Community Corner

It's Official: Harriet Polansky is Stern Village's Executive Director

The Community Room in Trumbull's Stern Village has a few more perks: a bank of computers, a pool table and a new large-screen, wall-mounted television.

Many residents credit the improvements to Harriet Polansky, who was recently hired as the permanent executive director of Stern Village, a subsidized housing complex for seniors and the disabled.

"I am humbled and honored to be appointed as Executive Director of Stern Village by the Trumbull Housing Authority. I appreciate the support and confidence demonstrated by the Board of the Commissioners and the residents of Stern Village," Polansky said. "My top priority continues to be the safety and well-being of the all of the residents. As such we have initiated a variety of procedures to ensure this."

Some Stern Village residents have openly supported Polansky, of Trumbull, through petition and frequent praise at gatherings in the complex.

Polansky listed some of the changes in Stern Village:

  • Computerization:

"We have revised and updated the tenant directory with a newly installed software package. This is an ongoing and continuous improvement cycle and is now being electronically monitored. This update of information and data has enabled us to systematize tenant information, rent certifications, work orders, and various management activities." 

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  • Community and Corporate Partnerships

"We continue to form partnerships with local companies and organizations. Our list of community and corporate partners continues to expand and we continue to seek new partners.

"We are collaborating closely with the Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority in the establishment of free transportation for residents. Regularly scheduled routes and times are in the process of being established to transport our residents to malls and grocery stores."

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  •  Emergency Management Plan

"We have ensured that a generator was installed in the Community Room as a strategic instrument in the town's emergency management plan. We are now in the process of assessing the individual needs of the residents in order to procure the needed supplies in case of an emergency situation."

  • Resident Participation

"We now have two residents who are newly appointed commissioners. We have established:

  • Neighborhood Watch – In partnership with the Trumbull Police a volunteer patrol group has been working diligently in surveillance and traffic management.
  • Stern Village Voice Newsletter- This resident developed newsletter keeps our residents informed and involved.
  • Resident Volunteers- We have several residents that have offered their services to rebuilt and fix computers, teach computer classes, plan activities for the "younger" residents, run movie nights, Wii tournaments (we're in need of games)  and start a walking club."

But Polansky's initial hiring as interim director sparked many questions. Critics say First Selectman Tim Herbst engineered the removal of the former Director Harry Wise and the previous Trumbull Housing Authority board to put a family friend in the job.

Herbst cited mismanagement during several past storms for changing the board members, who then removed Wise. Many of the members' terms had expired.

Herbst has also praised Polansky for the changes in Stern Village.


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