In response to a recent rise in robberies on the city’s Westside (Maplewood Avenue neighborhood), members of the Bridgeport Police Department’s Robbery Squad took charge and conducted a criminal investigation.
As a result of the investigation, the case officer (Detective Albert Palatiello) obtained a search warrant and arrest warrant for an occupant and residence located within the 800 block of Hancock Avenue.
The warrant service was conducted on the morning of March 12, 2024, by members of the Bridgeport Police Department’s elite Emergency Services Unit. During this operation, 18-year-old Jayden Freeman was taken into custody and charged with Robbery In The First Degree, Larceny In The Second Degree, Theft Of A Firearm, and Criminal Use of a Firearm. Bond was set at $250,000. The search warrant yielded significant evidence inside Freeman’s bedroom to include a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun equipped with a 30-round high-capacity magazine. Freeman was charged additionally with Possession of Large Capacity Magazine, Illegal sale/transfer/delivery of a Firearm, and Risk of Injury to a Minor. Additional bond was set at $20,000.
On March 12, 2024, the Ansonia Police Department arrested three juveniles for their involvement in the arson fire on February 2, 2024, at the former Ansonia Copper and Brass building on Liberty Street. The three males were ages 13, 13 and 14, their names will not be released due to their juvenile status. Each juvenile was charged with Arson First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Arson First Degree and Criminal Trespass Second Degree, they will appear in juvenile court on March 15, 2024.
The investigation into the arson was a joint effort between the Ansonia Police Department, Ansonia Fire Marshall, and Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit. Officer Michael Barry, Officer Joshua Rodrgiuez, and Detective Kristen Hunt of the Ansonia Police Department along with Ansonia Fire Marshall Darrick Lundeen, and Connecticut State Police Detectives Lindsey Dworin and Kyle Faucher were able to identify witnesses and the suspects, interviewing all of the identified individuals. During the interviews the juvenile suspects admitted to their involvement in the arson.
Chief Williams would like to recognize the members of the Ansonia Police Department, the Ansonia Fire Marshall and Connecticut State Police for their effort in investigating and solving this case.
Mayor Laura R. Hoydick proposed the 2025 Fiscal Year operating budget for the Town of Stratford to the Town Council on Monday, March 11th. The proposed operating budget is $260,014,370, a 2.21% increase over the 2024FY adopted budget. However, through the use of other revenue sources, the administration highlighted that the budget would not increase taxes nor the 40.20 mill rate and the vehicle mill rate of 32.46 (which is capped by State Statute at this rate).
The Mayor noted, “When I took office in late 2017, there was an incredible need for tax relief for our residents. This obligation to our taxpayers continues, year after year, and my administration was able to reduce taxes for the first five years, and keep the increase last year to a minimum while addressing the Town’s financial obligations due to the economic climate we felt and continue to feel today.”
Mayor Hoydick continued, “This proposed budget not only supports our Town departments but also prioritizes the efficient delivery of services to our residents, with an emphasis on one of the greatest impacts to our community: the advancement of our schools and students.
“Much of the direction and growth of our Town depends on the success of our schools, and we must provide our students with the building blocks to forge bright futures. As a graduate and a mother of graduates of Stratford Public Schools, as a former Board of Education member and chair, and as someone who comes from a family of dedicated educators, I personally understand the imperative need to support our students, teachers, and staff. The proposed Town budget for the 2025 Fiscal Year fully funds the operating budget requested by the Stratford Board of Education and SPS Administration.”
The total proposed budget for Stratford Public Schools is $129,002,725 (slightly higher than their original request of $128,993,196). This does not include the Governor’s proposed additional Education Cost Sharing grant ($3,060,000) which will pass through the Town and be sent to the school district. Mayor Hoydick highlighted that the budget addresses the district’s financial obligation to fill the void of ESSER grant funding (used by the previous administration to fund $2,500,000 of regular staff positions) and that she is confident it will provide the necessary resources, infrastructure, and support to those who work tirelessly to improve the academic achievement and social emotional well-being of our students.
Mayor Hoydick emphasized this, stating, “This proposed budget is a commitment by the Town to moving our students, our schools, and our community forward. It has been refreshing to collaboratively work with the school administration on the condition and improvement of Stratford Public Schools. When serving as a member of the Board of Education, we worked to have a library media specialist and building based specialists in each school. I do not want to eliminate these positions and would rather work out the budgeting and funding details to allow them to remain employed by the Stratford Public Schools. We will continue to work through May as we fine tune the request for funding for our school district. I look forward to continuing to work with the school administration, Board of Education, and the Town Council to provide the necessary funding to all town departments, and I am confident that this proposed budget represents a fiscally sound path for Stratford.”
The Town Council moved both ordinances — the ordinance to adopt the annual operating budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025, as well as the ordinance levying the tax rate – to be referred to the Ordinance Committee for a public hearing. Budget workshops are set to begin within the coming weeks.
