“Each year Stamford has continued to expand and set the bar for economic growth, public safety, and diversity. I am very pleased, although not surprised, with our city’s ranking as number seven in FDi’s annual report of Top 10 Small Cities of the Future, and it further solidifies the fact that Stamford is the most successful city in Connecticut and one of the most successful in the nation.”

• Mayor David R. Martin

 Stamford Ranked #7 in List of Top 10 Small U.S. Cities of the Future

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

• 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’s Tuesday night virtual Stamford Covid-19 Update featured Acting Director of Health Jody Bishop-Pullan, Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Asha Shaw, and Bethel A.M.E. Reverend Robert Jackson Jr.
• In light of the recent CDC recommendation for kids ages 5-11 to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, each guest emphasized the importance of vaccinating your children to decrease their chances of contracting the virus or experiencing serious side effects.

Case Numbers

Since last week, there have been 36 new Covid-19 cases in Stamford. This number is identical to the week prior.

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: 

Ages 5-11 only

• Cummings Park. -  Mon – Sun 8:30 - 1
• Scalzi Park. – Mon – Sun 8:30 – 4:30
• Henry St. (2^nd Floor) – Mon 1-7, Thurs 11- 6
• Henry St. (Apt Only) – Mon- Fri 8:30 – 7
• Westover School. - Mon 3-7
• Stamford Gov. Center. – Sat 10-3
• YMCA. – Fri 2 - 6:30

Ages 12 and up

• Scalzi Park. – Mon – Sun 8:30 – 4:30
• Henry St. (Apt Only) – Mon - Fri 8:30 – 7
• Robinson. – Mon - Sun 11 – 4:30
• Hunt Park. (15^th- 21^st) Mon – Sun 11 – 4:30

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

• 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. 

• 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.
• To Learn about initial findings: https://shorturl.at/aAEST
• To Provide feedback: https://bit.ly/StamfordAH
• To get more information about upcoming meetings: https://bit.ly/3BnU3mo

• Matthew Quinones, President of the Stamford Board of Representatives, announced that the Board is accepting applications and/or nominations for membership on the 19th Charter Revision Commission.
  • The Charter Revision Commission is responsible for recommending to the Board important changes to the City’s Charter, which will affect the City of Stamford’s government.
  • Stamford residents who wish to donate their time (no compensation is provided) to submit a resume and short cover letter/note indicating an interest in serving on the Commission to:
    • Matthew Quinones, President 30^th Board of Representatives 888 Washington Boulevard, 4^th Floor Stamford, CT  06904-2152
    • Or by e-mail to: bdreps@stamfordct.gov.
  • The deadline for applying is December 15, 2021.

• 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.

• Stamford Downtown’s Parade Spectacular Park Party will take place in Mill River Park on Sunday, November 21 from 12 – 3 pm.
  • The event will feature giant balloons, marching bands, cirque-tacular aerialists, dance performances, photo-ops with Santa & Friends and more.
  • The event is free and open to all who are interested in attending.

• The Bartlett arboretum is offering Professional Landscaper Exam Prep classes online starting in January 2022. They are the only location in Fairfield County to offer the Introductory Arborist Exam Prep Class and the Introductory Pesticide Supervisor Exam Prep Class.
  • For more information and to register for the course, you may visit: http://www.bartlettarboretum.org/ or the link in their Instagram bio @bartlettarboretum.
• 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.

• Governor Ned Lamont today stated that Connecticut has the “lowest Covid-19 infection rate in the region”, referring to Connecticut’s surrounding states in the North East.
  • On his official Twitter account, he posted, “Let’s work together to keep it that way. Get your child vaccinated and get your boosters so we don’t become a deeper shade of red like our neighbors”.
• Governor Lamont announced on Wednesday that he is nominating Claire Coleman of Woodbridge to serve as consumer counsel for the State of Connecticut.
  • In the position, which is a five-year term, Coleman will lead the Office of Consumer Counsel in its mission of advocating on behalf of Connecticut consumers on issues relating to electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, and water.
  • The office is an independent state agency authorized to participate on behalf of consumer interests in all administrative and judicial forums and in any matters in which the interests of consumers with respect to public utility matters may be involved.

• Governor Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker announced on Wednesday the launch of Voice4Change, a first-of-its-kind campaign administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education that will empower high school students to decide how American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds are spent.
  • A total of 43 districts encompassing 77 high schools across Connecticut have opted-in to participate, representing more than 55,000 students.
  • The governor explained that the goal for the initiative is to increase student engagement while fulfilling the Connecticut State Board of Education’s vision of ensuring students thrive in a global economy and civic life by challenging students to think critically and solve real-world problems.

Services

• The South State Street on-ramp onto NB I-95 at Elm Street will be closed due to construction work Monday, November 15 – Friday, November 19 from 9 am-3 pm.
  • Signage will be installed by the city prior to alert drivers of this closure.
• The leaf pickup program begins November 15^th. 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 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:
  • Visiting www.helpsy.co/stamfordct
  • Emailing info@helpsy.co
  • Calling 800-244-6350
• The paving of Quarry Rd neighborhood is completed.
• West Hill Rd drainage work is scheduled to commence from Roxbury Rd working south.
• 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 next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 23 at 7 pm.
• The Board of Education’s Fiscal & Operations Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m.
• There are no scheduled Board of Representatives meetings or public hearings for the coming weeks.