I hope this email finds you well. Below, you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns.
The topics covered in this e-newsletter are as follows:
Today In CT History
State Update
Manchester Community Events and Information
East Hartford Community Events and Information
Hope to see you in Hartford for the UConn parade celebrating our Women’s National Championships! #GoHuskies
Chag Sameach!
Today In CT History
Today in Connecticut history, Naval Submarine Base New London — the home of the United States submarine force — was first established as a navy yard and storage depot.
In 1868, several towns in Southeastern Connecticut jumped at the chance to host a naval installation in their area, pooling their resources to offer the U. S. Navy a 112-acre tract of land along the Thames River. For nearly 50 years, the New London Navy Yard (technically located in Groton, across the river from its namesake) functioned as a storage area for inactive Navy ships and, around the turn of the century, as a coal depository and refueling station for Navy ships patrolling the coastal waters.
As the Navy increasingly turned to oil instead of coal as a fuel for its ships, the base narrowly escaped closure in 1912, but found a renewed sense of purpose a few years later with the onset of World War I. As the United States increased the size and scope of its submarine force in response to aggressive German U-Boat attacks, Groton quickly emerged as an excellent strategic location for a dedicated submarine base. The Connecticut coast offered an ideal launching point for excursions into hotly contested North Atlantic waters, and the former fuel depot had both space and capacity. On June 21, 1916, the navy yard was recommissioned as a the United States Navy’s first submarine base, complete with its own submarine flotilla and training school.
The USS New Mexico sails past the New London’s iconic Ledge Light on its way up the Thames River to Naval Submarine Base New London.
Today, Naval Submarine Base New London remains a bustling hub of activity, home to over a dozen active-duty fast-attack submarines and neighbor to General Dynamics, the foremost builder of submarines for the U. S. Navy. The base also features a free submarine museum open to the public and is the permanent home of the world’s first nuclear submarine, the U.S.S Nautilus. “The Submarine Capital of the World” has come a long way from its humble origins as a navy storage depot, established on this day in 1868.
April 22nd, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Great Path Academy Common Room @CTState Manchester 60 Bidwell Street, Manchester, CT 06040 Come join the Manchester & East Hartford Delegation at the Great Path Academy Common Room, for an interactive discussion on the State Budget. For any questions please call (860) 240-8541.
Help With Tax Filing
Several organizations offer assistance with tax preparation. Please see the list below and visit their respective websites for more detailed information
The Town of Manchester has been awarded $4,775,000 through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) inaugural Materials Management Infrastructure (MMI) Grant Program—one of the largest individual awards in this competitive, $15 million statewide initiative.
Please note that workshops will be held in the Lincoln Center Hearing Room at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting will be open to the public, and we encourage residents to attend in-person or remotely by means of video conferencing. Individuals who wish to speak remotely must complete a Request to Speak form by 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. The meeting link will be sent to registered individuals prior to the meeting.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing exit number revisions on I-291 from Windsor to Manchester. This project started on March 30, 2025.
The project 0171-0481 consists of the replacement of signs and sign supports along the entirely length of I-291 (Windsor to Manchester)., and the limited-access section of CT Route 187/189 in Bloomfield. The new signs and sign supports will be installed in accordance with the latest Federal and State standards and guidelines. The types of signs that will be replaced include, but are not limited to, large overhead and side mounted guide signs, on-ramp entrance signs. Additionally, two variable message signs will be installed on I-291, one northbound in Manchester, and one southbound in Windsor. Exit numbering is revised to be mileage based per Federal requirements.
Exit Sign Legend
New Exit Number
Historic Exit Number
US-5, South Windsor / East Hartford
2
4
Tolland Turnpike
5A
5
(Left Exit) 1-84 EAST, Boston
5B
I-84 WEST, Hartford, to I-384
5C
There will be temporary lane and shoulder closures on I-291 east and westbound as needed. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zones. Work for the project is scheduled from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Sunday and Monday.
Please be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area.
A huge THANK YOU to the Governor's Office and the State Bond Commission for their continued support and investment in East Hartford’s future!
$1.5 MILLION secured for upgrades to our boat launch, making the Connecticut River more accessible and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike. $170,000 awarded for the development of Port Eastside along the riverfront—another exciting step toward transforming our waterfront into a vibrant community space.
These investments help bring our vision for a more connected, active, and beautiful East Hartford to life. Let’s keep moving forward!
2025 East Hartford Road Improvement Project
The 2025 Vendor-in-Place (VIP) Road Paving List encompasses 10.13 total miles of rehabilitation and/or resurfacing of streets throughout town. These roads were selected based on their overall condition and the need for repairs. The project includes the following streets, which can be foundHERE. Streets with an "*" will need CNG to complete gas services first. If completed in 2025, the Town will mill and pave.
Spring Vacation Programs At East Hartford Public Library
The East Hartford Public Library has announced an exciting lineup of programs scheduled for spring vacation, with event descriptions as follows:
LEGO Play Day Saturday, April 12, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Sunday, April 13, 2:00 – 4:00 PM Use your imagination to build and create with LEGOS! Pick a design challenge card out of the bowl or make a creation of your own choosing. Completed LEGO masterpieces will stay on display at the library for the rest of the month. Program is for children of all ages. Duplo blocks will be available for our youngest builders. Register for a reminder on our online calendar of events.
