Mayor David Chess

04/19/2026

What a fantastic evening at the Juneteenth Grand Marshal’s Gala last night! All of the honorees were inspiring, the children’s performance was delightful, and the fashion show was dazzling. Best of all, Mr. and Miss Juneteenth gave everyone hope for the future. Truly impressive young people who spoke from their hearts. Looking forward to the parade - hope to see you there!

04/18/2026

Over the past week, I shared a few tax relief options my administration proposed to the Town Council this budget cycle. These options aim to help ease the tax burden on homeowners following the Revaluation. The Town Council is considering these options but hasn't voted to formally approve any at this time. While I have recommended the Homestead Act, I appreciate the time the Town Council is taking to carefully consider how each option would affect residents before making a final decision through a formal vote.

Since there's been a lot of information shared, and because tax relief options are on the hearts and minds of all of us, and are very important to me, I invite you to a Budget Q & A for Residents that I will be hosting on Monday, April 20th, from 5:30 - 6:30 PM. My goal is to empower you with the information you're seeking and answer your questions.

The Q & A is an opportunity for residents to ask me anything top of mind about the budget process, including the tax relief options under discussion, how we will calculate the mill rate, and more.

You can attend the meeting in our Council Chambers at Town Hall or by joining us online via Zoom. I will take as many questions as we have time for, starting with in-person attendees and then Zoom attendees. If you're attending on Zoom, you must register in advance of the event by visiting https://townofstratford.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uVjD4knbQ5yGXzGUK1Epmg

We will share the link of the recording of the meeting on Tuesday.

For any questions, please email [email protected]

04/17/2026

This week, the Town of Stratford recognized National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week with a proclamation ceremony, where I 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 activity over the radio, providing critical and time-sensitive information, and working to ensure the safety of everyone in our community. I want to thank them for their dedication and service to help keep us all safe.

04/16/2026

Yesterday, I announced that Renee Dominguez has been selected as Stratford’s new Police Chief. 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.

"It is a true honor to be named Chief of the Stratford Police Department,” said Renee Dominguez. “I look forward to working alongside our dedicated officers and partnering with the community to foster a culture grounded in trust, integrity, and collaboration. Together, we will continue to move the department and the Town of Stratford forward with transparency, professionalism, and a shared commitment to public safety."

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.

You can read the full press release by visiting https://www.stratfordct.gov/article/2824558

04/15/2026

Friendly reminder that our Bulk Waste Pick Up and Yard Waste Collection Programs are underway! Here's what you need to know:

1.) Bulk Waste Pick Up Program

Our bulk waste program for 2026 has begun! Residents must make an appointment for their bulk items to be picked up before placing them curbside.

How to make an appointment? Call our Department of Public Works at 203-385-4080.

Hours: 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Each household is allowed one appointment per year for the collection period, April 6, 2026 – September 17, 2026

Learn more by visiting https://www.stratfordct.gov/page/bulk-item-collection

2.) Yard Waste Collection

Our Yard waste collection season runs through mid-December. Items must be in paper kraft bags or open cans. The collection schedule runs every other week on the day after recycling pickup.

Learn more by visiting https://www.stratfordct.gov/page/leaf-pickup-and-yard-waste-pickup-information

04/15/2026

I had a great conversation with Melissa in the Morning today on WICC, The Voice of Connecticut. Take a listen. We talked about the Revaluation, the budget process, the Homestead Act option I proposed to ease homeowners' tax burden from the Revaluation that the Town Council is considering, and more.

Thank you for having me on your program, Melissa.

https://www.voiceofct.com/news/2026/04/15/melissa-in-the-morning/melissa-in-the-morning-homestead-act/3422

04/14/2026

Tune into WICC600 tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15, at 7:35 AM when I speak on the Melissa in the Morning Show about the Town of Stratford's budget process.

04/14/2026

This week, we have several Neighborhood Association Meetings, meetings where we meet you where you are, right in your neighborhood, to listen to the issues that are most pertinent to you! If you live in District 6, 10 or 2, I hope you'll consider attending your Neighborhood Association Meeting this week. You can see the full schedule below.

District 1 residents, please note that your next Neighborhood Association Meeting is scheduled for Tues. May 5 at Lordship Elementary School. It was originally scheduled for April 21, and we had to reschedule it due to a scheduling conflict.

04/14/2026

Here are my upcoming Open Office Hours, including one tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15, from 12:00 - 1 PM. A chance for residents to come meet with me 1-on-1. No appointments needed. It's a great opportunity for me to learn what's top of mind for residents and understand how I can help enhance the quality of life for everyone in our community.

04/13/2026

Over the weekend, I shared a few tax relief options my administration proposed to the Town Council. These could help ease the tax burden on homeowners following the revaluation.

We've been getting a lot of questions about the Homestead Act and want to be clear: While I strongly support the Homestead Act, and recommended it to the Town Council, the Homestead Act has NOT been implemented.

For any tax relief program to be implemented, the Town Council would have to take action by voting to approve it. If that happens, the Town of Stratford will contact all eligible property owners to inform them of the process, next steps, and deadlines.

In case you missed it, you can get a better idea of the tax relief options being considered by the Town Council by reading my newsletter from Saturday by visiting https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Updates-from-Mayor-Chess.html?soid=1142293099954&aid=3m_VOhb45Fs

After reviewing the options, I also ask that you please reach out to your Town Council representative to share your input on which you prefer. You can find your representative's contact information by visiting https://www.townofstratford.com/page/town-council

Here is my latest newletter to provide clarification on the Homestead Act https://conta.cc/4sAq4C6

04/13/2026

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 [email protected] or call 203-385-4029.

In addition to breakfast, the Town is planning a program that will include speakers, recognition of our veterans, and a traditional performance from the Stratford High School Select Choir.

Please note that we had to reschedule this event. It was originally scheduled for May 20. Thanks for your flexibility, and we hope to see as many veterans as possible there.

04/13/2026

I am trying to find as many ways as possible to communicate with residents so I can let you know what I'm working on and how you can get involved. One of those ways is through a monthly podcast series. Take a listen to my second podcast, a conversation about some of the goals I set out to achieve, including:

✅Opening Town Hall's doors to residents to enhance transparency and increase communication,
✅Strengthening community ties,
✅Fostering real economic development, to increase Stratford's commercial tax base, and reduce the tax burden on residential property owners,
✅Reinvesting in our kids, teachers and education system,
✅And more!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw1syWtSTMM

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