LONG RANGE PLAN –  PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN FOCUS GROUP

STRENGTHS

            GROUP 1:      

Small size 
Schools good
People are doers
Recreational choices: beaches, recreation  dept., library, historical society
Access to educational opportunities: 2 colleges in town
Physical location: proximity to NYC

            GROUP 2:      

Arts: music teachers, theatre programs, choral groups
Community offers a lot of programs
The larger size of the town helps in offering services, activities
Easily accessible to NYC, etc. Location is good
School system is highly rated
Information gets through. Good local newspapers, radio

            GROUP 3:            

Beautiful place – location accessible to NYC. Beaches clean.
Welcoming – good services to residents.
Schools – Cooperation between parents, educators and community.
YMCA – “Neon Nights” program. Library can come up with similar programs for older children

WEAKNESSES

             GROUP 1:      

High School issue – no long term plan  
Limit on number of participants in programs
Traffic congestion
Lack of a good YMCA
Lack of parking at recreational areas
Lack of information about programs
Lack of decision

             GROUP 2:            

Indecision over school system
Jealousy, self-centeredness of some
One’s last name and religion seem important to some
Little diversity (racial, etc.
Lack of parking downtown & at train station
Children’s programs in Town are overcrowded
Community is not keeping up with the need for after- school and summer programs when both parents work  
Overdevelopment of real estate
Insufficient open space
Too much traffic

            GROUP 3:      

Delay in revitalization/construction of downtown
Board of Education – McKinley situation, governing body, school construction, lack of communication, no leadership
 Tunxis Hill area  - ignored re: beautification due to socio-economic diversity, McKinley school
Taxes high and going up
Fairfield Beach problem – University students, need to take control
Lack of child/YA activities in town
Need of recreation facilities – pools, skating rinks
Need for more volunteer opportunities for youth (middle school students and up)

OPPORTUNITIES

            GROUP 1:      

We need to make a decision
Use drop-in Story Hours   
Look to other models for solutions
Events calendar
Internet signups?

            GROUP 2:      

Town–wide vote on the High School situation
Need children’s (and adult) books on diversity, feelings
Additional funding – or charge a small fee for Children’s programs.
Find a way to admit those who can’t pay
Change zoning to protect open space

            GROUP 3:      

Strong leadership – need to identify and empower
Cooperation
Communication – leaders need to engage in this (i.e. Board of Education school construction)
Fund raising (SPARK as an example)
Sacred Heart University/Fairfield University – take advantage of the Facilities at these universities
Board of Education facilities – use these schools for youth programming during summer months

OBSTACLES

            GROUP 1:            

Bottleneck in local government
Increased building
Increased population
Lack of resources, money?
Lack of space

            GROUP 2:            

Negative effects of wealth: self-centeredness, feelings of entitlement
Poor attitudes: road rage, superior attitudes
Money affects people’s attitudes
Income diversity causes problems

             GROUP 3:      

Politics as usual
Special interest groups
Lack of money/financing
Zoning regulations
Lack of land (not residential for public use)

LONG RANGE PLAN -  ELECTED OFFICIALS FOCUS GROUP

STRENGTHS

            GROUP 1:      

Great recreational facilities – beach, nature trails, parks, golf, tennis
Diverse opportunities for involvement
Community participation
Higher educational opportunities
Good government
Geographic location – New York City , New Haven
Well-educated populace
Excellent school system

             GROUP 2:      

Library
Pride of the community
Participation/volunteerism (parade, government, education)
Generosity of residents
Natural resources (open space, beaches, lake)
School system
Universities (Fairfield, Sacred Heart)
Town employees
Location
Programs for residents (Health Department, Recreation center)
People
History
Zoning
Wakeman, YMCA
Pequot Library

            GROUP 3:            

Diversity (socio-economic)
Down-Home town (relaxed, comfortable, unpretentious, close-knit, Welcoming
It still is a community
High educational attainment level
Many education, cultural opportunities
Strong school system
Good physical facilities of various kinds
Beaches
Open space
Solvent, fiscally sound
Proximity to New York City and New Haven
Train access to New York
Recreation for all ages

 WEAKNESSES

            GROUP 1:      

Lack of diversity – ethnic, cultural
Anti-education bias
High cost of living for children and seniors
Traffic congestion
Lack of public transportation
No elderly housing options
Limited youth activities – no pool

