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Good evening ladies and gentlemen. It is my great honor to appear before you tonight for my 4th State of the Town address as your Mayor.
Before I begin my formal remarks I would like to take a moment to recognize those elected and appointed officials as well as the volunteer members of the Town Commissions, Boards, and Committees that are here with us this evening:
Town Council Members
Councilwoman Amy Wanamaker
Board of Education
Co-Chaiperson – Susan Barksdale
Board Member - Joe DiMenno
Planning Commission
Chairman Joe Vescey
Commissioner Denise Nelson
Zoning Commission
Chairman Chris Silhavey
Commissioner Bob Galello
I also want to acknowledge and thank the over 200 volunteers that serve on various Commissions, Boards, and Committees in Town. Time does not permit me to recognize each person but many are here this evening including:
Dot Zimmer – Chairwoman for the Commission on Aging.
Rick Marcone – Chairman of the Roosevelt Forest Commission.
Stephanie Phillips – Chairwoman of the Boothe Park Commission.
Sib Law – Chairman of the Arts Commission.
Russell Payton and Wanda Correia – Co-Chairpersons of C.A.R.E. (Citizens Achieving Racial Equity) created only two years ago to address the challenging issues of race and diversity. Tackling the hard issues is not easy and every member of C.A.R.E is to be commended for their work.
Would you please join me in a round of applause to thank these elected officials and volunteer citizens for working to make Stratford the great community that it is.
I see that our Superintendent of Schools, Irene Cornish is also in attendance this evening. Welcome, Superintendent.
As Stratford’s Mayor, I often look to our local clergy for inspiration, advice and sometimes assistance in matters of importance to our Town. In every case where I have asked, the local faith community has always answered. I am honored to have with us tonight the following clergy members from Stratford:
Rabbi Yvonne Youngberg
I hope that you will be able to join me and our Stratford Clergy Association here at Town Hall on May 7th for the Annual Day of Prayer event. It is a day where we hope all people, of all faiths, can come together as one.
In 2008 our nation witnessed the sub prime mortgage scandal; declining real estate values; record unemployment; rising home foreclosure rates; the erosion of the financial markets; massive losses to retirement accounts; the difficulty of consumers and businesses to obtain credit.
We have witnessed private and governmental entities alike facing declining revenues, rising expenditures and the elimination of payroll in order to remain fiscally sound.
In short, we have witnessed the world, as we know it, change before our very eyes.
These challenging times call for proven leadership and a steady hand on the ship of state.
My fellow citizens, tonight I am proud to report to you that the State of the Town of Stratford is strong and we are ready to face the challenges of the future.
The State of the Town is strong because of our citizens, our Town Employees and our Town Government.
Stratford is strong because of our people, the everyday “ordinary” citizen, who, is anything but “ordinary”.
People like resident Peter Procyk. On March 5th of this year Peter was driving his truck home on Lordship Boulevard at around 5:45pm. He was headed into Lordship and another car was heading out of Lordship. Peter saw the car in his mirror, but then suddenly the car disappeared. Instead of just going home after a long day Peter turned his car around in the Sikorsky Airport and found the missing car crashed in the marsh. He parked his truck near the crash site and got out. Robert Hoodes, a 78-year-old man, had rolled down a steep 10-by-12 embankment in his vehicle, which then landed on the passenger side. Peter saw a vehicle whose wheels were still spinning. He called 911 and then waded through the water to help. He found Mr. Hoodes in the car, which was partially submerged in water. Mr. Hoodes was face up, but his face was also under water. Peter then went into the car and lifted Mr. Hoodes’ head out so he could breathe. When the police arrived, Peter was standing knee deep in water in the rear passenger compartment holding Mr. Hoodes. Peter, with the help of the police, pulled Mr. Hoodes out of the vehicle, laid him down and waited for the Fire Department and EMS. Mr. Hoodes was treated for multiple broken ribs, a broken arm and hypothermia.
Please join me in welcoming an extraordinary citizen and hero whose brave and selfless act sets an example for all citizens, Mr. Peter Procyk.
In addition to citizens like Peter that contribute to our strong Town, we have many dedicated Town employees.
