Jason Rojas

Dear Neighbor,

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:

• State Update
• Today In Connecticut History
• Manchester Community Events and Information
• East Hartford Community Events and Information

MDC RELEASES 2024 WATER QUALITY REPORT

 MDC water met or exceeded all State and Federal standards

The Metropolitan District (MDC) announced today that the drinking water provided to its customers met or exceeded all state and federal standards for 2024. 

The 2024 Water Quality Report is required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act.  The 2024 Water Quality Report is mailed out to MDC customers annually.  Additionally, a copy of the report is available online to view and download on the MDC’s website at www.themdc.org in both English and Spanish.

Download Water Quality Report
Download Press Release

Today in 1865, three years after forming, the Charter Oak Base Ball Club celebrated the conclusion of a championship season with a one-of-a-kind team trophy. The day after their final game of the year – played in Worcester Massachusetts. – the returning team was presented with a miniature bat adorned with silver embellishments by J. G. Belden of Hartford. The bat came with a certificate certifying that it was made with wood from Connecticut’s famous Charter Oak tree, the state’s most cherished cultural symbol, which had fallen in a storm nine years before. 

The unique trophy was housed in a protective rosewood box labeled “Emblem of the Championship of Connecticut.” Its presentation marked the start of what was intended to become a lasting tradition: the iconic Charter Oak bat trophy was to be the possession of each season’s most successful Connecticut baseball team.

By the turn of the century, however, the Charter Oak Base Ball Club had dissolved, and the iconic trophy it received today in 1865 had disappeared with it . Baseball in Connecticut, however, was more popular than ever. Hartford’s first professional baseball team, the Hartford Dark Blues, became a charter member of baseball’s National League in 1876. Team owner and future governor Morgan G. Bulkeley was the National League’s 1st President.

A century and a half after the founding of the Charter Oak Base Ball Club, minor league professional baseball teams thrive (pandemic lockdowns aside) all across Connecticut. And somewhere out there, the Charter Oak bat, “Emblem of the Championship of Connecticut,” is undoubtedly sitting on some trophy bench, waiting for another chance to celebrate the state’s favorite pastime.

https://www.easthartfordct.gov/residents
 
Town Newsletters
Pulse of East Hartford     
East Hartford Public Schools
East Hartford Works

Celebrate recovery and remember lives lost to overdose.

Join us for Manchester’s annual International Overdose Awareness Day Wellness Event and Vigil on Thursday, August 28th, 2025, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Center Memorial Park in Manchester. Hosted by the Opioid Settlement Fund Committee of Manchester, this year’s event embraces both remembrance and recovery. It offers space not only to honor those we've lost to overdose, but also individuals in recovery, families affected by substance use, and anyone impacted by the overdose crisis. This family-friendly gathering offers space to share your story, learn about local resources, and come together as a community in moments of both joy and grief. Everyone is welcome, because connection is the opposite of addiction.

This year’s event is coordinated by the Opioid Settlement Fund Committee of Manchester, with support from the Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation, the Manchester H.O.P.E. Initiative, the Change Collaborative of Manchester, and the Pathfinders Club. These partners are working together to create a more compassionate community by reducing stigma and supporting people who use drugs. Their efforts focus on prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery, with a commitment to meeting individuals.

Luminary Walk:
A primary component of the International Overdose Awareness Day event is the Luminary Walk, a vigil pathway designed to honor those who have passed away from or have survived an overdose & found recovery. Folks will have the opportunity before or during the event to dedicate luminaria to a loved one impacted by opioid use.

Submit a Luminary

Sidewalk tabling:
Local organizations will offer information and swag to spread the word about services relating to opioids/addiction/grief/healing in town. Tables will embody, “connection is the opposite of addiction” and fall somewhere in the categories of; Prevention, Intervention, Harm Reduction, Recovery, and Treatment.

Wellness Activities:
Folks can explore alternative forms of healing and recovery through holistic wellness activities like somatic yoga, breathwork, and sound healing. Wellness sessions will take place throughout the night in the Mary Cheney Library.

Activities include:

·         FREE food

·         FREE T-shirt to 1st 100 guests

·         Music

·         Guest speakers

·         Information tables by local businesses and organizations

·         Wellness activities for adults (Yoga, Sound Healing, & More)

·         Children’s activities

As the Manchester community bands together in commemoration of International Overdose Awareness Week, we hope you will join in remembrance of those we’ve lost to drug overdose, uplift those in recovery, and celebrate those individuals and organizations who work tirelessly to create a more vibrant, safer community for all.

The Town of Manchester is now accepting applications for Government Academy Fall 2025 session. The program provides the public with a hands-on opportunity to learn about the inner workings of local government. 

The program will consist of a series of interactive sessions, and participants will get an inside look at the municipal operations covering everything from public safety to the public library.
Participants will experience a lively blend of demonstrations, presentations, and tours, all conducted in a casual format at numerous sites throughout the Town and can expect to come away with a heightened awareness and knowledge of local government operations as well as a greater understanding of how to get involved in local affairs.

The nine-week program will begin on Thursday, September 4, 2025, and will conclude on Thursday, October 30, 2025. The sessions are free and held mostly on Thursday evenings with one exception; anyone living or working in Manchester are welcome to apply.
While seating is limited, applications received first will be given preference. 
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Academy Coordinator, Lisa Fusco at (860) 647-3092. 

