Norwalk City Council Approves $500K For Roundabout Project, Reappoints Commission Members

NORWALK, CT — The Norwalk City Council approved a $500,000 state-funded special appropriation for the SoNo Roundabout project, which aims to enhance traffic flow and pedestrian safety near South Norwalk Elementary School, during their meeting Tuesday night.

The funding, drawn from Municipal Grant-in-Aid dollars, will supplement $1 million in city capital funds and a $2.5 million Community Investment Fund grant from the state Department of Economic and Community Development, according to meeting minutes available on the city's website.

Senior Traffic Engineer Ben Yeung presented an overview of the project and described Phase 1 work that includes removal of an existing rail berm and old bridge abutments, as well as the ongoing design of the modern roundabout with safe pedestrian crossings and benefits of the project to the South Norwalk Elementary School community, according to the minutes.

He also announced a public information open house scheduled for Feb. 2 at South Norwalk Elementary School.

When asked about public outreach efforts by council member Darlene Young, Yeung said notices were mailed to properties within a half-mile radius, distributed to school families and promoted through local media and planned social media posts, according to the minutes.

Earlier in the meeting, the council approved a $455,000 contract with Norwalk-based Oman's Garden Center to supply and plant trees and shrubs at locations across the city.

The agreement is funded through a 2024 U.S. Forest Service grant aimed at increasing the city's tree canopy to levels comparable with other Connecticut communities, according to the minutes.

The council also approved the reappointments of Tamsen Langalis as a regular member and Diana Lenkowsky as an alternate member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, both with terms expiring Jan. 1, 2029.

Council members noted Langalis' long record of civic involvement and Lenkowsky's experience in land use and economic development during the meeting, according to the minutes.

The council also accepted the resignation of Don Overton from the Board of Assessment Appeals.

During her remarks, Mayor Barbara Smyth thanked city departments for their work removing snow following a major weekend snowstorm and reminded residents to clear sidewalks, particularly near schools and bus stops.

Smyth also noted the final day to pay the current tax bill is Feb. 2.