October 10, 2023
MINUTES OF MEETING
The Stratford Town Council conducted a regular meeting on October 10th.
PRESIDING: Council Chairman Pia
COUNCIL MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Ms. Shake, Ms. Franceshi, Ms. Rice, Mr. Cann, Ms. Sutton, Mr. O’Brien, Ms. Dancho
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Poisson, Mr. Connor
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Mayor Hoydick, CAO Tymniak, Finance Director Savo, Grant Writer Ryan, Town Planner Attota, Planning Commission Chairman O’Connor,
Public Works Director Serra, Town Attorney Hodgson, Assistant Town Attorneys LeClerc & Florek
MAYOR’S REPORT included Town News/Observances: Hispanic Heritage Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Grants: CT Dept of Health for development and installation of community gardens, urban gardening and farming education, technical design for the Arboretum, promotion of walking clubs and outdoor activities, gardening rental kits, and SNAP at Farmers Market and US Dept of Agriculture Forest Service for a comprehensive tree inventory, canopy assessment, Urban Forest Management Plan.
Health Department: Flu vaccinations, COVID vaccine, 20th anniversary of Health Improvement Alliance and HIA day, Health Living Fair 10/20, multi-generational Walk ‘n Talk. Community Services & Senior Services: Bridges Healthcare Wellness on Wheels, Energy Assistance, Michelina Buchino appointed by Senator Kevin Kelly to Elderly Nutrition Task Force, Baldwin Center Gallery.
Economic Development: Updates Army Engine Plant, Contract Plating, Complete Streets Phase I, Zoning Regs Update/Rewrite, POCD, Shakespeare Property RFQ.
Upcoming new businesses & Ribbon Cuttings: Take 5 Oil Change, Blue Sky Diner 50 years, Pieper Veterinary, Skin Haven by Layla, Pizza Heaven. Celebrate Stratford: Latin Music Fest, Great Pumpkin Fest. Commercial Property Sales: 1289 Stratford Ave, 47 Nichols Ave.
Appointments/Staff News: Michael Rosen to the Short Beach Park Commission.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 §14-4 A OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF STRATFORD – COMPETITIVE BIDDING (#23-11)
Sponsored by: Stratford Town Council
§14-4 A of the Code is hereby amended as follows:
All purchases of, and contracts for, supplies, materials, equipment, public work or improvement and contractual services and all sales of such personal property greater than $25,000 which has become obsolete, unserviceable or unusable shall be based, when possible, on competitive bids. The Purchasing Department shall solicit sealed bids on purchases and contracts greater than $25,000 by sending notice to prospective suppliers and by posting notice on a public bulletin board in the Town Hall. Each bid shall be opened publicly at the time stated in the notice soliciting such bid. If the amount of the expenditure or sale is estimated to exceed $25,000, sealed bids shall be solicited by public notice inserted at least once in a newspaper circulated within the Town and at least five calendar days before the final date of submitting bids. All contracts for more than $25,000 shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
1.1.1 RESOLUTION REGARDING A CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION, DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & HOMELAND SECURITY SUB- GRANT FOR FLOOD PROTECTION MEASURES AT WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITY
Executive Summary: These funds will allow the Town to refortify an existing dike around the WPCF, upgrade stormwater piping, and upgrade the stormwater pump station all to prevent open flows of untreated sewage that result from flooding. The upgraded piping and pumping would increase the capacity of the station to pump treated effluent during storm events. These funds will support costs for planning, design, and construction.
Sponsored by: Stratford Town Council
The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security is authorized to extend financial assistance to municipalities in the form of grants; and, this funding has been made possible from the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and, the Town of Stratford expends funds for protection measures at the Water Pollution Control Facility; and, it is desirable and in the public interest that the Town of Stratford enter into an agreement with Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security in the amount of $4,135,621.90 requiring $1,378,540.65 in Town Match, making the project total $5,514,162.55.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF STRATFORD:
1. That it is cognizant of the Town’s grant application to Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security to fund flood protection measures at the Water Pollution Control Facility, and,
2. That it hereby authorizes, directs and empowers the Mayor, Laura R. Hoydick, or her designee to execute and deliver such grant application (including any amendments thereto) and/or any and all related documents necessary to apply for and obtain funding from Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, and to implement the project once the award is secured in the name of and on behalf of the Town of Stratford.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
1.1.2 RESOLUTION REGARDING A CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION URBAN GREEN AND COMMUNITY GARDEN GRANT APPLICATION
Executive Summary: These funds will complete the funding needed to construct the Arboretum on Access Road. The design and a portion of the construction has been funded through other grants. This grant would fulfill what’s needed while also considering infrastructure components to be placed at/on the property. The Arboretum plan addresses two facets of our climate resiliency plans: the construction of the berm, and, the plan for on‐site storm water retention – in addition to the significant public health, educational and recreational benefits that the actual Arboretum itself will foster for the Town as a whole and the South End residents directly.
Sponsored by: Stratford Town Council
The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) is authorized to extend financial assistance to municipalities in the form of grants; and, this funding has been made possible from State bond funds and/or the Community Investment Act; and, the Town of Stratford expends funds for the development of green spaces and resiliency-based infrastructure work; and, it is desirable and in the public interest that the Town of Stratford enter into an agreement with the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection in the amount of $907,050 requiring $907,050 in Town Match, making the project total $ 1,814,100.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF STRATFORD:
1. That it is cognizant of the Town’s grant application to Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection to fund the development of the Arboretum and its related infrastructure, and,
2. That it hereby authorizes, directs and empowers the Mayor, Laura R. Hoydick, or her designee to execute and deliver such grant application (including any amendments thereto) and/or any and all related documents necessary to apply for and obtain funding from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, and to implement the project once the award is secured in the name of and on behalf of the Town of Stratford.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW BUSINESS
Referred by the Planning Commission with a favorable recommendation:
1.2 Adoption of the new Plan of Conservation & Development
RESOLVED: that the new Plan of Conservation & Development be and is hereby adopted.
THE MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Referred by the Public Works Committee with a favorable recommendation:
1.3 Dalling Construction invoice #00769 dated 9-11-2023 in the amount of $5,674.00 for Town Bid #2019-31 for Longbrook Park Debris and Sediment Removal at Lower Outlet, that the Dalling Construction invoice #00769 dated 9-11-2023 I the amount of $5,674.00 for Town Bid #2019-31 for Longbrook Park Debris and Sediment Removal at Lower Outlet be and is hereby approved and the Mayor be and is hereby authorized to enter into a contract for such in form acceptable to the Town Attorney.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Referred by the Building Needs Committee with favorable recommendations:
Tomlinson Hawley Patterson of Trumbull, CT – Change Order #001 in the amount of $6,626.40 for modifications to Police Dept. lobby entrance door hardware: that the Tomlinson Hawley Patterson of Trumbull, CT – Change Order #001 in the amount of $6,626.40 for modifications to Police Dept. lobby entrance door hardware be and is hereby approved.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOULSY.
1.4 Town Bid #2024-03: Ferry Creek Pump Station Upgrades – Tucker Mechanical Inc. of Rocky Hill, CT in the amount of $1,441,441. That Town Bid #2024-03: Ferry Creek Pump Station Upgrades – Tucker Mechanical Inc. of Rocky Hill, CT in the amount of $1,441,441 be and is hereby approved and the Mayor be and is hereby authorized to enter into a contract for such in form acceptable to the Town Attorney.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOULSY.
CONFIRMATION OF MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS
The Mayor’s appointment of Michael Rosen to the Short Beach Park Commission be confirmed.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
