Stratford Mayor Touts Town Moving Forward in Annual Address

Mayor John Harkins touted a town moving forward in his annual State of the Town address, saying Stratford’s potential is “finally coming to light,” according to the Stratford Star.

Harkins said that over the last five years, the town has “made great strides in creating an atmosphere where efforts to streamline the method and delivery of municipal government services can flourish,” according to the Star.

While analyzing town operations for potential efficiencies, Harkins said “times have changed and we can no longer live in the past” and that today’s economic realities “dictate the need for creative ideas and bold leadership.”

One of those ideas is his plan to regionalize Stratford’s water pollution control operations.

Harkins said the following, via the Stratford Star, regarding the plan:

“By merging our water pollution control authority with the Greater New Haven Region, we can ensure lower sewer rates, lower taxes, and improved services moving forward. Sounds too good to be true, not really. It’s just common sense. Why are we in the business to begin with when we do not operate any other utilities? Not electricity. Not gas. Not oil.”

The plan, however, has not been received well by all in town with some residents vowing to force a referendum to ultimately decide the matter, according to the Star.

Read the mayor’s full State of the Town address at the Stratford Star here.