FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield Board of Selectpersons is scheduled Wednesday to consider a series of major capital appropriations, including more than $54 million for air quality improvements at Fairfield Warde High School.
The board's agenda includes a proposed $54,071,154 appropriation for the Warde air quality improvement project, with bonds proposed to finance the work. The measure requires approval from the Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting.
The proposal is one of several school projects on the agenda. The board is also scheduled to consider $4,904,488 for planning, evaluation and design work related to alterations and an addition at Jennings Elementary School and $2,945,346 for replacement and improvements to the artificial turf at Fairfield Ludlowe High School.
Other school-related proposals include $739,878 for a security vestibule at Jennings Elementary School and $783,593 for HVAC building management system control upgrades at Stratfield Elementary School.
The board may also act on an amended appropriation for the Fairfield Warde High School artificial turf project. The proposal would increase its appropriation and bond authorization by $375,000, to $2.675 million, and use unused bond proceeds from the Holland Hill expansion project toward the increase.
Beyond the schools, the board is scheduled to consider several other significant capital measures. They include $6.268 million for construction of an Adaptive Recreation Center and "Miracle Field," with $2.5 million proposed to come from grants and bonds financing the remainder. Another proposal calls for nearly $5 million for a Police Department renovation project.
The agenda also calls for consideration of $4,625,466 for renovations to Old Town Hall and Sullivan Independence Hall and $4.106 million for unspecified nonrecurring capital projects.
Flood prevention and Lake Mohegan projects are also on Wednesday's agenda. The board is scheduled to consider increasing an existing capital appropriation by $1 million for the 2024 Master Flood Prevention project and $1.5 million for the Lake Mohegan project. The changes would bring the total appropriation and bond authorization under that resolution to $8,530,699 and expand the projects' scope.
Most of the proposed capital resolutions require subsequent Board of Finance and RTM approval.
Affordable housing proposals
The board will hold a public hearing on a proposed 75-year ground lease between Fairfield and Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County for town property at 254 Greenfield St. Habitat would be permitted to build up to four affordable homeownership units on the property.
Following the hearing, the board is scheduled to consider a resolution authorizing the lease at no cost to the town and allowing First Selectperson Christine Vitale to execute documents related to the agreement.
The board is also expected to consider a request to purchase property at 377 Quincy St. and use Fairfield's Housing Trust Fund to pay the associated costs. That proposal requires a Town Plan and Zoning Commission referral and RTM approval, according to the agenda.
Police cameras, facility use and infrastructure
Police Chief Michael Paris is scheduled to provide an update on the deployment of Axon automated license plate reader cameras and revisions to the town's ALPR policy.
The board may also act on a license agreement allowing the Fairfield Police Department to use portions of 929 Kings Highway East.
Another possible action involves a $78,092 contract with Fairfield-based Universal Building Services LLC to replace an existing rooftop make-up air unit at the Water Pollution Control Facility. The proposal would also authorize change orders up to the funding available for the project.
The board is also scheduled to consider a state grant agreement covering costs associated with implementing and conducting early voting. The item requires Board of Finance and RTM approval.
The meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, and will be held in a hybrid format, with in-person attendance in the first-floor conference room of Independence Hall, 725 Old Post Road, and online participation through Zoom.
To view the agenda, click here. Backup materials for the meeting can be viewed here.
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