Jaime Foster

Hi 57th District! I hope things are settling down post-Halloween. I saw some adorable and creative photos of kids and adults alike in their costumes.

Remember this weekend we "fall back" an hour (2 a.m. on Sunday), but if you have children or pets, you probably won't gain an hour of sleep! While cell phones and computers should automatically update, make sure you change clocks in your home - the ones that often are forgotten, like the kitchen clock, stove clock, and perhaps a clock radio. I wish all good luck this weekend and prepare for darkness before 5 p.m. At least it won't be really cold and rainy this weekend.

I have a lot to share with you, including:

• CT Water Company comment period regarding a rate increase
• IOREBTA grant heading to Cornerstone Foundation
• A veterans informational hearing next week
• Road race road closure updates
• Road construction advisory
• Election information
• Town events, including Ellington Farmers Market winter dates
• Resources for talking to your children about war and conflict, as well as info for Access Health CT open enrollment

I hope you have a great weekend and I'll be in touch again soon,

Jaime 

This month's North Central News article focuses on the situation regarding our local hospitals - Rockville General and Manchester Memorial and the purchase by Yale New Haven Health System. This is a fluid and delicate situation, as we all watch and wait for a resolution. To read the full article, click HERE or click on the graphic. 

A successful food drive DESPITE the weather! Chilly weather, warm hearts.

Thank you to everyone who came out to St. Bernard Church and helped the Vernon Legislative Delegation support The Cornerstone Foundation in memory of Bryan Flint, as well as everyone who stopped by one of the drop-off locations before the food drive & helped fill those boxes, too. We appreciate your support!

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Wednesday evening at Hall Memorial Library. If you have thoughts on Connecticut Water Company's requested rate increase, please mail your comments to:

Executive Secretary, Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
10 Franklin Square
New Britain, CT 06051

Comments may also be submitted to the PURA via e-mail addressed to PURA.ExecutiveSecretary@ct.gov

Under the proposed rate application, CWC has requested that PURA increase the company’s annual revenues above current levels by approximately $21 million, or 18.1%, for rates effective July 1, 2024. Depending upon where a customer is located, the requested increase would add between $18.80 and $58.69 on a quarterly basis to the typical residential water bill (approximately 15,000 gallons per quarter).

CWC’s last distribution rate case was completed in July 2021. The Clinton-based utility, which is owned by SJW Group, provides water and fire protection services to over 107,000 customers, or 360,000 people, across 60 towns and cities across Connecticut.

Ratepayers and other stakeholders submitting comments into the public record are urged to include the docket number (Docket No. 23-08-32), your name, and home address. Comments can be submitted HERE.

If you couldn't make it to the meeting in Ellington, there will be a Zoom meeting on December 14. Click HERE to register for the Zoom meeting. 

I'm happy to share with you two of my recent "report cards," and I earned an "A" for both.

The Connecticut Education Association (CEA) typically issues legislative report cards every two years, but this year, issued an annual report.

The report card examines how legislators voted in 2023 on bills addressing several key issues such as play-based learning, earlier kindergarten start date, elimination of teacher evaluation ratings, increases to ECS funding, improved indoor air quality, and more.

My grade went from 93% last year, to 95% this year. To see my voting record, click HERE.

Recently, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) released its annual Environmental Scorecard. The legislation included in the scorecard represents a diverse set of environmental concerns. I'm pleased to report I received a 94% rating from CTLCV. To check out the scorecard, click HERE. 

Great news! The Housing Advisory Panel voted last week to approve one-time grant funding awards as part of the Interest on Real Estate Brokers Trust Account (IOREBTA) Program, which includes $15,000 for the Cornerstone Foundation in Rockville.

IOREBTA Program funds annually support appraisal gap financing for first-time homebuyers, development of affordable housing projects, counseling for low- and moderate-income homebuyers, and second mortgage down payment assistance when the Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) Loan was suspended. The IOREBTA Program has also funded the purchase of mortgages from Connecticut chapters of Habitat for Humanity and other housing subsidies. This year's grant awards include help for intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) and Veterans' housing, low-income and affordable housing, and homelessness assistance and prevention programs. 

The funding to Cornerstone will help its homeless shelters, with a specific focus on covering staffing costs, case management services, and facility maintenance.

Thank you to the Housing Advisory Panel, including Rep. Luxenberg, Co-Chair of the Housing Committee and Panel, for approving these grants and recognizing that The Cornerstone Foundation is dedicated to helping our communities. 

Connecticut K-12 students have a fun and exciting opportunity to win up to $20,000 towards their future education with the CHET Dream Big! Competition. 
 
The deadline to enter is MONDAY!
 
The Dream Big! Competition, which is offered by the Connecticut Office of the Treasurer, asks students to answer a question in the form of a drawing, essay, or video. Younger students are asked to answer a question focused on improving their communities and the lives of others, and older students are asked to describe a lesson they’ve learned and how it will influence their future.