            GROUP 2:      

Lack of undeveloped land
Lack of civility for elected/appointed officials
Lack of recreation resources (ball fields, skating rink, pool)
Traffic
Problematic relationship with universities
Lack of independent merchants/businesses
Lack of cohesive downtown opportunities
Lack of downtown parking (train station, waiting list)
Waiting list/overcrowding of marina/golf course
Lack of school planning

            GROUP 3       

Lack of racial diversity
Lack of low-cost housing
High cost of living
One must be able to drive to live in town
Lack of a town center
No planning for Black Rock Turnpike area
Dull
Too much hostility about public issues
Very NIMBY town

OPPORTUNITIES

            GROUP 1:            

Development of new railroad station
Local legislative action taken for apartments in commercial areas
There are many active organizations that are working to bring town together
Large number of youth that could help the community
Revitalization of downtown retail area
Change zoning laws – simplify the procedures

             GROUP 2:      

Solve school problem – find middle ground consensus 
Creative land acquisition (residential – tied to schools)
Improved traffic management (lots behind property, service roads)
Creative use of town’s facilities
Non-acceptance of uncivil behavior with elected/appointed Boards/commissions
Utilizing facilities for diverse issues in order to gain consensus

             GROUP 3:      

Sorting out the school space issues
Recreational facilities – a pool, skating rink
HVAC for the library
Keep acquiring open space, selectively
GE presents opportunities to attract other companies
Expand our commercial tax base
A small bus transportation system
Fairfield University is an under-exploited resource
Town can expand relationships with Sacred Heart and Fairfield University
Computerized community calendar

OBSTACLES

            GROUP 1:            

Weakening stock market – Fairfield  
Traffic congestion  
Indecision on school buildings  
Pollution of Long Island sound, existing contaminated buildings – Exide  
Competing interests – center vs. Stratfield, special interests  
Lack of planning – no long-term strategies  
Incivility

            GROUP 2:            

Downtown dying
Congestion/overcrowding  
BANANAS  
Loss of volunteerism/public service  
Civility issue

              GROUP 3:      

Merritt parkway and I95 and Post Road and Black Rock Turnpike – heavy traffic  
We risk losing our identity in blending into the northeast corridor 
Transient families  
College student problem at the beach  
School space problem  
Crime in shopping center parking lots  
Keeping the town affordable  
Ourselves  

LONG RANGE PLAN – GENERAL PUBLIC FOCUS GROUP

STRENGTHS

         GROUP 1:      

Super public high school
Sense of safety  
Sense of community 
Proximity to cultural events, Fairfield University, New York City, New Haven  
Beaches  
Public services – fire, police  
Having two universities in town  
Attractive spaces, homes  
Quality library  
Train system  
Excellent educational system – all levels  
Trees in town – dogwoods

            GROUP 2:            

Location (near New York City, near Long Island Sound)  
Not large/small – good size  
Diverse  
Good restaurants  
Downtown area – real 
Historical nature (Historical Society)  
Strong public safety (police/fire)  
Universities (Fairfield University, Sacred Heart)  
Safe community  
Open spaces – natural resources  
Opportunities for children – recreation programs)  
Relative strength of school system 
Town services – efficient/good

              GROUP 3:      

Beach – clean, pleasant, inexpensive  
Picturesque  
Historic community  
Safe  
Good police force 
Entertainment  
Schools and universities good  
Good transportation (train to New York)  
Friendly  
Wholesome  
Quiet  
Socio-economic diversity  
Strong library system  
Nice trees  
Parks and recreation

 WEAKNESSES

            GROUP 1:      

Town government is disparate – lack of integration  
Separate interest groups in town  
Downtown is underdeveloped  
Transportation is poor  
Too many cars  
Lack of information regarding services available in town  
Separation between center of town and Black Rock Turnpike and Southport  
Lack of information about separate areas  
No open space – not privately owned

            GROUP 2:            

Overcrowding of schools  
Overcrowding of community – too much development  
Poor zoning  
Lack of parking (train, library, downtown restaurants area)  
More varied businesses/merchants (new large department store)  
Not racially diverse  
Uncivil behavior in politics  
Uncivil behavior generally  

