|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
New CT Laws Take Effect on July 1
|
|
|
Several new laws that were passed during the 2022 legislative session take effect Today, July 1. The list is extensive, but see below for some highlights:
- Response to the Surge of Catalytic Converter Thefts: prohibits scrap dealers from buying catalytic converters that are not part of motor vehicles, and requires dealers, recyclers, and junkyards to keep records of ID numbers and receipts.
- Establishing the JobsCT Program: helping companies in target industries earn rebates against insurance premiums and state taxes for creating a certain number of jobs
- Paid Family Leave Updates: requires employers to notify employees at the time of hiring and every year thereafter about their access to paid family leave, and prohibits employer retaliation again an employee for requesting, applying for, or using family leave.
- Improving Indoor Air Quality in Public Schools: created a grant program to reimburse districts for costs associated with installing, replacing, or upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems or other air quality improvements.
- Changes to CT's Abortion Laws: clarifies who can perform abortions in the first trimester (expands to advanced practice clinicians, i.e., APRNs and physician assistants) and strengthens legal protections for CT provider and abortion seekers from other states.
For a complete list of the new laws that just became effective, click here.
I would like to know, what do you think of these issues?
|
|
|
Secretary of the State Merrill Announces Resignation
|
|
|
This week, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill announced her resignation citing a need to focus on caring for her husband. Over her time in state service, I’ve been proud to call Denise not just a colleague but a good friend. When I entered my first term in the House, Denise was the first Majority Leader I served under, and her guidance was invaluable as I began my time as a member of the General Assembly. Her passion for this work is unmatched, and we owe Denise a debt of gratitude for all she’s done to ensure elections in Connecticut are accessible and safe.
Her decision to step down is a tremendous loss to the state, but her tireless advocacy for the voters of Connecticut has created systems and structures that have strengthened our elections for years to come. I am grateful to have worked alongside such a strong advocate, and I know her leadership will continue to inspire many. As she takes time to focus on her family, my thoughts are with Denise and her husband.
As the General Assembly is out of session, the law is that Governor Ned Lamont fills the vacancy. On Thursday, the Governor announced the appointment Mark F. Kohler of North Haven. Kohler has a 30-year career in the Office of the Attorney General. Most notably, from 2011 to 2021, Kohler headed the Special Litigation Department that represents the state’s constitutional officers, legislature and judiciary, with responsibilities over election matters, charities, gambling and federal Indian tribal issues.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
|
|
|
Today in CT History: The Highest Honor a Civilian Can Receive
|
|
|
On June 30, 1947, President Harry Truman awarded Dean Acheson the Medal for Merit, a special honor given to civilians for “exceptionally meritorious conduct” in service of the Allied powers during World War II. The Medal for Merit was awarded for a period of 10 years, from 1942 – 1952. It was the highest order of civilian decoration in the United States.
|
|
|
Born and raised in Middletown, Connecticut, Acheson was a precocious student, attending the Groton School, Yale, and then Harvard Law School. His Ivy League connections helped land him at the Department of State in 1941, where he quickly became a leading influence in shaping U.S. foreign policy during World War II and the early years of the Cold War. Acheson was a primary architect of the Marshall Plan, America’s postwar economic aid program to Europe. In 1949, he was named Secretary of State by President Harry Truman and served until 1953. Acheson wrote the speech that laid the foundation for “The Truman Doctrine” – the Truman administration’s approach to the Cold War.
Acheson continued to be a major influence on Cold War policy even after his tenure as Secretary of State, penning analyses of the United States’ relationship with China and Korea, and even serving on President John F. Kennedy’s Cuban Missile Crisis committee. In addition to the Medal for Merit, Acheson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964 and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History for his memoir, Present at the Creation: My Years in the State Department.
If you'd like to learn more about Dean Acheson and other interesting CT historical facts, click here.
|
|
|
CT Summer at the Museum is Back for 2022!
|
|
|
This week, Governor Ned Lamont announced that the popular state program Connecticut Summer at the Museum is returning for the 2022 summer season! The program allows Connecticut children (18 and under plus one accompanying Connecticut adult) to receive free admission at more than 130 museums across the state during the summer months (July 1 – September 5). Some of the participating museums are:
- Connecticut Science Center
- Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
- Kidcity Children's Museum
- Mystic Aquarium
To find a complete list of participating museums and specific program details, click here.
|
|
|
Free Summer Meals Available to Manchester & East Hartford Children
|
|
|
Both of our communities will offer free meals this summer to children 18 years old and younger. In Manchester, children will be able to access free breakfast and lunch at Manchester High School from Tuesday, July 5 to Friday, August 12. Serving times will be as follows:
- Breakfast: 8:15AM-9:15AM
- Lunch: 11:30AM-1PM
Use the Freshman Center entrance on the Summit Street side of the building. Please note that it is now required that meals be consumed on site as there is no longer a "Grab & Go" option per USDA federal regulations.
