Chris Poulos

Today, I had the great honor of joining Governor Ned Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, Principal Chris Palmieri, local officials, students, and teachers at DePaolo Middle School for the announcement of Dawn Dickau as the 2024 Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year. Fellow Education Committee Member State Representative Francis Cooley and I presented Dawn with a citation and congratulated her on her accomplishment.

Thank you to the Southington community for coming out last weekend to support our town during the first weekend of the Apple Harvest Festival. The parade, YMCA road race, fireworks, vendors, bands, and of course the apple fritters, all contributed to the legacy of this great Southington tradition.

Great news! After months of advocacy, a $5 million grant to increase the size and aesthetic of the current Southington Public Library project is on the agenda for the October 6 meeting of the State Bond Commission.

I had the opportunity on Friday to attend the annual STAND DOWN event hosted by Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) at the Danbury War Memorial, which was one of five regional locations.

It was great to attend the grand re-opening of Friends Cafe on Liberty Street and personally congratulate the new owner, Robin Cimino, on her endeavor!

Paraeducators provide critical and direct support to teachers like me and students, which makes them an integral part of the school ecosystem. That is why I am happy to share that the Paraeducator Healthcare Subsidy Program will provide $5 million in financial assistance and increase access to quality health care.

The application period for the 2023-2024 winter season of the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is open. CEAP provides vulnerable state homeowners and renters with crucial support for the associated costs with heating their homes.

I had a great visit this week to Craft Kitchen. Just before Memorial Day weekend, local business owner and Southington Town Councilor Jack Perry contacted me to see if I could help Craft Kitchen owner Mike Truss facilitate his liquor license for the restaurant’s new location in downtown Plantsville.