Norwalk Fair Rent Commission accepts new case, closes others and elects new chair

The Norwalk Fair Rent Commission on Wednesday accepted a newly filed fair-rent complaint, closed several older matters that were withdrawn or settled, and unanimously elected Fran Collier Clemens as chair and Linus Constant as vice chair.

The commission voted to add case 1876-251 (Glover Avenue, Apt. 222) to its docket after staff reported the landlord notified of a proposed rent increase from $2,993 to $3,172 for a two-bedroom unit and that notifications had been sent to the parties. "We will accept this case," Chair John said after a staff recommendation; the motion to accept was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.

Staff also reported resolution or withdrawal in multiple pending matters. Russell Liskov, the commission's case staff, said the oldest pending matter, case 1862-25 (41 Wolf Pit Road, Apt. 4K), reached a multi-party settlement that resolves two civil suits and the fair-rent complaint; he recommended the commission take no action this month while the signed agreement is filed with the court. "I am 99.999% sure that everything is gonna be done because the judge is very firm with everybody today in court," Liskov said. Commissioners voted to take no action pending formal filing.

Other items on the docket included case 1871-2510 (Willow Road, Apt. 206), where staff said the tenant—who holds a Section 8 voucher—will be moving out for health reasons and a withdrawal is expected, so no action was taken. The commission also voted to close case 1873-253 (Truman Court, Apt. 2) and case 15 Fountain Street, Apt. 4, after staff confirmed withdrawals or settlement agreements were filed. Negotiations continued on case 1875-25 (34 Bartlett Ave, Apt. 1), where staff described progress in talks over a proposed rent increase from $1,400 to $2,000 and asked the commission to take no action until next month.

The meeting also included routine reports. Coordinator Carlos Duque told commissioners his office continues to assist tenants with heating and hot-water complaints, eviction questions and security-deposit return issues; he reminded residents that under Connecticut law a landlord has 21 days after a tenant moves out to return a security deposit or provide written notice explaining deductions. Duque said eviction matters generally proceed through court and can take about six to eight weeks, which helps tenants plan.

In old business, the nominating committee presented a slate that Commissioner Guest advanced for a voice vote: Fran Collier Clemens for chair and Linus Constant for vice chair. With no nominations from the floor, the commission elected both nominees unanimously. Commissioners congratulated the new leadership and thanked outgoing officers for their service.

The meeting closed with members offering condolences for longtime community member Ernie Dumas, who was reported to be critically ill, and a brief member comment criticizing local coverage in the Norwalk Hour for an erroneous swearing-in notice.

The commission adjourned after the chair moved to close the meeting; staff indicated they will follow up on the cases taken no action and the newly accepted case per the commission's standard procedures.