Jaime Foster

Hi 57th District! As we prepare to head into Thanksgiving week, I want to express my gratitude to you for putting your trust in me as your state representative. Thank you. I'm honored to represent the 57th District.  

I have a lot to share with you, including:

• A big honor from the CT Farm Bureau
• Greater Hartford Transit, which serves portions of East Windsor, chosen for a microtransit pilot program
• The special election planned in Vernon
• Ellington's recognition regarding finances
• Soupfest 2023
• East Windsor's acknowledgment of a highly successful Farm to School Initiative
• Ellington Rescue Post's File for Life event
• Vernon Fire Department seeks current or retired teachers to help with the Fire Prevention Education Division
• Ellington's Community Food Assessment Survey
• Upcoming holiday events
• Unemployment Insurance virtual seminar for employers
• Updates from Eversource
• Scams on the rise among seniors

I hope you have a great weekend and I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving,

Jaime 

I'm truly honored to have been recognized by the Connecticut Farm Bureau as their Legislator of the Year! The ceremony took place on November 8 at the CT Agricultural Expo at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville.

“CFBA is proud to present Rep. Foster with the 2023 CT Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year award," said Joan Nichols, Executive Director of the CT Farm Bureau Association. "Since her election to the legislature, she’s been a champion for the Agriculture and Farming Communities in Connecticut. We thank her for her continued advocacy and look forward to continuing our work together in the coming legislative sessions.”

Living in a farming and agricultural town like Ellington, I feel invested in protecting and improving outcomes for the farming and agricultural communities. Thanks to all the farms who have talked to me about what they need so that I have a direction to move in. I will continue to work hard and deliver for the farming and agriculture communities in the 57th District, as well as Connecticut.
 
Among the agricultural victories I am most proud of:

• Raising the cap on what Connecticut can pay for farmland preservation;
• Increasing grant pools for DEEP and Department of Agriculture grants for farmers;
• Supporting local on farm anaerobic digesters getting permits; 
• Working to address water quality improvements without unintended consequences for farmers;
• Commitment to continuing Farmers Market Nutrition Program increases in funding;
• Addressing weather-related losses in coordination with the federal delegation;
• Continuing to escalate the voices of the farmers in the 57^th District and beyond in Hartford.

Thanks to our strong, fiscally responsible policies at the state level:

• Our bond ratings are stellar.
• Job growth numbers keep improving.
• We have cut billions in unfunded pension debts from our balance sheets.

We paid back the pandemic-era Unemployment Trust Fund loan, which is great news for local businesses.

This proactive repayment of the Unemployment Trust loan sends a strong message that Connecticut is open for business.

The Governor's Office has details on the unemployment repayment below:

I'm happy to share this news with you - Governor Ned Lamont and Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is awarding funding to nine transit districts and municipalities in Connecticut to develop and pilot an on-demand microtransit service. And Greater Hartford Transit - which serves Enfield and portions of East Windsor - was chosen to participate in this pilot program!

Microtransit service is an accessible, on-demand mode of transportation that uses a smartphone app or phone number to request and schedule a ride within designated service areas.

The Microtransit Pilot Program was authorized by Public Act 22-40 and solicitation for projects was released in January 2023. The solicitation sought proposals from eligible and qualified applicants. Microtransit services within the awarded municipalities or transit district service areas will begin within six months of the award. The pilot program will last for two years with the possibility of two one-year extensions exercisable by CTDOT, based on performance and ridership.

The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) gave me its top score on issues that were important to its members. 

Supporting small businesses, addressing the workforce shortage, and making CT a great place for families and businesses is important to me.

Thank you CBIA for your recognition of the work I've done.

Earn while you learn as a registered apprentice!

Apprentices master a trade through a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction. Thousands of companies across Connecticut have benefited from a customized Registered Apprenticeship training program. These programs increase workforce recruitment and proficiency, help employers transfer occupational skills to a new generation of workers, and ensure succession planning. Depending upon the trade, apprenticeship programs may last 1-4 years.  

When participants complete their program, the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship Training provides an industry-recognized, portable credential that:

• Certifies completion of the program
• Distinguishes the apprentice as a master of their craft
• Makes the apprentice eligible to take any occupational licensing exams 

Learn more HERE. 

From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: USDA would like to take a moment to give thanks to America's farmers who provide us with all the food that makes it from the farm gate to our dinner plates this time of year.

From the Town of Vernon: The Vernon Registrars of Voters have announced that a special election will be held on Tuesday, November 28, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town’s regular voting locations – Northeast School, Rockville High School, Vernon Center Middle School, and Skinner Road School. School will not be in session on that day.

The special election is being held because there was a tie vote between Republican Bill Campbell and Democrat William Dauphin for the 12th seat on the Town Council. The two candidates will be the only ones on the ballot.

Absentee ballots for the special election will be available Tuesday, November 21, at the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall, 14 Park Place, Vernon.

Voters may call the Town Clerk’s Office at 860-870-3662 to request an absentee ballot application. Voters may also go in person to the Town Clerk’s Office to fill out an absentee ballot application and complete an actual absentee ballot. Only the Town Clerk may issue and process absentee ballot requests.

Congratulations are in order for the Town of Ellington! The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has recognized Ellington for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

The Town has been awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to communicate its financial story.

