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Early voting is officially underway in the 114th district and the rest of Connecticut. Please read below to learn where you can head to the polls before the presidential primary on Tuesday, April 2.
Part of our district will soon be able to request on-demand rides on a shuttle for only $2! I'll let you know when this program is rolling out and where!
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A new sidewalk project is in the works to protect our kids, especially students at Amity. Keep scrolling to find out where you can learn more at public meeting in Woodbridge.
Instagram is limiting your ability to see political content online, but you can turn that setting off! I'll break down how you can do that below.
Here are the sections and topics in this week's email:
- 🗳️ Early Voting Is Under Way!
- $2 On-Demand Rides in Derby Available Soon
- Future Female Leaders Visit State Capitol!
- Congratulations to Orange Cub Scout Pack 922
- Fight to Protect Our Climate & Environment
- Expect Lane Closures During Road Work
- Sidewalk and Pedestrian Safety Meeting in Woodbridge
- Instagram Censorship Update
- Spring Bulk Trash Pick-Up
- Derby Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Hamden
- Orange Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
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| 🗳️ Early Voting Is Under Way! |
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Early voting for the 2024 presidential primary is underway in Connecticut! Polls have been open since Tuesday but are closed today due to Good Friday. You will be able to vote early tomorrow, March 30 from 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. at the following locations:
- Derby: Derby City Hall on Elizabeth Street
- Hamden: Miller Library on Dixwell Avenue
- Orange: Town Hall, Registrar of Voters on the second floor
- Woodbridge: first floor of Town Hall next to the Recreation Office
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Are there deadlines to be aware of?
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.
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| $2 On-Demand Rides in Derby Available Soon |
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I have great news for anyone who needs on-demand rides in Derby, Ansonia, and parts of Shelton. A pilot program designed to modernize transportation is kicking off in those communities on Monday, April 1.
You will be able to schedule and request rides within the service area shown below for free upon your first ride and only $2 per ride after that.
Here is how the new microstransit service works:
- Download the VTD2GO App or CLICK HERE
- Register in the app or online
- Request a ride by setting your pickup and drop-off addresses
Service will be available Monday – Friday from 5:30 P.M. - 11:30 P.M.
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| Service area for Derby, Ansonia, and Shelton |
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VTD2GO will connect with the following routes:
The pilot program will last for two years with the possibility of two one-year extensions based on performance and ridership. |
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| Future Female Leaders Visit State Capitol! |
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I had the pleasure of speaking with so many young women and mentors from across the state who participate in the Ms. President US organization. It was so nice to see members from the Woodbridge and Hamden chapter again. Congratulations Nita Sudhir as the new Ms. President US for Woodbridge!
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| Congratulations to Orange Cub Scout Pack 922 |
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Over the weekend, I celebrated the achievements of Orange Cub Scout Pack 922 and their families at their Blue & Gold ceremony. Congratulations to all the scouts on their advancements, and especially to those receiving their Arrow of Light!
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| Fight to Protect Our Climate & Environment |
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I'm excited to share my commitment to protecting the environment and working to combat climate change. The Environment Committee passed House Bill 5004, "An Act Concerning the Implementation of Certain Climate Change Measures," out of committee following a 23-11 vote last week and a public hearing on March 8. The bill now heads to the House Floor for consideration.
The proposal, referred to as the 2024 Connecticut Climate Protection Act, is a priority for the House Democratic Caucus.
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The bill seeks to respond to the climate crisis by:
- Updating the Global Warming Solutions Act to make Connecticut's greenhouse gas emissions targets more in line with other states in the region
- Creating incentives for businesses that engage in clean economy sectors or employ environmentally sustainable practices
- Developing plans for transitioning to a clean economy, including workforce training and long-term policy implementation
- Supporting nature-based solutions, such as preserving marshlands and forests.
With this bill, we're saying that sustainability is not only the right thing to do but also the smart, economically competitive thing to do.
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| Expect Lane Closures During Road Work |
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Drivers should expect delays as crews paint new pavement markings and upgrade the center line and shoulder rumble strips on a busy road in Derby and Ansonia. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will shut down lanes starting on Monday, April 1 on Route 853 in Derby/Ansonia from Service Road 727 to Route 115 (Main Street).
According to the CTDOT, night work will take place from 8:00 P.M. – 5:00 A.M., Sunday through Thursday, with a rain date as Friday.