On February 11th, George Ciaccio was at Indian Wells State Park walking his dog. The dog ran out on the frozen river and fell through the ice. Mr. Ciaccio ran out to save his dog, but he fell through the ice as well. Mr. Ciaccio was in the water up to his neck, and he was unable get himself out. Joseph Legen, an off-duty Stratford Police Officer, happened to be at the state park with his brother, Matthew, a Shelton Police and Fire Dispatcher. Both brothers witnessed Mr. Ciaccio’s struggle and intervened to save Mr. Ciaccio’s life. Joseph was the first in the water, followed by Matthew. The two men were able to get a hold on Mr. Ciaccio and pull him to shore. Without the help of these two men, one a Stratford Town Employee, the brother a Shelton City Employee, Mr. Ciaccio would not have made it out of the water.
On September 28, 2008 Engine 1 was dispatched along with Stratford Police and a mutual aid ambulance to a “possible hanging”. Our Emergency responders were informed en-route that this hanging involved an 8-year-old child. Upon arrival, the engine crew found a police officer running from the backyard with the child in his arms. The child was blue in color and barely breathing. It was decided that since the responding ambulance was coming from out of town, they would transport the child by police cruiser. The police officer that was holding the child got into the backseat of the police cruiser with Firefighter Trish Wetmore. During the trip to Bridgeport Hospital Trish provided artificial respirations via a bag valve mask. The child had a faint pulse but was unresponsive. Upon arrival at the emergency room the child’s color had improved and he was attempting to breath on his own.
Ladies and Gentlemen it is my honor to introduce to you this evening Stratford Police Officer Joseph Legan, his brother Matthew, a Shelton Police and Fire Dispatcher and Stratford Fire Fighter Trish Wetmore.
Our community is strong because we are all invested in Stratford. This is where 50,000 people choose to live and raise their families, where over 2,700 businesses choose to stake their future and where over 1,600 people choose to work for the Town and Board of Education.
When the Townspeople decided to change the form of government from a Council-Manager form of government to a Strong Mayor- Council form of government it positioned itself to shed the stalemate politics of the Council-Manager form of government. A strong Mayor as Chief Executive Officer of the Town enables the Town to have a higher level of accountability and allows the Mayor to assert leadership positions on strategic initiatives.
Over the past three years I have retained high-level professionals in key management positions from municipal and private sector backgrounds that have improved efficiency, operations and customer service.
Over the past 3 years my administration has improved the Financial Management of the Town; through:
- Prudent and realistic revenue forecasting.
- Strong tax collection rates.
- Tight expenditure controls and cost containment efforts
- Planning and negotiating with our labor unions to reduce our pension costs.
My administration has worked hard to plan for negotiations with our labor unions to create budgetary and job stability.
We have implemented a program to foreclose on tax delinquent properties.
We have instituted several financial polices to preserve, build up and protect our rainy day fund.
Every budget in the past 3 years has been fiscally responsible, using generally accepted accounting principles and balanced budgeting.
The last two budgets have had General Fund operating budget surpluses, only the first time in over 12 years this consecutive budget surplus has occurred.
Over the last three years we have eliminated the irresponsible use of the rainy day fund.
My administration has put into place a long-term plan to grow the Town of Stratford rainy day fund to credit rating agencies recommended target levels.
Over the past three years my administration has utilized responsible debt planning.
My administration’s stated goal is that debt not exceed 7-10% of operating expenses for infrastructure and capital equipment needs.
The past 3 years has seen my administration’s strong commitment to infrastructure and capital equipment needs achieved through an annual update of a Five Year Capital Improvement Plan.
We have implemented and utilized Pay-As-You-Go financing for smaller capital purchases.
We have implemented cost effective leasing for municipal fleet needs that allow for the acquisition of alternative fuel, hybrid and ultra low emission vehicles.
The Town’s financial management has so improved over the past three years that both Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s have favorably commented on it.
Two years ago Moody’s removed the Town’s negative outlook on the Town of Stratford’s bond rating and just this last December Standard and Poor’s upgraded the Town’s bond rating, in the middle of the Country’s current financial crisis, citing the administration’s proven accomplishments over the past three years.
In continuing my administration’s commitment to fiscally conservative budgeting and sound management practices I recently presented my Proposed Fiscal Year 2010 Operating Budget.
My proposed budget calls for NO INCREASE in property taxes. This ZERO tax increase budget will provide immediate and necessary relief to Stratford’s taxpayers by freezing the property tax rate.
My administration has offset the rising cost of public services with cost reductions in strategic areas. My proposed operating budget is based on all non-union employees and all union employees, both from the Town and Board of Education, accepting a zero percent salary and wage increase in order to maintain existing staffing and service levels.