Pratt & Whitney Hangar Museum Tour Tuesday, April 15, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Join us as our celebration of the Pratt & Whitney Engines’ 100th Anniversary continues with this special guided tour of the Pratt & Whitney Hangar Museum (423 Airport Avenue, East Hartford). We'll follow the course of P&W aviation achievements with retired engineers and NEAM volunteers Carl Cruff and Keith Lindstrom from Hartford's Capitol Avenue to the former East Hartford tobacco fields and beyond, examining P&W engines, aircraft and more. For all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult). Registration required. Directions to the P & W Hangar Museum campus will be e-mailed to registrants. Please note that the day and time of this program is contingent upon P&W business needs, and may be changed. Registered participants will receive updates.
Wickham Program: Family Cooking Tuesday, April 15, 2:00 – 3:00 PM Join us for a family cooking program offered by Lindsey Kent, RD, retail dietician at the ShopRite of East Hartford & Manchester. She will teach us how to prepare a delicious and healthy snack. Recommended for children ages 5 and up, accompanied by caregivers. Registration required as space is limited.
Family Art Night Wednesday, April 16, 6:00 – 7:00 PM Come visit the library to create your own art. We’ll try a different material or technique each month. Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy, just in case. Best suited for pre-K though early elementary ages, siblings are welcome to join in! Families with young children will work together. Registration required.
Family Movie: Mufasa, the Lion King (PG, 1 hour 58 minutes) Thursday, April 17, 2:00 – 4:00 PM Mufasa, a cub lost and alone, meets a sympathetic lion named Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of a group of misfits searching for their destiny. Popcorn provided! For all ages,register for a reminder.
Makerspace Program: DIY Jibbitz in TinkerCAD (3D Printing) Thursday, April 17, 6:00 - 7:00 PM Come to the Makerspace and learn how to design 3D prints. Make your own custom Jibbitz for your Crocs that we will print and have available for you to pick up. Ages 10 and up. Registration required.
Wickham Program: Pajama Storytime Thursday, April 17, 6:00 – 6:45 PM Join us at Wickham Library for a special evening storytime! You're invited to wear your pajamas and bring a cozy blanket and stuffed animal friend. We'll enjoy bedtime stories, songs and rhymes! Stay for a craft to take home before bedtime. This program is best suited for children ages 7 and under and their caregivers. Register for a reminder.
Job Prep for Teens Monday – Thursday, April 14 – 17, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Town of East Hartford 740 Main Street East Hartford, CT 06108 (860) 291-7200 easthartfordct.gov
Are you between the ages of 14 – 19 and looking for help finding a job? Join us at Raymond Library for a series of in-person workshops. Participants must attend at least one session (Monday – Wednesday) to receive an invitation to Thursday’s job fair. Registration required for each day that you plan to attend.
Monday: Job Prep 101: resumes, interviews, applications, and more Get ready for the working world with this introductory workshop presented by Sarah Eiseman, CCSP, CPRW, Head of Workforce Development & Digital Inclusion at East Hartford Public Library. Register here.
Tuesday: Credit for Life Fair with Liberty Bank Role play as an adult trying to manage a household budget; learn about the financial challenges and choices you will face as an adult. Register here. Wednesday: Communication and Teamwork Join experienced facilitator Aujahdai Ambrose for a fun and interactive opportunity to practice the interpersonal and communication skills necessary to be successful in the workplace. Register here.
Thursday: Job Fair Meet with area employers to learn about job opportunities for teens, including the Town of East Hartford Summer Youth Employment & Learning Program. Participation by invitation only. To receive an invitation, attend at least one other program in the series. The Raymond Library is located at 840 Main St., East Hartford. The Wickham Memorial Library is located at 656 Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Information about library programs and services at both branches can be found on our website: https://www.easthartfordct.gov/library
Access the library at your convenience. Download the Library Connection Mobile app on your Apple or Android device.
Need help getting started? Ask a library staff member!
East Hartford, CT— The Town of East Hartford in collaboration with the East Hartford Veterans Commission are excited to announce that the third annual East Hartford’s Memorial Day parade and series of events will take place Monday, May 26, 2025 at 10 AM.
The event will consist of three parts, including a parade, program at the Fallen Star Memorial and celebration of East Hartford. The parade will begin promptly at 10 AM, proceeding from 9 Riverside Drive to the Fallen Star Memorial located at Goodwin University. The parade will be followed by a program at the Fallen Star Memorial and a family-friendly celebration of East Hartford with food trucks, music and activities.
PARTICIPANTS:
Those who would like to march in the Memorial Day Parade are asked to register by Monday, May 5, 2025. Participant Registration
VOLUNTEERS:
If you are interested in volunteering at the 2025 Memorial Day Parade, please register by Monday, May 5, 2025. Event Volunteer Registration
SPONSORS:
To make the event possible, the town would like to extend sponsorship opportunities to local businesses and organizations. Those who wish to sponsor the event or offer in-kind services, please fill out the electronic form below by Monday, April 14, 2025.Sponsorship Information
VENDORS:
If you are interested in being a vendor at the 2025 Memorial Day Parade, please register by Monday, May 5, 2025. Vendor Booth Registration
My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email atJason.Rojas@cga.ct.govor by phone at 860-240-8541.
Big News for East Hartford! 
$1.5 MILLION secured for upgrades to our boat launch, making the Connecticut River more accessible and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.