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Sidewalk and Pedestrian Safety
Meeting in Woodbridge |
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Woodbridge residents are invited to attend, listen to experts, and ask questions about the Town Center Sidewalk and Pedestrian Safety Project. A public information meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 2 at 6 P.M. in the Main Meeting Room at Woodbridge Town Hall.
The goal is to improve pedestrian safety, especially for Amity Regional High School Students. Crews will install sidewalks and storm drainage along Meetinghouse Lane and Newton Road thanks to a Connecticut Department Of Transportation Community Connectivity Grant. |
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| Instagram Censorship Update |
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| Instagram and Threads are actively limiting the reach of political content. This default setting went into effect without ever directly telling users. Ahead of a major election year, this change could impact political outreach attempting to inform voters.
Since this change was made by default, you’ll need to follow the steps outlined below to change your preference and stay in-the-know. |
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| Spring Bulk Trash Pick-Up |
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More communities are providing information about bulk trash pick-up. Please read below to learn more about how your community is handling that situation:
Woodbridge:
The Woodbridge Department of Public Works will continue to schedule Tuesday appointments for Bulk Pickup Services for the months of April and May. To reserve an appointment, call the Public Works’ Office at (203) 389-3420.
Woodbridge residents can request spring pickup services now, in April, and May. Collection takes place each Tuesdays between 7:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. You must pay a $50 collection fee before the scheduled pickup date. Click here to learn more.
Hamden:
Bulk trash pick-up will begin Monday, April 1 in Hamden. Residents may put bulk trash curbside in front of their homes anytime between April 1 and April 30. The town's trash hauler will pick up acceptable items throughout the entire month of April. No phone calls or appointments are necessary.
Residents are urged to have bulk at the curb by or before their last regular refuse pick-up day for the month of April. Please remember to place bulk trash away from Town-issued trash and recycling carts and do not place any regular refuse with the bulk trash.
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Apply To March in Memorial
Day Parade in Orange! |
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| The Town of Orange is accepting applications to march in the Memorial Day Parade on Sunday, May 26. CLICK HERE to apply! If you have any questions or need more information, please email the Parade Committee at parade@orange-ct.gov. |
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| Check out the events below, and click the button at the bottom of this section to access the community calendar. |
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| You're welcome to join a free educational, college planning and financial aid workshop for parents of high school freshmen, sophomore, juniors and middle school students at the Derby Neck Library. The event will take place on Monday, April 1 from 6:15 P.M. -7:30 P.M. CLICK HERE to reserve your spot! |
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| Upcoming Events in Hamden |
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| Take a look at the fliers below to learn more about upcoming events. Make sure to click on the button at the bottom of this section. |
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| April 1st is a silly day, but did you know it is also National Greeting Card Day? Help Hamden Public Library spread some good vibes to the community by making greeting cards on Monday, April 1 from 10:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. at the Whitneyville Branch.
The library will provide supplies and a space for you to make a greeting card to give to someone you care about and one to be given to a community member! Click here to register. |
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| In honor of National Public Health Week, the Quinnipiac Valley Health District is joining local health departments across the state for Save a Life with Local Health - Naloxone Training Day.
Listen to a presentation on Tuesday, April 2 at 12 P.M. to learn about current drug trends, overdose prevention strategies, and how to respond to an opioid overdose using Naloxone (Narcan), the opioid overdose reversal nasal spray. Click here to register. |
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| The Keefe Community Health Fair is free and taking place on Saturday, April 6. Anyone who stops by will receive a bag of produce. There will be an area for kids to enjoy some activities. |
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| Check out the flier and community calendar in Orange below. |
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| Stop by Case Memorial Library on Saturday, April 6 from 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. to do some eclipse art and pick up some eclipse-safe glasses ahead of the solar eclipse the following Monday!
Craft supplies and eclipse viewing glasses will be distributed on a "first come, first serve" basis. |
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| Upcoming Events in Woodbridge |
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| Check out the events below, and access the Woodbridge community calendar by clicking on the button at the bottom. |
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| The Massaro Community Farm is hosting a beekeeping workshop on Saturday, March 30 at 9:30 A.M. |
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 Don't miss out on the celestial spectacle of a lifetime! Join Ruben Kier, MD, Astro-Photographer and Eclipse Chaser on Thursday, April 4 at 12:30 P.M. at the JCC of Greater New Haven for an expert guide on experiencing the 2024 Great American Solar Eclipse. Learn how to safely view and photograph this rare event, plus make your own pinhole solar viewer! CLICK HERE to register for free! |
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