Our legislative session is well underway and I wanted to share this update on what we have been working on.
As always, please feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or concerns.
The topics covered are as follows:
Legislative Updates
Today in CT History
Community Resources
CT Foodshare
Manchester Community Events
East Hartford Community Events
Irish History
Dan Devlin
Legislative Updates
Early voting starts in less than two weeks as folks head to the polls in the 2024 presidential primary. This was all made possible by the Connecticut General Assembly last session after a wide majority of Connecticut voters approved a state Constitutional amendment in 2022.
Early voting will provide you - and voters across the state - with more flexibility and access to cast your vote with the confidence that your voice is heard and your civic duty is fulfilled, while avoiding large crowds and scheduling conflicts.
By taking part in early voting in March, you will help state election officials understand our strengths and needs ahead of the general election in November when turnout is much greater.
Anticipating that you may have questions about this new process, I hope the guide below will be helpful in providing information to answer them.
Here's what you need to know:
When is early voting?
For the April 2 presidential preference primary election, early voting will take place from 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. on March 26, 27, 28, and 30. Due to Good Friday and Easter, there will be no early voting Friday, March 29 or Sunday, March 31.
Early voting for the August 13 primary elections will take place between August 5 and August 11.
Early voting for the November 5 general election will take place between October 21 to November 3.
Can I vote by absentee ballot?
If you need to vote by absentee ballot, please click here to download the absentee ballot application or Apply for an Absentee Ballot online (must have a CT driver’s license).
When filling out the application, make sure to note the following:
Section I – Fill out your contact information
Section II – Delivery address if it’s different than your registered address
Section III – A) Primary, B) April 2, 2024
Section IV – Reason you are needing an absentee ballot (learn morehereabout eligibility)
Section VI – Sign and date the application
Once complete return it via one of the three options below:
Place it in a drop box
Bring your application to the Town Clerk’s office
Mail your completed and signed application to the Town Clerk
Once the Town Clerk receives your application, you will be sent an absentee ballot. As soon as it arrives, fill out your ballot and vote! Place your ballot in the inner envelope, sign the inner envelope, place the inner envelope in the outer envelope, and return it via the drop box or mail it back to the Town Clerk’s office. Your absentee ballot MUST BE RECEIVED by the Town Clerk no later than 8:00 P.M. on Election Day, April 2.
Are there deadlines to be aware of?
Monday, March 25 at noon is the deadline to register with a political party to vote in the early voting period for the presidential preference primary.
Monday, April 1 at noon is the deadline for registering in person with your registrar of voters or town clerk to vote on April 2, and for unaffiliated voters to enroll in a party for in-person voting.
If you are not yet registered to vote, file your registration application with your town's registrar of voters by noon on the business day before the day you want to vote, or click here to register.
Voting is one of our country's most privileged and fundamental rights, and your participation is crucial in shaping the future. Let’s amplify the impact of our collective voice – start voting early!
Please don't hesitate to reach out to my office with any further questions on this new and exciting initiative!
The resources below will help you stay updated on crucial developments, events, proposed policies, and key discussions as they happen in Hartford. I urge you to please follow along and get involved.
Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:
The non-partisanOffice of Legislative Research (OLR) recently released the 2024 Major Issues Report. This comprehensive document highlights and summarizes key issues the legislature could take up during the upcoming session.
You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA official website.
Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings, as well as House and Senate floor debates.
You can register to monitor any bill's journey as it goes through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change in the bill's progress.
Visit this website for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.
2024 Legislative Survey
As the 2024 legislative session continues, I would like to hear from you! Connecticut faces many challenges, including access to affordable housing, childcare, and quality healthcare. I’d like to know your views on all the various issues facing our state. I would like to hear your opinion on a variety of topics so I can better represent you and our community in Hartford. I hope you will take a few minutes to complete this survey.