I have met and continue to meet with the leadership of the municipal employee unions to discuss the local impact of the national and state economic downturn and my desire to work in partnership with them in order to deliver tax relief to all of Stratford’ s taxpayers.
My proposed operating budget for the Board of Education increases by $985,940, or 1.13%, education expenditures in order to maintain current educational service levels for our children. This budget preserves the Board of Education’s ability to educate our children and does not reduce core educational services. It also preserves after-school enrichment activities for all students.
My budget proposal has enabled me to present a budget that will achieve my stated goal of no tax increase while maintaining a high level of service to all of Stratford’s citizens.
In the area of economic development our Grand List continues to grow. It now exceeds $4.6 billion dollars.
My administration has developed a multi-year plan to fuel a rebirth in Stratford’s economy by focusing on some of the larger economic development opportunities such as:
The Army Engine Plant Redevelopment;
The Shakespeare Festival Theater Restoration;
The acquisition of the Sikorsky Memorial Airport;
The creation of an Economic Development Corporation for Brownfield rehabilitation; and
The improvement of the streetscape of Barnum Avenue, our portion of U.S. Route 1.
We have created a new economic development guide that you have all been given this evening to help market the Town of Stratford to new businesses.
The Town continues to draw owners of all types of businesses including medical, personal, household services, professional services, retail, wholesale and dining establishments.
The Town closed the calendar year of 2007 with the highest amount of commercial, industrial, retail and office building permits issued for a seven year high of over $23 million dollars.
While 2008 was not as robust as 2007 in terms of commercial development the calendar year 2008 ended with a total of over $7 million dollars of commercial, industrial, retail and office permits being issued.
Major retail chains opened during the year to include the Big Y and BJ’s Wholesale Club.
The former Stratford Army Engine Plant was auctioned by the Department of the Army to a successful bidder with potential development of bringing the film and digital media industry to our business community. Closing is scheduled to take place in the next two weeks. Once the real estate closing occurs the property will be placed on the Town’s tax roles and the environmental cleanup will commence thus transforming this environmentally challenged and economically dormant property to a new economic engine for the Town of Stratford and region.
Major companies have joined our business community during the past year.
Most notable addition is LaSpeziale, the world’s third largest manufacturer of espresso and cappuccino machines, headquartered in Bologna, Italy.
New construction projects were completed with the opening of the new 118,000 square foot North Town Center on Hawley Lane, the 82-suite Comfort Suites on South Avenue and Stratford Land Development completed its 117,000 square foot facility on Long Beach Boulevard.
Volo Aviation broke ground for a multi-million dollar construction project at Sikorsky Memorial Airport to include a new terminal and hangers. The millions of dollars invested into the infrastructure of the airport will help create jobs and reshape the area where the Engine Plant, airport and Lordship Boulevard is a major business corridor.
Future development for 2009 looks just as promising with the construction of a 114,000 square foot building on Long Beach Boulevard.
Second Avenue Development received approval for a 19,000 square foot medical facility.
Approvals have been granted for a 15,000 square foot retail office complex on Linden Ave.
Corporate Displays Specialties recently leased 19,000 square feet on Honeyspot Road Extension.
Additional major development plans have been submitted, but have not yet gone before zoning.
Of course, in addition to bringing new businesses into Town we are committed to the over 2,700 businesses in Town and are working on a new program to help businesses already in town stay and grow here.
The residential housing market, as reported by the Greater Fairfield County Multiple Listing Service, continues to be strong, relatively speaking, despite the downturn in the housing market.
Stratford has a diverse variety of housing options for all price points. Currently the total number of residential units is about 20,000.
In 2008, 400 single-family homes sold with an average sales price of $285,246. These properties were on the market for an average of 96 days.
At the beginning of the year there were 236 single-family homes available on the Stratford market.
Frankly speaking, Stratford is one of the most affordable and desirable communities in Fairfield County as purchasers find property affordable in Stratford compared to other lower Fairfield County communities. In fact average property prices here are about _ of lower Fairfield County and our stable and fair property taxes, as well as the large array of municipal services one receives for those taxes is competitive with all of our neighbors.
Part of making our community better is by making it safer.
Each year, more than 365,000 people of all ages die from sudden cardiac arrest. In addition to the personal tragedy each death brings to the family and friends of these individuals these incidents of sudden cardiac arrest are a leading cause of disability and health care costs.
