Easier Breathing Possible At Stamford School

STAMFORD, CT — Students and staff at Stamford's Newfield Elementary Schoolmay soon be able to breathe easier — literally.

That's because the City of Stamford's Board of Representatives earlier this month approved, via a consent agenda, a $7.15 million appropriation to fund the elementary school's "Fresh Air Project."

However, the appropriation is only dependent on the city receiving an important state grant funding air quality initiatives in Connecticut schools.

This capital item is for the replacement of the school's air fan systems and air handler units.

The project at the school, located at 345 Pepper Ridge Road, would be funded with $4.29 million in state reimbursements and $2.86 million in bonded city funds, according to the resolution approved.

While the project itself was approved last year, this month's approvals were for the specific dollar amounts and means of appropriation.

The appropriations were approved by Stamford's Fiscal Committee back on Nov. 27, with the Dec. 4 approval coming from the city's full Board of Representatives.

Air quality in schools became a major issue statewide during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, which started to seriously impact the country in 2020.

It prompted schools statewide to upgrade their air cleaning/circulation systems, the goal being to regularly provide fresh air in classrooms/offices and to mitigate any spread of airborne germs, including COVID-19.

Katherine LoBalbo, director of school construction in Stamford, updated the city's Fiscal Committee last month on the project.

She said the city is in the midst of a competitive grant process to receive a 60 percent reimbursement on the air quality upgrade project.

Stamford schools are hoping the state will award the city the reimbursement, she said, adding should Stamford miss out, the bonding portion of the project would not be sought.

If Stamford receives funding for the air quality upgrades, the actual borrowing for the city's share wouldn't be until 2025, LoBalbo said.

For the minutes of the Nov. 27 Stamford Fiscal Committee meeting, click on this link.

For the Dec. 4 action report of the Stamford Board of Representatives, click on this link.

To watch the Dec. 4 Stamford Board of Representatives meeting, click on this link.

To watch the Nov. 27 Stamford Fiscal Committee meeting, click on this link.