Updates from Mayor Chess

April 22, 2026 | Issue 11

🌍Happy Earth Day! In this newsletter, you’ll find:

Budget Updates
Stratford Selects Renee Dominguez as Police Chief
Happy Earth Day! Earth Day Related Events
Walk N' Talk Sessions with our Health Department
Veteran Updates
How to Get Involved
Stratford Celebrates
The Grand Re-opening of Outriggers Restaurant
Stratford in the News

Budget Updates

On April 13, my Administration presented several options to the Town Council to reduce the burden on our taxpayers. You can watch the full budget workshop and see the presentation here.

On April 20, I hosted a Budget Q&A for residents to empower you with information and answer your questions. You can watch the full recording here. We had over 70 people attend in person, and over 100 people on Zoom. I want to thank everyone in the community who participated.

I know taxes and the budget process are heavy topics that weigh on the hearts and minds of just about everyone. And there has been a lot of information shared. So, I wanted to reiterate several important takeaways from the Budget Q & A on Monday night.

Key Takeaways from the Budget Q&A

The Homestead Act can't be done for this year. We just don’t have enough time to do it. The process will take our team over six months to execute. The delay till next year has nothing to do with the Town Council's deliberations.
The Budget is still being worked on, and we are still trying to find additional savings.
In addition to working to find additional savings, the current choices in front of our Town Council to help ease the tax burden for homeowners are listed to the right.

Choices in front of our Town Council

a. Pass the budget and implement the new mill rate and taxes without modifications.

i. We can follow up in a year with the Homestead Act valuation discount (5% to 35%).

b. Pass the budget and implement a phase-in over 3 years.

i. Pass the budget and 50% phase-in in year one, followed by the Homestead Act for the following three years.

c. Pass the budget and give a moratorium for 1 year on the motor vehicle tax with full implementation of the new valuation, followed by the Homestead Act for three years.

You can watch the full recording here

Upcoming Budget Meetings and Timeline:

Monday, April 27, Budget Workshop Session 5 in Council Chambers (start time will follow the Ordinance Committee). A review of the Water Pollution Control Authority’s proposed budget. The recorded YouTube link will be uploaded the next day.

Wednesday, April 29, at 5:30, Budget Workshop Session 6 in Council Chambers. There will be a review of proposed Town Department budgets (Public Works: Recreation, Parks, Engineering, PW Administration, Highways, Town Garage, Refuse/Recycling and Building Maintenance.) The recorded YouTube link will be uploaded the next day.

*PUBLIC FORUM OPPORTUNITY

Monday, May 11, Town Council Meeting in Council Chambers, which includes a Public Forum, an opportunity for the community to share their input.

Our Town Council will set the mill rate by May 12.

Please continue to stay engaged in this budget process so that you have all the information needed to weigh in and share your input. Have questions or input? Please reach out to Mayor@townofstratford.com

Stratford Selects Renee Dominguez as

Police Chief

Last Wednesday, I announced that we selected Renee Dominguez as Stratford’s new Police Chief. Dominguez will oversee a 112 sworn officer department and help guide the future of public safety and community policing in the town of more than 52,000 residents, and will also be the first female police chief in Stratford’s history.

I am thrilled to appoint Renee Dominguez as our next police chief. She brings over 25 years of valuable experience serving in three police departments across Connecticut, where she rose through the ranks and became a respected leader with deep knowledge of law enforcement. She is fully prepared to lead the dedicated men and women who serve and protect Stratford at this critical moment. Her professionalism and strong commitment to community policing and relationship-building will serve Stratford well.

Since 2022, Dominguez has served as Deputy Chief of Police for the Watertown Police Department, an agency of 42 sworn officers and 17 civilian support staff serving a town of approximately 25,000 citizens. She previously served as the Interim Chief of Police for the New Haven Police Department, an agency of 406 sworn officers and 51 civilian support staff serving a diverse city of approximately 130,000 citizens. She began her service as a Newtown Police Officer in 2000.

