Patrick S. Boyd

We have been in Session for a month now and committees are starting to hold public hearings on proposed legislation. If you go to the website, you may view the calendar to follow and learn how to engage in the debate.

Over the last few weeks, I have been working hard to talk with stakeholders in the district to get feedback on items being proposed. I have met with several local businesses, members of the Windham County Farm Bureau, Social Service Agencies, Boards of Education and local hospitals. I have also been working with Woodstock First Selectman Mike Alberts and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development on marketing the property currently occupied by Crabtree & Evelyn in order to provide assistance to business that are interested in doing business on that site. 

Here is just a quick update on what has been happening this month: 

Scramble the Duck Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter

″... My shadow I see. The snow will fall, wind will blow, plows will plow, mowers won’t mow. You may have wanted early spring, but the answer is plain: Six more weeks of winter,” In an Eastford tradition, Scramble the Duck says we will have a long winter this year. According to the family, in his 5 years of weather prediction, Scramble has a 100% accuracy. 

Welcome New Scouts!

Rep. Candelora and I were pleased to host over 100 scouts at the State Capitol as girls were sworn in for the first time in history. As an Eagle Scout, I was honored to be apart of this moment and welcome all new scouts. 

Proposal of Regionalism

I wrote a column in the Woodstock Villager sharing my thoughts on various proposals surrounding regionalism. 

Workforce Development & Manufacturing 

As the Vice-Chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee I had the honor of joining Governor Ned Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and members of the General Assembly at the commissioning of the USS South Dakota at the Naval Submarine Base New London.

The South Dakota is the newest, most modern submarine in the service of the United States Navy. While at the event I had the opportunity to speak with Electric Boat President Jeffrey S. Geiger about workforce development initiatives in Connecticut and Electric Boat’s staffing needs now and in the future. Northeastern Connecticut is home to a good number of Electric Boat employees, and they are currently hiring. 

Community College Consolidation 

I co-authored SB 749 which will limit the Board of Regents of Higher Education from closing a Community College without the approval of the General Assembly. Community colleges provide affordable and quality education for the students of Connecticut and as legislators, we should be continuously working to protect them.

The bill has been raised by the Higher Education Committee and will receive a public hearing. You can follow the progression of the bill here. 

Tree House Brewing Chooses Woodstock as their New Home

The Massachusetts brewer, Tree House purchased Devon Point Farm in Woodstock. The $1.6 million dollar purchase will utilize the land to grow crops and build new fermentation facilities. It's exciting for a successful business, such as Tree House, to choose our community to continue to grow their business. Devon Point Farm, known for it's grass-fed beef and heritage pork, will continue operations in North Stonington. 

As always please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns that you might have.