Short-Term Rentals Rejected & Summer Opportunities for Kids

March 17, 2023
Voters in Stonington have rejected the proposed ordinance regulating the operation of short-term rentals in town. Residents and property owners overwhelmingly were against the plan in a 694-342 vote. This came after the town released a significantly paired down version of the short-term rental ordinance.
I am speaking with my colleagues at the Capitol about short-term rentals on the state level. In January, the Planning and Development Committee, of which I am a member, raised a bill concept called an Act Concerning Short Term Rentals. If you are passionate on this issue, please share your thoughts with me via email.
 
MEET ME IN PERSON!

I would like to hear your questions, concerns, and feedback on state policy issues at my next community coffee event. Please stop by Macondo Coffee Shop in Stonington on Saturday to meet me in person!

Connecting with residents and having real conversations about improving our community is one of my favorite parts of this job. 
 
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS
Children in Groton, Stonington, Mystic and the rest of the state are going to be exposed to more educational opportunities for free this summer! The Department of Education is providing $11.5 million to continue the Summer Enrichment Program.

It connects students, whose education may have suffered during the pandemic, to high-quality opportunities in the summer. Some students will get to visit the state-of-the-art facilities and museums in our district. Others will have the opportunity to attend summer camp or childcare centers for free!
CLICK HERE TO SEE WHICH ORGANIZATIONS ARE ALREADY TAKING PART IN THE PROGRAM!
Since its creation in 2021, the Summer Enrichment Program has provided funding to more than 400 organizations in Connecticut that offer summer learning opportunities.
 
CHANGE IN WATER RATE SCHEDULE?
You're getting a chance to speak up about a proposed changes to the water rate schedule. The City of Groton Utilities Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Tuesday at 5pm. It will be at the Municipal Building at 295 Meridian Street in Groton. Everyone will have an opportunity to speak or written communication.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROPOSAL
 
BUSINESS OWNERS CRITICIZE FISHING PROPOSAL
A new bill under review in the Environment Committee would essentially ban trawl fishing on Long Island Sound. Several trawler owners and fishermen testified against the proposal last week at a public hearing. They said their long-standing businesses would collapse if the bill were to be passed.
One after another, owners of fishing vessels explained that emissions from fishing trawlers are minimal and already being addressed. The bottom line is that this bill would hurt our local economy. I vow to support local business and to vote against the measure.
 
WHAT'S YOUR REP BEEN UP TO?
I had the opportunity to meet UConn President Radenka Maric at the Legislative Office Building this week alongside Senator Tony Hwang. It was a pleasure getting to speak with her and to learn about the many projects underway at our flagship university!
 
FREE TAX FILING SERVICES
Trained volunteers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites offer free tax filing assistance from through mid-April. As long as your annual income is below $60,000, the service is free of charge. You can meet a volunteer at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Pearl Street in Mystic.
CLICK HERE FOR TO REGISTER AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT YOU NEED AT YOUR APPOINTMENT
 
COMMUNITY EVENTS