A Message from First Selectman Vicki A. Tesoro

Welcome to the first edition of my monthly newsletter! Each month I will provide important information for residents and highlight some of the great things going on in town. I hope you enjoy reading!

Here at Town Hall, we are in the middle of a very busy budget season. After meeting with all our Town departments, I proposed my fiscal year 2024-2025 annual budget on March 4.

My proposed budget, as with the previous budgets I presented, represents an investment both in our present and our future. I am proud to say that the investments we have made have paid off for the benefit of all our citizens. Here are a few highlights.

In the area of public safety, we continue to fully fund our police and the results are impressive. Thanks to the hard work of our outstanding police officers, every category of crime is down significantly, compared to when I took office in 2017.

A pension for newly hired police officers after July 1, 2014, has been negotiated and restored in a priority investment to improve recruitment and retention of our officers. Next year's cost of that plan is included in my budget proposal.

Our school system is ranked number seven in our state. Our students excel in academic and athletic competitions in the state and on a national level. Our students continue to succeed post-graduation in the military, business and in college.

My advocacy for fairness in the State of Connecticut Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) grant program has paid off. We are due to receive an additional $1,093,509 from the State to help in our school investment and to keep taxes stable.

My budget proposal increases school funding by 4%, bringing total additional investment in our school system, during my years in office, to nearly $24 million dollars. This allows our exceptional teachers and administrators to continue to do the excellent work that has resulted in outstanding results for our community.

If my budget proposal is passed by the Board of Finance and the Town Council, it will result in a tax increase of 1.96%. This increase, well below the rate of inflation, will allow our wonderful community to continue to thrive and remain a community of choice for everyone.

The Board of Finance held budget hearings and voted on the budget on March 26, increasing the budget by $315,878. The budget now goes to the Town Council. The Finance Committee of the Town Council held hearings during the month of April, and the Town Council will vote on the budget on May 9. Please check the Town website for more information on the budget.

Vicki A. Tesoro, First Selectman

Town News

The Trumbull Farmers' Market is Returning to Trumbull Parks & Recreation!

We are thrilled to announce that Trumbull Parks & Recreation will host the 2024 Trumbull Farmers' Market.

Join us at Twin Brooks Park on Thursday evenings, beginning May 23 through October 10, 2024, from 4-7PM. The parking sticker requirement will be waived during market hours.

Focusing on small to medium sized Connecticut farms, the Trumbull Farmers' Market is committed to offering patrons fresh produce direct from locally sourced food providers. Shoppers should expect naturally harvested produce, locally grown flowers, fresh made baked goods, specialty food items, meats, fish, eggs, cheese, many organic selections and so much more!

At this time, all farms and vendors are confirmed for the 2024 market and Trumbull Parks & Recreation will share more details with you soon on what vendors and entertainment you can look forward to experiencing each week! For more information, please visit the Trumbull Farmers' Market website. We look forward to seeing you there!

$1.2 Million Federal Grant Received for Construction of New Veterans & First Responders Center

First Selectman Vicki A. Tesoro announced on March 15 that the Trumbull Veterans and First Responders Center project has been awarded a federal grant of $1,200,000. This grant award represents the final construction funding needed for the project, and was received through the support of Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, who were instrumental in obtaining this funding for the project.

Once constructed, this facility will support the 30,000 veterans in our region with a variety of services including job training, access to healthcare and other supports. First responders will utilize the facility for training critical in the performance of their jobs. The Town and a variety of civic organizations will utilize the facility for community meetings and programs, including events for small businesses.

Other funding received for the project includes a CT Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant in the amount of $129,999, $750,000 obtained by U.S. Representative Jim Himes, a grant to the VFW for $250,000 toward the project which was secured by State Representative Sarah Keitt, and $1.5 million in state bond funds approved under the leadership of State Senator Marilyn Moore. The project has enjoyed the bipartisan support of Trumbull’s legislative delegation.

With receipt of this grant, the project is ready to go to construction. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Friday, May 10.

Trumbull Mall Area Market Feasibility and Land Use Study Update

In 2023 the Town of Trumbull launched a Market Feasibility and Land Use Study for the Mall area that extends from the Merritt Parkway to the Bridgeport line, and from Madison Avenue to Main Street. The goal of the study is to develop a shared vision for the area that will be a culmination of research, market information, stakeholder input, best practices and professional input.

The third public meeting was held on March 5, 2024 to present the study's draft recommendations, potential future scenarios, and collect community feedback. The meeting was well attended and provided valuable information for the community.

For more information about the study, go to the Trumbull Mall Area Market Feasibility and Land Use Study website.

You can also watch the March 5 public meeting recording on Trumbull Community Television: Trumbull Mall Area Study 3/5/24 Community Meeting Video.

L to R: Athlete Mike Hedrick, Officer R. Carlson, Officer L. Llano, Officer J. Dzurenda Jr., Officer J. Sota, Chief M. Lombardo, Athete David Dennin, Athlete Carly Schwartz, and Lieutenant B. Weir

Trumbull Police Participate in Tip-A-Cop Event for Special Olympics

On Saturday, March 23, 2024, officers of the Trumbull Police Department participated in a Tip-A-Cop fundraising event to benefit Special Olympics, which was held at Old Towne Restaurant, located on Quality Street in Trumbull. During the event, officers assisted with helping the wait staff serve and mingle with customers as officers worked for tips that were all donated to Special Olympics Connecticut.

