CHESS Committee Meeting Summary – March 17, 2026

The CHESS Committee of the Stamford Board of Representatives met on March 17, 2026, at 6:30 PM to discuss the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program cycle, approve contracts for owner's representative services at two schools, authorize a project labor agreement for the Roxbury School construction, and review state legislation regarding pet shop sales. The meeting lasted approximately two hours.

Discussion Items

• CDBG Program Overview (Item 32.006): Moira Sach, CDBG Administrator, and Anita Carpenter, Grants Officer, presented an overview of the Community Development Block Grant program, now in its 52nd year. The city receives approximately $950,000 annually from HUD. Sach outlined the program timeline: applications are open via ZoomGrants until April 5, 2026; committee review begins April 15; a public hearing with applicant presentations is set for April 21; committee scores are due May 9; and an allocation meeting is scheduled for May 19. The committee will score applications based on objective criteria (total 100 points), and the mayor’s office will also provide recommendations. 20% of funds are set aside for administration, and only 15% may go to public services. Sach noted that the city has funded projects such as a mobile food pantry van, a 24-hour hotline for homeless youth, mental health counseling, and public improvements like playgrounds and traffic calming. Representative Walston suggested sharing a sample application to ease the process, and Sach agreed to distribute last year’s application and timeline.

• Approval of Owner's Representative Contract for Rippleam Middle School Indoor Air Quality Project (Item 32.003): Catherine Lobalbo, Director of School Construction, presented a $255,000 contract with DBI Projects LLC for owner’s representative services related to a $4 million HVAC project at Rippleam Middle School. The project, 60% grant-funded, will add air conditioning to the gymnasium and auditorium. The contract includes a $5,000 reimbursement allowance. Representative Weirs noted that the contract incorrectly listed Rippleam as an elementary school; the committee requested that be corrected. After discussion of indemnification clauses (with clarification from Assistant Corporation Counsel Christella Delva), the committee approved the contract.

• Approval of Owner's Representative Contract for Newfield Elementary School Indoor Air Quality Project (Item 32.004): Lobalbo presented a similar contract with Arcadis US Inc. for $1.2 million in owner’s representative services for a larger HVAC project (two phases over two summers) at Newfield Elementary School. The contract includes mutual indemnification, but this version only requires Arcadis to indemnify the city. The committee approved the contract.

• Resolution Authorizing Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for Roxbury School Construction (Item 32.005): Lobalbo introduced a resolution to authorize a project labor agreement for the $130 million Roxbury School construction project (60% state-reimbursed). The PLA would require the construction manager (CM at risk) to make good-faith efforts to achieve hiring goals: 60% minorities, 40% women, and 10% veterans, targeting 100 program participants with priority for Stamford residents and disadvantaged youth. The resolution includes partnerships with Stamford High School, West Hill High School, J.M. Wright Technical High School, and others. Representative Walston raised concerns about the definition of