Wilcoxson Elementary School was the place, 6 PM was the time, and over 35 people gathered in the Media Room (the library) for the first in the series of Mayor Chess’s Neighborhood Association Meetings. In Mayor Chess’s weekly newsletter, he shared why he launched the association. He said, “I’m excited to share that starting this week, we will be hosting Neighborhood Association meetings. One of my goals is to strengthen our sense of community. In every corner of our nation, people are feeling more isolated than ever and often don’t know their neighbors. We need to change that and build upon the strong community ties across our Town.” We were shoulder to shoulder (more like sitting side by side) in the Media Room.
The meeting kicked-off with a welcome by District 7’s Councilwoman, Lisa Carroll Fabian who then turned it over to Erin McLaughlin, Community Development and Engagement Manager, a position that was previously housed within the Economic Development Office. In his recent newsletter, Mayor Chess said, “Her job is to get people out and talking about things that matter to them in their district and in our town.”
Erin immediately opened the conversation up to the floor, welcoming in questions from neighbors. With the Stratford Police Department involved in the conversation, they were there to answer questions posed by the community they keep safe.
The questions asked ranged from issues that have long gone unresolved. From unsafe and uneven sidewalks, to including a police presence at dismissal to keep the walkers safer, to the mill rate, to invasive species. Everything was on the table, and Mayor Chess was there to chime in, too. There were points raised about why businesses “skip over” Stratford for our neighboring towns of Milford and Shelton. And why there are many empty storefronts in Stratford.
The underlying question was what can be done?
The entire meeting felt like a family meeting, except without any lecture or consequence. It was a conversation between neighbors with affirming nods, and statements of “yes, that’s right” or “me too” in acknowledgement. The meeting lasted an hour and thirty minutes with young families and older residents who’ve called Stratford home for over 50 years, all in one room with one goal – to improve their neighborhood.
Mayor Chess, with passion and a fierce determination, suggested that the faces looking back at him “…get out there and do the work. Volunteer to clean up Motil Pond or another park.” Erin kept the conversation moving with pen and pad in hand, notes were taken and all grievances were recorded. Erin committed to looking into all points raised during the meeting, and inviting her colleagues from the Economic Development Office to attend upcoming meetings.
I spoke with Kim, 35, who rented in town for seven years before she decided to settle down here. Two years ago, she bought her home. She chose to attend her district’s Neighborhood Association Meeting because, “I wanted to see really what is going on here. Some things have been neglected for so long and we can really beautify our town and support the people who live here.” She went on to share, “And what the plans are for the education system, because Mayor Chess has some great ideas about the way the education system has worked here. It’s [Stratford] such a beautiful area. I love being by the water. I love being by Longbrook Park.”
The remediation of the Army Engine Plant, increasing the number of firefighters per truck when responding to calls, the parking on Paradise Green, the cleanup needed at Motil Pond, and so much more was discussed.
The next Neighborhood Association Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 24th at 6 PM at Johnson House Elementary School (District 3).
