Jaime Foster

I'm thrilled to announce that on Friday, the State Bond Commission approved funding allocations including $8 million for the North Central CT Police and Public Safety Infrastructure project, which will provide better communication resources for East Windsor, Ellington, and Windsor first responders. The project will see the expansion of a radio site and channels for Windsor, East Windsor, and Ellington towns and public safety agencies, bolstering connectivity and interoperability between agencies in each town. The work also includes improving a police radio dead zone at Ellington High School and will overall improve interoperability in the majority of North Central Connecticut.

Join Representative Kevin Brown and me at a Veteran Resource Discussion at Ellington Senior Center on June 20, 10:30 a.m.! We'll be joined by the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Ronald P. Welch. Come find out about programs, resources, and other information regarding veterans.

I have a lot to share with you, including some of the bills we passed in the 2024 session, a new student loan repayment program that will help address shortages in health care, ways to observe Memorial Day in the 57th District, meeting Vernon's new police chief, welcoming a new slate of officers at Ellington Volunteer Fire Department (and wishing the former chief happy retirement), and many events. 

With the two-year $26 billion budget passed by the legislature last year remaining strong and in balance, we were able to make much-needed new investments in important areas such as higher education, early childcare, mental health services, and our non-profit community.

Warmer weather is on the way and we're less than two weeks away from the end of this legislative session. I have info to share with you regarding bills the House has passed, remembering "Magic Dan," celebrating Earth Day, welcoming a new police chief in Vernon, and more.

Public safety is one of government's most important responsibilities, and legislation passed by the House of Representatives takes aim at stopping the growing threat of "street takeovers."

A recent phenomenon that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, the brazen public safety threat known as "street takeovers" have become a growing national issue, including a number of dangerous incidents in Connecticut towns.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced a milling & resurfacing project will be performed on Route 74 in Vernon from the Ellington/Vernon Town Line to Route 83, starting April 21.

Yesterday, I asked the House Chamber to observe a moment of silence in memory of Dan Sclare, known to many in Ellington as "Magic Dan." Dan passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his Ellington home on April 3. He was 78 years old. While his family and friends mourn his loss, they will always remember how he lived his life full of magic, wonder, and joy.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dan can be made to: Friends of the Hall Memorial Library, PO Box 280, Ellington, CT 06029. Note Dan Sclare in the memo line. Donations can also be made to the CJD Foundation - https://cjdfoundation.org/