Mayor Harkins Addresses Historic District

Despite a driving rain, historic district residents came out to a town-hall-style meeting with Mayor John Harkins on Thursday night. Mayor Harkins spoke with the group for over an hour, addressing both local and town-wide concerns, such as commuter parking, Stratford Center revitalization, Shakespeare Theater, AVCO, Long Beach West and, perhaps most importantly, Harkins' long-term vision for Stratford.

The Mayor stressed a need for "looking forward," restoring optimism and working together as citizens of a great community. He noted there were many challenges ahead, but the focus now is on solutions, not problems. Despite a severe shortage of funding, the Mayor is optimistic about the changes that will be taking place in Stratford with the support and helping hands of all its citizens.

OSNA wishes to extend warm thanks to both Mayor Harkins and Christ Church for an informative evening.

Meet the Mayor at OSNA Business Meeting, February 25

OSNA proudly presents and opportunity to meet and participate in an open question and answer dialog with newly appointed MAYOR JOHN HARKINS at our annual business meeting.

Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall
2000 Main Street
Thursday, February 25
7 pm

Neighbors, take advantage of this opportunity to welcome Mayor Harkins and to firmly present the benefits to him and the town of being a strong advocate of our neighborhood.

Speak personally and directly to the mayor about issues that concern you:

• Shakespeare Theater Development
• Downtown and Commuter Parking
• Hard's Corner
• Historic District Definition and boundaries

What do YOU care about the most?

Through strong neighborhood attendance and participation we can show Mayor Harkins we're an active dynamic organization which cares deeply about our community!

Coffee and refreshments will be served.

Remaking Stratford Center?

The town has scheduled a public workshop for 7 p.m. TODAY at the Baldwin Center to begin the development of a feasibility study to assess the potential for village-type development near the train station.

The town last year received a $50,000 grant to commission a study of the feasibility of creating a Transit-Centered Development (TCD) in Stratford Center. TCDs generally are mixed-used developments within walking distance of train stations. Developments typically include high-density residential uses, commercial services and limited offices uses, with an emphasis on pedestrian and and bicycle connections, and limited automobile use.

Creating villages around train stations enables people to live in one community (e.g., Stratford) and access employment opportunities in another community along the fixed-rail system (e.g., Stamford or NYC).

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, only 25% of Stratford's employed population actually works in Stratford. Also, the mean average commute time for Stratforders grew from 23.5 minutes in 2000 to 27.8 minutes between 2006 and 2008.

Allow me to emphasize that this is a STUDY -- no one is building anything in Stratford Center. However, if you are interested in learning more about a future that MIGHT be, please come to the Baldwin Center tonight at 7 to learn more about this idea. The estimable Dave Killeen (203-385-4017) is the town's point person on this project.

Let me add that while your humble correspondent sits on the TCD Steering Committee as a representative of a "stakeholder" group (OSNA), I have expressed neither support nor opposition to this type of hypothetical development. However, your input would be most welcome as OSNA monitors issues and developments of importance and interest to our neighborhood.

Yr. obedient servant,

Michael Bingham

OSNA

Doors of Perception

Our awesome new(ish) neighbor and graphic artiste extraordinaire Whitney Mercurio has created a beautiful set of notecards featuring photographs of some of our neighborhood's most distinguished doors. To say they are beautiful does not quite do them justice -- and they're here right in time for holiday gift-giving! Just $20 for a set of 13. They'll be for sale at Sunday's post-caroling party, or e-mail us through the OSNA blog (that is, THIS site).

Lift Every Voice

Yup, it's that time of year again -- time for the annual OSNA Caroling Party! We'll meet atop Academy Hill (next to Stonehenge) at 4 p.m., then terrorize the neighborhood with seasonal songs. Fun for the whole family! We may even have snow! Refreshments to follow at 2134 Elm Street (entrance in rear). Be there -- aloha!

Holiday House Tour

Sterling House News

Holiday House Tour/Mistletoe Mansion - 2009 November 21st, 2009

Sunday, Dec. 6^th: Holiday House Tour, 2-4 pm; Tickets: $15; featuring 5 distinctive seaside homes in the Lordship area of Stratford; Mistletoe Mansion, 4-7 pm at Sterling House; Tickets: $25; join us for a festive evening of holiday carolers, elegant Hors D’oeuvres, select wines and beer, chocolate fountain, desserts and a Silent Auction filled with theme gift baskets, gift certificates and sports tickets; Purchase tickets for both events at a discount of $35; Tickets now n sale at Sterling House, 2283 Main Street, Stratford; for more information contact Patty Calabrese at Ext. 107; VISA, MC, AMEX accepted.

Stratford Center Holiday Festival

A new venue for Stratford Center is upon us this Holiday Season! Please join all the Downtown merchants in welcoming the Holidays on Wednesday, December 2. From 4pm to 8pm Main Street will be closed at East Broadway to Linden Streets and the entire Center will be alive with the Spirits of the Season!

Performing will be: the Stratford High Choir; strolling carolers, the Coastal Chordsmen and many others. Join the merchants and residents for a tree lighting at Milford Bank and hot cocoa and cookies at the event tent. Special discount coupons will be given out for participating restaurants. There will also be a fire engine for the kids to see and plenty of elves running around. Who else may the elves bring with them? Stop by and see!

For more information please call the Stratford Department of Economic Development @ 381-1351.