Stratford Greenway subcommittee to propose membership change to Planning Commission; staff outlines public-hearing steps

During the May 1 meeting, members of the Stratford Housatonic Greenway Complete Streets Subcommittee discussed a proposed change in committee membership to remove Ellen Frank and add Michael Murphy as an alternate.

Chair Harold Watson said the committee would reduce its membership and asked staff and the Planning Commission to process the change. Arlene (committee participant) and staff explained that the subcommittee is a subordinate body of the Planning Commission and that the committee’s change—reducing membership and appointing an alternate—must be placed on the Planning Commission agenda for action.

Watson asked members to provide Michael Murphy’s contact information; Jim said he already had Murphy’s contact and would forward it. Members agreed to prepare the materials needed for the Planning Commission and for Harold to reach out to Ellen Frank to confirm the change.

Separately, Susmita Tada, town planner, told the subcommittee that public hearings will be scheduled at 30%, 60% and 90% design stages for the Greenway project, and she reported the town is close to securing funding for phase 3 of the Greenway project. That schedule and the membership-processing steps were presented as staff-driven procedural items rather than final decisions by the subcommittee.

Next steps: Watson will provide Michael Murphy’s contact to staff; staff will place the committee-reduction and alternate appointment on the Planning Commission agenda as required; staff will schedule public hearings at standard design milestones.