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In this email you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.
A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer or scroll through this email to the relevant section.
The topics covered are as follows:
On Legislative Business
On Community Resources
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Governor Lamont Propose $336 Million in Tax Cuts
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On Wednesday, Governor Ned Lamont unveiled a tax cut package that will provide $336 million in relief to Connecticut residents. The package, which is the first of the Governor's 2022 legislative proposals, includes five parts:
- Restore full eligibility for the property tax credit
- Increase the property tax credit from $200 to $300
- Accelerate the planned phase-in of the pensions and annuities exemption from income taxes
- Expand student loan tax credit
- Reduce motor vehicle property taxes
The ability to offer the tax package is largely a result of the projected operating surplus of $1.48 billion, which will enable a significant reduction in the one-time revenues built into the enacted budget and will continue to ensure the state has a strong rainy day fund.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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$8.2 Million in Grants Announced to Support Safety Upgrades & Improved Accessibility
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On Thursday, Governor Ned Lamont announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding $8.2 million in grants to 17 cities and towns under a state-funded competitive grant program for local projects that support improved mobility and accessibility, as well as pedestrian and bicycle safety.
The Community Connectivity Grant Program, now in its fourth round of awards, provides construction funding for local initiatives that will improve safety and accessibility for bicyclists and pedestrians in and around community centers, encouraging more people to use these healthy and environmentally sustainable modes of travel. Through this round, the Town of East Hartford will receive $594,000 to support the Intermodal Connectivity Project on Main Street (Silver Lane to Willow Street).
Municipalities that have been selected to receive grants will be expected to complete the project within three years. With this fourth round of funding, 104 awards totaling more than $38 million will have been invested in Connecticut’s towns and cities under the program during the past four years. For more information on the Community Connectivity Program, click here.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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General Assembly to Continue Some COVID Restrictions Through February
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The Connecticut General Assembly announced that some COVID-19 restrictions will continue through February. When the 2022 legislative session begins on Wednesday, February 9, meetings and hearings will be held virtually and access to the State Capitol complex will be limited.
As we move through the legislative session, legislative leaders will continue to evaluate Connecticut's COVID situation and modify our operations accordingly. My hope is that if the situation remains under control, the General Assembly will transition to in-person committee meetings in March, when the committees do the more substantive work of sending bills to the House and Senate for floor votes.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Today in CT History: Woodstock Helps A New Nation Create a New Kind of Education
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Today in1802, responding to post-revolutionary war Connecticans’ desire for secondary education suited to the needs of a new kind of nation, the Woodstock Academy welcomed its first students. Its creation helped mark a new era in the state support of secondary education and was a key event of in the launch of the "Age of the Academy" in education.
Connecticut Puritans had early recognized the importance of publicly supported education. The Law Code of 1650 required towns of 50 households to hire schoolteachers, and towns of 100 to create Latin schools offering college preparatory lessons. As the state’s godly Puritans transformed over time into frugal Yankees, though, taxpayers’ desire to pay for public education waned. By the mid-1700s, except for basic common schooling, secondary and college preparatory education was offered almost entirely through “venture schools” totally dependent on privately paid tuition and therefore almost exclusively attended by the children of wealthy elites. The disruptions of the Revolutionary War further restricted public-funded educational opportunities. After the war, however, as a new and optimistic nation sought to establish itself on a sure footing, the idea of creating a new form of education suited to the pragmatic needs of the new republic brought about educational reform.
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The stimulus for such reform in Connecticut came from the General Assembly’s 1799 “Act for Appointing, Encouraging and Supporting Schools.” This act dedicated the monies (1.2 million dollars) raised from the sale of Connecticut’s Western Reserve lands (now part of Ohio) to a School Fund whose earnings would be used exclusively to support public education. Importantly, the Act allowed local School Societies to “Institute a School of a higher Order for the common benefit of all the inhabitants.”
Inspired by the Act, a group of 32 of Woodstock’s town entrepreneurs – including state representative John McClellan and Woodstock’s Congregational minister Eliphalet Lyman – came together as proprietors to fund and manage a new “higher Order” school in Woodstock. The town granted the school land bordering the town common. Rev. Lyman became a horseback circuit rider seeking contributions for the school from residents, and volunteers came together as a community to raise the school building in 1801. The Academy received a charter as an independent institution from the state in May 1802, and was the first coeducational academy among the six academies –in Woodstock, Cheshire, New Haven, Berlin, Colchester, and Fairfield – founded in the years immediately after the 1799 Act.