Sudden cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack, the condition makes the heart abruptly stop, causing people to collapse and quickly lose consciousness.
The most effective way to revive someone who is a victim off sudden cardiac arrest is with CPR and a shock to the heart administered by an Automated External Defibrillator or AED - and the quicker the response, the greater the chance of survival.
In October of last year the Town Council passed my proposed ordinance to ensure that there is an Automated External Defibrillator in every municipal building and school as well as at businesses such as lodging establishments, fitness centers, dining establishments and certain places of employment.
Yesterday we dedicated the first AED in a municipal building and it is right outside of Town Council Chambers. Seated in the front row is a young lady named Becky Simon who I met 3 years ago when, at 9 years old, she came to my open door meeting with her grandmother, to talk about a news article that mentioned my goal to make people aware of Automated External Defibrillators and my plan to someday have them in all town owned buildings and other buildings in town.
This young lady, on her own, and with the support of her family and friends makes and sells bookmarks for $1.00 a piece.
To date, 12-year-old Becky Simon, now a student at Wooster Middle School, has raised and donated to the Town for Stratford’s AED initiative over $1,000.
Please join me in thanking Becky for her civic leadership.
The future of Stratford is in great shape with young people like Becky.
We know the responsible funding of our public school system is critical to our Town’s future and continued strength. Additionally, we must ensure that early childhood education remain a priority. I want to recognize the School Readiness and Child Care Advisory Council, co-chaired by Sue Gottlieb and Alix Semanchik, for the work they have done this past year on Stratford’s Promise to Young Children – a comprehensive community wide early childhood plan.
The plan that the School Readiness and Child Care Advisory Council has worked on will ensure that all of Stratford’s children will have access to the quality services, support and early learning experiences they need to lead healthy, successful lives.
The School Readiness and Child Care Advisory Council is an example of community collaboration – the working together to share resources to improve the lives of Stratford’s children.
The School Readiness and Child Care Advisory Council anticipates releasing this plan to the community by the end of June 2009. Implementation of the plan will begin in July 2009. I look forward to working with them to ensure our students’ educational foundation is set early and properly – and is strong.
The State of the Town is also strong when we look to our environmental policies.
Under the leadership of my administration, the Town of Stratford has begun the process of converting its fleet vehicles to Alternative Fuel, High Efficiency and Hybrid-Electric.
The Town has also joined the Smart Power program where it purchases renewable energy credits.
Renewable energy comes from such sources as wind, hydro and landfill gas.
Renewable energy reduces our reliance on foreign sources of oil.
Renewable energy reduces dangerous carbon emissions from the environment that are worsening global warming.
And as gasoline and oil prices continue to rise and the production of oil, which has reached peak, becomes more expensive these renewable sources of energy will become the standard.
I am proud of the Town Council for endorsing my administration’s efforts to be environmentally responsible and I encourage each of you to become a responsible partner in moving our energy use polices into the 21st century. I have provided for each of you this evening a sign-up form that that explains how you can make a difference by switching your electric service to renewable sources of energy.
For every 100 Stratford households that sign up, the Town receives a solar panel that will help us generate our own electricity thus not only helping the environment but also saving the taxpayers money. We have already earned two solar panels and recently the Town received an award from the Clean Energy Fund for the efforts the government and the people of this Town have made in using renewable energy.
Additionally, the town has begun the process of switching over to “Clean and Green” cleaning products. We need to be leaders in ensuring the materials we flush down the drain are limited in the dangerous chemicals that pollute and contaminate our environment.
I am proud we are leaders in the state in implementing these environmentally responsible practices.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the state of the Town is indeed strong because the members of our community are strong. Peter Procyck, young Becky Simon, Police Officer Joseph Legan and Fire Fighter Trish Wetmore and the hundreds of volunteers that work to make Stratford better are living proof of this fact.
My administration will continue to work to ensure your tax dollars are wisely invested; provide top-notch services and that we continue to implement fiscally conservative management practices.
President Obama stated in his inaugural address:
“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.”
My fellow residents, together, Stratford will remain strong despite the challenges that lie ahead. I extend my hand to each of you to work with me to face those challenges and continue the progress that our new form of government has allowed us to achieve.
Thank you.
God bless you and your families.
And God bless the Town of Stratford.
Mayor James R. Miron
March 18, 2009
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