In the late 19th century, the city of Boston, like most of New England’s other cities, experienced a period of incredible growth thanks to increasing industrialization and a rising tide of European immigration. By the early 20th century, Boston city officials realized they were only a few decades away from a full-blown crisis if they could not secure a much larger supply of fresh water for the city’s increasing population.
A map from the original 1922 Quabbin Reservoir proposal. (State Library of Massachusetts)
In response, civil engineers drafted a plan to create a massive reservoir in central Massachusetts to ensure a steady supply of water for the greater Boston area. The plan was met with intense opposition from the moment it was announced, both from residents of the four rural towns that would be displaced by the reservoir, and from Connecticut state officials who were deeply concerned about the plan to fill the reservoir with water siphoned from the Connecticut River watershed. In December 1927, after Massachusetts officials had applied to the United States War Department to request a permit to divert water from the Connecticut River to the proposed new reservoir, Connecticut state attorneys sprang into action, instigating a formal legal complaint against their neighbor to the north that became known as Connecticut v. Massachusetts, a legal case that eventually worked its way up to the United States Supreme Court.
In Connecticut v. Massachusetts, the defendants claimed that “An emergency exists in Boston…and unless water is supplied in the metropolitan area a grave and serious danger exists.” In reply, Connecticut argued that a diversion of waters would seriously harm the many commerce, transportation, and recreation activities in the state that depended on the Connecticut River. In the face of escalating legal tensions, the Secretary of War, Dwight Davis, announced on March 15, 1928 that the War Department would neither oppose nor grant Massachusetts its desired water permit, and instead would wait on the decision of the Supreme Court before proceeding further. Several months later, in January 1929, the Supreme Court sided with Massachusetts after the Bay State agreed to abide to a strict set of limits upon the amount of water it could divert from the Connecticut River watershed.
In 1939, after years of construction and clearing out the land once occupied by four rural towns, water diverted from the Connecticut River watershed first started flowing into what is now the Quabbin Reservoir in central Massachusetts. The Quabbin Reservoir, with a capacity of 412 billion gallons, remains one of the largest man-made freshwater reservoirs in the world and, thanks to the efforts of quick-thinking Connecticut officials in the 1920s, the Connecticut River is none the worse for wear. Water enough for all, today in Connecticut history.
These photographs depict the transformation of the now-defunct town of Enfield, MA from settlement to part of the Quabbin Reservoir. (WGBH.org)
Below is the list of locations in Manchester that are open to the public; Bring a sturdy grocery bag! This program is made possible by Foodshare and Winn Residential - Resident Service Program. For more information call 860-646-1280.
Get mobile pantry updates in your area by texting the word Foodshare to 85511.
Squire Village, 48 Spencer Street, 06040 (1st parking lot off Imperial Drive #78)
Faith Tabernacle – Manchester 110 Utopia Rd, Manchester, CT 06042
New River Community Church -314 Woodbridge St, Manchester, CT 06042
East Hartford
Below is the list of locations in East Hartford that are open to the public; Bring a sturdy grocery bag! This program is made possible by Foodshare and Winn Residential - Resident Service Program. For more information call (860) 291-7295
or (860) 291-7248
Hockanum Park- 75 Hamilton Park
Mayberry Village –St. Isaac Jogues Church Parking Lot (41 Home Terrace East Hartford)
Summerfield Townhouse (66 Plain Drive East Hartford, CT)
Veterans Terrace -102 Columbus St, East Hartford, CT 06108
Get mobile pantry updates in your area by texting the word Foodshare to 85511.
Early Library Design Renderings
On March 5, 2024, the Library Building Committee, and the library design team comprised of town staff, Friar/ HBM Architects, and construction manager O&G Industries, presented current building design renderings, and schematic cost estimates to the Board of Directors, all of which will be continuously updated through the upcoming design and construction process. The report summarized the design building process to date and forecasted future activities and timelines.
