Summary of Stratford Town Council Meeting Minutes from January 13th

Summary of Stratford Town Council Meeting Minutes from January 13,

MAYOR’S REPORT included:

Town News/Observances: Wreaths Across America, National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Black History month, Town-Wide Revaluation.

Health Department: STRIVE Program, Community Garden, Heart Health Month & Know Your Numbers events.

Community & Senior Services: Baldwin Center’s AARP free income tax preparation, SECC IRS VITA free income tax preparation, Energy Assistance Program, Energize Connecticut, Operation Fuel Assistance, SPYF & Stratford Parents’ Place – Raising Highly Capable Kids courses.

Economic Development: Updates – Point Stratford Renewal, Performing Arts Complex, Contract Plating, Planning & Zoning Rewrite, Complete Streets Phase II.

New Businesses & Ribbon Cuttings: Ada’s Beauty Bar, The village, Northeast Luxury Salon Suites, Pikly’s Caribbean Fusion Restaurant, L&W Supply.

Commercial Property Sales: 820 Woodend Rd to FAN Real Estate.

Celebrate Stratford: Tree Lighting, Menorah Lighting, Shakespeare Market, Restaurant Week.

Appointments to the Commission on Aging.

Other News: The State flood restoration project on Main Street, Center Based Educator Registered Apprenticeship grant award, tree inventory project, Town Hall Renovation project.

FEMA FY24 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT APPLICATION SUPPORTING THE PURCHASE OF PPE/SCBA EQUIPMENT FOR THE STRATFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT

Executive Summary: This funding will support a full inventory refresh of SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) kits and related training for all firefighters we have on staff. SCBA is the breathing apparatus worn by firefighters responding to a call and can be utilized any time there is a chance oxygen access will be impacted. This past year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) set new standards for SCBA and this full inventory refresh will aid the Fire Department in meeting such standards. The purchase will also include related training for enhancement of accountability and safety. Firefighter safety and response will be enhanced through the new SCBA equipment purchase/inventory refresh.

Sponsored by: Stratford Town Council:  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 FEMA, and to implement the program once the award is secured in the name of and on behalf of the Town of Stratford. The motion passed unanimously.

RESOLUTION REGARDING A CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND (CIF) GRANT APPLICATION SUPPORTING A FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT AT FERRY BOULEVARD (CT-130) AND BROAD STREET

Executive Summary: This funding will support the ongoing flood mitigation work at Ferry Boulevard (CT-130) and Broad Street. This project looks to elevate Ferry Blvd/Broad Street to correlate with the bridge replacement of Broad Street over Ferry Creek. This funding will support the construction phase and other required components to bring the project to completion.

Sponsored by Stratford Town Council:  It is desirable and in the public interest that the Town of Stratford enter into an agreement with the Department of Economic Community Development (DECD) in the amount of $7,200,625, with a Town match of previously approved funding totaling $878,158. The council is cognizant of the Town’s grant application to DECD’s Round 6 of the Community Investment Fund for funds to support the ongoing flood mitigation project at Ferry Boulevard (CT-130) and Broad Street; and, it 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 Round 6 of the Community Investment Fund (CIF) and to continue the flood mitigation project once the award is secured in the name of and on behalf of the Town of Stratford. The motion passed unanimously.

RESOLUTION REGARDING A GRANT REQUEST TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL FY24 JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM SUPPORTING THE PURCHASE OF CONDUCTED ENERGY DEVICES AND RELATED TRAINING

Executive Summary: The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) provides a wide range of resources including local solicitation grant funding. For FY24, Stratford’s allocation is $11,353. This grant application will provide funding to begin upgrading the department’s Conducted Energy Device (CED aka Taser) inventory and to train officers on the proper use of the new equipment. The benefits are twofold: (1) new technology CEDs are more reliable and effective, and, (2) our community and law enforcement in general will benefit from officer training on the use, impact, and situational need of these devices, which are a less-lethal response option for law enforcement. This is part of the department’s ongoing efforts in community policing, de-escalation, and accountability. This program entails leasing the equipment.

Sponsored by: Stratford Town Council it is desirable and in the public interest that the Town of Stratford enter into an agreement with the U.S. DOT in the amount of $11,353 requiring $22,410.40 in Town Match, to come from Stratford Police Department Equipment Fund. The Town’s grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice for funds to begin upgrading the Department’s Conducted Energy Devices inventory and to receive related training, and, 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 DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, and initiate the purchase and training once the award is secured in the name of and on behalf of the Town of Stratford. The motion passed unanimously.

RESOLUTION REGARDING A CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MATERIALS MANAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT APPLICATION TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF A TOWN COMPOSTING PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARK CITY COMPOST INITIATIVE, INC.

Executive Summary: The Town of Stratford will engage with Park City Compost Initiative, Inc., (PCCI) to operate a food scraps compost program in an area adjacent to the existing municipal transfer station. The goal of this proposed program is to reduce the volume of waste entering the regular municipal solid waste cycle by separating food scraps that will then be turned into finished compost through natural aerobic processes completed onsite. The Town and its residents will benefit fiscally from reduced tipping and shipping fees while also obtaining nutrient-rich compost that can be shared with individuals as well as municipal agencies.

Sponsored by: Stratford Town Council: this funding has been made possible from the CT DEEP’s Materials Management Infrastructure Grant Program; and, the Town of Stratford expends funds to maintain solid waste and recycling at the Stratford Transfer Station; and, it is desirable and in the public interest that the Town of Stratford enter into an agreement with CT DEEP in the amount of $554,583 with $452,360 in Town Match, which will be in the form of in-kind services. The council authorizes, directs and empowers 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 CT DEEP, and to implement the project once the award is secured in the name of and on behalf of the Town of Stratford.  Motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Center School:  Addendum to the formerly approved 8-24 review of 1000 East Broadway parcel (former Center School property) to include 952 East Broadway parcel, presently the site of the Ruby and Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum, as referred by the Planning Commission with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed unanimously.

    Elevator Modernization Stratford Library: Referred by Building Needs Committee with a favorable     recommendation

Bid: 2025-14 Elevator Modernization: Stratford Library to Hartford Elevator, LLC of Rocky Hill, CT (Basebid & Alternates 1, 3, & 4) in the amount of $255,600.  Approved and the mayor authorized to enter into a contract for such in form acceptable to the Town Attorney.  Passed unanimously.

    Catherine Sadlier v. Town of Stratford – Executive session requested by Mr. Llewelyn and seconded by Mr. Aurelia. The lawsuit was regarding Ms. Sadlier having a storage pod on her property which is not approved by Zoning.

               The executive session included all Town Council members, Mayor Hoydick, CAO Tymniak, Finance Director Savo, HR Director Ing, town attorney Hodgson, assistants Florek, LeClerc, Cotter,  Chief of Staff Matthews, Attorney Alex Florek.

Executive session commenced at 7:28 p.m. Execution session concluded and the public session reconvenid at 7:41 p.m.