            GROUP 3       

Traffic 
Shopping not good enough in the center  
Indecisiveness of Board of Education on school space issue  
Indecisiveness about McKinley problem  
No after-school program at some elementary schools  
Not enough activities sponsored by high school  
Children and teens need to be a higher priority for school system, Recreation department, public library programs, activities)  
Poor zoning (overcrowded houses) 
College students living at the beach is still a problem after years 
Not enough reasonable rental housing  
Seniors don’t seem to get much service to stay in their homes 
Cost of living

OPPORTUNITIES

            GROUP 1:      

Plan downtown
Need a vehicle to distribute information --Historical Society can  provide information, Town Hall Library information is available  
Internet available to use  
Town should send out material  
Town commission working toward land acquisition  
Meetings are open

              GROUP 2:            

Technology (make life easier)  
Library bookmobile 
Town purchase development rights of property adjacent to schools  
Forum on racial sensitivity  
Establish a magnet/regional school that is diverse  
Modernize Metro North  
Establish shuttle/loop bus service

              GROUP 3:      

Make decisions regarding education with children in mind  
Preserve what open space is left  
Public library and police department (DARE program) could offer  more programs for children and teens 
Public transportation could be improved  
Review zoning laws to reduce crowding of homes  
Improve appearance of downtown  
Need practical stores downtown  
Laws, regulations should be publicized  
Public awareness of events, volunteer activities and opportunities

 OBSTACLES

            GROUP 1:            

Recession  
Overgrowth of population  
Increased demand for services  
Too many exceptions to zoning laws  
Proximity to Bridgeport  
High school problem causes anger  
Increase of taxes  
Reduction of services  
Inability to get qualified people

              GROUP 2:      

One high school – traffic problems that will occur  
Long Island Sound pollution  
Rude behavior  
Problems at Fairfield Beach 
Lack of strong recycling program  
Lack of town services (truck pickup leaves)  
Need recreational opportunities for high school students  
Lack of recreational resources (ballfields, pool, skating rink)  
Traffic

            GROUP 3:            

Overpopulation  
Indecisiveness by selectmen, Board of Education  
Denial of conditions in the town  
Insufficient funds  
Overcommitted populace  
Levels of wealth are becoming unbalanced – will cause some changes hard to predict  
Education problems need better problem-solving techniques  
Need strategic thinking in the public realm  
Zoning not well carried out – too crowded  
Need to take care of children’s activities now – the kids are growing up fast

LONG RANGE PLAN – SENIORS FOCUS GROUP

STRENGTHS

            GROUP 1:      

High income
Many active interest groups
Service groups: Police, Fire.
Town gives good support & financial
Good school system
2 Universities: resource
Location: beaches, NYC, Boston
Good transportation

            GROUP 2:           

Population diversity
Suburban tranquility
Beauty of the water, trees
Historical, New England tradition
Friendliness
Summer music programs
Geography: proximity to New York, New Haven, Boston
Two major universities in town.
Public school system
Private schools are good here
Form of government
Nearby Connecticut cultural  events
Good restaurants

            GROUP 3:            

Library, Senior Center, Town Hall, Fairfield Historic District
Beauty of town – beaches, Dogwood Festival
Arts and crafts shows, Pequot Library booksale
Education/income levels of residents
Public Works Department – maintenance of community
Services to the residents – plentiful and well organized
Location of Town – accessibility to NYC, Boston, New Haven
Sacred Heart University, Fairfield University – educational resources
Diversity of residents

             GROUP 4:      

Senior Center
Location – beaches/universities
Summer concerts – seniors
Government – RTM meetings, chance for input
Historical – old buildings, churches, burial ground
Active civic groups – Rotary, Audubon Society
Nature – Open Space trails, Mill River
Population – Diverse
Access to NYC – train
Strong school system
Public safety departments
Library

 WEAKNESSES

            GROUP 1:      

School indecision
Town divided
Gridlock, lack of leadership
No diversity in population
Lack of planning
Lack of parking
Interest groups are too simple-minded
Traffic (heavy)
High cost of living

            GROUP 2:      

Lack of housing for seniors (smaller homes)
Great waste of money: expensive fireworks (Library suffered budget cut because of it)
School planning has been inadequate
Zoning: size of the houses is too big for the size of the lot
Computer programs at Library and Senior Center are often soon filled: can’t get in
Unfair that Library closes at 6 on Friday
Lack of civility in public meetings
Rudeness in letters to newspapers
Lack of leadership in school system

