Opening Day Is In The Books, Groton Stormwater Management Plan 2023 Report, In The News

February 9, 2024

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Dear Neighbor,

The 2024 legislative session has officially begun! It was wonderful to reconnect with friends and colleagues in the House Chamber. We were joined by many local guests including Stonington First Selectman Danielle Chesebrough and the leadership of the Mystic Aquarium.

Over the next few months, I want to ensure you have relevant information on how to get involved, make your voice heard, and understand the process for participating in public hearings. We have a substantial amount of work to accomplish before the session concludes on May 8th.

As a member of the Environment Committee, passing the Connecticut Climate Protect Act ranks high on my agenda. Climate change not only impacts health but also food production, housing, employment, and various other aspects of our daily lives.

In addition to passing strong environmental quality measures, we will focus on addressing the needs of our seniors, improving childcare, and enhancing childhood nutrition during this session.

Lastly, as a member of both the Finance, Revenue, & Bonding Committee and the Planning & Development Committee, I am deeply invested in advancing discussions regarding the impacts of short-term rentals in our communities. Drawing from my experience as a former Groton Town Councilor and a previous member of the City Planning & Zoning Commission, I believe it's crucial to empower municipalities to regulate this issue according to their unique needs.

That's why I'm introducing a bill at the state level that would authorize the Department of Revenue Services to allocate a portion of the state’s room occupancy tax from short-term rentals back to the respective municipality. Additionally, this bill aims to establish a publicly searchable registry through DRS for so our municipalities have a firmer grasp of the extent to which STRs have proliferated in our communities.

Rest assured, I will keep you informed about my actions on your behalf and any other legislation affecting the constituents of the 41st district. Let’s get to work!

Aundré

The topics in this week's newsletter include:

What's Our Rep Been Up To?
Opening Day is in the Books, Session 2024 is Underway
Getting Involved in a Public Hearing
Our List of 2024 Legislative Priorities is Clear
Your Guide on How a Bill Becomes a Law
Reminder: Public hearing on Groton Utility Rates on Wednesday, February 14th
Groton Stormwater Management Plan Annual Report for '23
Final Report: Downtown Mystic Resiliency & Sustainability Plan
CT Grown For CT Kids Grants Headed to Groton, Stonington, and New London
Seacoast Mushrooms Receives Climate Smart Agriculture Grant
In the News: CT Viewpoints
Community Events and Notices

What's Our Rep Been Up To?

Last week I enjoyed watching our area youth thrive! First at the Black History Month Celebration at the Mystic Seaport Museum then at the Quahog Bowl hosted by UConn Avery Point, National Ocean Sciences Bowl, and Project Oceanology.

A special shout out to

Fitch Senior High School for participating for the very first time in this competition. Congrats to all participants and to Coginchaug Regional High School who took the win!

As a Black and Latino elected official, it was beautiful to witness the various gatherings celebrating and honoring Black History Month in the community where I live and represent—which I will post throughout the day.

It was great to be a part of the Black History Month Celebration at the Union
Baptist Church. Before this gathering, attendees marched from the Downtown Mystic flagpole! Thank you to those who attended,

Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce for organizing, and Union Baptist Church - Mystic - CT for hosting!

My Groton legislative partner State Representative Christine Conley had a birthday, recently. Happy Birthday! I am honored to serve with Rep. Conley but even more proud to call her a friend.

Opening Day is in the Books, Session 2024 is Underway!

The Connecticut State Legislature officially went into session on Wednesday, folks!! It was wonderful to see some of my neighbors in the building and esteemed colleagues.

Now let’s get to work for the people!

Getting Involved in a Public Hearing

Interested in getting involved at a Public Hearing? Follow the Connecticut General Assembly Bulletin for upcoming public hearings and to register hear your voice heard HERE.

