Tragedy in our Community

derby
March 24, 2023
Over the weekend, tragedy struck our community when we lost 5 kids in a horrific accident heading back to Derby. Sadly, a group of bad actors also attempted to capitalize off of this tragedy and set up a fraudulent Go Fund Me page to collect money from our generous community members. I have shared more information on this and the accident below, as well as some local updates and resources available to you:

You can click on any of the links above to jump to that section of the email. I hope that you find these resources helpful.
 
Tragedy in the Community
The more you read about the details of the accident involving 6 Derby kids, which killed all but one of them, the more heartbreaking it gets. I will continue working with Mayor Dziekan and the school district to provide any resources or support I can to the family.

If you would like to offer support to the family, you can do so by donating to the family’s Go Fund Me page. Please click the button below, and be sure to also read the next section about a fraudulent page that was created to sadly capitalize off of this tragedy.
Donate to the Family
 
Fraudulent Go Fund Me
Just a few short days following the accident, I was alerted that a group of bad actors attempted to capitalize off of our community's generosity and a family's tragedy. I am discouraged to report that someone would do this, but please DO NOT DONATE to any fund with a *gofundme.agency* address. The legitimate fund is a .com website.
To make matters worse, the fake site is also trying to profit over the loss of a fallen police officer in Chicago.

I have taken action with the Department of Consumer Protection and the Attorney General's Office to get this taken down. Following these reports - and a subsequent google search - it does appear that the post/site has been removed and flagged. I would like to thank the Valley Independent for their immediate help in getting the word out about the fraudulent site, as well as Sean Adams at WCBS 880 News Radio.

 Please remain vigilant, and if you are going to make a donation, please do so to the Go Fund Me page I have shared above.
 
Tax Scams
As many of us prepare or finish up filing your taxes, I urge you to be mindful of potential scams. The IRS produces a list of "dirty dozen" tax scams. While these scams can occur year-round, they tend to increase during this time of the year. It’s wise to stay on top of the latest list of common issues—and take some simple steps to stay safe from them.

A great way to protect yourself is to do additional research on anything that seems suspicious. Do not click on an email or a link to an unfamiliar website. Never give out any personal information — especially your Social Security Number — to someone claiming to represent the IRS over the phone or online. When in doubt, visit IRS.gov for additional guidance.
 
Community Conversation
Please join the Woodbridge delegation on Monday, March 27 at 6PM at NEBCO for a community conversation. Senators Cabrera, Maroney and I will discuss state and local issues and answer any questions you may have. I hope you will be able to join us!
 
Read Across America
If I sadly didn't get to make a stop at your school throughout Read Across America Month, consider the Connecticut House Chambers your classroom for a few minutes as I read, "This is the Way we Eat Our Lunch."
 
 
Energy Assistance Extension
Don't forget! The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) extended the coverage period for households receiving energy assistance through the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) to March 31, just 1 week away.
 
Thanks to the work of our Congressional delegation, Connecticut was able to secure additional federal funding for the program to provide this extension to the deadline.

Households that heat their homes with deliverable fuels such as home heating oil, propane, or kerosene will now have until March 31 to submit requests to their fuel providers for deliveries and receive assistance under CEAP for those deliveries. Approved CEAP households should contact their fuel providers before the end of March to request delivery.

For more information on qualifications, and how to apply, please click the buttons below

:
Apply for CEAP
Learn More About CEAP
 
Bulk Trash Pick-Up Hamden
Bulk trash pick-up in Hamden begins April 1!

Hamden residents may put bulk trash curbside in front of their homes anytime between April 1 and April 30. Acceptable items will be picked up by Hamden’s trash hauler throughout the entire month of April. No phone calls or appointments are necessary.

Please Note:
  • Bulk trash must be separated from the ongoing leaf and brush collection
  • Leaves must go into paper recyclable bags
  • Brush must be contained in small bundles no longer than four feet in length
  • If items are not separated, they will not be collected

Acceptable Items:

  • 150 pounds or less
  • Mattresses and box springs (one mattress and box spring per household)
  • Furniture
  • Rugs (must be rolled up and tied like a log; no longer than four feet in length)
  • Household appliances (washers, dryers, air conditioners, stoves, refrigerators, freezers, toasters, lamps, microwaves)
  • Light and heavy iron goods
  • Metal items (place at one end of the pile for separate scrap metal pick-up)

Unacceptable Items:

  • Hazardous waste including oil-based paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, household cleaners, anti-freeze, aerosols, batteries, gasoline, motor oil (contact HazWaste Central at 203-401-2712)
  • Remodeling, construction and demolition debris from any structure or part thereof (homeowner must rent a dumpster)
  • Plumbing fixtures, sinks and pipes; a single unit or fixture may be accepted at the Hamden Transfer Station
  • Tires (a limit of 4 tires per year may be brought to the Hamden Transfer Station)
  • Vehicle parts, lawnmowers and other gas-powered equipment (remove all fluids from engines, dispose of fluids at HazWaste Central and dispose of equipment at a junkyard or metal recycling facility, for more details please contact Joe DeRisi at 203-287-7021 or via email at: jderisi@hamden.com)
  • Branches, grass, leaves, tree stumps, rocks, sand, and dirt (contact Public Works at 203-287-2600 for specific guidelines)
  • Propane tanks
  • Computers, televisions and other electronics (bring to Hamden Transfer Station for recycling – be sure to remove the hard drive on your computers first)
  • Pool covers (accepted at the Hamden Transfer Station)

For more information, please visit the Town's website by clicking here.
 
In the News
 
Arts Workforce Initiative
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is accepting submissions from individuals who are interested in a summer apprenticeship with a non-profit arts organization. The apprenticeship period will run from June to August, and apprentices will work 25 hours a week for 10 weeks and are paid $15 an hour.

Applications are due on March 30 by 12PM.

More Information: