A special Community Book Discussion of When We Walk By led by co-author Donald W. Burnes is currently underway in Stratford. The Zoom series, co-sponsored by the Stratford Library, the First Congregational Church of Stratford and CARE (Citizens Addressing Racial Equity), begins on Monday, March 18 and will continue on weekly Monday evenings through April 29. When We Walk By provides a deeply humanizing look that radically changes ones understanding of neighbors, poverty, and homelessness. Believing we can make inroads in resolving homelessness and poverty in our community, the multipart discussion series welcomes all to attend, even if they have not yet read the book. Free copies of When We Walk By are currently available at the Stratford Library while supplies last. After the March 18 talk, the next four sessions (all on Zoom) and led by Burnes are at 6:30pm on Mondays March 25, April 15, April 22 and April 29 and will delve into relevant topics from the book. To receive the free Zoom link, email: socialjusticeatfcc@gmail.com.
Stratford, CT – March 13, 2024 – New to the town of Stratford is Two Road’s Brewing Company’s Tee Box. Tee Box offers an immersive golfing experience featuring a state-of-the-art simulator sponsored by Unicore, access to over 300 global courses, and a vibrant atmosphere complete with food, drinks, and live sports. Located conveniently on the Two Roads Campus, Tee Box is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon until 9:00 PM. Book your reservation today for an unforgettable time at Tee Box.
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
2024-03-11@12:39pm–#Stratford CT– A report of two car fires on West Avenue. The caller to 911 said they thought that Molotov Cocktails were thrown at her and her neighbor’s car. They were able to put out the fire with fire extinguishers. Police and fire department are on the scene. The fire marshal was also called to investigate.
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.
2024-03-09@7:37pm–#Stratford CT– On March 9, 2024, at 7:37 pm, in Stratford, CT, firefighters responded to a reported fire at Homewood Suites located at 6905 Main Street. The incident originated in the pool room, which appears to be separate from the hotel rooms. Firefighters are currently addressing complications with the electrical system and working to pinpoint the root cause. During their investigation, they uncovered a fire within a wall. The fire marshal has been summoned to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation.
2024-03-03@1:50pm–#Stratford CT– A pedestrian has been struck in the C-Town parking lot according to radio reports. The pedestrian suffered a leg injury.
The Stratford Library will host Westport author Hilary Arnow Burns for a special “Meet- the-Author” program on Sunday, March 10 at 2 pm.
Burns will discuss her humorous new advice book, Real Talk: How to Say the Things You’ve Never Said So You can Have the things You’ve Always Wanted. The talk, presented as part of the nationwide celebration of “Women’s History Month”, is free and open to the public.
In her latest book Hilary Burns, host of the “Getting Real With Hilary Show”, reveals the real cost of not speaking up: broken marriages, lost jobs and profound unhappiness. Using her signature “Getting Real Process”, Burns teaches women and men how to finally get what they’ve always wanted by harnessing the power of Real Talk.
“Meet-the-Author: Hilary Arnow Burns will be held 2-3 pm on March 10 in the Stratford Library Lovell Room, 2203 Main Street in Stratford. Autographed copies of Burn’s books will be available for purchase following her talk.
For further information call the Library at: 203.385.4162 or visit www.stratfordlibrary.org.
