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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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Government Administration & Elections Committee Hears Testimony on Bills to Implement Early Voting
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On Wednesday, the Government Administration and Elections (GAE) Committee heard public testimony on three bills that would implement an early voting period. Currently, Connecticut is one of just four states that do not permit early voting.
The three bills – HB 5004, SB 1064, and SB 1057 – would all allow for an early voting option but offer different proposals on how it would be implemented in the state. The main difference between the bills is the length of the early voting period, with the range being as little as 10 days to as many as 18. The bills also call generally for polls to be open 10AM-6PM on early voting days and would allow municipalities to operate only one polling place instead of having to operate all normal polling places.
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas delivered testimony restating her recommendation that the early voting period be a 10-day period that includes the weekend before the election, and urged the committee to include funding for municipalities to offset the cost of administering those additional polling hours.
I'd like to know, what do you think about this issue?
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Manchester Opens First Dispensary – CT's First Equity Joint Venture
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Last week, the state marked another milestone in the rollout of Connecticut's recreational adult use cannabis marketplace as Fine Fettle opened its doors in Manchester. The latest dispensary to open is the first "equity joint venture" operation – a dispensary that is a 50/50 partnership between a medical operator and a social equity partner.
The equity joint venture option was a key component of building out the legislation's social equity aspects. The intent was to ensure that those most disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs would have the opportunity to succeed and receive the support necessary to do so.
I'd like to know, what do you think about this issue?
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Today in CT History: Connecticut Openly Defies a Hated President
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In the early 19th century, Thomas Jefferson, who was elected to two consecutive terms as President of the United States, proved to be a constant thorn in the side of Connecticut’s political leaders. Virtually all the members of Connecticut’s political “Standing Order” were staunch Federalists who vehemently disagreed with Jefferson’s Democratic-Republican political agenda and foreign policy.
These disagreements came to a head in 1807, when Jefferson, halfway into his second term, signed the Embargo Act of 1807 into law. Intended as a punitive measure toward the warring countries of Europe who were constantly harassing American sailors at sea, the embargo aimed to deny them access to American goods by closing American ports to all international trade. The Embargo Act wreaked havoc on Connecticut and other New England states, whose economies were heavily dependent on shipping and trade. Farmers reported widespread spoilage of crops normally slated for export. Merchants watched helplessly as their ships sat idle, prohibited from leaving port.
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Connecticans resisted the Embargo Act of 1807 - "Jefferson's Embargo" - a number of ways. Local newspapers railed against the unpopular act, and throughout the state, smuggling was tacitly encouraged. New London’s customs collector doled out “special permission” for several merchant ships to sail in and out of New London in open defiance of federal law. But the most stunning act of defiance occurred on February 23, 1809, when Connecticut’s governor, Jonathan Trumbull Jr., declared the embargo “unconstitutional” before a special session of the General Assembly, and stated he would refuse to enforce it. Trumbull encouraged Connecticut’s lawmakers and citizenry to openly defy the federal embargo and formally called upon other New England states to do the same, in order “to interpose their protective shield between the rights and liberties of the people and the assumed powers of the [Federal] Government.” By refusing to enforce the embargo and citing the welfare of Connecticut citizens as justification, Connecticut became the first state to use a claim of states’ rights to refuse to implement a federal law.
While a minority of Republican lawmakers denounced Trumbull’s actions as akin to treason, the Governor’s words fell on mostly sympathetic ears. With the embargo in place for over a year, many other Americans - in New England and elsewhere– were also protesting and openly flaunting Jefferson’s injurious act. One month after Governor Trumbull’s declaration, the unpopular Embargo Act was repealed, having accomplished little beyond throwing the United States’ domestic economy into turmoil. A bold and ground-breaking defiance of federal law - perhaps one of Connecticut’s most controversial “firsts” - look place today in Connecticut history.
If you'd like to learn more about Jefferson’s Embargo and other interesting CT historical moments, click here.
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Manchester Conservation Commission Looking for New Members
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The Manchester Conservation Commission is seeking new members! The commission consists of 11 members who serve 3-year terms, and currently has three vacancies.
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The Commission inventories and advises on the use, management and protection of open space lands. Members also manage some Town open space land and advise the Planning and Zoning Commission on land use plans and regulations. The Commission works closely with the Hockanum River Linear Committee.
If interested in joining, please contact David Laiuppa at dlaiuppa@manchesterct.gov.
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2023 East Hartford Memorial Day Parade – Seeking Participants, Vendors, & Sponsors
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The preparations for the 2023 East Hartford Memorial Day Parade and accompanying events are officially in the works! Mark your calendars for Memorial Day, Monday, May 29 at 10AM for the parade followed by a program at the Fallen Star Memorial and a family-friendly celebration of East Hartford.
But to make it all happen, the town needs your help! The town is currently seeking:
- Participants to march in the parade – register here. Registration deadline is Monday, April 18.
- Vendors to be a part of the family-friendly celebration at the Fallen Star Memorial – click here. Registration deadline is Saturday, April 1.
- Sponsors to help make the event possible – register here. Registration deadline is Saturday, April 1.
There are more details to come! To learn more and stay up to date on parade updates, click here.
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Rebuilding Together Manchester Accepting Applications for 2023 Home Repair & Maintenance Projects
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Rebuilding Together Manchester is accepting applications for 2023 home repair and maintenance projects. Rebuilding Together is a non-profit organization that assists low-income Manchester homeowners, specifically the elderly, disabled, and families with children, with maintenance and home repairs that they are unable to manage on their own.
