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Stratford Election 2025: Carl A. Glad Running For Town Council

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, October 12th 2025 at 7:03 GMT by Patch
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Stratford Town Council Race 2025: Carl Glad Enters the Field

The 2025 Stratford Town Council election has entered its final stage of candidate filing, and one of the most discussed entrants is Carl Glad. According to the latest filing at the Town Clerk’s office, Glad has officially declared his candidacy for one of the council seats that will be decided in the November 2025 municipal election. His campaign marks a return to local politics for a resident who previously served on the council from 2018 to 2020, and his platform underscores a mix of fiscal responsibility and community engagement.

Who Is Carl Glad?

Glad, a lifelong Stratford resident, has built a reputation as a pragmatic advocate for small‑business development and infrastructure improvement. Before entering politics, he worked as a senior project manager for a regional construction firm, a role that has given him hands‑on experience with zoning regulations, road maintenance budgets, and public‑private partnerships. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut and a master’s in Public Administration from the University of Massachusetts.

In his current campaign materials, Glad emphasizes his commitment to transparent budgeting, citing his past efforts to reduce municipal waste through a citywide recycling initiative that cut landfill usage by 18 percent in 2019. He also pledges to focus on improving the town’s aging roadways, particularly the stretch of Route 15 that crosses the Connecticut River. The candidate argues that better road conditions will not only enhance safety but also stimulate local commerce by improving access to the Stratford Marketplace.

Key Issues on the Agenda

The 2025 election will address several pressing matters for the town:

1. Budget Management – The council will oversee a budget of approximately $85 million, covering everything from school supplies to emergency services. Glad’s fiscal plan includes a proposal to freeze property taxes for the next two years while seeking alternative revenue streams through a modest increase in the sales tax on luxury goods.

2. Infrastructure Modernization – Beyond roads, the town has an ongoing project to upgrade its water distribution system. Glad has pledged to accelerate the timeline of the $12 million water infrastructure grant from the state, arguing that early completion would reduce long‑term maintenance costs.

3. Community Services – The council will decide on funding levels for after‑school programs and the local library’s expansion. Glad’s platform includes support for expanding the library’s digital services, a response to a recent survey that indicated 75 percent of residents use the library’s online resources.

4. Sustainability Initiatives – A growing debate centers on the town’s plan to increase renewable energy usage. Glad supports the current proposal to install solar panels on municipal buildings, noting that the town’s existing solar farm on the high school campus already supplies 30 percent of its power.

The Election Timeline

The Stratford Board of Elections will hold a primary election in April 2025, with the general election scheduled for November 8, 2025. Candidates will have to secure a plurality of votes to win a seat on the seven‑member council. The town’s charter requires that each council member serve a four‑year term, and incumbents are eligible for re‑election. Several seats will be open this cycle, including the two seats that were last contested in the 2023 election. The current council, led by Chairperson Maria Santos, will be replaced by a new group after the upcoming elections.

Where to Find More Information

Prospective voters can review Glad’s full campaign statement on the Town of Stratford’s official website. The statement includes a detailed budget outline, a timeline for proposed infrastructure projects, and a Q&A section addressing common concerns about public safety and zoning. Additionally, the council’s meeting minutes from the last session (available on the Town Clerk’s page) provide insight into the current priorities and how Glad’s positions align with or diverge from existing council actions.

For those interested in a deeper dive into the town’s financials, the annual financial report for 2024 is posted on the Town Finance page, offering a breakdown of expenditures and projected revenues for the next fiscal year. A comparative analysis of the 2024 report with the 2022 figures illustrates the growth in both revenue and spending, highlighting areas where Glad proposes reallocations.

Community Reaction

Local residents have expressed mixed reactions to Glad’s candidacy. A recent neighborhood association meeting held at the Stratford Community Center saw several homeowners praise his experience with infrastructure projects, citing past improvements such as the new pedestrian bridge over the Riverbank Trail. Others voiced concerns about the proposed tax freeze, questioning whether it might lead to cuts in essential services.

Community groups such as the Stratford Youth Advocacy Group have called for a stronger focus on mental health services, a topic Glad acknowledged in a recent interview at the Town Hall. The candidate stated that he plans to work with the council to secure additional funding for counseling programs at local schools, an initiative that aligns with the town’s 2023 mental health budget expansion.

Looking Ahead

As the campaign season progresses, Carl Glad will likely engage in a series of town hall meetings, radio interviews, and canvassing efforts. His opponents, which include a mix of seasoned politicians and new entrants, will also articulate their visions for the future of Stratford. Voters will have the chance to evaluate each candidate’s plans for fiscal prudence, community well‑being, and long‑term growth.

Ultimately, the 2025 Stratford Town Council election promises to shape the direction of the town for the next four years. Whether Carl Glad’s blend of engineering insight and public service will resonate with the electorate remains to be seen, but his early entrance into the race signals a robust debate that will likely involve the entire community.