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Your City at Work: From the Mayor’s Desk

Post Date:03/29/2024 5:00 PM

 stamford

 

Your City at Work: From the Mayor’s Desk

 

Read below to learn more about initiatives my administration is working on, resources for Stamford residents, information about upcoming events, and important city and state information.

This month I released my proposed FY24-25 budget, below are some highlights.

This FY2024-2025 budget is an investment in improving the quality of life experienced by all of our residents. It maintains our ongoing commitment to responsible fiscal management which will allow us to secure our financial future while still delivering the programs and services our residents deserve.

Our city's fiscal health has allowed us to take the steps necessary to continue to make Stamford a desirable place to live, work, raise a family, and retire.

My budget proposes:

  • The Board Finance lowering the mill rate to 24.14 mills (one of the lowest in the state)
  • Expanding the Senior Property Tax Credit
  • Holding the Personal Property and Motor Vehicle Mill Rates Flat

There will be a joint Board of Finance and Representatives Budget Hearing: The Board of Finance and Representatives will hold a joint public hearing on April 3rd at 7:00 pm via zoom. Residents can sign up to speak about the budget at this meeting by sending an email to tdonoghue@stamfordct.gov OR bdreps@stamfordct.gov. Residents can view the meeting here.

 

MAYOR’S UPDATES

  • Reconnecting Communities Federal Grant: I am honored that the Biden Administration chose Stamford for a Westside Neighborhood Connector Project. This is a part of historic levels of funding aimed at reconnecting communities that were cut off by transportation infrastructure decades ago, leaving entire neighborhoods without direct access to opportunities, like schools, jobs, medical offices, and places of worship. US Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the grant for Stamford amongst 132 other national projects.

     

    “This historic $17 million Reconnecting Communities grant will completely transform and enhance connectivity on the West Side of Stamford and establish a connected, walkable greenway from Mill River Park to the Stamford Transportation Center. My administration is committed to prioritizing investments in pedestrian safety and this grant will allow us to make critical investments in sidewalks, bump outs, traffic signal improvements, wayfinding, and green space which will improve accessibility and mobility for West Side residents to the Downtown, South End, and the Stamford train station. I am grateful to the Transportation, Traffic, & Parking Department for their work in securing this grant and I look forward to working with community stakeholders to implement this visionary project.”

     

  • Greek Independence Day: It was wonderful to welcome the Archbishop of America for the Greek Orthodox Church, Archbishop Elpidophoros, to Stamford this week to celebrate Greek Independence Day with Congressman Himes, Rev. Dr. Harry Pappas, and many members of Stamford’s Greek community.

     Mayor Simmons with Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elpidophoros, Congressman Himes, Members of the Clergy, and Children smile for a photo at greek independence day celebration

  • Boys and Girls Club Visit: This week, Congressman Jim Himes and I visited the Boys and Girls Club Stamford (BGCS) Yerwood Center with BGCS CEO Craig Baker and Marvin Louis to see how a $500,000 federal grant will support critical investments to repair, refurbish, and upgrade facilities at the Yerwood Center.

 Mayor Simmons and Congressman Himes listen to Boys and Girls Club Stamford CEO Craig Baker with Marvin Louis

CITY NEWS

  • Tomorrow—Car Seat Safety Day: Tomorrow, March 30th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, the Stamford Fire Department is hosting a Car Seat Safety Day at the Stamford Regional Fire School (148 Magee Ave). The event is free, and appointments are recommended. You can schedule an appointment by emailing: SFD.carseats@stamfordct.gov.
  • Old Parking Garage Demolition: The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) initiated the demolition of the Stamford Transportation Center's 1985 Parking Garage and Pedestrian Bridge. For further details, here.
  • Beach Passes Available for Purchase: Beach passes are now available for purchase online or in person. Click here for more information and to purchase your pass.
  • Learning In Retirement Registration: Learning Retirement, Inc, a nonprofit organization for continuing education of retired people and senior citizens has released its Spring 2024 catalog. Go to LIRStamford.org to view the course offerings and register for classes.
  • Shop Local Spring Campaign: Are you a Stamford resident with a small business? We want to highlight you during our Shop Local spring campaign. Send your business details to calexander@stamfordct.gov.
  • Stamford Transportation Center Master Plan: Our administration has been meeting with the Connecticut Department of Transportation and city transportation officials to continue to make progress on the Stamford Train Station Master Plan. To view the Stamford Transportation Center Master Plan, visit: stcmasterplan.com.
  • Paving Update: Click here for the priority list for paving operations established in response to a city-wide road assessment in 2022.
  • Safe Boating Class: The Stamford Regional Fire School is now offering State of Connecticut safe boating courses. The first class will be on Saturday, April 13th. Get your safe boating certificate before the boating season begins! Class size is limited to 24 students. Additional dates will be added based on demand. You can sign up here

CITY EVENTS

  • Calling all Vision Zero Heroes: The City of Stamford has initiated a Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate roadway fatalities by 2032. The Action Plan will put forth prioritized strategies for advancing roadway Quick Build and capital projects and other strategic initiatives to reach this goal. Public engagement for the plan will start next month, with pop up events on Thursday, April 4th Downtown and Springdale, and again on Tuesday, May 7 in Glenbrook.

Vision Zero pop up events in April

  • Northeast Sports Card Expo: Connecticut’s biggest card show is back! On Saturday, May 4th from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday, May 5th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at Chelsea Piers Athletic Club. See the flyer below for more details.

 Northeast Sports Card Expo Stamford

Northeast Sports Card Expo Stamford 

RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS

  • Boards and Commission: Are you a Stamford resident interested in serving on a City Board or Commission? Click here to learn more about serving.

Employment Opportunities in the City

 

Traffic

  • Lakeside Drive Bridge Replacement: Beginning on April 1st, the Lakeside Drive Bridge will be closed to traffic. For detour plans and more information click here.
  • Temporary Roadways at the Greenwich Ave and Pulaski Street Intersection: Temporary roadways are in place at the Greenwich Avenue & Pulaski Street intersection. Use caution, plan for extra travel time, and slowdown in work zones. Access to businesses will remain open. To learn more about the project, click here.
  • Connecticut Department of Transportation Stamford Station Construction: Construction continues at the Stamford Train Station, so please make sure to plan ahead. Passengers can find the updated train schedule here.

 

COVID-19 Resources

For information on COVID-19, visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE DIGEST

WANT TO HEAR MORE?

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Email me at mayorsoffice@stamfordct.gov and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

If there is any information that should be included in this newsletter —
please contact the
Mayor's Office.

To subscribe to the Mayor’s Weekly Newsletter and other city notifications, please click here.

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 CS_signature

Caroline Simmons

 

 

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