Darien Department of Public Works 2022
Darien DPW saw horse Department of Public Works Department

Darien DPW Looking Into Drainage, Flooding Problems on Certain Streets, Expect to See Orange Vests Next Thursday

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No need to be alarmed or even suspicious when you see people with orange vests looking around and walking on several streets next Thursday, March 24, the Darien Department of Public Works says. They’re working on a project. The DPW “is investigating drainage and flooding issues,” on or near those streets, the department said in an announcement.. “You may see consulting engineering personnel with orange vests in these areas on Thursday, March 24, 2022 (pending favorable weather),” the DPW announcement says. “No action is necessary by public.”

Public Safety
Capitol

Hearing Monday on Proposals to Strengthen Penalties for Juveniles Committing Crimes, Including Car Thefts

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The state Legislature’s Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing Monday, March 14 on bills meant to strengthen penalties for juveniles who steal cars or commit other serious offenses, State Rep. Terrie Wood said in an email to constituents. You can get on the list of those testifying to the committee if you register online by 3 p.m., Sunday, Wood said. Police department officials in Darien and elsewhere have said weak state laws regarding juveniles charged with crimes has made it difficult to deter them from committing more. Full Text of Wood’s Announcement
Darienite.com received this announcement at 11:30 a.m., Friday:

There are two legislative proposals that are having public hearings early next week that are important to Norwalk and Darien as well as communities across the state. I encourage all interested to submit written testimony and/or give virtual testimony.

Fourth District Election 2022
Jayme Stevenson on This Week in CT with

Stevenson Announces Run Against Himes for Fourth Congressional District Seat [UPDATED]

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Former Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson is running for Congress, challenging U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, she announced Sunday on the “This Week in CT” television interview program. “Jim has been in Washington for 14 years, and our lives are getting worse rather than getting better,” Stevenson, a Republican, said, referring to the Democratic incumbent. “He is in lockstep with the Biden administration with every one of their policies, and the lives of families and businesses are worse off than when he went to Congress. That’s why I’m running.” “America is in peril,” Stevenson told Dennis House, host of the WTNH-TV program on Channel 8.

Government & Politics
Wider Rally for Ukraine

Duff, McNally, Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Among Speakers at Rally for Ukraine in Darien, Saturday

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A “Rally for Ukraine,” will be held in front of Darien Town Hall, organized by the Action Network of Darien Democrats. “All are welcome to Darien’s community event to show support for a country in crisis,” the group announced. The event starts at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, March 5. Update: An announcement from the organizers:
The siege on Ukraine may be happening half a world away, but its impact is felt here in Darien. So, a group of local residents has organized the Rally for Ukraine to be held Saturday, March 5 at 4:30 pm outside Darien Town Hall.

Environment
Darien Department of Public Works sign on barrier saw horse

Gorham’s Pond Tide Gates Scheduled To Be Opened March 14 to 21, Unless it Rains a Lot

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The Gorham’s Pond tide gates will be opened on two different days this month for flushing and cleaning, unless there’s “extensive rain […] or a series of very high tides,” or bad weather, Darien Public Works Department announced Tuesday. Unless either of those natural events prevent it, the gates will open on Monday, March 14 and close again on Monday, March 21. A large amount of rain or very high tides would cause too much water flowing over the dam to open or close the gates, the announcement said.

Elections 2022
Terrie Wood

State Rep Terrie Wood Announces Run for CT Secretary of the State Office

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State Rep. Terrie Wood, a republican representing the 141st state house district recently announced in her newsletter that she’s running for Connecticut Secretary of State. Here’s what she said:

I’m Running…

After seven terms serving as state representative for Norwalk and Darien, I’m deeply enthused to be shifting my energy and focus to a state-wide race for Secretary of the State. Serving as a state representative for Norwalk and Darien over the last thirteen years has been an extraordinary experience. To have been able to participate in our legislative process and engage in a multitude of key issues has been deeply rewarding. I’m proud of my legislative accomplishments and grateful for the trust placed in me by my constituents year after year.

Fourth District Election 2022
Michael Goldstein U.S. Representative candidate Fourth District

Greenwich Doctor Michael Goldstein Announces Run for GOP Nomination for Congress

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Michael Goldstein of Greenwich, a physician and lawyer, has announced he is running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Congress in the Fourth District, which includes Darien. “I am running to reform healthcare  and the wrongs  that  I have experienced first hand as a physician, which have plagued our country,” Goldstein said in an announcement on his website. Goldstein is an ophthalmologist and a board certified physician for more than 40 years. He founded his own ophthalmology practice decades ago and continues to manage it. Ophthalmologists specialize in treating eye disorders and diseases.

