Honoring Our Firefighters & Affordable Heat Pumps

August 1, 2024


Connecticut is receiving federal funding to expand the use of affordable electric heat pumps. Please read below to learn how this technology will help the environment while saving you money.

We are home to some of the best firefighters in the state, and I was proud to honor them for 80 years of exemplary public service. Keep scrolling to see pictures of that special ceremony.

Please make sure to take my constituent survey below. It's an opportunity for you to share your ideas to improve Simsbury and to outline your priorities.

Here are the sections in this week's email:

  • Honoring Our Brave Firefighters
  • Investing in Affordable Electric Heat Pumps
  • What Bears Are Up to in August 
  • Provide Feedback in My Constituent Survey! 
  • Simsbury's Strong Bond Rating
  • Nominate a Veteran for the Hall of Fame
  • Mobile Food Truck in Simsbury
  • Community Events
 
Honoring Our Brave Firefighters
I was honored to attend a special ceremony revealing a sign honoring the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company Memorial Highway. My colleague State Senator Lisa Seminara and I presented the fire company and its volunteers with an official State of Connecticut citation, recognizing 80 years of outstanding public service and community spirit. It was a pleasure meeting those who put their lives on the line every day last week at the Simsbury Fire House on Hopmeadow Street.  
Now adorning the stretch of Route 185 between Hopmeadow and the Bloomfield town line, this sign announces our gratitude to our firefighters to everyone who enters and leaves and community. It was an enormous privilege to bring the legislation that enabled this project across the finish line along with Senator Seminara.
Click here for more pictures
 
Investing in Affordable Electric Heat Pumps
Connecticut will get up to $100 million to speed up the process of getting more affordable electric heat pumps installed throughout the state. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding a total of $450 million to a coalition of states, including Connecticut, known as the New England Heat Pump Accelerator Coalition. The goal is to increase the number of cold-climate air-source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and ground source heat pumps in single-family and multi-family homes. These heat pumps reduce emissions, provide significant health benefits, and deliver energy savings.
Additionally, the coalition will partner with heat pump manufacturers, distributors, and installers to increase the availability of air-source and ground-source heat pumps while lowering equipment and installation costs for consumers. This partnership will include significant investment in workforce training, ensuring installers will have access to good-paying careers while delivering more efficient heating and cooling solutions.
 
What Bears Are Up to in August
Courtesy: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
We are in the heat of summer and in the month of August bears are eating and trying to stay cool. By now, most cubs are weaned and can survive on their own if necessary, according to Bearwise. Thes animals feast on ripening berries and can walk a long way for a dependable food source.

CLICK HERE to learn more.
 
Provide Feedback in My Constituent Survey!
I want to hear from you in my 2024 constituent survey! Please take a few minutes to fill it out and share your views on key issues affecting our community.

I do my best work when I hear from you. This survey is an opportunity to voice your priorities, provide feedback, and suggest bill ideas for future legislative sessions. This is democracy in action, and I encourage everyone to take part!
Click here to take the constituent survey
Thank you to those of you who have already responded to my snail mail survey!
 
Simsbury's Strong Bond Rating
Very exciting news for Simsbury and for our community costs! The bond rating agency S&P Global Ratings has reaffirmed Simsbury’s AAA rating due to strong fiscal management and conservative budgeting. In its rating report, S&P characterized the Town as strong or very strong in all of its key credit metrics. That translates into a lower interest rate paid by Simsbury when it borrows money for projects.

Thank you to our Municipal leaders for their top-notch stewardship of our finances! CLICK HERE to learn more.
 
Nominate a Veteran for the Hall of Fame
You are encouraged to send in your nominations for the 2024 class of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. The state wants to honor distinguished veterans from Connecticut who have continued to make a difference after leaving military service. Veterans recognized for the honor are leaders in a variety of areas, such as education, public service, the arts, volunteer activities, and community and business leadership.
CLICK HERE to see the eligibility requirements, nomination package, and mailing information.

The deadline to nominate a veteran is September 15.
 
Mobile Food Truck in Simsbury
Connecticut Foodshare's mobile food truck is serving those in need in Simsbury. The van's next stop will be on Monday, August 5 at 1:00 P.M. at the First Church of Christ on 689 Hopmeadow Street. The van comes every other Monday through December 23.

Please look at the schedule below for more information.
 
Community Events
Buy your tickets here
 
The ultimate musical tribute to Taylor Swift comes to the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center from 6 P.M. - 9 P.M. on Saturday, August 3. This show promises to show you incredible things, including the most faithful and lively covers of "Queen Taylor’s" expansive and sacred catalog.

Gates open at 4 P.M. for early access ticket holders and 5 P.M. for general admission. Please bring your own seating.
Get your tickets here
 
Stop by Simsbury Public Library on Monday, August 5 at 6:30 P.M. for a teen art workshop. CLICK HERE to register.
 
 
 
Give yoga a shot at Schultz Park on Sunday, August 25 at 8 A.M. This class is for all levels and emphasizes the powerful connection between breath and movement. You'll move mindfully while building strength and balance on the mat. Enjoy this opportunity to slow down, move mindfully, and breathe deeply. Please bring a water bottle, mat, and bug spray.

Reserve your spot here.