Community Forum Highlights Neighborhood Voices in Norwalk’s Mayoral Race

NORWALK, Conn. — Four mayoral candidates shared their visions for Norwalk’s neighborhoods during a community-focused town hall hosted Oct. 26 by the Norwalk Green Association in partnership with the City Hall, Wall Street, and East Norwalk neighborhood associations.

Held at the First Congregational Church on the Green, the forum centered on how city leadership can better connect with residents and balance growth with preservation. Moderator Mark Berns of NancyOnNorwalk noted that more than 50 questions were submitted by community members, all of which have since been published online to ensure transparency and further discussion.

The event highlighted each association’s distinct priorities — from pedestrian safety and mobility to historic preservation and residential character — and underscored their shared goal of strengthening civic participation. “Government usually works better when the people who live here don’t just watch on the sidelines,” said East Norwalk Neighborhood Association board member Diane Cece. “It’s about our community.”

Neighborhood focus and civic engagement

Reverend Tamara Moreland of First Congregational Church opened the event by calling the gathering a return to the church’s historic role as a “meeting house” for civic dialogue. Organizers from the neighborhood associations spoke about fostering collaboration between residents and City Hall.

Brad Craighead from the Norwalk Green Association described the group’s mission as “building community” and creating a voice for residents on issues like walkability, safety, and connectivity to Wall Street. Representatives from the other associations echoed similar goals: to ensure that local voices guide city decisions affecting their neighborhoods.

Candidates share local priorities

All four mayoral candidates — Democrat Barbara Smyth, Republican Vinny Scicchitano, and unaffiliated candidates John Kydes and Erik Vitaglione — participated in the discussion, responding to neighborhood-specific questions curated from residents’ submissions.

Smyth emphasized improving communication between City Hall and residents, saying her vision for Norwalk includes “better communication from the government to the people, and from the people to the government.” She spoke about preserving Norwalk’s history while preparing for the future, encouraging continued respect and collaboration between differing viewpoints.

Vitaglione outlined a plan for expanding mixed-income housing and local business development, saying he wanted Norwalk to be “a city where people live, work, and enjoy” their community.

Kydes and Scicchitano also discussed ways to strengthen city services and transparency, touching on how Norwalk can grow responsibly without losing its neighborhood character — a recurring concern among residents throughout the evening.

Ongoing dialogue

The event concluded with coffee and an open conversation between residents and candidates. Organizers said they hope to make the town hall a recurring event every two years, ensuring that neighborhood voices remain a central part of the city’s democratic process.