|
|
|
In East Hartford, meal sites are open now at the following locations:
|
|
|
School Indoor Meal Sites:
Sunset Ridge School, entrance in the back of the gym
Open now - August 12, Monday-Friday (site will be closed July 4)
Breakfast: 8:30AM-9AM
Lunch: 11:30PM-12PM
CT IB Academy
Open now - July 21, Monday-Friday (site will be closed July 1 & July 4)
Breakfast: 8AM-8:30AM
Lunch: 11AM-11:30AM
O'Connell Elementary School, east side
Open now - August 5, Monday-Friday (site will be closed July 4)
Breakfast: 8AM-8:30AM
Lunch: 11:30AM-12PM
Stevens School
Open now - August 5, Monday-Friday (site will be closed July 4)
Breakfast: 8AM-8:20AM
Lunch: 11AM-11:20PM
John A. Langford Elementary School
Open July 5 - August 5, Monday-Friday
Breakfast: 8:30AM-9AM
Lunch: 12:30PM-1PM
|
|
Community Outdoor Meal Sites:
Goodwin Park
Open now - August 5, Monday-Friday (site will be closed July 4)
Breakfast: 9AM-9:15AM
Lunch: 11:45AM-12:15PM
McAuliffe Park, behind Anna E. Norris Elementary School
Open now - August 5, Monday-Friday (site will be closed July 4)
Breakfast: 8:30AM-9AM
Lunch: 12PM-12:30PM
Hockanum Park
Open now - August 5, Monday-Friday (site will be closed July 4)
Breakfast: 9AM-9:30AM
Lunch: 11:30AM-12PM
|
|
|
To find additional sites or confirm mealtimes, text "CTmeals" to 877877, call 2-1-1 or click here.
|
|
|
Happening Soon: DOL Launching New Tax & Benefits System – ReEmployCT
|
|
|
Unemployment filers should be aware that the Connecticut Department of Labor will be transitioning to a new tax and benefits system, ReEmployCT, and it is on target to launch Tuesday, July 5. The transition is much-needed technology update to replace the agency's 40-year-old unemployment filing system.
|
|
|
During this transition (now through July 4), claimants will not file unemployment benefits. On or after July 5, claimants will go back to www.FileCTUI.com, the CTDOL unemployment filing page. New filers will continue to use the blue button ‘New Claims’; existing claimants will continue to use the green button ‘Current Claims’. Then:
- Filers will be directed to ReEmployCT and prompted to set up a new username and password;
- Every unemployment filer must create a new account in the ReEmployCT system—you will create a new username and a new password;
- Once you have new credentials, you will log in using those credentials and see the unemployment and work search questions in the ReEmployCT format;
- You will submit your claim for the week of July 2 on or after July 5. You may also file retroactively if you missed filing on June 26 for that week.
Filers should wait for the launch of ReEmployCT.com – where CTDOL will put out explainer videos, step-by-step guides, and other tips. If on July 5, post launch, you still have questions or require assistance, the consumer contact center is here to help:
Monday-Friday, 7:30AM-4:30PM (closed weekends & holidays)
+1 (203) 941-6868
+1 (860) 967-0493
+1 (800) 956-3294
TTY – 711 or (800) 842-9710
|
|
|
East Hartford Announces New and Improved Waste Services Beginning in July
|
|
|
The Town of East Hartford and the East Hartford Public Works Department has announced changes to waste collection services that will affect all 1-6 family properties and their occupants as of Friday, July 1. The service changes will not disrupt current collection days. Instead, residents should expect improved accessibility to this service.
|
|
|
As of today, All American Waste will perform curbside pickup of regular waste green carts. With this change, residents are urged to follow new rules for setting out both the refuse and recycling carts:
- Carts must be out the night before your collection day.
- Residents can no longer place their carts on the curb the morning of pick-up, any carts put out later than 5AM will not be collected until the following week.
Additionally, the change will reduce the number of holiday waste pick up service delays to only 6 per year – more information on the holiday schedules can be found here. A street-by-street waste collection schedule can be found here.
For any other information regarding curbside waste collection, please call All American Waste at (860) 289-7850 from 7AM-5PM or click here. For information on recycling collection, please continue to call Trash Away at (860) 225-1206.
|
|
|
Lane Closure: Route 2 Eastbound in East Hartford
|
|
|
The Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced that the right lane closure of Route 2 from the Pitkin Street Overpass to the Hockanum River Bridge beginning Tuesday, July 5. The closure is necessary as part of the safety and operational improvements on Route 2 in East Hartford, Hartford, and Glastonbury, and is expected to remain closed through November 1. During this time, two travel lanes will remain open to traffic.
Please be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.
|
|
|
Manchester Police Department: Now Hiring
|
|
|
Ready to start your career in law enforcement? The Manchester Police Department is now hiring for entry level positions to join one of only 18 nationally accredited agencies in Connecticut. The department maintains a K-9 team, motorcycle unit, regional tactical unit, accident reconstruction unit, regional narcotics unit, bike patrol unit, and much more.
|
|
|
Qualified applicants must be a US citizen of at least 21 years old with no prior felony convictions and possess:
- Associates Degree or 60 college credits or 2 years of active military service with an honorable discharge
- Valid driver's license
- Valid CHIP card
The hiring process is extremely important and includes several parts including written examination, oral panel examination, background investigation, post-offer physical examination, and post-offer polygraph.