I want to thank the members of the Police Chief Search Committee for their time, expertise, and dedication to ensuring this process was thorough, fair, and done properly to identify the right candidate for our town. Following Dominguez’s interview, there was a unanimous consensus that she had the experience, leadership qualities, and integrity to lead our police department.

We are preparing for the administrative transition and will announce details about Dominguez’s Swearing-in Ceremony next week.

Read the Full Press Release here

Happy Earth Day!

Come to one of our upcoming Earth Day

related events.

Arbor Day Celebration

Please join us on Friday, April 24, at 12:00 PM on the Town Hall Green!

Stratford will host the 154th anniversary of Arbor Day with a tree planting ceremony, a proclamation reading, a flag raising, and 100 tree sapling giveaways!

Questions? Please email Town Councilwoman Lisa Carroll-Fabian at lcarroll-fabian@townofstratford.com or Town Councilman Chris Green at cgreen@townofStratford.com

Housatonic River Clean Up this Saturday, April 25 at 8:00 AM!

Questions or to sign up, please contact HRCUteam@gmail.com

Walk N' Talk Sessions with our

Health Department

The Stratford Health Department, Stratford Parents’ Place, and the Stratford YMCA invite families, including children, parents, and grandparents, to our weekly Multigenerational Walk & Talk series!

On the following Tuesdays in May (5/12, 5/19, and 5/26), they will gather at different locations around town for a community walk and a short talk from a local health professional. It is a fun way to stay active, connect with neighbors, and learn something new. Please see the flyer for more information. We hope to see you there!

I will be at the Walk N' Talk on May 12 in case you'd like to join me!

Veterans Updates

Stratford's Veteran Breakfast Wed. May 27 New Date

ATTN Veterans: Come to the Town of Stratford's Veterans Breakfast on May 27! Veterans and one guest are invited to attend free of charge.

When: 9:00 AM, Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Where: Vazzano’s Four Seasons, 337 Kenyon Street, Stratford

RSVP: Veterans can email emitchell@townofstratford.com or call 203-385-4029.

Please note that we had to reschedule this event. Thanks for your flexibility, and we hope to see as many veterans as possible there.

Calling all Korean and Vietnam War Era Veterans

On Monday, June 15, I will be joined by Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz to honor our veterans at Stratford High School.

We will be doing a special program to recognize Korean and Vietnam era veterans for their service. If you or someone you know served during the Korean and Vietnam eras, please get in touch with us at mayor@townofstratford.com or (203) 385-4001 by Monday, May 18. All veterans and their families are welcome.

How to Get Involved

Come to Mayor Chess's Open Office Hours

Neighborhood Association Meetings Continue!

*More District Meeting dates to be announced soon.

Stratford Celebrates

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

Last week, the Town of Stratford recognized National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week with a proclamation ceremony, where we honored the essential men and women who work in our Public Safety Communications Center.

They act as the vital link between the public and emergency response personnel by monitoring radio traffic, providing critical, time-sensitive information, and ensuring the safety of everyone in our community. On behalf of our residents, we thank them for their dedication and service to help keep us all safe.

Fairfield County's Juneteenth Grand Marshal’s Gala

Last weekend, members of my team and I and members of the Town Council celebrated Juneteenth at Fairfield County's Juneteenth Grand Marshal’s Gala. All of the honorees were inspiring, and the children’s performance was delightful—truly impressive young people who spoke from their hearts.

The Grand Re-opening of Outriggers Restaurant

We were thrilled to celebrate the grand re-opening of Outriggers Restaurant with a ribbon-cutting, welcoming its new owners to Stratford!

Located right on the Housatonic River, Outriggers offers a true waterfront dining experience with stunning views, a lively atmosphere, and a menu centered around fresh, coastal flavors. From raw bar favorites and seafood classics like lobster rolls and stuffed shrimp to tacos, steaks, and shareable starters, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Guests can also take advantage of their outdoor deck, bar, and live entertainment during the summer months.

It was wonderful to see so many community members come out to support this exciting new chapter and experience the energy and hospitality firsthand. We wish the new ownership team much success and look forward to seeing Outriggers continue to thrive as part of Stratford’s vibrant dining scene. Here’s to new beginnings and many great seasons ahead on the water.