We would like to thank Old Towne Restaurant for their support in hosting this wonderful event, and all the generous patrons who helped raise over $1200 for this worthy cause. Some of our local athletes also attended to lend support for this fantastic event.

2024 Large Item Pickup Program

The Town of Trumbull's 2024 Large Item Pickup Program is now accepting appointments online. Residents can schedule their appointment on the Large Item Pickup Program by clicking this link on the Town website at Large Item Pickup Program.

The Town of Trumbull offers an annual Large Item Pickup Program to help residents dispose of items that are difficult for most homeowners to transport. Residents should schedule appointments early because they fill up quickly. Each household may only schedule one pickup each year. The program begins in April and continues through the end of September.

Senior and Disabled Homeowners Program

The application period for the Trumbull Senior and Disabled Homeowners Program is February 1, 2024 through May 15, 2024. Applications are accepted Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or by appointment in the Tax Assessor’s Office. For more information, including how to find out if you qualify and how to apply, please visit the Tax Assessor Web Page.

Trumbull Health Department and Sustainable Trumbull Partner to Offer Additional Recycling Locations

The Trumbull Health Department and Sustainable Trumbull have partnered to offer additional recycling locations in town. The Trumbull Health Department will have recycling boxes at 335 White Plains Road for beauty and cosmetics, oral care products, printer ink cartridges and toners, and plastic film. Residents can stop in at the Health Department, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm to recycle these household items.

Additional recycling drop off locations include:

Trumbull High School monthly recycling drive from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. This occurs the second Saturday of the month and is hosted by Sustainable Trumbull.
Trumbull Library, 33 Quality Street. Recyclables can be dropped off during normal business hours.

For more information about recycling products at the Trumbull Health Department and at other locations, as well as for more information about Sustainable Trumbull and how you can get involved, visit the Sustainable Trumbull web page.

Under Construction

Whitney Avenue and Main Street Intersection Improvement Project Update

G. Pic & Sons Construction Co. mobilized on Monday, April 15, 2024, to begin the Whitney Avenue and Main Street Intersection Improvement project.

The project includes construction of the new traffic signal, continuation of the sidewalk along the east side of Main Street to Broadway, realignment of the driveways adjacent to the intersection, and other improvements.

The anticipated completion is December of 2024. At this time, the road will remain open, but delays may occur at peak hours.

Reconstruction of Bridge on Rails to Trails Between Whitney Avenue and Old Mine Park

Zeiss Construction Group began work on the Rails to Trails bridge #2 on April 15th. Completion of the project to repair damage and improve safety of the bridge is anticipated to be completed the first week of June (weather permitting). The trail, from Whitney Avenue to Old Mine Park, will be closed for the duration of the project. We recognize the inconvenience this causes our trail users but is unavoidable.

This bridge is directly beneath the Route 25 roadway. This project requires removal of the decking, replacing rotted or damaged joists and girders, as well as re-establishment of footings. This project could not be done during the winter months, as any plowing and/or sanding on Route 25 sends snow, ice, and sand onto the bridge below Route 25. The town cannot allow workers to be on the bridge during such times. The physical environment for this project is more challenging than the previous bridge project due the rocks and cliffs over which the bridge is built. When completed, the bridges connecting the trail from Whitney Ave to Old Mine Park will be safe for pedestrian passage.

We ask your patience as we continue to improve the safety of our trails for your enjoyment. As a reminder, the trail between Whitney Avenue and Old Mine Park will be closed beginning on April 15, 2024.

Stormwater Management Project at Madison Middle School

You may have noticed that work is being done next to Madison Middle School on Madison Avenue. To ensure the safety of downstream residents, this project moves the stormwater storage underground, adds capacity, and improves the water quality to the receiving waterbody, Canoe Brook Lake. We anticipate the project to be completed late this summer.

2024 Road Paving Program Begins

Project Description

The Town of Trumbull Road Paving Program is dedicated to repairing various roads surface and subsurface infrastructure. This includes repairs to the drainage and sanitary systems that have been previously inspected.

When a road is being worked on, various sections of the road will be closed to through traffic at different times throughout this process. While the Town of Trumbull will endeavor to keep disturbance to a minimum, your patience is appreciated. Road construction work is anticipated to start at 7:00 AM daily. All bus stops will remain at their current locations.

Project Progress

The Town will post updates to the Town website and include the anticipated two week look ahead for the project. Dates and locations are subject to change if unforeseen factors arise.

4/17/24: 2 Week Look Ahead

Week of 4/22:

Begin drainage repairs on Rocky Ridge Drive
Begin milling Elmstead Road, Hampton Road, Histon Road, Johnson Street, Kingston Road, Mitchell Road, and Sherman Avenue

Week of 4/29:

Continue drainage repairs on Rocky Ridge Drive
Begin paving Elmstead Road, Hampton Road, Histon Road, Johnson Street, Kingston Road, Mitchell Road, and Sherman Avenue

Construction of new Indian Ledge Field is Underway!

