Renters' Rebate, Distracted Driving & Public Input

April 11, 2022
As the weather warms up, we’re likely to encounter more people out and about walking, riding bicycles, and kids playing in the neighborhood. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, an important reminder to be careful as we drive. Below is information about safety on our roadways, the CT Department of Transportation Capitol Plan request for public input, COVID Booster Clinics this week, the Renter’s Rebate Program, and the next Fairfield Business Roundtable.
 
Distracted Driving
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In an effort to keep residents safe, many Connecticut police departments will be stepping up enforcement.
Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents with nearly 5,000 crashes attributed to distracted driving in Connecticut in 2020 alone. In an effort to keep everyone safe on our roads, the penalties for texting while behind the wheel increased on October 1, 2021.

The new fines for driving while distracted are:

  • First violation, offenders are fined $200 (previously $150)
  • Second violation, offenders are fined $375 (previously $300)
  • Third or subsequent violation, offenders are fined $625 (previously $500)
You can learn more about efforts around the state here.
 
In addition to enforcement and changes in driver behavior, there are a number of efforts to reduce traffic and pedestrian fatalities. Last year the legislature created the Vision Zero Council of Connecticut through Public Act 21- 28. The group is “an interagency work group tasked with developing statewide policy to eliminate transportation-related fatalities and severe injuries involving pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists, and passengers.” You can learn more about their work by visiting their website.
 
The Federal Highway Administration has also created a Safe System approach - Safe Roads for a Safer Future. Safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe roads, and safe road users (that’s us) are all part of the way we get to zero fatalities. Enforcement plays an important role, as does education, but design of vehicles and roadways is equally if not more important.
 
Public Input
The CT Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has published an interim capital plan to encompass the state’s transportation projects and programs for Fiscal Years 2022-2026, and they are seeking public input. This is a chance for you to let DOT know where changes in design might need to occur.
 
As a result of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, Connecticut will see a 38% increase in federal transportation funding in FY22. While awaiting guidance on eligible uses of the new federal funds, CTDOT has published an interim capital plan, which you can
access here, or by clicking the button below. You can provide your input on any of the proposed plans by accessing the forum here, or by clicking the button below.

If you have a question, you can contact CTDOT's Bureau of Engineering & Construction or reach out to me directly.

Interim Capital Plan
Capital Plan Comment Forum
 
COVID Booster Clinics
Our Senior Center Director Brenda Steele just shared this news from the Bigelow Center and the Fairfield Department of Health:

The Department of Health has scheduled two 2nd booster clinics this week. They will both be in the Public Health Nursing Office, 100 Mona Terrace (behind the Bigelow Center), and appointments are required through VAMS.

  • Tuesday, April 12th - PFIZER ONLY, 10am-3pm
  • Wednesday, April 13th - MODERNA ONLY, 9:45am-3pm

There will not be any clinics the following week, April 18th – April 22nd.  For more information please call the Public Health Nursing Office at 203-256-3150.

 
Renters' Rebate
The Renters' Rebate program opened April 1 and will run through October 1st. This program provides rental reimbursement to elderly and disabled residents in need. These rebates can be up to $900 for married couples and $700 for individuals. The amount is based on a graduated income scale and the amount of rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made in the prior calendar year.
Who is eligible?
 
Renters who meet the one-year state residency requirement, and are one of the following:
  • A renter (or their spouse) who is 65 years of age or older, or
  • A renter who is 50 years of age or older and is the surviving spouse of a renter who at the time of the renter's death had qualified and was entitled to tax relief provided such spouse was domiciled with such renter at the time of the renters’ death, or
  • A renter who is 18 years of age or older and eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits.

Applications can be through Human Services or the Assessor' Office.

For more information, please call the Renters’ Rebate Hotline at 860-418-6377 or click the button below to visit the website.

Also, please, don't hesitate to share this information with anyone that might be able to take advantage of this program, which helps people on low or fixed incomes. During these difficult economic times, programs like this are more important than ever.

Renters' Rebate Resources
 
Business Council
Please join the delegation this Tuesday for our third Business Advisory Council meeting of the session.