Mayor highlights progress on town remediation work, public-safety responses and public-health programs

Mayor Laura r Hoytich delivered an extended monthly report at the Stratford Town Council meeting on May 13, 2024, saying federal and state partners had toured the local remediation site and that work is closer to the next steps after more than three decades of effort.

The mayor said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection joined a press conference and site tour, and she thanked federal and state delegations for funding and support. “This project has come a long way over the past 33 years,” she said, attributing progress to interagency teamwork and local health-department involvement.

Why it matters: the Remedial/Remark remediation has been a multi-decade environmental and public-health project; the mayor’s remarks indicate continuing federal and state engagement and funding support, which can affect cleanup timelines and community health planning.

The mayor also praised town public-safety teams after two recent incidents: a fire at an Elm and Main apartment building and a major motor-vehicle crash on the Merritt Parkway. She thanked dispatch, EMS, fire and police personnel and cooperating agencies including the Red Cross and town community services. “Our response to both incidents reflects incredible cross collaboration,” she said.

On public health and outreach, the mayor promoted a series of May “walk and talk” events hosted by the Stratford Health Department (locations and dates were given in the council meeting), and she announced teen mental-health first-aid classes for ages 15–18 supported by the Stratford Partnership for Youth and Families and the Stratford Rotary Club. She encouraged residents to participate in a triennial public-health survey used to guide program and grant applications.

The mayor closed by noting several economic-development and community events, including recent ribbon cuttings and upcoming events such as the Main Street Festival on June 1. She directed residents to the town website and town offices for details and registration information.

Looking ahead: the mayor said final architectural recommendations for the Performing Arts Complex will be reported back to the Redevelopment Agency; public feedback collected by email is being routed to the project architect for review.