Amy Noort, recreation superintendent for the Town of Stratford, reported a larger-than‑usual roster of youth teams, new program offerings and summer hiring postings, and described constraints on the small Ella pool, which she said the town uses under a state lease.

"We have our most teams ever since I've been here," Noort said, describing six younger girls’ basketball teams and multiple older teams. She said the department will travel to nearby Milford to play an opponent that has only two teams.

Noort listed upcoming and current programs: kindergarten and preschool basketball, soccer, track, theater, art, an introductory kitchen program, after‑school offerings (mad science, tennis, school‑based art), and an introductory youth pickleball program that had no signups at the time of the meeting. Adult programs include daytime pickleball, two yoga classes, aquatic workouts and open swims.

On staffing, Noort said the department recertified 15 lifeguards during a recent training and posted summer job openings online in January after a minimum‑wage adjustment. "I've posted all the summer jobs. They're up online now," she said.

Several participants raised questions about the town’s long‑term plans for the Ella pool. Noort said the pool sits on property controlled by the state and that the town uses it under a lease: "We have a lease from the state to use that. So we're using it. It's really the state's property, and they allow us to use it." She advised residents to raise long‑term decisions about the facility with the town council and mayor’s office.

Noort noted the pool's size limits lesson capacity and viewing; the deepest part is about 5 feet and the shallow part about 2 feet, and she said the facility suits young learners rather than lap swimmers. She said winter swim lessons and open family swims have been well attended while college‑age staff are home and that the department plans further sessions beginning in mid‑February.

No formal actions were taken. Commissioners thanked staff for outreach and social media updates and asked Noort to share schedules for spring and summer programming when available.