On-Street Parking, Housing Project Public Hearing and Rails-to-Trails

The following are highlights from the Jan. 31 Stratford Community Conversations.

PARKING COURTESY

A resident expressed unhappiness when cars are parked for lengthy periods of time on streets, effectively as storage space, and are rarely moved. Making the matter worse, she said, is when such vehicles are parked in front of a neighbor’s home. She referred to an underlying community standard, presumably an unwritten courtesy that discourages this behavior. Police officers at the Conversations meeting said that they respond when called, eventually tow legally abandoned vehicles, and enforce formal street parking laws.

ZONING REGS UNDER REVIEW

Coincidentally and related to local regulations, Stratford’s Zoning Regulations are in the process of being reviewed and revised. The next community engagement session will be a roundtable workshop in February/March 2024; date to be announced. To learn more contact 203-385-4017.

HOUSING DEVELOPER’S ABSENCE CANCELS PUBLIC HEARING

The Conversations group talked about how the developer of the proposed Teakwood Estates project off Broadbridge Avenue not only did not show up for their Inland Wetland Commission public hearing, but they effectively derailed the meeting as the public hearing was canceled because of their absence.

RECREATIONAL TRAILS

A regular attendee of the Community Conversations asked if an abandoned train freight rail line, which runs north – south in Stratford and crosses Lordship Blvd., might be converted into a trail for pedestrians and bicyclists. Creating recreational trails from abandoned railroads is fairly common in Connecticut, and the State is supportive of these projects. A Town Council member, who also serves on the Town’s Greenway / Complete Streets Committee, said he would try to advance the inquiry further with appropriate people.

MISCELLANEOUS

Other comments at the Jan. 31 Conversations:

• The Town’s website is difficult to navigate; the Mayor’s Office is working on upgrades.
• The State Unit on Aging staff is coming to Stratford on Feb. 16 to listen to residents talk about issues facing local seniors. Contact the Baldwin Center.
• There is an open seat on Town of Stratford’s Ethics Commission. Contact the Office of the Mayor.
• First Church Stratford (First Congregational Church on Main Street) will host Community Lenten Dinners on Fridays in Lent. March 1, March 8, March 15, and March 22 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. For questions, please contact Amy Elias at msamyelias@yahoo.com or (917) 557-0245. PS: The church’s Pastor Ed Rawls announced he will retire effective June 1, 2024.

NEXT

The Stratford Community Conversations will be Feb. 21 at Stratford YMCA.

Stratford Community Conversations meets every three weeks 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.

For the list of upcoming Community Conversations visit StratfordCalendar.com.

For more information: Greg Reilly at GPReilly@optinline.net