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, create on canvas a shamrock made out of buttons and glue. Registration is required and limited to the first 20 people. Please call our Reference Room at: 860-645-0821 to secure your spot starting 3/9/2024.
Manchester’s early voting for the Presidential Primary will be held at Mahoney Recreation Center, located at 110 Cedar Street (rear entrance off of Pleasant St):
Tuesday March 26, 2024, 10am – 6pm
Wednesday March 27, 2024, 10am – 6pm
Thursday March 28, 2024, 10am – 6pm
Saturday March 30, 2024, 10am – 6pm
The Presidential Primary will take place April 2, 2024 6am – 8pm
All Polling locations will be open on Primary Day.
*You must be a Democrat or Republican to vote in a Primary Election
Para Manchester, el lugar de votación anticipada para Primarias de Preferencia Presidencial será el Centro de Recreación Mahoney, ubicado en 110 Cedar Street (entrada trasera por Pleasant St.)
Durante el periodo de votación anticipado electores tendrán la oportunidad de emitir sus votos de 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, en los siguientes días:
· martes, 26 de marzo, 2024
· miércoles 27 de marzo, 2024
· jueves, 28 de marzo, 2024
· sábado, 30 de marzo, 2024
El día de las Primarias de Preferencia Presidencial es el martes, 2 de abril de 2024, con horario extendido de 6 am - 8pm.
Todos sitios de votación estarán abiertos el día de las Primarias.
*Solo los votantes afiliados como republicanos o demócratas son elegibles para votar en la elección primaria.
Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM the Town of East Hartford will be conducting a Stop Log Exercise for the levee closure structure located on Main Street south of Pitkin Street.
Main Street (Route 5) between the intersections of Pitkin Street and Silver Lane Extension will be closed to all traffic and pedestrians by 6:00 AM on Saturday, March 23, 2024 and will be expected to remain closed for the duration of the exercise.
There will be a posted detour route utilizing Pitkin and Jayce Streets, as well as Silver Lane Extension. All businesses within the area should plan to remain open throughout the exercise and patrons will be allowed to access them either via Pitkin Street or from the intersection of Main Street and Silver Lane Extension. Police officers will be posted at various locations along the detour route to assist motorists. A shuttle will be provided for pedestrians needing to cross the closed portion of Main Street.
“The Stop Log Exercise is an important drill that allows us to evaluate our operational readiness to respond to a flood emergency. This exercise provides real-life experience to personnel from several different town agencies, including public works, the fire department, and the police department for a potential flood emergency.” said Mayor Connor Martin.
The drill is being held in accordance with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) mandates, to ensure the Town has the materials, equipment, and trained staff necessary to erect the closure in the event of a flooding emergency.
Hop into spring with the Town of East Hartford and the East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department!
East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department’s will be holding a Splashing for Eggs Event at the Middle School Pool, 777 Burnside Avenue, pool entrance located on Scotland Road on Friday, March 22nd from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Participants will be assigned a time slot to ‘hop’ into the pool to collect some floating eggs. Children will then turn in their eggs for a goody bag. We will also have music, floats and snacks. U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets must be worn in the water for those who do not know how to swim, and children ages 6 and under must have a parent/guardian in the water with them at all times. This event is $3 per child participant with an additional $1.50 credit card processing fee and registration is required at ehparks.org due to limited space. You may also stop by the East Hartford Parks and Recreation office during business hours and pay by cash or check. Parents/guardians do not need to register! Registration will open on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 9am.
Parks and Recreation will also be offering their Annual Egg Hunt at McAuliffe Park, 30 Remington Road on Saturday, March 23rd starting at 11:00am. There will be thousands of pieces of candy, treats and stuffed plastic eggs. This event is for children ages 10 and younger (and their accompanying parent/guardian.) Participants will be grouped by age and there will be staggered start times:
Ages 3 and under 11:00 – 11:20am (parent/guardian can accompany child on the field)
Ages 4-5 11:30 – 11:50am
Ages 6-10 12:00 – 12:20pm
Each child should bring their own bag or basket to collect eggs and candy. Please note that the parents/guardians of children ages 4 - 10 are not allowed on the field during the egg hunt. Please dress appropriately for the weather. In case of inclement weather or poor field conditions, updates will be posted on our website and Facebook page www.facebook.com/ehparks.