If you have any questions or require additional information, click here or email hr@manchesterct.gov.
|
|
|
East Hartford Seeking Feedback on Juneteenth Celebration
|
|
|
Did you attend East Hartford's first Juneteenth Celebration? The town is seeking feedback from vendors, participants, and the public on what went well and any ideas you might have on what the town can do to make next year's event even better. Take the survey now by clicking here.
|
|
|
Manchester Human Services Collecting Donations to Support Families get School Supplies for Fall 2022
|
|
|
The Manchester Human Services Administration will be accepting VISA gift cards (in $25 increments) and/or monetary donations from Tuesday, July 5 through Friday, August 12. The donations will be used to distribute gift cards to eligible families for the purchase of school supplies for children grades K-12.
|
|
|
To qualify to receive a gift card, families must reside in Manchester, receive State assistance, and meet the program's income guidelines. To apply for qualification, click here to complete the online form or call the Senior, Adult and Family Services department at (860) 647-3096.
If you have any questions or require additional information, contact Lisa by phone at (860) 647-3092 or email lfusco@manchesterct.gov or Kim by phone at (860) 647-3096 or email kims@manchesterct.gov. For more information, click here.
|
|
|
COVID-19 Updates & Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
The Manchester Health Department, with the Connecticut Department of Public Health, will host free COVID-19 vaccine clinics for eligible residents, including children 6 months through 5 years of age, at Whiton Library on the following dates:
- Thursday, July 7, 2PM-5PM
- Thursday, July 28, 2PM-5PM
No appointment or insurance required. First, second, and booster shots will be available. For question, please call the Manchester Health Department (860) 647-3173.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
The Town of Manchester's Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation is back for another exciting summer of "Rec on the Run," a mobile pop-up creative arts, sports, and games vehicle offering programs and activities to Manchester residents in neighborhoods and parks around our community.
For the week on July 5, the theme is "Gratitude Week." For this week, you'll make cards to send a special message to a friend or loved one. Activity boxes can be picked up on a first-come, first-served basis at the following locations and times:
- Westside Oval (110 Cedar Street) – Tuesdays, 5PM-7PM
- Market Field (163 Spruce Street) – Wednesdays, 5PM-7PM
- Center Memorial Park (41 Center Street) – Thursdays, 5PM-7PM
For more information, click here.
|
|
|
Kids will have a blast at this energetic and interactive Zumba Kids class with certified Zumba instructor Tracy Brody at Mary Cheney Library on Tuesday, July 5 from 6:30PM-7:15PM. Comfy clothes, sneakers, and water are recommended. The class will be held outside near Howroyd Room patio, weather permitting.
|
|
|
The Manchester Public Library is pleased to host Mike Brown, CEO and Founder of Ember Studios, a multimedia company that specializes in Podcast Production and Coaching, for a two-part miniseries on starting your own podcast. Part One of this miniseries, “So, You Want to Start a Podcast” will be held on Thursday, July 7 at 6:30PM at Whiton Branch Library, and is geared toward helping you transform from someone who isn’t quite sure into someone who can confidently start a podcast tomorrow.
No registration is required for this free program – and you do not need to attend both parts of the series (part two will be held on Thursday, July 14). For more information on this event, please call (860) 645-0821.
|
|
|
The Town of East Hartford invites community members and neighbors to enjoy the Sounds of Summer, a series of free, family-friendly concerts returning to the riverside amphitheater at Great River Park (301 East River Drive). The next concert is Thursday, July 7, 6PM-8PM and will feature the 9-piece Motown Revue, Soul Sound Revue.
The Sound of Summer Concert Series is weather dependent and will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Please check the Town's website and Facebook for any updates. The Town will attempt to reschedule any cancelled concerts.
|
|
|
Stop by the East Hartford Farmers Market for fresh, CT grown fruits and veggies, and then join East Hartford Public Library under the tree for stories, songs, and crafts on Friday, July 8 and 22, and August 12 and 26. All ages are welcome, but the program is best suited for children 3-8 accompanied by caregivers. Bring a blanket to sit on! To get updates, register for the program by clicking here.
|
|
|
Do you want to make a difference in East Hartford? Propel East Hartford is looking for community members to join us for co-design sessions at which we’ll work together to shape our next phase of programs and services. July sessions will be held on the following dates:
- Tuesday, July 19, 2PM-3:30PM: virtual session – register here
- Wednesday, July 20, 6:30PM-8PM: in person session – register here
- Friday, July 22, 10AM-11:30AM: virtual session – register here
Choose the session that’s most convenient for your schedule, and your preferred format – virtual or in person. Additional sessions will be added if needed. If you are interested in participating but can't make one of the above dates, reach out to library director Sarah Kline Morgan at smorgan@easthartfordct.gov.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