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To qualify, the home must be located in Manchester and the applicant must be the legal owner of the property. Income verification is required. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, March 1 – apply now by clicking here.
If you have any questions or require additional assistance, contact Molly Devanney at (860) 338-1612 or molly.devanney@gmail.com.
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East Hartford Recycling Contamination Rates Drop!
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Congratulations, East Hartford! Thanks to your hard work – recycling contamination rates dropped. From June 2022 to January 2023, contamination in blue carts dropped from 53 percent to 45 percent representing an 8 percent reduction in the contamination rate town wide.
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Continuing to reduce the town's recycling contamination is important – if this trend continues, the town will stop paying penalties for a portion of the recyclables that were previously contaminated. The Town will continue addressing the high number of plastic bags and non-recyclables in the blue carts. Excess unacceptable items contaminates all loads of acceptable materials, leaving the town to ultimately end up disposing of recyclables at refuse facilities.
Help us further reduce these rates – find a list of recyclables here and remember, "when in doubt, throw it out in the green cart." And for more information, click here.
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COVID-19 Updates & Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
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The East Hartford Health Department offers regular vaccination services at the Community Cultural Center. Both the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 bivalent boosters, as well as Flu, will be offered for all ages 12+. Appointments are required and will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10AM-2PM. To schedule an appointment, call (860) 291-7324 (option 1).
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For any questions regarding pediatric COVID-19 vaccines, booster dose eligibility, or to schedule an appointment at an upcoming clinic, contact the East Hartford Health Department at (860) 291-7324. If transportation is needed to get to and from a clinic site, please contact the Health Department for assistance.
The White House relaunched the program making free at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests available to every U.S. household. Just as before, you can order tests through COVIDTests.gov and enter your shipping information. Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests.
The Administration will also make tests available to individuals who are blind or have low vision through this program. People who have difficulty accessing the internet or need additional support placing an order can call +1 (800) 232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages – 8AM-8PM E.T., Monday to Friday and 8AM-5PM E.T. on weekends.
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.
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International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a worldwide annual observance held on February 21, initiated by the people of Bangladesh, to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism. The Town of Manchester and multicultural community partners will honor and celebrate IMLD with a weekend of events with the goal to inspire acceptance and solidarity:
- Writers Meet & Greet – Saturday, February 25, 1PM-4PM: Storyteller, music, arts and crafts, poetry and an author meet and greet at Whiton Library. Reception will be catered by Anthony’s Jamaican Restaurant.
- Multicultural Event with Music & Dance – Sunday, February 26, 2PM-3:30PM: Music, poetry, dance and more from a variety of cultures and backgrounds at Manchester High School in the Bailey Auditorium.
- "Language is Art" Exhibit – Sunday, February 26, 1:30PM-4PM at Manchester High School
The event is free of charge and open to the public. Click here for more information.
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Residents are invited to provide input on how to spend Manchester’s federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds during the program year beginning October 1, 2023. A hybrid public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 28 at 11AM and 5PM.
In-person attendees will meet in the Lincoln Center Hearing Room (494 Main Street), and those wishing to attend virtually should submit a request to hguerette@manchester.ct.gov. Only those who submit a request will receive a link to join the meeting. For more information, click here.
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Are you and your family great at puzzles? Think you have what it takes to build a puzzle the fastest? Join Whiton Memorial Library on Saturday, March 11 at 2PM for the first puzzle off! Teams will sign up to compete to make the same puzzle the fastest.
Registration is required. Call the Reference Room at (860) 645-0821 to register your team (up to 4 competitors per team) for the five available slots (20 people total) to win puzzle glory! Don't have a team? Don't worry, they'll match you with one. Learn more by clicking here.
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Are you in need of simple, decent, affordable housing? Do you earn a minimum of $38,000 per year? Then you may be eligible for affordable homeownership through Habitat for Humanity North Central CT! Learn more at an upcoming Applicant Information Meeting at Raymond Library on Saturday, March 4 at 10AM.
For more information, click here or contact Family Service by phone at (860) 541-2208 ext. 2210 or by email at janaya@hfhncc.org.
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East Hartford Works and Goodwin University will host a 5-week Professional Skills Academy focused on manufacturing beginning Tuesday, April 18. Classes will run Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening from 4PM-9PM at Goodwin University. Participants will earn continuing education credentials from Goodwin in: Enhanced Shop Math, Introduction to Blue Print Reading, Enhanced Metrology and OSHA 10.
This is a free program for East Hartford residents. Participants must have a High School Diploma or GED. Supports will be made available for childcare and transportation. Registration is open now and space is limited so reserve your spot by calling Yadira Jeter at (860) 290-4345.
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Registration is open now for the East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department’s Splashing for Eggs events on Friday, March 31 from 5:30PM-8PM at the Middle School Pool! Participants will be assigned a time slot to ‘hop’ into the pool to collect some floating eggs. Reserve a time slot by clicking here – space is limited.
And be sure to save the date! Easter activities are coming to East Hartford in March! The Annual Egg Hunt will be held at McAuliffe Park on Saturday, March 25 at 12PM. Best suited for children 10 and younger (with an accompanying parent/guardian).
Both events are free for East Hartford residents!
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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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