Two centuries after its founding, The Woodstock Academy today is the designated high school for the northeastern Connecticut towns of Woodstock, Eastford, Pomfret, Brooklyn, Canterbury, and Union. It continues to fulfill the vision of its founders as an institution that is independent, coeducational, inclusive, and regional, with a resident student component. Included in an enrollment of 1100 students are one hundred resident students from fifteen countries and twelve states. In 2019, Academy alumna Wanjiku Gatheru of Pomfret was selected as the University of Connecticut’s first Rhodes Scholar.
Learn more about Woodstock Academy and other interesting CT history facts by clicking here.
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CT Magazine's 40 Under 40 Class of 2022 Features East Hartford Native & Manchester Resident
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Every year, Connecticut Magazine recognizes 40 influential individuals under 40 " influencing, innovating, creating, rebelling and soaring high." This year's list features two community connections:
Born in Albania and raised in East Hartford, Gina Luari launched The Place 2 Be after earning a business degree and serving as executive director of the Rocky Hill Chamber of Commerce. In two pandemic years, Luari has grown the Instagram- and Snapchat-friendly brunch chain into three locations (two in Hartford and one in West Hartford) and has plans to open two more locations.
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Growing up primarily in the foster care system in Connecticut, Manchester resident, Christopher Scott realized two things early on: education can be “the great equalizer,” and he’d pay back the support he got in his own life by giving back, particularly to those who face the same challenges he did. Christopher is the executive director of SUN Scholars, a nonprofit that provides statewide college and advocacy services to foster and adopted youth. Currently completing his master’s in government extension studies at Harvard University, and an alumnus of the 2019 Foster Youth Internship Program, Scott presented a child welfare policy report to Congress, the White House, and the Department of Health & Human Services.
A huge congratulations to Gina and Christopher for their accomplishments, and to the entire 2022 40 Under 40 class – you are continuing to make our state proud! To check out the complete list, click here.
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Town Council Special Meeting: Public Hearing & Presentation of Rentschler Field Development Plans
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The East Hartford Town Council will host a special meeting on Tuesday, February 8 at 6:30PM to present and take public comments on the Rentschler Field Development Plan. The purpose of the meeting is to receive a presentation from the Administration and National Development concerning development plans for a portion of Rentschler Field. Town Councilors will have an opportunity to ask questions followed by an opportunity for the public to ask questions and provide comment. No Town Council action will be taken on the proposal at this meeting. For more information and the meeting agenda, click here.
The meeting is accessible through Microsoft Teams – join by phone by calling +1 (929) 235-8441, conference ID: 828 224 27# or join on your computer or mobile device by clicking here.
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Manchester Greater Together Community Fund - 2022 Grant Cycle Now Open!
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The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has created Greater Together Community Funds in each of the 29 towns it serves. In Manchester, the Greater Together Community Fund Advisory Committee announced this week that the first grant cycle is now open for applications for projects and programs serving our community.
The full RFP and application materials can be found here. Applications are being accepted now through Tuesday, March 15; grant requests can range from $250 to $5,000 per application – each submitting organization/group can submit one application. Grant awards are expected to be announced in late May.
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Participate & Sponsor in the East Hartford Memorial Day Parade
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Planning is underway for the East Hartford Memorial Day Parade! The event will consist of three parts on Monday, May 30 and include a parade, program at the Fallen Star Memorial and celebration of East Hartford that includes food trucks, a travelling WW2 museum, Pratt & Whitney Engine display, Historical Society WW2 Artifact display, face painting, K-9 demonstrations and so much more!
To make the event possible, the town would like to extend sponsorship opportunities to local businesses and organizations, to register to sponsor the parade, click here – registration for sponsors will close on Friday, April 1. To register to participate in the parade, click here – registration for participation will close on Monday, April 18.
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Mark Your Calendars: Next Round of Bookmarked Registration Dates at Manchester Public Library
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Manchester Public Library announced the next round of registration dates for children's bookmarked books:
- Bookmarked Bitty (for babies – preschoolers): Monday, February 7
- Bookmarked Jr. (for grades 3-5): Monday, February 14
- Bookmarked Jr.2 (for grades K-2): Tuesday, February 22
New to bookmarked? Each month you sign-up, you receive a brand new, best-selling book based on that month's theme, a custom bookmark designed in house to match the book, a reading list curated by our Reader's Advisors based on that month's selection, and a variety of goodies. You check out the box and the book, return those, but keep everything else! This is an excellent way to try new authors, expand your reading choices, and find your next favorite book.
