Housing, Litter and Traffic Issues Discussed at ‘Community Conversations’
By Greg Reilly, Moderator
The latest Stratford Community Conversations meeting – the eleventh since the program began last April – attracted a cross section of residents and Town officials, twenty-eight in all, for the one-hour public discussion. The meeting was held January 10th at Grace Lutheran Church on Chapel Street.
Sitting among the residents in the circular set-up of chairs were the Town’s Director of Community and Senior Services, one of Stratford’s State Representatives, a member of the Stratford Inland Wetlands Commission, a member of the Stratford Zoning Board of Appeals, a member of the Town Council, a Stratford Registrar of Voters, and a Stratford Police Captain.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
The topic of new housing developments was raised, the Teakwood Estates proposal off Broadbridge Avenue in particular. The density of the project, along with impacts on the environment and neighbors were primary concerns expressed. The public was invited to participate in an Inland Wetlands public hearing on the project that was set to be held on January 17th.
LITTER
Litter and trash in Shakespeare Park and Short Beach Park at this time of year was raised as an issue by a Conversations attendee, and the following ideas were brainstormed: the community could conduct Clean-Up events in coordination with Stratford Public Works; more trash receptacles could be placed; signage asking visitors not to litter could be considered; programs could teach youth about the importance of not littering; and adults could accept personal responsibility for keeping their parks beautiful. Stratford code 133-8 prohibits littering in parks.
TRAFFIC-RELATED
Another attendee asked that Stratford Police study the traffic flow at Hawley Lane and Huntington Road, particularly the lines of cars that line up at the traffic light during certain times of the day.
A couple of other traffic-related matters were raised, and Stratford Police Captain Robert Burroughs, who leads the Patrol Division and was at the Conversations, provided follow-up after the meeting. The intersection of Freeman Avenue and Park Street is now at the top of SPD’s agenda to monitor and enforce parking regulations when vehicles are parked within the 25-foot no-parking area at intersections, Burroughs reported.
In response to a comment about the stop sign at King Street and Linden Avenue being not visible until a motorist is right at the sign, Capt. Burroughs said that SPD welcomes this type of comment. Anyone is invited to submit comments and suggestions by submitting a form found at StratfordCTPD.com, left blue column to Online Documents, to Stratford Traffic Authority Request Form at the bottom of the page.
NIGHT SAFETY KITS
Also, during the January 10th Conversations, free Night Safety Kits with reflective bands for pedestrians to wear, were handed out to those who were interested. The Night Safety Program was sponsored by Stratford Rotary Club, The Little Pub and Surfside Hotel. The idea stemmed from a Community Conversations meeting in early November.
Stratford Community Conversations meets every three weeks at various venues to discuss local issues in a positive, non-critical way. All Stratford residents, businesspeople, community leaders, government leaders and staff are invited. Attendees may simply listen or join the discussion. There is no charge to attend.
NEXT
The next Stratford Community Conversations is set for Wednesday, January 31st, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 2301 Main Street.
For more information, contact resident and moderator Greg Reilly at GPReilly@optonline.net.