Our List of 2024 Legislative Priorities is Clear

Your Guide on How a Bill Becomes a Law

Reminder: Public Hearing on Groton Utility Rates on Wednesday, Feb. 14th

Groton Utilities Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 6:00 P.M., at the Municipal Building, 295 Meridian Street, Groton, Connecticut, on proposed revisions to the existing electric rate schedules.

All consumers of electricity, property owners serviced by the Electric Division, City of Groton, Department of Utilities, and other interested persons will have an opportunity to be heard, and written communications relative to the above will be received and considered. For more details, please click HERE.

Groton Stormwater Management Plan Annual Report for '23

Final Report: Downtown Mystic Resiliency & Sustainability Plan

The final Downtown Mystic Resiliency and Sustainability Plan report is available online. You can access it by clicking on the image below.

CT Grown For CT Kids Grants Headed to Groton, Stonington, and New London

REPRESENTATIVES BUMGARDNER AND CONLEY APPLAUD OVER $ 750K IN CT GROWN FOR CT KIDS' GRANTS AWARDED TO GROTON, STONINGTON & NEW LONDON
Farm-to-school-based projects at Groton Public Schools, New London Public Schools, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Riverfront Children's Center, Seacoast Mushrooms to receive over

Representatives Aundré Bumgardner (D – Groton, Stonington) and Christine Conley (Groton, New London) have commended the more than $750,000 grant funding awarded to Groton and Mystic for farm-to-school projects through the Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids program. The funding will help increase the availability of local foods in child nutrition programs and promote healthy eating habits among children.

Groton Public Schools, New London Public Schools, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Seacoast Mushrooms, and the Riverfront Children's Center are among the 53 projects across the state receiving a total of $2.8 million in grant funding. Groton Public Schools received $250,000 to install a shipping container hydroponic system at Thames River Elementary School. Seacoast Mushrooms in Mystic was awarded $212,000 to develop a farm-to-school program with New London Public Schools and create work-study opportunities with Ella T. Grasso Vocational technical students. The grant will enable the development of mushroom grow rooms, and high school students will produce up to 50 pounds of mushrooms each week to feed the students in the New London School System over the next four years.

The Yellow Farmhouse, in Stonington has received $39,912 for their Connecticut Farm to School Speaker Service, which will connect local farmers and educators for push-in school programming. The Riverfront Children's Center was awarded $36,100 to establish a relationship with CT Grown farms and farmers. New London Public Schools will be receiving a K-12 Local Procurement Assistance grant to grow their farm-to-school program and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation will also be receiving funding to purchase and install a shipping container growing unit.

“Thanks to the support of the CT Department of Agriculture, farm-to-school programs are sprouting up in Groton, Mystic, and Stonington, bringing fresh, delicious food to our schools, Rep. Bumgardner said. “As a member of the Environment Committee, it’s critical that we support opportunities for students to foster a deeper understanding of healthy, locally produced agriculture and the vitality our farmers bring to Southeastern Connecticut.”

“This announcement is a win on all fronts," Rep. Conley said. “Our local producers get the critical investment that all small businesses need, our children get access to organic and nutritious meals, and our educators can teach a powerful lesson about healthy lifestyles and how our communities are interconnected. Thank you to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture for their funding and continued support.”

The Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Grant is in its third year, and it aims to increase the availability of local foods in child nutrition programs, build relationships with local farmers and producers, teach students about nutrition and farm-to-school connections, and help children build healthy habits from a young age.

Seacoast Mushrooms Receives Climate Smart Agriculture Grant

Seacoast Mushrooms in Mystic was one of eight farms statewide to receive funding for $250,000 through the Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development's Climate Smart Agriculture Grant program.

The funding for Seacoast Mushrooms will go to supporting on-farm renewable energy with the purchase and installation of a roof and ground-mount solar array to power the electrical needs of the farm.

In the News: CT Viewpoints

I would like to thank my colleagues for their efforts in this opinion piece and I would also like to thank CT Mirror for running it. Please click on the image below for an interesting read and our reaction to the Yankee Institute's insult to our efforts in support of climate change.