FieldTurf has been hard at work constructing a new field at Indian Ledge Park. A stone base has been installed, and next steps include new lighting, fence completion, and finally turf.

School News

Trumbull High School Gymnastics Team

The Trumbull High Gymnastics team won the first Class L State title and first State Open title for the program in school history this season. The team finished their regular season undefeated, with a record of 12-0, and continued their success by winning the FCIAC Gymnastics Championship. They then went on to win the Class L State Championship meet, and the State Open Championship meet, where schools of all sizes compete for the best in State title. The Class L and State Open Championship wins are the first in Trumbull High history for the Gymnastics team. Congratulations to all the athletes!

We the People Team

The Trumbull High School We the People team tied for first place in the state championships and represented the state at the National finals in Washington, D.C. in April. Our talented students brought home the Unit 3 Award! We the People is a competition in which students demonstrate their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and the American government. We are so proud of their accomplishments!

Trumbull High School Ranked by U.S. News and World Report

U.S. News and World Report has released its 2024 rankings and Trumbull High School is ranked #835 nationally out of 17,655 high schools, which is in the top 5%, and #16 in Connecticut out of 198, which is in the top 8%. Congratulations to our students, faculty, staff, administrators, and parents for all their hard work!

Trumbull High School Boys' Basketball

The boys’ basketball team won the FCIAC Championship beating Staples 70-67 on February 27, 2024. The last time the basketball team won the FCIAC Championship was 1983. Congratulation to the team!

Trumbull High School Graduation Date

The Board of Education met on February 27, 2024 for a Special Meeting. At that meeting, they adopted Monday, June 10, as the Trumbull High School graduation date.

Trumbull Board of Education Master Plan

On March 26, 2024, the Board of Education approved the Educational Specifications for the New Hillcrest Middle School. This approval is a necessary step in the grant application process, which will be submitted to the state on June 30th. Visit this link for more information on the Trumbull Board of Education Master Plan.

Trumbull Public Schools Website

For more information about the Trumbull Public Schools visit their website.

Upcoming Events

Memorial Day 2024 Activities and Parade

First Selectman Vicki Tesoro is pleased to announce that the 2024 Memorial Day activities and parade will take place on Monday, May 27, 2024.

In recognition of the lives lost in Vietnam, a brief ceremony and wreath-laying will occur at 8 AM at the Vietnam Memorial on White Plains Road. All are welcome to attend.

The Town Hall ceremony at 9AM will honor parade Grand Marshal Specialist Keif Doyle. Specialist Doyle is currently the Associate Dean of Students at Trumbull High School. Specialist Doyle served in the United States Army in the military intelligence corps, graduating with a Top Secret SCI clearance. Specialist Doyle volunteered to join the American forces in the Middle East and was involved in the liberation of Kuwait. Please read his complete biography on the town website.

The parade itself will step off at 10 AM, beginning at the new shopping plaza, Long Hill Market, and ending at Town Hall. Groups wishing to march may register online.

The town will fly flags on Main Street from Memorial Day until September 11th. If you wish to sponsor a flag, please see our town website’s Memorial Day page for a purchase form. You may purchase a flag in honor of, or in memory of, a soldier who is deceased, has served, or is currently serving. Anyone can sponsor a flag in honor of all soldiers. The names of those being remembered or honored will appear in the program.

Please join us in honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Save the Date for Trumbull Day 2024!

Save the date for Trumbull Day 2024, which will be held Friday, June 28, 2024 from 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM and Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 2:00 PM - 10:30 PM. Fireworks will be on Saturday night, weather permitting. Rain Date is Sunday, June 30, 2024 for the carnival and fireworks if Saturday is canceled.

Visit the Trumbull Day website for updates and details about how to become involved.

Welcome to Our New Businesses

Please join us in supporting our new businesses. The following are businesses that have opened their doors in Trumbull since the beginning of 2024.

Choice Pet Trumbull

Choice Pet has opened at 37 Monroe Turnpike in the Fitness Edge plaza and is the 19th Choice Pet location.

Integrated Dermatology

Integrated Dermatology has opened its doors at 7 Cambridge Drive. The practice has moved to Trumbull from Bridgeport and is part of the largest independent dermatology group in the country.

Nathan's Famous

Nathan's Famous hot dogs has returned to the food court at the Trumbull Mall after a 15-year gap. The menu also incudes Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips items.

Lobo Reys Kitchen

Owner and chef Raul Rivera has opened Lobo Reys Kitchen at 4235 Madison Avenue, which serves Latin cuisine. Watch for an upcoming grand opening!

TLC Homecare

A ribbon cutting was held on January 27 for the opening of TLC Homecare Agency at 935 White Plains Road in Trumbull Center, owned by Tennesha Lynch.

Trumbull Academy of Karate

Trumbull Academy of Karate opened its doors at 6515 Main Street in Long Hill Green in January. Business owner Rob Librandi is a Trumbull resident and our Town Planner.

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News from the First Selectman - April 2024