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Stratford’s community services and Baldwin Center budget holds steady; transportation and grant-dependency noted
Summary
Community services director reported expanded counseling, a new early care apprenticeship funded by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, and a largely flat FY26 budget aside from payroll increases; Baldwin Center membership and attendance grew and transportation relies on two drivers plus a GBT contract.
Tammy, director of community services, told the ordinance committee that the community services budget for fiscal 2026 is largely unchanged aside from contractual payroll increases and described program expansions the department has launched this year.
“ This year, we have been able to significantly increase our counseling capacity. We have four graduate interns on board with us,” Tammy said, and she highlighted new school‑ and community‑based groups and a teen mental‑health first‑aid course started with Rotary Club support. She also described a Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) apprenticeship grant awarded to support an early care and education apprenticeship led by Ty Sims at the South End Community Center.
On grants, Tammy said some prevention work is supported with direct federal funds passed through the state and that the department has not received formal notice of cuts to most of its current grants. The director said that, if severe cuts occur, the department would work with community partners to pivot and preserve core prevention services.
Tammy also presented senior services (the Baldwin Center). She reported a 17% year‑over‑year increase in Baldwin Center membership (about 1,500 members total) and roughly a 10% increase in daily attendance (about 50 daily attendees). The center runs 23 instructor‑facilitated classes weekly and 19 member‑facilitated clubs, plus support groups and trips. On transportation, Tammy said the town currently funds two full‑time drivers and maintains three buses available for local runs; additional out‑of‑town medical rides are provided through a contract with GBT (Dial‑A‑Ride). “We have two full time drivers, so that has buses on the road full time for us locally, and then we also can supplement with the GBT contract,” Tammy said.
Council members asked whether programs dependent on federal or pass‑through funding could continue if grants stop. Tammy said the department would prioritize prevention work and leverage community partners (Sterling House, the YMCA and others) to sustain services. She also noted Meals on Wheels and congregate meals are provided regionally through SWACA and a vendor and that the town’s role is not to directly fund those meals.
Committee members pressed for clarifications on headcount and pay lines where grant‑funded staff are partly paid from the municipal budget; Tammy and finance staff said they would follow up to confirm how positions are reported in the budget book.
Ending: The ordinance committee closed the department review and moved to the next section of the budget book.