To register, call (860) 645-0677 beginning on the above dates. Spaces are limited.
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The Winter Olympics have Begun – Check out the Athletes with CT Ties!
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There's no shortage of Connecticut pride at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games! Opening last night and broadcasted by NBC Sports from their facility in Stamford, this year's games features several athletes with Connecticut ties:
Zach Donohue – Madison native and U.S. Figure Skater competing in Ice Dance.
Nathan Chen – Yale University student who trains in New Haven competing in the Men's Singles on the U.S. Figure Skating team.
Mac Forehand – Southport native is one of four U.S. skiers competing in Slopestyle/Big Air.
Hannah Soar – Somers native, who finished the 2021 season as No. 3 mogul skier in the word, will make her Olympic debut in the Women's Moguls competition representing Team USA.
Olivia Giaccio – Redding native will represent Team USA in the Women's Moguls competition.
Strauss Mann – Greenwich native and 2017 Brunswick School graduate making his Olympic debut as goalie on the U.S. Men's Ice Hockey team.
Aaron Ness – Former Bridgeport Sound Tigers player competing as defensemen on the U.S. Men's Ice Hockey team.
Kenny Agostino – Yale University graduate making his Olympic debut as forward on the U.S. Men's Ice Hockey team.
Brian O'Neill – Yale University graduate competing as forward on the U.S. Men's Ice Hockey team.
Hilary Knight – 2007 Choate Rosemary Hall graduate competing as forward on the U.S. Ice Women's Hockey team.
Emily Sweeney – Suffield native and 2011 Suffield High School graduate competing in Women's Single Luge representing Team USA and returning to the Olympics following a 2018 crash that left her with a broken neck and back.
Tucker West – Ridgefield native, who learned the sport on a homemade luge track in his backyard, representing Team USA in Men's Singles Luge.
Kristen Santos – Fairfield native, and favorite for the medal, making her Olympic debut in Short Track Speed Skating representing Team USA.
Julia Marino – Westport native competing in the Slopstyle and Big Air Competitions on the U.S. Women's Snowboarding team.
Lindsey Jacobellis – Roxbury native competing for the U.S. Snowboardcross women’s team for a record tying-fifth Winter Olympics.
Ryan Pivirotto – East Lyme High School graduate competing in Short Track Speed Skating representing Team USA.
Phoebe Staenz – Yale University graduate competing as forward on the Swiss Women's Ice Hockey team.
Sabrina Cass – Cheshire High School graduate competing in the Women's Moguls competition representing Brazil.
To learn more about athletes with Connecticut ties competing this month, click here. For a complete TV and streaming schedule, click here.
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COVID-19 Updates & Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
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On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full regulatory approval to Moderna's COVID vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older. All three of the vaccines available have been given emergency-use authorization, but full regulatory authorization comes after a longer and more detailed review.
Pfizer requested authorization from FDA of extra-low doses of its COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5 on Tuesday. If approved, this would offer some relief to the nation's 19 million children under 5 who are currently not eligible for vaccinations, especially following the omicron surge which sent record numbers of children to the hospital. If authorized, Pfizer's extra-low dose vaccine would be available to children as young as 6 months. FDA officials are expected meet mid-February to review the Pfizer data.
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The best defense against COVID-19 continues to be a good offense. It's so important that we continue the precautions that have worked: observe social distancing, wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible or indoors, wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, get tested if you were in contact with anyone who's tested positive, etc. But, most importantly – please consider getting vaccinated if you haven't already or getting a booster if it's been six months since you're last COVID vaccine.
As we continue to battle the current surge, be mindful – the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, congestion and new loss of taste or smell. You should seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the following: trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or inability to wake or stay awake. For more information on the approximately 400 COVID-19 testing sites throughout the state, call 2-1-1 or click here.
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The Town of East Hartford Health Department, with the State Department of Public Health, will be offering a vaccine clinic on Saturday, February 5, 11AM-3PM at Raymond Library (840 Main Street). No ID or insurance required; clinics are open to all CT residents. Walk-ins will be accepted, but appointments are preferred – to reserve your spot, call the Health Department at (860) 291-7324. If transportation is required to get to and from a clinic site, please reach out to the Health Department for a bus pass.
