p.m
  • There are no scheduled Board of Representatives meetings or public hearings for the coming weeks.


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