COVID-19 2022
Letter letters

First Selectman: Thanks to All Who Helped With Darien’s Test Kit Distribution and Vaccinations

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To the editor,

I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say we are all weary of the coronavirus and its variants. So many people and organizations have been working so hard, for so long, to help protect us and care for those in need. Everyone, understandably, must be tired. Still, it was no surprise to me to witness so many town employees and volunteers step up to distribute thousands of COVID test kits and masks to residents at the high school over the past couple of weeks. The test kits and masks were graciously distributed to Darien by the state.

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Test Your Home For Radon Gas: Darien Health Department Has Free Test Kits

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The Darien Health Department advises residents to test their homes for radon gas especially now that many families are spending more time at home due to COVID-19. Limited numbers of free test kits are now available at the Darien Health Department office. — an announcement from Darien Health Department

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that is found throughout the US. Most of the time, it is harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air, but it can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. Exposure to elevated levels of radon has been shown to cause lung damage and cancer in humans.

COVID-19 Test Kits

Another COVID-19 Test Distribution Event in Darien on Saturday

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First Selectman Monica McNally announced late Thursday afternoon that the town has received 1,260 test kits and a supply of N95 masks from state authorities, and they’ll be handed out at a new distribution event early this Saturday afternoon. The free, drive-thru distribution event will take place the way the last one did — with vehicles entering the Darien High School campus from Noroton Avenue and leaving from Nutmeg Lane. (High School Lane will be blocked.)

The event runs from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Only Darien residents can take part, and proof of residency is required. “Walk-ins, with proof of residency, will be helped between 2:30 and 3 p.m., depending on supply,” McNally’s CodeRed announcement said. “As with the previous distribution, there aren’t enough tests for everyone in town,” McNally said.

ARPA Committee 2022
Lectern Auditorium Town Seal

Ad Hoc Committee to Recommend How Darien Will Spend $6.4 Million in Federal COVID-19 Aid

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Darien, like other local governments around the country, is getting a sudden infusion of federal aid this year to make up for extra money spent on COVID-19. Darien’s slice of the $130 billion pie amounts to $6.4 million. An ad hoc committee has been appointed to suggest where the town should spend the money. First Selectman Monica McNally mentioned the committee as part of her roundup of updates to the Board of Selectmen at its meeting Monday night. What the town decides to spend the money on is restricted, but the federal government will allow the spending to go toward “public health expenditures, address the negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, replace lost public sector revenue, provide premium pay for essential workers, invest in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure,” said Selectman Jon Zagrodzky, who’s been appointed to head the panel.

COVID-19 Test Kits

First Selectman: Limited COVID-19 Test Kits Available Starting at Noon, Sunday at DHS

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A “limited number” of free COVID-19 test kits are available to Darien residents who can prove they live in town in a drive-thru distribution event starting at noon, Sunday, Jan. 2, at the Darien High School campus, First Selectman Monica McNally said. McNally also said: “This current supply of at-home tests is very limited and intended for residents that are symptomatic or that have a known exposure to someone who tested positive.” The tests, two per household, will be given out until they run out, McNally told the town late Saturday afternoon in a Code Red message. The tests have already been given to the town government, McNally said, but the number of them is “substantially less than originally expected.”

Darien Community Association
DCA Academic Lecture Series 2022 The Arctic: From Deep Freeze to Hot Spot

DCA Academic (and Online) Lecture Series: ‘The Arctic — From Deep Freeze to Hot Spot’ Starts Jan 6

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The Darien Community Association’s 2022 Academic Lecture Series, “The Arctic — from Deep Freeze to Hot Spot, ” will start Thursday, Jan. 6, online. The series has been presented annually, without interruption, since 1956. While the format this year will be virtual, the series will continue to feature respected foreign policy experts at four Thursday morning lectures at 10 a.m., and a final lecture in the evening of Feb. 3 (also a Thursday).

McNally: Darien Has More COVID-19 Cases, More Booster Clinics Coming

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In the past 13 days, 168 Darien residents have acquired COVID-19 cases, as far as authorities know, and with holiday gatherings, more is expected, First Selectman Monica McNally told the town in a late Wednesday afternoon Code Red message. “COVID cases are on the rise,” she said. Meanwhile, McNally said, some town residents are concerned about the availability of testing, the cost and heavy traffic at the sites. “I am working with the director of health to possibly add a second testing site in Darien,” she said. “If you are 16 or older and it has been at least six months since your second dose, you are strongly encouraged to get a booster,” the first selectman said.