Stamford Planning Board Special Meeting – November 8, 2023

The Stamford Planning Board held a special meeting on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 9:00 AM via Zoom and conference call. The board reviewed and approved two supplemental capital project appropriation requests: a grant for restroom renovations at Davenport Ridge Elementary School (correcting the agenda's description of a roof project) and a 100% EPA-funded grant for food waste collection and composting infrastructure. The meeting lasted approximately 15 minutes and included participation from board members Teresa Dell (Chair), Jay Tepper (Vice Chair), Jennifer Godzino (Secretary), William Levin (Alternate, voting as regular), and staff.

Consent Calendar

• Both agenda items were considered and approved unanimously without separate consent calendar treatment; each was voted on individually.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

1. Davenport Ridge Elementary School – Supplemental Capital Appropriation (Project #4000007)

• Catherine Lobalvo, Director of School Construction and City Operations, corrected the agenda: the request was for restroom renovations and abatement work at Davenport Elementary School, not a roofing project. She explained that the project was consolidated after the state increased the reimbursement rate from 28% to 60% for priority projects. The total project cost is $3.7 million, and the grant request of $1,259,662 represents the balance needed after prior budget allocations. The board asked no questions and moved to a vote.

2. SWIFR Food Waste Collection/Compost & Sustainability Grant (Project #001380)

• Dan Colar, Director of Recycling and Sanitation, presented the $2,016,940.78 grant, 100% reimbursable from the EPA. The grant will fund:
  • Four food waste composting machines (three at public locations: Mill River Park, North Stamford/Schofield Yard, Harbor Point/BLT area, and one at Westhill High School).
  • A collection truck and three years of part-time staffing (driver/laborer, four laborers, a Food Waste & Sustainability Coordinator).
  • Approximately 52 “big belly” smart bins (locked, app-based access) placed citywide for food waste collection.
  • Home food scrap recycling kits (some free), marketing, and education.
• The program aims to reduce landfill disposal (on pace for over 75,000 tons this year) and cut CO2 emissions by 667 metric tons. The city has already operated one compost machine at the recycling center, processing 43,000 pounds in year one and 85,000 pounds in year two (100% increase).
• Board members asked about geographic coverage (North Stamford area), required home equipment, the 100% grant nature, and future operating costs. Colar confirmed no matching funds are needed and that potential savings in garbage hauling could cover ongoing staffing.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to approve Project #4000007 (Davenport Ridge Elementary School restroom renovations grant) was moved by William Levin, seconded by Jennifer Godzino, and carried unanimously.
• Motion to approve Project #001380 (SWIFR Food Waste Collection/Compost & Sustainability grant) was moved by William Levin, seconded by Jennifer Godzino, and carried unanimously.
• Next scheduled meetings: November 14 (Capital Budget presentation), November 21 (Regular Meeting & Capital Budget call-back), November 28 (Regular Meeting & Public Hearing for Long Ridge Road condominiums at the wire mill), and December 12 (Capital Budget Review, which must be completed that day).