             GROUP 3:      

More supermarkets – competition to Stop and Shop 
Traffic congestion  
Parking for train station/downtown area  
Increase in litter (last 10 years)  
High School problem  
Fairfield store – revitalization of downtown area  
Fairfield Beach problem  
Lack of range of housing (size, cost, type condos)  
Fees for trash removal –restricted services

              GROUP 4:            

Downtown – limited shopping, limited parking, too many stop lights  
Zoning regulations – loss of small town quality – too many  
Exceptions made by zoning board  
Architecture – large buildings – don’t fit in “small” neighborhoods, homes, businesses  
Senior housing – need more affordable senior housing, small units not Apartments 
Property taxes difficult for seniors  
More permanent home for central Board of Education (not elected board)  
Public transportation – better quality  
Schools – not enough space, buildings

 OPPORTUNITES

            GROUP 1:      

Public should cooperate and reach a decision  
RTM should be used  
Use existing organizations  
More publicity  
Newsletters
Use more programming in library  

            GROUP 2:            

Expand Health department services (educational, medical)  
Library can offer health lectures  
Library should offer film programs  
Library might set up investment club  
Senior Center could offer some of the above  
A travel group through the Library could get discounts, etc.  
Library should offer more computer training  
There should be an advocacy group – one developed at the Library would be good – an unbiased organization to foster new programs in town  
Need a program in schools for non-confrontational  problem-solvers

            GROUP 3:      

Charge Universities for service – work with administration/police to fix Beach problem  
Build 2nd High School or morning/afternoon sessions  
Meet with Town officials to brainstorm regarding elimination of trash fees  
Begin mini-bus, van transportation from train station to other traveled areas  
Build proposed new train station  
Locate many more litter cans throughout town

              GROUP 4:            

Transportation study group with seniors  
Transportation terminal  
Open space – more senior-friendly trails, better design  
Better publicity  - services available – Library, seniors, churches, volunteer opportunities 
Chamber of commerce – hard to find, better access – street level  
Expand large print collection  
Tape players for loan  (audio books)  

OBSTACLES

            GROUP 1:      

Low budget  
Divisions in town (interest groups)  
Lack of diversity  
Increase in school population  
Growing senior population on fixed income  
Increased taxes  
Exit of senior population  
Land scarcity

              GROUP 2:      

Town permits too much development: zoning board is a threat 
Pervasive attitude that more money to education is the answer  
Over-development of housing, railroad station  
I-95  
Traffic on Black Rock Turnpike  
Duplication of retail services

              GROUP 3:           

Disappearance of open space and wildlife  
Increase of taxes  
Cost of government  
Housing cost  
Loss of small town atmosphere  
Traffic – amount/speed/violations  
Loss of courtesy  

            GROUP 4:     

Politics – need consensus to act  
Pollution – threat to health  
Lack of street lights – not safe, not enough lights  
No warning system – storms, severe weather  
Overdevelopment – pressure on town systems – education  
Overcrowded schools  
Taxes too high for seniors to remain in community – moving  
Traffic – crowding on I95, not stopping for red lights and stop signs 
Library – no elevator to second storey

LONG RANGE  PLAN – STAFF FOCUS GROUP

STRENGTHS

            GROUP 1:     

Staff – Open, positive, knowledgeable
Collection – size, currency, variety
Technology
Fairness of staff scheduling
Lack of restrictions for collection
Diversity of collection
Openness to patron’s request
Well educated populace
Number of hours open each week
Location of both buildings
Friendly and positive public
Supportive officials/community
Attractive Children’s Library space
Success of Fairfield Woods Branch – appearance, activity, parking
Good reputation of library
Supportive administrative staff

            GROUP 2:           

Number of hours open
High quality of staff
High quality of collection
Facility is clean – Fairfield Woods
Wide range and high quality of technology available
Honor public requests
Total willingness of staff to accommodate public
Strong sense of teamwork
Collection is maintained – appearance is taken into account – Fairfield Woods
Staff is always welcoming

             GROUP 3:           

