Discussed at ‘Community Conversations’
The 10th Stratford Community Conversations meeting, held Dec. 6 at Our Lady of Peace Church in Lordship, followed up on the meeting held three weeks prior when a group of attendees decided to collaborate to acquire and distribute reflective armbands for free to Stratford pedestrians, runners, dogs, bicyclists and others who use the streets after dark.
Attendees heard that members of the community can learn about the new night safety program and sign up for free armbands by going to stratfordsafe.com. The project is sponsored by Rotary Club of Stratford, Little Pub and Surfside Hotel. Stratford YMCA was set to distribute the reflective armbands on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The public is invited to stop by and pick up a free armband.
The conversation about night safety at the Dec. 6 meeting led to discussion about the need for reflectors on bicycles, too, and general education for the community to understand proper use of bicycles on town streets and sidewalks. Stratford Police Captain Gerald Pinto explained to the audience that recent enforcement of bicycle safety rules around Paradise Green resulted in fewer incidents of unsafe behavior. He mentioned also that in the warm weather months Stratford Police officers patrol on bicycles in certain known problem areas.
He reported those patrols are effective.
Sinking Main Street
A resident who travels lower Main Street / State Rt. 113 frequently in the area just off the end of the Sikorsky Airport runways, told the Conversations group that the historically low spot in the road is sinking lower. It is a wetlands area, known for roadway flooding. The resident reported that many filled-to-capacity car-carrier trucks travel that section of the state roadway, and she wondered aloud if there are weight limits for the road there. She is seeking assistance from state legislators.
Stratford Community Conversations meets every three weeks, except for holiday periods, 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 Conversations
The next Stratford Community Conversations is set for Wednesday, Jan. 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Grace Lutheran Church at 150 Chapel Street.
For more information, contact resident and moderator Greg Reilly at GPReilly@optonline.net.
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