The event is FREE for East Hartford Residents. For more information, please call East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department at 860-291-7160.
For more information on any of these events, please call East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department at 860-291-7160.
Early Voting for Presidential Preference
Primary Election Beginning March 26
Early voting will be available for the Presidential Preference Primary Election beginning March 26, at East Hartford Public Library (840 Main Street) on the 2nd floor.
Early voting hours will be:
Tuesday, March 26, 2024: 10am - 6pm
Wednesday, March 27, 2024: 10am - 6pm
Thursday, March 28, 2024: 10am - 6pm
Saturday, March 30, 2024: 10am - 6pm
The Presidential Primary will take place April 2, 2024 from 6am – 8pm. All polling locations will be open on Primary Day.
You must be registered as a Democrat or Republican to vote in a Primary Election.
Youth & Social Services is recruiting East Hartford residents to serve as members on the Local Prevention Council (LPC). The East Hartford LPC works together to plan and implement substance use and misuse prevention programs for East Hartford youth. We are looking for members of all backgrounds, including parents, youth, educators, youth serving organizations, substance misuse organizations, local government, law enforcement, health care, media, business, faith-based organizations, civic and volunteer groups, and persons with lived experience.
For questions, contact Youth & Social Services at 860-291-7248.
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 27, 2024 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.
“It was the Town's priority to bring back the Memorial Day parade 3 years ago and it has now become a tradition that the community looks forward to every year," said Mayor Connor Martin. "I have a lot of respect for our Veterans and the Memorial Day Parade is a small gesture in which we honor their service and sacrifice."
PARTICIPANTS:
Those who would like to march in the Memorial Day Parade are asked to register by Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
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 Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
East Hartford is also accepting applications from vendors who wish to participate in the Memorial Day event. Vendors will have to set up and disassemble their own tables, tents and chairs. Vendors who wish to participate are asked to register Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
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.
The SYELP is a youth employment program, connecting Connecticut youth living in the North Central Region between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer. Participants must qualify by income and other designated categories. Deadline to apply is May 10, 2024.
Participants have the opportunity to explore their interests and career pathways, develop workplace skills, and engage in learning experiences that help in developing their social, civic, and leadership skills. By participating in structured project- and work-based opportunities, Connecticut youth are better prepared for careers of the future.
The program runs in July and August. Participants are eligible for up to 120 hours of paid work across a variety of fields.
The East Hartford Parks and Recreation is now accepting applications for Summer 2024 employment opportunities. Available positions include seasonal lifeguards and camp counselors. The Parks and Recreation Department estimates a need to hire 20-30 new employees this year to work at various camp sites, pools, parks and facilities throughout town.
Lifeguards must be at least 15 years old and have current certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding OR be able to successfully complete a course prior to the start of the summer season. Lifeguards are assigned to one of the town’s outdoor or indoor pools, and typically work a varied schedule including nights and weekends. The Parks and Recreation Department will be offering American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification courses this spring, and course dates will be announced when they are finalized.
Camp Counselors must be at least 16 years old and are responsible for planning and leading activities and experiences for children in a group setting, as well as overseeing the general safety and development of the children under their supervision. Camp counselors should have leadership skills and be available to work the entire summer season, Monday through Friday, from mid-June to mid-August. Prior experience working with children is highly preferred, and CPR and/or First Aid certification is recommended, but not required.
Working for East Hartford Parks and Recreation is a fun, rewarding experience! Those interested in applying for seasonal positions are encouraged to do so as early as possible and employment applications are available on our website at:
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.