Friendly staff
Town support – financial and emotional
Good hours
Materials budget
Location of the two buildings
Library buys or ILLs at request
 Main library building is warm, pleasant
Historical
Large community rooms
Children’s programs excellent
Children’s libraries are outstanding
Good variety of media and internet
High level of technological resources
Fines are low compared to area towns
Great variety of magazine titles
Subject separation in reference is good, example Jobs
Focused, effective leadership
Patron conveniences: holds from home, etc. – telephone renewal
Reaching out through programs, events

WEAKNESSES

            GROUP 1:     

Main library physical plant (HVAC, furniture, shelving, carpeting, layout)
Parking at Main
Inadequate front desk/entrance (Main/Fairfield Woods) (Children’s space not available)
More staff (especially children’s)
More bathrooms (Main)
Eating in library
Poor lighting in children’s
Improved custodial support
Training facilities (computer lab)
More technology (computers, word processing)
Need Children’s Program room
Better technology training for staff
Spotty competitive salary for staff
Loud library “spaces”

             GROUP 2:     

Lack of parking space – Main
Voice mail system – patron doesn’t get a real person
Physical limitations – material space, staff, program rooms
Lack of cultural programming
No wheelchair accessibility Fairfield Woods
Insufficient staff
Circulation staff acts as phone receptionists for whole building
Lack of comfortable seating throughout building
Poor circulation desk design – Fairfield Woods and Main
Unsafe entry – Fairfield Woods
Reference desk is not easily located

             GROUP 3:     

Need more heat at Main
Cleanliness at Main library
Fairfield Woods Technical services area is too crowded
To get equipment (new), too cumbersome and slow
Supplies money runs out too soon Budgeting for supplies could be better
Fairfield Woods needs more shelving
Name tags would be good for staff
Signage at Main ineffective, inadequate
Attitude of Main library custodians poor
Parking – Main
More recognition of volunteers would be good

OPPORTUNITIES  

GROUP 1:  

More inside/outside training classes for staff
More staff meetings at Fairfield Woods/Main – information
Updated physical plant (computer lab/children’s program)  
More parking at Main  
More custodial help during hours of operation  
More alarms at Fairfield Woods  
More special programming (Young Adult, Adult)  
Build a Young Adult department (staff, space, program collection)  
More patron surveys  
System of transporting library materials  
Use of cell phones to provide better services

            GROUP 2:      

Open communication between staff alleviates lots of problems  
Create a new position – phone receptionist  
Reach out to local organizations  
Initiate formal relationships with schools  
Have information about local issues  
Recognize and acknowledge patrons on a regular basis, especially bulletin board displays  
Change space allocations  
Use a floor plan, better signs  
Use local television to publicize library  
Use volunteers

              GROUP 3:      

New Library Board members should have a tour and be introduced to staff  
Not all staff at Main knows where all materials can be located (example: types of audiotapes)  
Improve signage at Main  
Fairfield Woods – Need an additional person in circulation. Patrons wait in lines too long  
Remember to set the example in town of civil interaction  
Main needs more Internet public terminals  
Patrons want word processing  
New Main circulation desk – too crowded, non-ergonomic 
Study the Hennan study – we can be higher than 22  
Library or Town could pay or partially pay for college courses for staff as other employers do

OBSTACLES

            GROUP 1:     

Budget – restrictions  
Lack of viable solutions to parking problem  
Lack of staff  
Limitations of physical plant  
Increased financial demands upon Town (schools, etc)  
Frenetic modern lifestyle  
Pace of change (accelerating)  
Increase in rudeness/incivility/”me generation” attitude  
Finding new ways to measure our effectiveness  
Expectations beyond traditional library role

            GROUP 2:      

Lack of money  
Political obstacles  
We can’t please everyone  
Lack of responses by town agencies – especially schools  
Inability to expand physical space  
Staff feels overworked – unable to take on other issues  
Unrealistic expectations, hours, materials, facility  
Problem patrons detract from attractive and safe atmosphere  
Hard to anticipate changing technology  
Exterior grounds are not welcoming  

             GROUP 3:      

Delays in budget process mean doing without for more than a year  
The need to tolerate difficult patrons – do they get more consideration than staff?  
Hard to work when you are freezing or roasting  
Abilities of part time staff (from other careers, etc) are not fully recognized  
Parking a tough problem  
19˝ hour limit for part-time staff a bad problem  
People are not always quiet in quiet areas  
Need “Quiet Please” signs  
Need some younger staff  
Too hard to get money for added staff

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July 1, 2003