The Capital Improvement Bond Package: A Win for Stratford

On Monday, Sept. 12, the Town Council, in conjunction with recommendations from the Mayor’s office and the Board of Education passed a comprehensive bond package known as the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP package was handled in a bipartisan effort where every Council member had a say in the process and its ensured transparency.

One noteworthy aspect of the plan is that it provided funds needed for a new rescue fire truck out of the headquarters on Main Street. After many conversations with the fire department, I have been assured that this particular rescue truck fits the needs for our first responders, and is the most cost effective addition to our fleet of fire apparatus. Being a demo truck made similar to the specifications used by the Stratford Fire Department, this will save time and money compared to ordering a truck to be made to order from scratch, as is typically the case with most fire apparatus purchases in the Connecticut. 

Secondly, we are funding more equipment needed at the Department of Public Works. After the winter and Hurricane Irene, as well as the need for more road repairs, several heavy duty trucks were funded in the CIP bond.

Many public safety and infrastructure concerns at our schools are also being addressed in this bond package. Most notably, asbestos abatement at Wooster Middle School, structural repairs at Nichols and Franklin Elementary School and Johnson Academy are being funded. Penders Field is finally getting funding for the turf replacement that has been long overdue for Stratford High student athletes and the recreational organizations and leagues that use the field. There are also many infrastructure projects effecting road, sidewalk and bridge repairs in town, to further enhance public safety and economic development.

I am personally proud to have been part of this bipartisan effort and want to thank my Council colleagues for their hard work and dedication in this process. This package directs a lot of money to many public safety, infrastructure and educational needs, which I believe are the most important roles of government.

The total Capital Improvement Plan allocations broken down per project:

Town of Stratford Capital Improvement Program

Department

 Description

Approved for FY 2012

Parks & Rec

 Renovate Basketball Courts (Wigwam Lane)

 $     150,000.00

Parks & Rec

 Restoration/Improvements at Pender’s Field

 $ 1,200,000.00

Parks & Rec

 High Park Improvements

 $       25,000.00

Parks & Rec

 Stratford Academy Field reconstruction

 $       60,000.00

Parks & Rec

 Johnson School Playground (Architect Design)

 $       25,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Beach Dr/Washington Parkway Storm Pump Station

 $       50,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Replace School Sidewalks

 $       25,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Road Reconstruction

 $     500,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Road Resurfacing

 $     900,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Sidewalk Replacement

 $     250,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Tanners Brook Culvert Cleaning

 $     250,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Broadbridge Culvert over Bruce Brook

 $     100,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Whippoorwill Lane Bridge Replacement

 $     300,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Misc. Bridge Rehabilitation -parapet, railing & concrete repairs

 $     100,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Misc. Bridge Rehabilitation -channels, channel walls & drainage

 $       50,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Shakespeare Estates Storm Relief Pipe

 $     175,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Feeley Street Drainage and Road Reconstruction

 $     125,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Park Street Road Reconstruction

 $     125,000.00

Roads & Sewers

 Sherwood Place Road Reconstruction

 $     125,000.00

Schools

 Safety and Security Improvements

 $     100,100.00

Town Facilities

 Civil War Monument Restoration (Academy Hill)

 $       25,000.00

Town Facilities

 Exterior Painting- Town Hall

 $     225,000.00

Town Facilities

 Parking Lot Resurfacing

 $     100,000.00

Town Facilities

 Roof Replacement & Infrastructure Repair - Transfer Station

 $     300,000.00

Town Facilities

 Public Works Generator

 $     263,000.00

Town Facilities

 Sterling House Elevator (Architect Design)

 $       25,000.00

 CIP - Town Bond

 $ 5,573,100.00

Public Safety

 2-Way Radio Replacement

 $     500,000.00

Public Safety

 Rescue 1 (Pumper) Replacement: Headquarters Co. 1

 $     480,000.00

Public Works

 Vehicle Replacement - 2 single-axle dump trucks

 $     366,000.00

Public Works

 Vehicle Replacement - 1 Mason 550 dump trucks

 $     100,000.00

Public Works

 Vehicle Replacement - 10-wheel tandem Dump Truck

 $     195,000.00

Public Works

 Vehicle Replacement - 4 Wheel Drive SUV Vehicles

 $     108,000.00

 CEP - Town Bond

 $ 1,749,000.00

Schools

 BOE Technology Infrastructure

 $     175,000.00

Schools

 Franklin General Masonry Repairs

 $       25,000.00

Schools

 Franklin Flooring - Main Floor Repairs

 $     200,000.00

Schools

 Franklin Playground & Field 

 $       85,000.00

Schools

 Franklin Closet Doors

 $       30,000.00

Schools

 Johnson Auditorium Update

 $     141,000.00

Schools

 Football Field House @ Longbrook Park

 $     175,000.00

Schools

 Various Schools Doors & Hardware

 $     117,700.00

Schools

 Various Schools Miscellaneous Projects

 $     200,000.00

Schools

 Wooster Kitchen Floor

 $     100,000.00

Schools

 BOE FOG (Fat, Oils & Grease)

 $       93,000.00

Schools

 BOE General Repairs

 $     135,000.00

Schools

 Nichols Window Replacement

 $     140,000.00

Schools

 BOE Replacement of Sidewalk, Curb & Stairs

 $       75,000.00

Schools

 Nichols Structural repair of 2nd/3rd Floors

 $       50,000.00

Schools

 Flood Main Distribution Panel Room

 $       50,000.00

 CIP - BOE Bond

 $ 1,791,700.00

Total Town & BOE Bond

 $ 9,113,800.00