The Town of Manchester is excited to officially unveil Manchester Now, the new program guide publication for the Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation, the Manchester Public Library, the Manchester Senior Center & Manchester Public Schools.

Cruisin’ on Main Street is back! On August 3rd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain dates Aug. 10th or 17th.) come down to Manchester’s Main Street and spend the day admiring local and out-of-town hot rods, muscle cars, classic cars and more. Spectators’ admission is free and to register/showcase your car there is a $10 fee. For the show cars the gates open at 8 a.m. located at School St. and Myrtle St.

Cruisin’ on Main Street is one of the largest car shows in New England where peak attendance reached almost 1,000 cars and 30,000 spectators. The event is managed by Gear Head Mafia member Larry Ash and supervised by our very own Leisure, Family, and Recreation staff. So, on August 3rd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. come down to Cruisin’ on Main Street and enjoy the classic cars, great food, and awesome music!

Read More

The school supply assistance program will be distributing a ONE-TIME use VISA Gift Card for Manchester residents to assist with school supplies for children in grades K-12.

To sign up please call Senior, Adult and Family Services at 860-647-3096 or apply online using the link below:

Apply Today

Apply: Through August 15^th 2025

Please bring the following information when you sign up:

Your children’s insurance cards

Proof of residence and DSS Assistance

Click here for more information.

You are invited to the East Hartford Community Center ribbon-cutting and open house/resource fair on Wednesday, August 6. As you may know, in an effort to establish a one-stop shop resource center, Mayor Martin’s administration has re-envisioned the use of former East Hartford Community Cultural Center at 50 Chapman Plan by housing the following departments and organizations at the facility:
 

• Crisis Intervention Division
• East Hartford Food Pantry
• EL and Bilingual Services
• Family Learning Center
• Family Welcome and registration Center
• Hartford Regional Children’s Probate Court
• Office of Family and community Partnership
• Parks and Recreation 
• WIC
• Youth & Social Services  

 
We invite you to attend the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony in recognition of establishment of the new and improved East Hartford Community Center. The event has been coupled with the East Hartford Public Schools Back to School Rally.
 
The ribbon-cutting will begin at 2 PM at 50 Chapman Place, followed by the East Hartford Public Schools Back to School Rally from 3:30 – 6:30 PM. In additional to obtaining school supplies, families are invited to connect with local departments to learn more about the resources they offer to the community.
 
Rain date is Thursday, August 7, same time and location. Attendees are asked to RSVP for both dates by Friday, July 11 at 12:30 PM. 
 
Your attendance is welcomed and highly appreciated.

Terry Pool  (Outdoor/Seasonal Facility)
Hockanum Park, 320 High St.  Located by Hockanum School.  Features a 50 meter pool with two diving boards, and a ramp for accessible entry.  Olympic Size!
Martin Pool  (Outdoor/Seasonal Facility)
Martin Park, 307 Burnside Ave. Located in Martin Park. This is a historic pool dating back to 1938, rectangular with a separate wading pool.
Drennan Pool  (Outdoor/Seasonal Facility)
McAuliffe Park, 30 Remington Rd. Located next to Anna Norris School.  Features a rectangular pool with a ramp for accessible entry.
Lord Pool  (Outdoor/Seasonal Facility) 
Gorman Park, 258 May Rd.  Located behind O’Connell School.  Features a ramp for accessible entry, water slide, and separate wading pool.
Goldstar Pool  (Outdoor/Seasonal Facility) 
Goodwin Park, 1235 Forbes St.  Located behind Goodwin Elementary School. Features a family friendly pool with a mushroom water feature.
________________________________________
Admission to Town of East Hartford Aquatic Facilities is free for residents.
Proof of residency is required for all persons ages 7 and older. 
East Hartford Resident Adult (Ages 16+) - Acceptable forms of ID are Driver’s License/permit or State Issued ID Card.
East Hartford Resident Child (Ages 7-15) - Acceptable forms of ID are East Hartford Public School ID (current year) or Parks and Recreation Youth Photo ID.  Parks and Recreation Youth ID cards are available for residents ages 7-15 from East Hartford Parks and Recreation.  The cost is $6.00 and are valid for three years.  Children 11 and under must be accompanied by a responsible swimmer age 16 or older.  The application for a Youth Photo ID is available here.
East Hartford Resident Child (Ages 6 and under) - Must be accompanied by a responsible swimmer age 16 or older and must remain within arms reach of that person at all times when in the water. .
All Non-Residents or Those Without Proof of Residency - The daily fee for non-residents and those without acceptable proof of East Hartford residency is $5.00.  This includes children. Non-Residents may purchase an annual pool pass for $120, which can be prorated on a monthly basis at the Parks and Recreation office.  Daily admission fees do not apply towards the purchase of a pool pass, and are non-refundable.
 

Additionally, there will be a series of aquatic recreation opportunities offered throughout the summer. They will include three splash parties on Saturday, July 12 at 1 p.m. at Goldstar Pool , Saturday July 19 at 1 p.m. at Lord Pool, and on Friday, July 25, at 5 p.m. at Martin Park.
Finally, there are a number of group swim lessons offered Monday through Thursday. Swim sessions in sets of 8 classes are offered to residents for $50 and to non-residents for $80 per session.
For more information or to register please visit: Aquatics & Swim Lessons | easthartfordct or call the office for more information at 860-291-7160.