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The Town of East Hartford has partnered with Express Diagnostics to offer free, rapid COVID-19 testing every Wednesday through February, 10AM-2PM at St. Isaac Jogues Church (1 Community Street). These events are walk-up only, no appointment is required. Testing will be offered to all on a first come, first served basis and supplies are limited. There will be no out-of-pocket expenses for individuals. ID and insurance card are not required, but insured individuals are advised to bring their insurance information.
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First Choice Health Centers is offering PCR COVID-19 testing Monday through Thursday at their 265 Ellington Road location. Testing is by appointment only and is done outside in the patients' car. Please call (860) 528-1359 in the morning to schedule an appointment. The testing schedule is as follows:
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: 9AM-4PM
- Wednesdays: 9:30AM-5:30PM
ID and insurance are required – if you are uninsured, you can still get a test, but Quest will bill the patient on a sliding scale.
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East Hartford Residents who are symptomatic or have been exposed may contact the East Hartford Health Department to receive a rapid COVID-19 test and N95 mask. Additionally, East Hartford’s vulnerable town residents and/or those with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to obtain the N95 masks or rapid antigen test kits should contact the Town of East Hartford Health Department at (860) 291-7324. Written requests for a reasonable accommodation may be sent to health@easthartfordct.gov. Please be advised there is a limit of one test kit per household.
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Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order free, at-home COVID-19 tests. Orders will ship free via USPS and usually ship in 7-12 days. There is a limit of one order per residential address, which equates to four tests. To place an order for your household, click here. To place an order or receive additional support, call 1-800-232-0233 or TTY 1-888-720-7489 – the phone line will be available to offer assistance in more than 150 languages 7 days a week from 8AM-12AM.
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A reminder for those that don't want to carry around their paper CDC cards or who lost them, CT residents can now utilize "SMART Health Cards" to securely show proof of being vaccinated. The digital card can be obtained via a QR code that you can find here. To get more info on SMART Health Cards, or how to access them and download to your smartphone device, click here.
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For more information on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or to locate an appointment near you, click here or locate a DPH Mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic by clicking here. Those without access to the internet can call the Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line, available seven days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM, at (877) 918-2224.
For East Hartford-based COVID-19 updates and resources, click here. And, for Manchester-based COVID-19 updates and resources, click here.
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Manchester Public Library's Check ‘Em Out Book Club will meet in person for its February book discussion on Monday, February 14 at 6:30PM to discuss Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Copies of the book are available for check out at both library buildings. No registration required for this free in-person program. For more information call the library at (860) 645-0821 or click here.
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There is so much to celebrate during Black History Month! Join Manchester's Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation to celebrate on Friday, February 18 from 6PM-8PM for a night of special speakers and performances, food and children's activities that honor and celebrate Black History. All ages are welcome for this free program.
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I will be joining Manchester's legislative leaders, State Representatives Jeff Currey, Jason Doucette, and Geoff Luxenberg, and State Senator Steve Cassano, to discuss what’s to come in the 2022 legislative session on Thursday, February 25 from 6:30PM-7:30PM. For those comfortable, we can't wait to see you in-person the Lincoln Center (429 Main Street), and for those who prefer a virtual option, be sure to tune in via Facebook Live on Majority Leader Rojas' Facebook page. If you are joining us in-person, please note that masks and social distancing are required.
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It may be cold outside, but summer is right around the corner and East Hartford Parks and Recreation are looking for new employees to join the team! If you are motivated, responsible, looking for a fun and rewarding summer job and have a passion for working within our community, apply now. Applications are being accepted for camp counselors, lifeguards, park rangers, and more. For more information on available positions and requirements, click here.
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Join East Hartford Public Library to make a Valentine's Day gift for someone special! Sign up to get a craft kit, and then join Zoom on Wednesday, February 9 at 6:30PM to learn together how to turn felt into a woven heart basket for tiny treats, or into a stuffed decoration. Best suited for tweens, teens, and adults. Register now by clicking here.
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I will be joining East Hartford's legislative leaders, State Representatives Jeff Currey and Henry Genga and State Senator Saud Anwar, to discuss what’s to come in the 2022 legislative session on Wednesday, February 16 from 6:30PM-7:30PM. For those comfortable, we can't wait to see you in-person East Hartford Town Hall (740 Main Street), and for those who prefer a virtual option, be sure to tune in via Facebook Live on Majority Leader Rojas' Facebook page. If you are joining us in-person, please note that masks and social distancing are required.
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My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8541.
Sincerely,
Jason Rojas
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