The Stratford Library will host Stratford Registrars James Simon and Lou DeCilio and their presentation, “Early Voting in CT” on Sunday, March 24 at 2 pm. The talk will be presented live in the Library’s Lovell Room. It is free and open to the public.
Stratford Town of Registrars Lou DeCilio and Jim Simon will host a talkback forum on the new early voting laws in Connecticut. About 60 percent of Connecticut voters approved a ballot question last November to allow Early Voting. Simon and DeCilio will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how Early Voting is expected to operate. Will Early Voting last two days — or two weeks? Will you go to your normal polling place — or to one centralized location? What safeguards will be in place to prevent someone from voting early … and also voting by absentee ballot. Voters are invited to come and ask questions about voting and elections in Stratford — and learn how one can apply to be a paid poll worker next fall.
Lou DeCilio attended Stratford High School and went on to the University of Bridgeport where he graduated in 1991 with a double major in accounting and marketing and a minor in psychology. A believer in the strength of community volunteering, DeCilio has volunteered and supported organizations like Sterling House Community Center, Pony Baseball, Pop Warner Football, Little League Baseball, the South End Community Center and a plethora of other charitable and community driven organizations. He served as Stratford’s Sixth District Councilman from 2001-2004 and volunteered on numerous committees and commissions associated with local government. He served as the Vice President of Connecticut’s Registrar of Voters Association from 2015-2019 and currently holds the position on ROVAC as an Auditor for the last two years. DeCilio also currently serves on Stratford’s Arts Commission, the Boothe Park Commission and as Chairman of the Stratford Republican Party. He has been the town’s Republican Registrar of Voters for 18 years.
Dr. James Simon is in his third year as the Democratic Registrar of Voters in Stratford. He has had a long and varied career. After graduating from Stratford High School, he spent 10 years as a newspaper reporter covering politics and was then hired as Assistant Secretary of the Environment in Massachusetts. Simon also worked in the presidential campaign of Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis. He went back to school and was awarded a PhD degree in public administration at Arizona State. He taught journalism in college for 25 years, including 18 years at Fairfield University, and later he became Dean of Fairfield’s College of Arts and Sciences. Simon was named a national journalism “Teacher of the Year,” and he is the co-author of the book, Environment Reporters in the 21st Century.
“Early Voting in CT” will be held from 2-3:30 pm in the Stratford Library Lovell Room, 2203 Main Street in Stratford, CT. For further information visit: www.stratfordlibrary.org or call the Library at: 203.385-4162
Water conservation opportunity available to Connecticut residents
BRIDGEPORT, CONN. – March 11, 2024 – Aquarion Water Company announced today that it is offering upcycled rain barrels for sale as part of its ongoing water conservation efforts.
Connecticut customers can purchase a high-quality, 60-gallon upcycled rain barrel designed to fit under a downspout and catch rainwater running off the roof. Customers can collect and store water for use in a garden whenever it rains. It takes just one-quarter inch of rainfall on an average roof to fill the barrel and provide water during dry periods, even when restrictions are imposed on water usage. The usage of rain barrels can help conserve water and reduce water bills.
Key Features:
60-gallon food-grade upcycled rain barrel with brass spigot
A removable intake screen keeps insects and debris from entering
Overflow directs water away from the foundation
Connects to drip irrigation, soaker, or garden hoses
Terra cotta color prevents light transmission and inhibits algae growth
Easy to set up and use – screw off top for easy cleaning
On Tuesday, March 12, at 1:30 p.m. the Public Safety and Security Committee will hold a public hearing on legislation that would give municipalities the option of adopting monitoring systems to detect motorists who illegally pass a stopped school bus and issue offending drivers a $250 fine.
The committee will hear testimony on SB 420, which would allow towns and cities to pass an ordinance authorizing the use of a digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system and collect fines from drivers found to be illegally passing school buses.
The public hearing is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. and will be held in room 1B of the Legislative Office Building.
The Stratford Library, 2203 Main Street in Stratford will offer a special music history concert, “Celtic Music: Stories & History with Jeff Snow”, on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 pm. The concert is free and open to the public.
Musician and raconteur Jeff Snow combines the music, stories and a wee bit of history from Scotland, Ireland and England into a concert event that has music lovers on the edge of their seats. Growing up as the son of a drummer in a Bagpipe band and in a home where older Celtic songs were the everyday sounds, Jeff Snow developed a love for this special music. The magical sounds from the instruments coupled with vocals and Snow’s love and knowledge of his Scottish heritage create a delightful program of traditional and original tunes and songs.Much of the history of Scotland, England and Ireland is preserved in song. Hearing those stories along with the songs educate as well as entertain.
“Celtic Music: Stories & History with Jeff Snow” will take place in the Stratford Library Lovell Room from 7-8 pm on March 19. Doors open at 6:30 pm. General seating.