Prizes will be awarded in the form of contributions to a CHET 529 college savings account and support for local schools.

• 3 Grand Prize winners receive $20,000 (one student from each age group)
• 24 winners receive $6,000 (eight students per age group)
• 336 winners receive $500 (112 students per age group)
• 10 randomly selected participating schools will win $7,500 in tech equipment

 The competition is open to all Connecticut K-12 students, and every child has the chance to participate.
 
Here is the link to learn more and enter: https://chetdreambig.com/   

The Veterans and Military Affairs Committee is hosting an informational hearing on Wednesday, in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Room 2C, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

CT-N will be televising the hearing and testifiers can participate in-person or virtually.

VETERANS - we want to hear from you! Spread the word to any military personnel, families, and advocates. Sign up to testify at the Veteran's Committee public informational hearing HERE.

Speaking of veterans, I want to give my utmost thanks to our veterans. THANK YOU for your service to our country, in peace and in war. You are appreciated. 

Veterans Day is November 11 - remember to thank a veteran. 

Ellington's Robert Tedford Memorial Road Race is taking place this Saturday. The race will begin at 9:30 am and will follow the normal route:

Start at 77 Sadds Mill Road - head west on Route 140 - turn right on Muddy Brook Road - turn right on Jobs Hill Road - turn right onto Sadds Mill Road - finish at Robert Tedford Memorial Park

There will be road closures/traffic delays along the route during the race; expect traffic delays and plan accordingly.

Check out all of the race day information HERE. 

The Cornerstone Foundation and First Student are teaming up to Stuff a Bus!

Head to Spare Time in Vernon on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Spare Time in Vernon, as First Student aims to fill a bus with donations.

 Let's come together and help Cornerstone thrive!

CTDOT announced that construction work on Routes 30, 83 & 190 in Ellington, Tolland, Somers, Stafford, and Union will begin Monday.

The project consists of high friction surface treatment (HFST) application and removal/installation of pavement markings at horizontal curves on State-owned and maintained roads.

LANE CLOSURE INFO
There will be alternating one-way traffic on Routes 30, 83 & 190, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Attention residents of Ellington, East Windsor, and Vernon - Tuesday is the day of the municipal elections!  Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If you won't be able to make it in person on Tuesday, you can find more information HERE regarding absentee ballots or contact your town clerk's office.

Veterans and their families are invited to the Ellington Senior Center for a lunch in honor of Veterans Day. Please call the Ellington Senior Center to sign up at 860-870-3133.

Mark your calendars for Soupfest on November 15. I'm looking forward to being a judge!

Vendors and visitors of the outdoor Ellington Farmers Market were finally treated to a beautiful day on October 28, as the outdoor market finished for the year. But in just a few weeks, the indoor winter market starts! See the dates below!

Mark your calendars for Vernon's Winterfest!

A message from Broad Brook Elementary: If you are cleaning out your closets, Ms. Smyrak and Mrs. Davis need gently used bottoms (sweatpants and leggings only) to restock the nurse's clothing cabinet. If your student(s) ever gets sick, spills, accidents, or any mess on their outfits, the school nurse cleans them up and gets them back to class (if able) to eliminate missing too much instruction time.

The nurses could use:

• Sizes 3T up to size 16
• Pants - Sweatpants and leggings please because they're easiest to pull on. Clean and gently used are needed.
• Underwear - brand new only, please.

You can turn in items to the school office or send in your child’s backpack labeled for the nurse.

As the war continues between Israel and Hamas, your children might have questions and express worry. I'll be sharing some infographics for different age groups that may be helpful for parents, as well as teachers. Although these discussions are difficult, a healthy dialogue where you provide age-appropriate information can be helpful for your children.

Information sources: First graphic - UNICEF, second and third graphics - American Psychological Association.

The last graphic (fourth graphic), if you click on it, will take you to a CT Department of Education resource, or you can click HERE to access the PDF.

Access Health CT's (AHCT) Open Enrollment Period for 2024 is officially OPEN! During this period, individuals can enroll for the first time, renew their coverage, and explore the various policy options to see which will be the most beneficial. 

If you are interested and have questions about the program, there are several ways to receive free assistance:

• In-person: There are in-person enrollment locations and events taking place across Connecticut. Find more information at accesshealthct.com/enrollment-events/.
• Online: Visit accesshealthct.com. You can learn more about the different plans and find free help online using the "live chat" feature.
• By phone: Call 1-855-805-4325. Help is available Monday - Friday, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1- 855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
• Work with a Broker: To find a Certified Broker or Enrollment Specialist, visit accesshealthct.com/get-help/

If you or your family need quality, affordable healthcare please don't miss this opportunity. Click HERE to learn more.