Resident urges Stratford to add shelters, food distribution for people experiencing homelessness

Vin Marrenti, a Stratford resident, told the Town of Stratford council at the Feb. 10 public forum that he is concerned about visible homelessness in town and urged the council to consider additional shelters and distribution centers.

“My concern is that there I see a lot of homeless people on the streets, and they're, like it's kind of sad that they have no home and that they're struggling like this,” Marrenti said. “So just the thought that maybe we can build more homeless shelters or more, like, distribution centers like food and stuff like that.”

Marrenti identified his residence while speaking and asked the council to “hear me out.” The public comment segment limited speakers to three minutes; Marrenti completed his remarks without interruption. The council did not respond during the forum, consistent with the town’s practice of not engaging in substantive discussion during public comment.

Marrenti’s remarks raised a community-service request rather than a formal proposal; no town staff members presented costs, timelines or implementation steps at the forum. Any council consideration of shelters or food-distribution centers would require staff reports and likely coordination with social-service providers and regional funding sources before action could be taken.