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
• Manchester Community Events and Information
• East Hartford Community Events and Information

This week, we mourn the passing of Donald Schoup, a distinguished research professor at UCLA’s Department of Urban Planning and a pioneering figure in land use reform.

Professor Schoup’s research and advocacy were instrumental in educating lawmakers and advocates, driving forward the ongoing efforts toward equitable housing access. His contributions have left a lasting impact on the field, inspiring continued progress in urban planning.

To learn more about his research, achievements, and the causes he championed, be sure to read the article by Daniel Roche in The Architects Newspaper.

My Constituent Survey is Still Open – We Want to Hear From You!

Your valuable input through my constituent survey plays a vital role in shaping the decisions I make as your State Representative. I encourage you to take just a few minutes to complete the survey, as your voice matters.

As always, I’m here to assist you, your family, or our neighbors in any way I can. It’s a true honor to represent you at the State Capitol, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how we can continue to make Connecticut a place where individuals, families, and businesses can thrive.

Thank you for being an essential part of this process!

If you would like to follow the list of bills I’ve submitted you can find it here

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended our Legislative Town Hall yesterday!



Your participation and insightful contributions truly made the event a success. It was incredibly inspiring to engage with such a passionate and dedicated community. We're grateful for the time and energy you invested in being part of the conversation.

Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our community, and your voices play a vital role in that process. We are excited to continue working together and look forward to future discussions and collaborations.

If you were unable to attend Thursday night, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or comments. We value your input and are always here to listen.

Thank you once again!

Town Resources

https://www.easthartfordct.gov/residents

 

Town Newsletters

Pulse of East Hartford     

East Hartford Public Schools

East Hartford Works

The Budget Adoption is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 7pm in the Lincoln Center Hearing Room.

View the Full Schedule of FY26 Budget Workshops & Meetings by clicking here(PDF, 13KB).

Please note that workshops will be held in the Lincoln Center Hearing Room at 5:30 p.m.



Note: Workshop #2 Tuesday March 13, 2025 starts at 5:00 PM

The Public Hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lincoln Center Hearing Room.



The meeting is a public meeting and as such members of the public can also attend the meeting 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.

Request to Speak Form

Meetings will be conducted in person with remote access optional via Zoom.

Full Budget Schedule  

Complete the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan Survey

Make Your Priorities Count: Complete the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan Survey!



The Town of Manchester receives federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to improve housing, public services, and infrastructure for low- and moderate-income residents. Every five years, the Planning & Economic Development Department updates the Consolidated Plan, which serves as a strategic guide for using these funds. We need your input to help set priorities for the 2025-2029 cycle.



Help shape Manchester’s future! Take this 10-minute survey today and share it with your networks.



If you need a paper copy, don't hesitate to get in touch with Emma Petersen, Principal Comprehensive Planner, at epetersen@manchesterct.gov to coordinate.



English

Spanish

জনসাধারণের জরিপ - বাংলা

 

Visit the Project Page

The Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation Winter/Spring Program and Event Guide is here!

African American and Black Affairs Council (AABAC)

The African American Black Affairs Council (AABAC) invites you to a special screening of The Six Triple Eight on February 22nd from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Mahoney Recreation Center, 110 Cedar Street, Manchester, CT.

Please arrive on time, as the screening will start promptly.

From 4:15 PM to 5:15 PM, join us for a panel discussion with Black women veterans as we honor the legacy of the 688th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female battalion to serve in WWII. Refreshments will be provided!

East Hartford Residents: The Town is looking for your input!

Help shape our community! The Town of East Hartford is collecting feedback on how to allocate federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Share your priorities by completing the CDBG Needs Survey by February 28, 2025.



Take the survey online: https://survey123.arcgis.com/.../73d823cd96e94e7888b8786d...



Pick up a hard copy at Town Hall, the Senior Center, Raymond Library & Cultural Community Center!

Your voice matters! #EastHartford

The Town of East Hartford is in the process of adopting its annual budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026. The Town encourages all residents to participate in the budget workshops and provide valuable feedback.

Understanding how the Town plans its spending every year is essential for our community. The budget planning process is an open and transparent opportunity for all residents to learn about the Town’s priorities and contribute their input. Below are the key details for the upcoming budget workshops and meetings.

• The workshops will be held in the Town Council Chambers on the second floor of Town Hall (740 Main Street)
• Call-in options are unique to each workshop. Access details are listed on the public meeting calendar on the Town Council webpage here.

Residents are invited to engage in these meetings, where the Mayor and town directors will present and discuss the proposed budget for FY 26. The Mayor's recommended budget book will be available on the East Hartford Finance Department webpage. Once adopted, the book will be updated.

• FY 2026 Town Council Budget Presentations & Public Hearing Schedule
• Previous years’ adopted budgets

The Town of East Hartford has recently begun a community-wide branding initiative. Why? In an increasingly competitive and mobile world, communities must present what they stand for to their residents, prospective residents, visitors, and businesses to give each of these audiences confidence in choosing the community. It's a matter of ensuring long-term economic health and vibrancy.

While this is a branding project for the Town of East Hartford as a municipal government, the Town’s brand must reflect East Hartford’s identity both as a government and as a community. The East Hartford story is defined by the people who spend their time here—living, working, and exploring. Each individual plays a part in defining this town, and their stories help us uncover the unique identity of East Hartford. As we build the East Hartford brand, we will rely on a strong foundation of research to inform creative outcomes and implementation planning. We are currently in the Research portion of the project and look forward to uncovering and creating the East Hartford brand.

Help us shape the brand, (how people talk about us) by responding to our community survey here.

The survey is available in both English and Spanish. You can also find paper copies of the survey at Town buildings (Town Hall, CCC, both libraries, Public Safety, and the Senior Center) beginning Friday, December 13th. The community survey will close on February 28^th, 2025.

Learn more about the Community Branding Initiative and how YOU can get involved by visiting chooseeasthartford.com.

My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8541.



Sincerely,



Jason Rojas