Town Administrator Matthew Reed and First Selectman Lori Spielman credit the knowledge and expertise of Finance Officer, Tiffany Pignataro, and her staff, as well as noting modernizing Ellington's Finance Office and ensuring the town meets the highest standards of financial accountability. 

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Senator Anwar and I had a great time helping judge the Annual Soupfest to benefit Cornerstone Foundation on November 15. Thank you to everyone who attended and to everyone who brought a non-perishable food item for the Cornerstone Food Pantry! 

Terrific news out of East Windsor Public Schools and its successful "Farm to School Initiative," along with the acknowledgment of the team, led by Mike Moser, which exceeded expectations!

A message from Hall Memorial Library: Next week the library will have modified hours for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Open on Wednesday, November 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Closed on Thursday, November 23 & Friday, November 24

Ellington Rescue Post will be holding a File for Life event on November 24. Anyone of any age who has a medical condition and takes any form of medication should take advantage of this free event. See the flyer for details, don’t miss out it could help save your life!

The Town of Vernon Fire Department is looking to recruit current and retired school educators to join the team!

TVFD has developed a Fire Prevention Education Division to help deliver the important message of fire safety to the school-age youth of the community. If you'd like to learn more, please fill out this form and you'll be contacted by a member of the team!

The INDOOR Ellington Farmers Market starts TOMORROW, at Ellington High School. 

The Human Services Department is conducting a Community Food Assessment Survey as a part of the Sustainable CT certification program.

They would greatly appreciate if you would complete this anonymous 6-question survey.

Follow the link, click the graphic below, or find paper copies available at the Human Services office, Ellington Senior Center, Hall Memorial Library, or the Town Hall.

An urgent call for help from Cornerstone - The Cornerstone shelters are facing an emergency shortage of pillows for clients, and they need YOUR support!

If you can spare a moment and a (NEW) pillow (or two!), please consider donating to Cornerstone's cause. Every pillow counts and makes a huge difference in providing comfort to those in need.

Drop-off Location: 93 East Main Street, Rockville
Any day, Any time

The Holiday Marketplace, happening Saturday, November 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Nellie McKnight Museum, features a wide variety of holiday gifts, many Ellington and Connecticut-themed items, and products from local artisans. In addition, the popular Christmas Boutique has loads of vintage and gently used holiday decorations at incredible prices.

All proceeds from sales benefit the Ellington Historical Society.

Employers in the 57th District - you might be interested in taking part in this seminar. On Thursday, December 14, at 10 a.m., the CT Department of Labor’s Business Engagement Unit, will host a free virtual seminar that welcomes business owners and managers, human resources professionals, supervisors, benefits managers, and any other employers interested in learning about the Unemployment Insurance process.

This highly anticipated seminar will provide an overview of Connecticut’s Unemployment Insurance system, eligibility requirements, and the responsibility of employers who are subject to Connecticut’s Unemployment Compensation Law.

Topics will include:

• Background of the UI system
• Claims filing in CT
• Eligibility determinations
• Employer charging
• Overview of eligibility regulations
• Employers’ obligations

To register, click HERE. 

Beginning on December 1, a new electric bill discount will be available to customers who have financial hardship status. Based on a customer’s household income or receipt of public assistance they may be eligible for a 10% or 50% discount on their monthly electric bill. 

Below, you'll find information to help you determine what programs you may qualify for. 

Also from Eversource: Eversource CT is rolling out new electric bills that will give consumers a better sense of where the dollars in their monthly payment go. The new bills should begin arriving in customers’ mailboxes this month.

Eversource worked with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to develop the new bills.

Consumers will now see that there are four elements of their payment: supply, transmission, local delivery and public benefits. Three of the four are related to how much electricity a customer uses. Local delivery is a charge is a flat rate regulated by PURA. The bill breaks out the amount of each charge and its percentage of the total bill.

Supply is the cost of electricity from Eversource’s Standard Service or a third-party supplier of electricity. Customers can choose from whom to purchase their electricity. The charge is dependent on a customer’s monthly usage and market conditions. Since the deregulation of the electric utilities in Connecticut, utilities purchase electricity from third-party suppliers and pass that cost, without a markup, to customers.

Transmission is the cost to maintain high-voltage towers and lines and is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The charge is dependent on a customer’s monthly usage.

Local delivery is the cost to Eversource to build, maintain, and repair poles, power lines, and meters that deliver power from a substation and the people who maintain and repair the system. That charge is regulated by PURA.

Public benefits are charges authorized by the state for energy support programs.

The bill will also allow customers who have a third-party electricity supplier to see when their contract ends, who their supplier is, and how what the supplier charges compares to Eversource’s Standard Service charge.

Other information on the bill includes a 13-month summary of kilowatt hours used. That will allow consumers to see how their electricity use has changed month by month. Also included in the new bill is customers’ meter readings and the meter reading schedule.

Heads up! These scam calls, typically targeting seniors, seem to be popping up again. Help me spread the word with these reminders:

• If you have to pay money to get money - it is a scam!
• If it is too good to be true - reach out to a trusted source before acting. 
• You always have time to verify - do not let them take that away from you. 
• If they insist that you need to pay now, end the conversation. It is ok to hang up.
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