At a meeting last Monday evening, the Stratford City Council met with Hamilton County Economic Development Director Cindy Im on the Hamilton County Housing Needs Assessment. She explained that there is a housing need in the county as well as in Stratford according to the assessment that was done in October,2024. Im went on to explain that they are seeing a big increase in senior population. She went on to explain the job market in Hamilton County. There was a breakdown of the housing type for Stratford and what tools and strategies are available if the community of Stratford were to look at a housing development project
The Stratford City Council approved the road closure request for Tennyson Avenue for the “Stratford On The Loose” parade route and Avon Street for the train on July 12th and to allow the Stratford Community Development Corporation to use the electricity at the park.
A discussion was held on the property currently owned by the Swedish Historical Society on Bellville Road. The society no longer have a use for the property. The property was given to the Swedish Historical Society back in 1982 for the sale price of $1.00 with the stipulation the Swedish Historical Society remove the block foundation prior to the sale. The Stratford City Council agreed with the request from the society.
The council approved the replacement of the rock wall front panel and hardware for the City Park playground equipment at the cost of $1,961. Work on the project will begin in the next few weeks. There was the approval of the purchase of a recognition plaque for the years of service for Larry Runyan.
Stratford city manager Kim Leeds said the outdoor swimming pool is up and running for the season with the pool ending up with two part-time guards, three full-time guards and the possibility of another new lifeguard. The lessons will be a very small group with only three guards available for the summer.
City manager Leeds and the council held a lengthy discussion on the current tree ordinance in Stratford and looked at various other cities and their ordinances on trees. The council requested Leeds to build a tree ordinance for Stratford and put in on the agenda for the July 14th Stratford council meeting.