Drainage issues in Stratford was one of the issues covered in this week’s meeting of the Stratford City Council. Engineer Jim Leiding of Bolton and Menk,Incorporated said there were several concerns. They include tile disconnects on North Dryden Street, the culvert at Teneyck Avenue and Dryden Street and ponding at Teneyck Avenue and Commercial Street. The Bolton and Menck firm coordinated with Ubben Tiling for work on the disconnection at North Dryden The issue with the culvert at Teneyck Avenue and Dryden Street was discussed. This is for possible improvement prior to Hamilton County completing a mill and overlay project on Teneyck Avenue.After the review it was determined that the impact of the improvement is minimal and does not justify the cost of installing the new culvert. A recommendation to the city council was for the hiring of a contractor to do exploratory excavation on improving the storm water drainage on the east side of Teneyck Avenue. The council thanked Leiding for his work and will take up the recommendations for the drainage issues.
The Stratford City Council discussed the playground equipment in the City Park. After inspection from Boland Recreation, they suggested replacing the playground equipment after 20 years. The equipment was erected in 2007. The equipment will be power washed and panels for the rock wall and bubble window will be replaced this year, as any future expenses are not included in the current budget.
Swedish Historical Society board member Greg Anderson approached the city about someone interested in buying their property. The Swedish Historical Society is dissolving and want to give the land back to the city. The city sold the land to the Swedish Historical Society for $1.00. If the city would obtain the property and then decided to sell it, that would go thru the proper legal and public hearings to sell the property, It would give any resident or citizen the opportunity to purchase. The Stratford City Council tabled action on the recommendation from Anderson to gather more information on the property currently owned by the Swedish Historical Society.
Nancy Baker of the Stratford Community Development Corporation presented information to the council on their Stratford on the Loose celebration set for July 12th and a request of $3000 donation for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Baker stated that the corporation would apply the funding towards fundraising for numerous events and roof repairs. A request to close Shakespeare Avenue from the Stratford Library to Tennyson Avenue starting at noon on July 12th for the Stratford on the Loose celebration. The Stratford council approved the recommendations by the development corporation.
The Stratford City Pool will open for the season on May 31st at 1:00 p.m.There are three certified full-timei lifeguards and two part time lifeguards. The city of Stratford would like to hire at the very least two more certified lifeguards for the pool to remain open for the summer season without the disruption of operations. Swim lessons in Stratford will begin June 23rd through June 27th.