News from The Sixth Taxing District
Budget Approved for 2021/22
The 6TD had its annual budget meeting on March 3rd and residents who participated in the Zoom meeting unanimously voted to approve the proposed budget which provided for a zero tax increase. This does not mean your taxes will be staying flat in the next fiscal year as the 6TD’s taxes only represent 5% of your tax bill; the remaining 95% are to the City of Norwalk and they have yet to approve their budget for 21/22. The biggest drivers to the 6TD’s budget are Personnel 23%, Garbage Collection and Disposal 20%, and Grant to the Library 12%
The 6TD was able to keep taxes flat despite lower property rental revenues and increased insurance costs. We kept taxes flat due to a 50% reduction in Community Grants (requests were lower) and a restructuring of our Treasury staff.
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Rowayton Sidewalk Update
The City budgeted funds in the 20/21 Capital Budget for engineering work on Rowayton Avenue sidewalks ($30,000) and Hunt/Witch Lane sidewalks ($50,000). This work was recently put out to bid and the City is awaiting results. In the meantime, the original 21/22 Capital Budget had $150,000 proposed for the actual construction of sidewalks/crosswalks from Cudlipp Street to Pinkney Park on Rowayton Avenue. As the budget approval process has progressed, these proposed funds have been reduced but, yesterday, Mayor Rilling issued his recommended capital budget and proposed $100,000 for the Rowayton Avenue project.
The 21/22 Capital Budget will now move to the Board of Estimate where the BET sets an overall cap on the capital budget but does not approve projects line-by-line. Subsequently, this budget will go to the Common Council’s Planning Committee and then to the full Council for approval in April.
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Bayley Beach Sand Project
We know all of our residents would love an improvement to the sand at Bayley Beach. The 6TD Commissioners, our staff and a group of dedicated residents have been working on this for 9 years. We have hired several engineering groups, dug test borings and a resident even donated an expensive sand cleaning/sifting machine that we operate in season. Mother Nature is our challenge – due to storms, particularly in the winter, -any sand improvements can disappear overnight (this includes the purchase of expensive new sand). Recently, we hired a service to move the sand around at the beach – storms had shifted much of the softer, cleaner sand toward the parking lot and away from the water line. When you visit Bayley you will notice how the levels of the sand have shifted around. Not only will this make visiting the beach more pleasant but it should stop the flooding of the sidewalks and the areas around the Pavilion.
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Rowayton’s Composting Program - Update
There has been a change in the schedule and we are asking residents to drop off their composting at the Community Center on Mondays. We have new larger tots (a testimony to the success of the program) and the weather is getting warmer. Thus drop off day is more important than it was during the winter. In addition, please do your best to fill a tot that already has composting material – this will help the service that provides the composting service. Please review the attached graphics so that we are all composting correctly.
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Let’s Make Sure We Are Recycling
All of your recycled material must be in your blue recycling tot and the materials must be loose. If your materials are in a plastic bag, the recycling service will just put those materials in the garbage – they will NOT be recycled. Materials placed next to your bin will not be picked up (the truck actually lifts your bin and empties it – there are no provisions for that additional material to be picked up). If you have excess recycling material, you can take it to the City of Norwalk’s Transfer Station, ask a neighbor if they have spare space in their tot or buy an extra tot from the City of Norwalk.
Easter - Sunday, April 4th
There will be a sunrise service at Bayley Beach this year and to be followed by a simpler “breakfast” at the Rowayton Fire Department. The RFD will be providing coffee, hot chocolate and a snack in a socially distanced manner on the apparatus floor.
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No Dogs on Bayley Beach after April 1st
This is a problem every year – dogs and their owners love the beach and don’t want to leave. Dogs are not allowed on the beach during the warmer months starting on April 1st. If owners cannot comply, we will have to once again ban dogs year round from the beach. Please be respectful and observe the rules.
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Ambler Municipal Parking Lot Improvements
The Ambler family, one of the village’s original residents, owned 4.33 acres with a shopping center, an antique home and woods in Downtown Rowayton. The last family member passed and, in 2001, the property was split in two parts and sold to a company, 140 Rowayton LLC, and to the Sixth Taxing District.
This began a series of changes in Downtown Rowayton. The shopping center was expanded, the barns were built and the 6TD built an addition to the parking lot, named the Ambler Municipal Parking Lot. Due to opposition from some long departed residents, some odd compromises were made including the one way entry into the lot from Wilson Avenue.
In 2014, the empty storefronts at 159-165 Rowayton Avenue were finally sold and then renovated. The Rowayton Market continued to grow and a number of new businesses began to thrive Downtown. The use of Pinkney Park continued to rise including the move of the Farmers Market.
The demands for parking in Downtown have continued to grow and, on many days, the municipal lot is totally full. We expect the usage of the lot to only increase further. Currently, we have 43 parking spaces in the lot. The 6TD has been working with Landtech, an engineering company, and the City of Norwalk on a plan to improve the circulation and safety of the lot as well as expand the lot by 18 spaces in an environmentally sensitive manner. There will be a public hearing with the City’s Conservation Commission on March 23, 2021 at 6 PM.
