CHESS Committee Meeting - May 19, 2026

The CHESS (Community Development, Housing, Education, Social Services, State & Commerce) Committee met on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. in the Republican Caucus Room and via Zoom. Co-Chairs Maureen Pollack and Stephanie Sylvestre led the meeting, which included review of the Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) tax credit program, a resolution to reject $2.1 million in Affordable Housing Trust Fund allocation for the St. John Towers redevelopment, and finalization of the CDBG Program Year 52 budget and Annual Action Plan. The meeting adjourned at 10:33 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony (NAA Public Hearing)

• Mill River Collaborative (Nettie Compton) – Requested continued NAA funding for Phase 2 of an energy-efficient kitchen at the Whittingham Discovery Center, replacing gas with electric cooking and using solar power.
• Children in Placement Connecticut (Janet Primo) – Requested $20,000 for the Guardian ad Litem program providing court-appointed volunteer advocates for abused/neglected children; 450 children served statewide last year, 90% of cases closed with safe permanent home.
• Pacific House (Jennifer Broadbyn) – Requested $150,000 for rooftop solar panels at Rotary Commons, a 39-unit permanent supportive housing project for individuals and families experiencing homelessness; total project cost $179,000.
• Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County (Laura Stern) – Requested support for financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship programs serving over 2,300 students in Stamford last year.
• Connecticut Financial Scholars (Betsy McNeil) – Requested $20,000 to expand financial education implementation support in Stamford high schools, leveraging $51,000 total program cost.
• Soundwaters (Bob Mazzoni) – Requested $150,000 to finish replacing the HVAC system at the Coastal Education Center at Cove Island Park, serving 30,000 students annually.
• Pilgrim Towers/Kingsley Group (Nile Hutchinson) – Requested $90,000 to replace AC units in all 72 senior apartments and upgrade common area lighting to LED with occupancy sensors; expected 21% reduction in power consumption.
• St. Joseph's Parenting Center (Ryan Drenzik) – Requested $100,000 for the Dads Are the Difference program, providing evidence-based parenting education to fathers; lost $650,000 in federal funding last fall.
• Health for Kids/Exchange Club (Kristen Matte) – Requested support for home visiting and basic needs (diapers, grocery assistance, childcare) for struggling families; serves 350 families per month through diaper distribution.
• Inspirica (Sydney Delago) – Requested funds for window/exterior trim restoration at two facilities and new washer/dryers; serves 500+ individuals and families daily.
• Stamford Center for the Arts (Mike Moran) – Requested $150,000 to replace incandescent stage lighting with LED at the Palace Theatre; supports education programs and economic impact of 80,000 visitors annually.
• Optimus Healthcare (Catherine Burns) – Requested $83,490 to replace rooftop HVAC unit at the 805 Atlantic Street clinic; serves 35,000 patients annually, many low-income.
• Stamford Museum & Nature Center (Karen Mizells) – Requested $104,000 for window/door and LED lighting upgrades across campus (100% tax credit) and $20,000 to provide bus transportation for Title I school field trips (60% tax credit).
• Mutual Housing Association/CT Housing Partners (Kathleen Williams) – Requested continued NAA support for energy efficiency upgrades at Trinity Park, a 48-family affordable housing property.
• New Neighborhoods (Gemma Fernandez) – Requested $150,000 for brick and window repair at Belltown Manor (27 senior units in Stamford) and $150,000 for roof replacement at Pember Commons (25 units in Bridgeport).
• Domestic Violence Crisis Center (Stella Clark) – Requested $24,999 to support operating costs of the Stamford Safe House; services include 24/7 helpline, emergency shelter, and legal advocacy.

Discussion Items

• NAA Program (Item CHESS32.011) – Grants Coordinator Joe Hickey explained the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act tax credit process: nonprofits apply through the city, businesses receive tax credits for cash donations. The public hearing was held for 16 agencies with 18 projects. The committee discussed that disapproving an applicant would require revised paperwork. The motion to approve the resolution passed 7-0-1 (Rep. Pollack abstained).
• Rejection of $2.1M Allocation to St. John Towers (Item CHESS32.014) – Land Use Bureau Chief Ralph Blessing presented the St. John Towers redevelopment plan: replace two 50-year-old towers (240 units, 50% vacant) with a single 305-unit affordable building at 30-80% AMI. Total project cost ~$180M, with $2.1M from the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The trust fund had approximately $845,859 remaining after this allocation. The committee clarified that the motion was to reject the allocation. The motion to reject failed 0-8-0, meaning the allocation stands.
• CDBG Program Year 52 (Items CHESS32.015-018) – Moira Sawch (CDBG Administrator) and Janeene Freeman (Mayor’s Office) presented the Mayor’s recommendations for public improvement, public service, and administrative funding. The committee reviewed scores and finalized allocations: for public improvement ($614,657 available), they adopted the Mayor’s recommendations with minor adjustments, fully funding highest-ranked projects. For public service ($141,843 available), they agreed to allocate $1,000 to nine organizations that qualify for a separate Food, Housing and Supportive Services Grant, allowing more funds for other applicants. The committee then approved the CDBG Year 52 budget (Item 5) 8-0-0 and the resolution authorizing the Mayor to submit the Annual Action Plan to HUD (Item 6) 8-0-0.

Key Outcomes

• NAA Program Resolution – Approved 7-0-1 (Pollack abstained). The list of 16 agencies and 18 projects will be forwarded to the full Board of Representatives for a certified resolution to submit to the State Department of Revenue Services.
• St. John Towers Allocation – Motion to reject the $2.1 million Affordable Housing Trust Fund allocation failed 0-8-0. The allocation is approved; funds will be used mid-construction for the 305-unit affordable housing redevelopment.
• CDBG Public Improvement Funding – Committee finalized allocations totaling $614,657, prioritizing full funding for smaller, higher-scored projects and aligning with the Mayor’s recommendations (reducing InSpirica and Children’s Learning Centers).
• CDBG Public Service Funding – Committee agreed to give $1,000 each to nine organizations eligible for the Supportive Services Grant, freeing up $18,000 to distribute among the remaining nine applicants (top three get $3,000 extra, middle three $2,000, bottom three $1,000).
• CDBG Year 52 Budget – Approved unanimously (8-0-0).
• Annual Action Plan Resolution – Approved unanimously (8-0-0), authorizing the Mayor to submit the plan to HUD to secure the city’s CDBG allocation.