New initiatives streamline processes, effectively manage resources, eliminate waste and redundant efforts to lower costs and work hours Stratford Moves to Streamline for Efficiency Your elected officials in Stratford have been hard at work to introduce and advance a whole host of inititiaves designed to create value for our community of residents and businesses. These are just a few of the things we have done in Stratford this year and I am looking forward to initiating new projects in the coming year aimed at making critical savings, conservation and efficiencies. - Mayor Laura Hoydick
About the Town of Stratford F ounded in 1639, Stratford is a community rich in history and abundant natural beauty. Within an hour’s drive of New York City, Stratford is the easternmost town in Fairfield County-Connecticut’s Gold Coast. The Town is strategically located on the I-95 corridor, Route 8 and CT15 (Merritt) roadways, and Long Island Sound. Additionally, the Stratford Metro North railroad station and the Sikorsky Memorial airport add to Stratford’s uniquely convenient accessibility. With over 12,900,000 square feet of effective of commercial, industrial, retail and office space, the Town of Stratford has a diverse, thriving, growing base of successful businesses within the community. Manufacturing operations continue to thrive in Stratford, with iconic names such as Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company; Aptar, a manufacturer of cosmetic containers; Ashcroft, manufacturing pressure and temperature gauges; the Norwalk Compressor Company, manufacturing compressors; and Bridgeport Fittings, a major supplier of electrical fittings; all calling Stratford home.
1. Stratford Parks and Recreation switched over to a new cloud- based system called Rec Desk for recreation programs. This new systemhas created an efficient and easy to use online process for allowing residents and other customers to obtain permits, pay for program participation, and make park reservations online. It features a calendar for viewing every field and building in town and who is using it on any given day time. Reservations can be made for rec locations such as Boothe Park, Short Beach, all ball fields and facilities. To check Rec Desk out visit https:// townofstratford.recdesk.com/Community/Home. 2. Last fall the town deployed over 40 “BigBelly” solar compacting trash and recycle containers to replace standard trash and recycling receptacles. The Town’s Green Task Force initiated the use of this innovative new green technology which has already resulted in cleaner streets, parks and recreational areas while saving the town and taxpayers money. 3. Stratford was accepted into FEMA's CRS Program for its efforts in protecting Town residents from storm/flood-related events. The National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System (CRS) will credit the Town's efforts for going beyond the minimum flood protection standards by reducing flood insurance premiums for the community's residential and commercial property owners. Stratford is 1 of 9 municipalities in Connecticut to be granted acceptance in CRS and has been recognized as a leader in resilience efforts state-wide. After a two-year application process led by the Office of Planning and Zoning, Stratford has secured a CRS Class 8, making it one of the highest scoring municipalities in the State. The classification will become effective for Stratford residents starting May 1, 2019. Enrollment in CRS supports economic development, enhancing the community for investment. 4. A significant portion of the former Ella Grasso Center on Armory Road was transferred from the State to the Town in 2018. The pool at the Grasso Center has been open under the Town's Rec Department for community use since last April, and eventually the residential areas will be converted into senior and veteran housing in the near future. 5. Via Community Services, the town is building the capacity to bill HUSKY for counseling services in order to fill the gap from the CDBG cut of $19,000. The aim is to eventually expand behavioral health services for children/youth and their families and ultimately establish a DPH-licensed outpatient clinic in cooperation with the Health Department.
6. Regrettably Stratford lost the iconic American Shakespeare Festival Theater to a fire on January 13th. At the time of this printing the cause remains under investigation. While the loss of the theater is unfortunate, there is now a new opportunity for this location that we to be re-developed to Stratford's advantage. I formed a Shakespeare Theater Property Task Force of community residents who are charged with holding community conversations to listen to what residents want to see for this scenic location by the Housatonic River. The Town Council and I are committed complying with the direction of the deed with the focus on open space, arts, and recreational enjoyment for residents. 7. One of the vital ways a community shares its information with its residents is through its online presence. We are currently in the process of revamping our town’s website to deliver a better user design and functionality experience via a more easily-accessed framework so citizens who log on can find what they need when they need it and quickly. 8. Through our renewed relationship with the federal Environmental Protection Agency, the solution to the Raymark contamination is at hand. Last year this site was selected by the EPA as one of only two Superfund sites in New England for designated accelerated action due to the redevelopment and commercial potential associated with it. By the end of this month a barrier wall will be erected at the site and a transportation road constructed to begin transportation of the contaminated soil to the ball field location where it will be capped and sealed. 9. Abandoned residential real estate can pose a challenge to any community, and in the Sidney Street section of Stratford we are turning blight into opportunity. These abandoned residential parcelswill shortlybeexperiencinga rebirth througha conversion to commercial real estate where they will flourish, provide a new economic anchor in the community, and improve the quality of life for nearby residents. 10. Lastly, we are making important moves forward with the realignment of Route 110 where it meets Route 15 by Sikorsky Aircraft. A partnership between the Town, the State, and Sikorsky Aircraft/LockheedMartin on this realignment and expansion of the road will greatly improve traffic flow and safety, while providing an opportunity to incorporate Transit-Oriented District principles of vibrant communities being compact, walkable and sustainable.
STRATFORD
DEMOGRAPHIC OVERVIEW: For full report visit CERC Town Profiles 2018 at www.cerc.com Population 2012 - 2016: 52,300 2020 Projection: 51,903 Median Age: 44 Households: 20,540 Median HH Income: $ 69, 336 ECONOMICS: Labor Force (2016) : 27,631 Employed: 26,002 Business Profile (2016) Sector Units Employment Total All Industries 1,365 25,501 23 Construction 126 1,372 31-33 Manufacturing 79 8,166 44-45 Retail Trade 133 2,087 48-49 Transportation-Warehousing 44 2,053 62 Health Care, Social Assistance 137 3,115 1 Government 25 1,975
STRATFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BRIDGEPORT REGIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL Founded39 years ago as the first chamber affiliate of the BRBC, the Stratford Chamber of Commerce (SCC) works to initiate positive change for the benefit of the business community, thereby, enhancing the quality of life in Stratford through advocacy and action in the areas of economic development, education, transportation, and the environment. In partnership with local businesses, town departments, and the community, the Stratford Chamber of Commerce works to encourage Stratford’s economic vitality and to improve the quality of life in the Town of Stratford. Please contact Joan Law, Executive Director at law@brbc.org to find out how you can engage in Stratford’s current and future economic prosperity.
Top Four Grand List United Illuminatng Co. Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin
Major Employers
Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin
Ashcroft APTAR
Southern CT Gas
Second Avenue Development
FEDEX UPS
Commuters into-from :
Commuters from-to:
Stratford
4,032 3,915 1,999 1,584
Stratford
4,032 3,648 1,689 1,576 1,484 1,341 1,473
Bridgeport Milford
Bridgeport Fairfield Milford Norwalk Shelton Stamford
Shelton
West Haven
892 827 626
Trumbull Seymour
18 REGION | GREATER BRIDGEPORT
REGION | GREATER BRIDGEPORT 19
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