Stafford Free Press

Plan the rest of your trip with a little help from our Business Spotlight section. www.staffordfreepress.com/all-news/cat...

OrchardWorks Brings a Touch of Salem to Stafford Learn about OrchardWorks' plans for the new space on Main Street in Stafford.

Once you're done at Primrose Salon & Antiques, no shop says #SpookyAutumn more than Stafford's very own #magicwandshop
www.staffordfreepress.com/post/orchard...

Autumnal Antique Hunting at Primrose Salon & Antiques Nestled in Staffordville, Primrose Salon & Antiques offers a unique experience for fall road trippers.

Looking for a destination for an autumnal day trip? We have an idea (plus a few more cute Stafford destinations). www.staffordfreepress.com/post/autumna...

What’s Up with the Witt School? Learn about the latest plan for the Witt School.

New England is littered with cool old buildings. This one might get a new lease on life soon.

#redevelopment #reuse #brownfields #connecticut #stafford www.staffordfreepress.com/post/what-s-...

A New Life for the Old Dry Cleaner Building? Discover what one couple with vision hopes to bring to an unused building in downtown Stafford.

Keep your fingers crossed 🤞This old building could get a new life.

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/a-new-l...

Election | Stafford News

The Candidate Q&As are coming in fast and furious! I won't post them all, but feel free to scroll through the Election page to see who is running and why.
www.staffordfreepress.com/all-news/tag...

Fall into Fun: Upcoming Events in Stafford, CT this Autumn Fall may be the busiest time of year in Stafford. Learn about the long line-up of events this season.

Fall is New England's time to shine. Stafford has a lot ot offer during this time of year. AppleFests, live music, Trick or Treat on Main (which is also fun for grown-ups), and a scarecrow contest are just the beginning. www.staffordfreepress.com/post/fall-in...

Nearly 2 million Americans on unemployment, highest since pandemic era Continuing unemployment claims jumped to 1.97 million in late July, according to a Labor Department report, highlighting a weakening labor market.

The number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits for at least a week rose to the highest level since late 2021, according to Labor Department data.

LuAnn’s Bakery & Cafe is Open for Business in Stafford It's finally here. Learn what to expect at Stafford's newest Main Street business.

@esoterrance.bsky.social This opening was great timing. Arts on Main is tonight, and LuAnn's will be open for business...along with all its neighbors.
www.staffordfreepress.com/post/luann-s...

New England was once full of textile mills. Today, many of them are luxury condos and food courts. But this Stafford Springs-based mill is still serving its original purpose, even if it's not always easy.

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/america...

Parties Announce Candidates With Some Surprises Find out who is seeking elected office in November.

An endorsement across party lines is rare in this day and age, but we've got one! www.staffordfreepress.com/post/parties...

#localnews #ctnews #localpolitics #localgovernment

BOF Votes to Move $700k of Self-Insurance Funds BOF takes action to start paying back the General Fund.

We've gotten to know more about self-insurance than we ever imagined.

#localnews

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/bof-vot...

Town Responds to BOE's FOIA Request An update on where the BOE's FOIA request stands.

Things. Are. Tense.

#localnews

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/town-re...

Town Makes Budget Changes to Avoid a Mill Increase Stafford will dip into the General Fund to offset the mill rate increase.

Budget news changes so quickly that we can barely keep up. Here's the latest on Stafford's budget.

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/town-ma...

#localnews #budgetnews #smalltownct

A New Day for the EDC? First Selectman Bill Morrison is trying to revive the Economic Development Commission (EDC), starting with a meeting on May 28, 2025. He came prepared with application forms and resignation forms. Pre...

Economic development is a long, hard slog. Could new volunteers be the answer?

#localnews #CTnews #staffordct #economicdevelopment

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/a-new-d...

Wildlife underpass reduces squished amphibians by 80% Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Email address Sign up Thank you! Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Vulnerable amphibians are getting some help from an effective and pretty simple intervention–wildlife underpass...

Wildlife underpass reduces squished amphibians by 80%
->Popular Science | #Wildlife #Amphibian | More info from EcoSearch

Stafford Road & Construction Updates Get a quick update on projects you'll see around town this summer.

There's going to be a lot of asphalt and concrete going down this summer.

#localnews #staffordct

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/staffor...

BOF Votes to Move $490k from BOE Budget to BOS Debt service funds moved out of BOE budget and over to the BOS.

This doesn't impact the overall budget; it just moves funding from one side to the other.

#schoolbudget #budgetseason #townbudgets

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/bof-vot...

I believe Hartford may be the only other city in the country to have zoning that would allow this neighborhood to exist as of right without a special hearing (In the core of downtown only). The only thing standing in the way is project economics here

The Impact of a 0% Budget Increase Becomes Clearer After two failed referendums, the town’s various boards are scheduling multiple meetings a week to reach a budget proposal they think the voters will accept. This week, there’s already been one Board ...

Two failed budget referendums later, Stafford puts forth a "flat-funded' budget. Here are the consequences.

#localnews #staffordct #budgets #schoolcuts #Connecticut

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/the-imp...

PZC Allows Path to Expansion for Existing Non-Conforming Businesses Discover what this means for business owners of a specific type.

Some good news for businesses hemmed in by pre-existing issues. Neighbors might not love it.

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/pzc-all...

Stafford To Settle Over Burial Buses Learn about the weirdest lawsuit I've ever had to report on.

If you need a reprieve from the serious news of the day, this just might be the story you need. But, also, it's super gross...

#localnews #smalltowns #weirdlawsuits

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/staffor...

FDA making plans to end its routine food safety inspections, sources say Food safety inspections would be left to state and local authorities under the plan being developed by the FDA.

We're told the FDA is now making plans to end most of its routine food safety inspections

That oversight work would be effectively outsourced to state and local authorities, under this plan

www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-foo...

BOE Discusses Title VI Compliance During the April 7, 2024, Board of Education meeting, member Aaron Hoffman made a motion to add a new item to the agenda: a discussion of “Certification of Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights...

CSDE has decided it won't sign the federal anti-DEI letter. Schools are left wondering what will happen to their federal funding. www.staffordfreepress.com/post/boe-dis...

BOE Deficit Down, But Not Eliminated The latest status update on the BOE's budget deficit.

While the BOE keeps its fingers crossed and hopes to get its budget approved, it's also wrestling with this year's deficit.

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/boe-def...

Comparing 2025-2026 Budget Proposals Comparing and contrasting Stafford's budget to similar towns.

Context is key when understanding your town's budget proposals. So, we compared Stafford's requests to those of similar towns.

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/compari...

Don't forget, this was rescheduled to March 29. You can still get cold fora good cause! #coldplungechallenge #fundraiser #polarplunge

BOF Sends Budget to Voters to Decide After hours of public comment and discussion, the budget proposal will got to a referendum.

Now, the real work begins. Convincing Stafford's voters to accept a budget increase is never easy.

#localnews #municipalbudgets #schoolbudgets

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/bof-sen...

From 'just cause' to zoning reform, these CT housing proposals move closer to becoming law Proposals around "just cause eviction," fair rent commissions and zoning reform advanced out of Connecticut's Housing Committee on Thursday.

From 'just cause' to zoning reform, these CT housing proposals moved closer to becoming law last week
www.ctinsider.com/politics/art...

BOF Tells BOE It Must Get Deficit to $0 BOF does not favor a supplemental appropriation for schools.

What happens if a Board of Finance refuses to support a supplemental budget appropriation for schools? We're not sure, but we might find out.

#localnews #staffordct #educationfunding #ctnews

www.staffordfreepress.com/post/bof-tel...