Register to vote! There is an increase in funding for Connecticut's Town Aid Road grant program, and new COVID-19 vaccine access information

September 16, 2025


 


It's National Voter Registration Day! Your voice matters—make it count!

If you're not already registered to vote, head over to:

Miller Memorial Library
2901 Dixwell Ave
Today – September 16 from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.

Friendly volunteers will be there to help you get registered quickly and easily. Take a few minutes today to make a big difference tomorrow!

Register. Vote. Be Heard.
 

CT Town Aid Road Grant Program

Governor Lamont recently announced a 33% increase in funding for Connecticut's Town Aid Road (TAR) grant program, with state support rising from $60 million to $80 million for FY26-27.

The TAR program supports all municipalities across our state with the costs of essential transportation-related needs, including road and bridge repair, snow plowing, tree trimming, traffic signal upgrades, public transit services, and more.

Public transportation and infrastructure are two of the most essential services provided by the government, and I'm excited to see this significant increase in funding.

For more information on the Town Aid Road grant program, and to see how much Hamden has received from the program, click here.
 

Access Health CT

If you're insured through the Access Health CT exchange, you may have recently received a postcard in the mail—and it's worth paying attention to.

People who receive tax credits or subsidies for their affordable health care plans could see those benefits change or even disappear. This small piece of mail could be alerting you to major changes coming to your health insurance costs.

It’s important to review your current plan now because what you’re paying this year might not be the same next year. Visit AccessHealthCT.com/get-help to make sure your information is up to date. You can also sign up for text updates or call Access Health CT directly at 1-855-901-2428.

More information will be coming soon—so keep an eye out and stay informed.
 

COVID-19 Vaccines

The governor has implemented several executive orders to ensure that residents who wish to be vaccinated continue to have access to vaccines and that coverage remains uninterrupted under state-regulated health insurance policies. The actions will:

  • Permit pharmacists to order, prescribe, and administer the vaccine.
  • Establish statewide guidelines for who is eligible to receive the vaccine - Adults of all ages can receive COVID-19 vaccinations at pharmacies and medical practices while children between 6 months and 18 years of age can receive vaccinations through pediatric providers participating in the Connecticut Vaccine Program (CVP).

The accessibility of vaccines should not be determined by partisan politics. These changes will ensure that Connecticut residents and doctors alike have all the tools necessary to keep us healthy.

Click here to learn more.
 

CT Bond Rating Upgrades

Thanks to sound fiscal management, Connecticut has earned another credit rating boost – this time from Moody's and Fitch. The two agencies attribute our strong budgets, aggressive pension liability payments, steady revenue growth, and long-term planning as key reasons for their decisions. These upgrades mark the seventh and eighth credit rating increases during the Lamont administration, a clear sign Connecticut is on the right track.

  • Lower borrowing costs for the state
  • Create immediate and long-term savings for taxpayers
  • Make Connecticut bonds even more attractive for investors

This means we can continue paying down pension debt while freeing up resources for critical investments in education, housing, health care, social services, and much more.

At the heart of this success is our state's continued commitment to the fiscal guardrails. These rules, which cap spending and limit borrowing, have provided the discipline needed to keep our budgets balanced while building confidence among taxpayers, businesses, and investors that Connecticut is moving forward on a sustainable fiscal path.
 

Town of Hamden Hiring

The Town of Hamden is seeking a highly qualified, self-motivated Crossing Guard. Click here to read the full job description and to apply.
 

Community Events

Click here for more information on the Hamden Through Time events taking place this week.
 

Join The Sleeping Giant Park Association on Sunday, September 21 at 1:00 P.M. at the Chestnut Lane trailhead for a hike and to learn about the geology of the Giant! David Sherwood, who will lead the hike, has a degree in geology and has also authored the Guide to the Geology of Sleeping Giant State Park.

Participants other than leader and helpers will be limited to 20 hikers. This will be an easy to moderate hike, about 2 hours with stops for discussion.

Click here to sign up, and please register each hiker separately. There will be a wait list, so please cancel if you find that you cannot attend. If cancelled due to weather, you will be contacted by email that morning.

All hikers should bring water and have proper clothing and footwear for conditions. Children must be 8 or older. Sorry, no pets.

For additional information about this or other hikes, please contact SGPA’s hiking programs manager at hiking@sgpa.org.
 
 

Click here to register to Fight Plastic Pollution at Six Lakes perimeter (Mill River).

Join the 2025 CT Cleanup on Sunday, September 28 from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.

You’ll be helping stop plastic pollution at its source, before it reaches our rivers, the Sound, and beyond.