IN YOUR TOWN
What’s going on in your neighborhood
WESTPORT 1 Train stations getting more cameras
Another line of surveillance cameras is planned for seven southwest Connecticut train stations in Norwalk, Westport and Darien.
The state Department of Transportation says the installation of the cameras on the stations’ rail platforms is set for next fall.
Some railroad stations already have security cams, including the Stamford train station, the busiest on the New Haven Line, and Union Station in New Haven.
Railroad stations that have opened in recent years in Fairfield, West Haven and the new Hartford Line also have cameras.
And while other towns like Westport have cameras in station parking lots, it does not have cameras on the rail platforms.
The DOT said new cameras at the seven stations are planned because of “security improvements and network infrastructure upgrades.”
Security cameras are planned at: Noroton Heights and Darien; Rowayton, South Norwalk, and East Norwalk railroad station platforms; and Westport and Greens Farms.
Along with the railroad stations, DOT determined the need for installing security cameras at the railroad bridge over the Saugatuck River in Westport.
Before the plan moves forward, DOT will hold a public information meeting in October regarding the installation of security cameras at the stations. The meeting will be held at 7 p. m. Wednesday, Oct. 17 in the Norwalk Town Hall Community Room, Room 128, 125 East Avenue in Norwalk.
— jshay@ctpost.com
BRIDGEPORT 1 Board of Education dismisses teacher
Bridgeport’s Board of Education, at a special meeting on Thursday, took the unusual step of voting to fire a teacher for “due and suffi- cient cause.”
The unanimous vote to dismiss Darcie Zdru came after a short executive session between five members of the school board, School Superintendent Aresta Johnson, Chief Talent Officer Frank Chester and legal counsel.
During the public vote, the board said it was accepting the recommendation of Hearing Officer M. Jackson Webber to terminate Zdru’s contract. Neither the board or school officials would say the reason behind the recommendation.
Zdru, 45, was not present and had no comment when contacted after the meeting. She had worked in the district since 1997 as a literacy coach. As such she was assigned to multiple schools.
Bridgeport Education Association President Gary Peluchette, who was also not present for the meeting, said later he could not comment on the matter.
— lclambeck@ ctpost. com
FAIRFIELD 1 Town plans sewer system upgrade
In an effort to keep groundwater out of Fairfield’s sewer system, there is work planned in town for the upcoming week, focused between 731 and 1114 Fairfield Beach Road, and between 84 and 159 College Place.
During the work, crews are expected to line the sewer pipes to keep groundwater out of the system.
To help with the work, residents will be asked to limit their water usage for one workday — from 7 a. m. to 5 p. m. Residents can expect a note left on their front door with their specific date, at least 24 hours in advance.
National Water Main Cleaning Company will be doing the work. A representative from the town will be on site at all times. Uniformed Fairfield police officers will handle traffic control in the work zones.
For more information, visit fairfieldct. org/ sewer or contact the town’s Sewer Department at 203- 256- 3140 between the hours of 7 a. m. and 3 p. m.
— toneill@ hearstmediact. com
MONROE 1 Town revises bulk waste pickup schedule
After several severe winters, the town has revised its bulk waste pickup program.
The program will no longer run through the winter months. Instead, pickups are in the spring, from March through May, and in the fall, from September through November.
Reservations are accepted throughout the year. Pickups are scheduled by appointment only and happen in a weekly basis during the spring and fall, depending on the weather conditions.
Apickup can be scheduled by filling out a service request at www. monroect. org or by calling the Department of Public Works at 203- 452- 2814.
Residents should have all items separated in piles behind the curb no sooner than one week before pickup or, at the latest, by 7 a. m. the day of pickup.
The service is provided at no additional cost to the town’s residents. It is for items that cannot be disposed of in regular trash.
Each residence in town will be granted one pickup per household per year.
Some acceptable items are: furniture, refrigerators, rugs, mattresses, lawn mowers and bicycles.
Some items that won’t be accepted are: hazardous materials, recyclable materials, sheetrock, dead animals, clothes, logs, small electronics or oxygen.
Any questions about the service can be directed to public works.
— toneill@ hearstmediact. com