Updates from State Rep. Nick Menapace for Aug. 25. 2026

August 25, 2026

I join my fellow members of the Connecticut General Assembly's AI Caucus in calling for a pause on the use and rapid installation of Flock cameras until the conclusion of the 2027 legislative session.

Flock cameras are automated license plate readers that track the movements of ordinary people going about their lives. Residents across Connecticut have raised serious concerns about privacy, mass surveillance, and the potential misuse of the data collected.

This is invasive technology, and residents deserve real answers about who's watching and why before a single new camera goes up.

We need to get this right. Pausing new installations gives us time to write stronger protections.

Preserving the Bond Property

After years of work, nearly 700 acres of the Bond Property in Montville and Salem will remain open space. This is a tremendous accomplishment for our region.

The Bond family could have pursued the highest return, but instead, they chose to preserve this land for future generations. Their decision, along with the work of Avalonia Land Conservancy, the state, and so many others, means protected forests, wetlands, wildlife habitat, drinking water, and future opportunities for recreation and education.

This is what's possible when families, conservation organizations, municipalities, and the state work together.

My letter in The Day can be read here.

Preservation at the Samuel Smith House

I joined Preservation Connecticut and The 1772 Foundation in presenting a $10,000 grant to the Friends of Samuel Smith House for ongoing preservation work at this historic property.

This grant comes from Preservation Connecticut and The 1772 Foundation's partnership — and will help protect a piece of East Lyme's history.

Thank you to the volunteers who pour their time and energy into preserving this place. It matters.

School in Session: Take Care on the Roads

Now that the new school year is underway, drivers need to remember to stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights and slow down in school zones. We have strengthened Connecticut’s laws to hold drivers accountable and help keep our children safe.

Under state law, drivers who fail to stop for a school bus displaying its flashing red lights face a $450 fine for the first offense. A second offense carries a $500 to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both.

Beginning Oct. 1, drivers who violate the school bus stopping law for a third or subsequent time will also face a six-month suspension of their driver’s license.

Reminder: Drivers must stop at least 10 feet from the front or back of a school bus displaying its flashing red lights and remain until the lights are no longer displayed.

Please slow down, pay attention, and give our students the protection they deserve.

Energy Assistance

Help could be on the way for those struggling to pay for electric, gas, and fuel costs. Generation Power CT announced its application cycles for the Emergency Energy Assistance Program, and eligible households can apply as soon as next week. The program accepts applications on the following dates:

Cycle #1: Sept. 1 - 15
Cycle #2: Dec. 1 - 15
Cycle #3: March 1 - 15, 2027

Generation Power CT offers up to $500 in utility assistance grants to households that meet established program guidelines. Households are eligible for one utility assistance grant every 12 months.

Learn more about eligibility and application materials here.

Around the 37th

Over the weekend, I went to the Mohegan Wigwam Festival in Montville and ran into my good friend Lynn “many hearts” Malerba — Chief of the Mohegan Tribe and former U.S. Treasurer.

We talked about her experience in healthcare and how the tribe is working to help its members and employees have better access to care.

Always a pleasure seeing the Mohegan community come together.

Great to be back at the kayak regatta with Save the River Save the Hills!

Rep. Nick Gauthier and I have always made land preservation a priority and there's no better prize than protecting the Oswegatchie Hills.

Our open spaces aren't just beautiful, they're essential. Proud to keep fighting for them.