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Request for Proposals for the Building at the Rowayton Train Station
The Sixth Taxing District, in conjunction with the State Department of Transportation, is looking for a commuter orientated vendor for the building at the Rowayton Train Station. All proposals must be submitted in writing by March 31 to Info@Rowayton6TD.com. All City health codes must be followed.
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Rowayton Fire Department
Change your clock, Change your batteries
The Rowayton Fire Department reminds you that when you change your clocks you should also change the batteries in your smoke alarm. It is recommended you test your alarms at least once a month to ensure they are working properly. If your smoke alarms are powered by 9 volt or AA batteries, the batteries should be replaced every 6 months, while the alarm itself should be replaced once every 10 years. For 10-year lithium-powered smoke alarms, you won’t need to replace the battery. Instead, replace the entire alarm after 10 years have passed. If your alarm is hardwired into your home’s electrical system, replace the backup battery at least every 6 months and replace the smoke alarm itself once every 10 years.
Easter Sunday - April 4
Immediately following sunrise service at Bayley Beach, the Rowayton Fire Department will be hosting a modified Easter Breakfast. While there will not be the traditional sit-down breakfast, there will be coffee, hot chocolate and muffins available in the front area of the firehouse. Please feel free to stop by and visit with your friends and neighbors. As always, please stay safe.
Welcome to Spring BBQ - Saturday, May 8 - 3:00 - 7:00
Come down and welcome spring with some smoked meats, cold beer and live music from local talent. After a long winter of being cooped up, join us for a well spaced out afternoon of outdoor fun. We'll have ribs, pulled pork, burgers, hot dogs, and freshly cut french fries. Look for more information including pre-order forms for those that just want to pop in quickly and pick up to go. If you want to pre-order BBQ for Mother's Day dinner, please send email to TheRowaytonBBQcompany@gmail.com.
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Rowayton Civic Association
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 3rd for a Covid-safe version of our annual Easter Egg Hunt. The noon time slot has a few spots left so hurry to RSVP at www.rowaytoncivicassociation.org. All attendees over 3 years of age must wear masks. No walk-ups will be allowed and no egg donations will be accepted this year out of an abundance of caution.
The RCA is working hard and in collaboration with the Sixth Taxing District to bring back many of our beloved events in a way that ensures everyone's health. Please visit www.rowaytoncivicassociation.org and sign up to receive our emails for updates.
Trash Bash - April 24
Finally, we hope you'll join us to clean up our beautiful town at the RCA and Rowayton Historical Society's annual Trash Bash. Meet at 10 a.m. on April 24th at the community center and bring the whole family for some safe community service.
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The Rowayton Arts Center
Next up at RAC is the “Spring Juried Show,” on view March 14 until April 10. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 12–5 pm and Saturday 10 am–1pm. Artwork is also online at racgallery.carbonmade.com.
The Spring 1 session continues through the end of April, with adult and children art classes held online and in studio. rowaytonarts.org/classes
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Rowayton Little League
Since 1959 RLL has been dedicated to development and inclusion at all levels. Our children learn sportsmanship, fundamentals of the game, team play, calm under adversity, perseverance, and how to have fun. Join RLL today to see what we're all about!
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The Rowayton Historical Society
Opening this summer!
The Frank E. Raymond Boathouse maritime museum
The only maritime museum of its kind in the region, the Raymond Boathouse will include a range of exhibits on local oystering families, Native Americans, hurricanes, ship builders, sailing heroes, businesses, and maritime disasters, to name a few; as well as a permanent exhibit on an ecological history of the Five Mile River highlighting the flora, fauna and marine life that flourish in our waters.
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What the Heck is THIS? Mysteries from the Archives
We have chosen some of the most intriguing items in our collection and will provide tantalizing clues to aid visitors in identifying these treasures from the past and prizes to those who succeed in identifying them.
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Rowayton Library
Annual Fund Drive
All of our programs, services and materials are made possible with the help of generous contributions to our Annual Fund. We could not do all that we do without you. Please consider making a donation to the Library’s Annual Campaign today—so that we can continue to make the library even better!
You can donate online on our website here or pick up an envelope at the library. Thank you for your consideration and support!
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Pickleball is Coming to Rowayton!
With support from the 6TD Commissioners, Rowayton Pickleball has been organized (https://www.rowaytonpickleball.com) and we'll be setting up three temporary pickleball courts at the far end of the NY-bound side of the Train Station with plans to play there through this fall. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the US and many Rowaytonites are looking forward to playing. It’s a great game for adults and families because it’s easy to learn and play.
Memberships are just $50 for an individual and $100 for families until May 1st. Please consider upgrading to a Founding Membership for $250, $500, or $1,000 and receive special recognition and some Rowayton Pickleball swag. Court time will be available only to Rowayton Pickleball members and court reservations will be required.
A formal launch event is planned for May 1st. Stay tuned for more details!
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Looking to foster or adopt a rescue? Leader of the Rescue Pack has a wide variety of dogs for adoption. They are located right here in Rowayton, and they work with various rescues in NY, GA, and TN helping people re-home their dogs and occasionally take at risk dogs our of local shelters to help them find their perfect forever home. We find forever homes for dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds, activity levels, and personalities, matching them with people of all ages, activity levels,, and personalities! There is a dog for every home, and person for every dog.
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