$2M In CIF Funding Headed TVCCA, New Wrong-Way Detection Installations In Groton

March 15, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are all doing well. Warmer temperatures are here and so is March Madness! We're also in the midst of the 2024 legislative session, a short one, ending on May 8th. We have a lot more work to do in a short period, and we will do it. I was happy to see HB 5001, a bill in support of protecting our seniors, is moving right along. I have included some news specific to the constituents of the 41st district as well.

The contents of the newsletter this week include: 

  • What's Our Rep Been Up To?
  • Public Hearings March 18-22
  • $2 Million In CIF Funding Headed to TVCCA
  • Wrong-Way Turn Signals Installed in Groton
  • Connecticut Expands Traffic Enforcement
  • HB5001 Moving Right Along
  • DEEP OKs Permit For Sub Base Pier Extension In Groton
  • Declaring Freedom Conference Ends Saturday
  • Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas Study Town Hall Thursday
  • DEEP Looking to Grow Partnerships At CT Parks
  • Groton Hiring for Summer Employment
  • Ramadan Mubarak
  • Community Events and Notices

Have a great weekend,

Aundré
 
WHAT'S OUR REP BEEN UP TO? 
We had a fun evening supporting the Mystic Irish Parade a few nights ago. Thank you to the organizers for their hard work and dedication each year to make this parade happen. A big congratulations to Bill Turner for being named the Grand Marshal of the 2024 Mystic Irish Parade—very well deserved! Don't forget the parade is coming up on March 24th at 1 p.m. in downtown North Stonington.
 
There's nothing like an Environment Committee public hearing on a Friday evening — honored to serve the 41st district.

Thanks to those who submitted testimonies and signed up to testify. We had just under 170 individuals, over 13 hours, including my friend, Roger Kuhns of Mystic, and Stonington's first selectman Danielle Chesebrough. We heard from so many advocates testifying in support of bills ranging from declaring a climate crisis to diverting food waste from our solid waste stream! Just got out before midnight! 
 
PUBLIC HEARINGS MARCH 18-22
I will always encourage you to get involved.
 
 $2 MILLION IN CIF FUNDING HEADED TVCCA

REP. BUMGARDNER APPLAUDS $2 MILLION ALLOCATION FROM THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND FOR GROTON

Funds to Expand Childcare Services for Groton and Southeastern CT Families

GROTON, CT - State Representative Aundré Bumgardner (D-Groton, Stonington) expressed his gratitude for the approval of $2 million in state funding for the pre-development costs of the Groton Early Childhood Education Center by the Community Investment Fund Board.

During the Community Investment Fund 2030’s March 12 board meeting, $2 million was allocated for the Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc.'s Groton Early Childhood Education Center. The funds will facilitate the enhancement and expansion of the childcare center, encompassing renovations of the existing building and facilitating increased enrollment.

Rep. Bumgardner's letter in support for the TVCCA's Round 4 application for CIF project funding underscored the importance of supporting low-income and vulnerable households in New London County as well.

According to Beth Bye, commissioner of the state’s Office of Early Childhood, the Groton area, along with the rest of Eastern Connecticut, is considered a “childcare desert” – meaning the local childcare capacity falls far short of the region’s needs.

 "As the region continues to attract young professionals employed at Electric Boat or at our area hospitals, so too will the demands for childcare grow," said State Representative Aundré Bumgardner. "For parents to engage in the local economy and join the workforce, consistent childcare must be accessible for all working families in Groton and throughout Southeastern Connecticut."

The State Bond Commission, under the chairmanship of Governor Ned Lamont, must grant final approval for the funding. The Community Investment Fund, aimed at fostering economic development in historically underserved communities, disburses up to $875 million in grants to eligible municipalities, non-profit organizations, and community development corporations operating within these areas.

Rep. Bumgardner represents the 41st District, encompassing Groton, Mystic, and Stonington. He serves on the General Obligation Bonding Subcommittee and Transportation Bonding Subcommittee as a member of the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee. Additionally, he serves as Assistant Majority Leader while holding positions on the Planning & Development and Environment Committees.

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WRONG-WAY TURN SIGNALS INSTALLED IN GROTON
Fox 61
REPS. BUMGARDNER, CONLEY LAUD COMPLETION OF WRONG-WAY DETECTION INSTALLATIONS AT ROUTE 349 SB EXIT RAMP AND I-95 NB TO ROUTE 1 IN GROTON

 
State Representatives Aundré Bumgardner (D – Groton, Stonington) and Christine Conley (D- Groton, New London) are praising last week's completion of wrong-way detection installations at the Route 349 southbound exit ramp and I-95 northbound exit ramp to Route 1 in Groton.
 
"I'm thrilled to see the implementation of wrong-way detection systems by the DOT at this important gateway, heavily utilized by Electric Boat and Pfizer employees," said State Representative Aundré Bumgardner. "This proactive measure highlights our shared commitment to keeping our roads safe for all Groton residents and visitors to our community."
 
"Wrong-way detection systems are a simple, proven way to prevent unnecessary traffic accidents," Rep. Conley said. "Thank you to the Department of Transportation for their implementation of this lifesaving technology on these busy exit ramps."

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Of note: Last year, Gov. Lamont signed legislation into law directing the CTDOT to install wrong-way driving alert systems on at least 120 additional highway exit ramps statewide that the agency has identified as high-risk.

The technology uses cameras to detect a driver entering a highway from the wrong direction and rapidly flashes bright red LED lights to notify them that they are driving the wrong way. Future installations will add the ability to notify the Connecticut State Police in real-time.
 
CONNECTICUT EXPANDS TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT
This initiative, which has already begun, uses police data to guide additional patrols and enforcement saturation along highways where crashes and fatalities have become more common. The hope is they can stop drivers who should not be on the road before they get on the road going the wrong way.
 
In addition to patrolling thousands of miles of roads in our state, the Connecticut State Police also regularly plan initiatives to combat distracted driving, aggressive driving, and operating under the influence.
 
HB5001 MOVING RIGHT ALONG 
The Joint Committee approved a top-priority bill for House Democrats, HB5001: AN ACT SUPPORTING CONNECTICUT SENIORS AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF NURSING AND HOME-BASED CARE to further support seniors. This bill will allow more seniors to age in place, further protections in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and improve training for caregivers.
 
DEEP OKs PERMIT FOR SUB BASE PIER EXTENSION IN GROTON
A tentative determination has been reached to approve the Naval Submarine Base in Groton's application for a permit to conduct work waterward of the coastal jurisdiction line in tidal, coastal, or navigable waters of the state and within tidal wetlands. 

The proposed activity includes the construction of a pier extension and dredging with riverine disposal of the dredged material within the existing Confined Aquatic Disposal cell which will affect aquatic and coastal resources. Please click HERE. 
 
DECLARING FREEDOM CONFERENCE ENDS SATURDAY
The Declaring Freedom Conference at Central Connecticut State on March wraps up on Saturday.

On Friday, the conference launched a robust consideration of what freedom means and how we can commemorate 250 years since the Declaration of Independence while considering the many troubling realities that have accompanied the United States' development as a nation.

On Saturday, historians, museums, and other history organizations will gather to learn from one another, share ideas, and make plans for the semi-quincentennial. This day will include presentations, panels, and ample opportunities for share-outs and networking around the 250th planning. Organized by the Association for the Study of Connecticut History with the Connecticut League of Museums. To register, please click HERE.
 
COASTAL EROSION HAZARD AREAS STUDY TOWN HALL THURSDAY
A virtual meeting that provides an overview of the study’s methodology and presents the nonregulatory coastal erosion data viewer will be held on Thursday, March 21st, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be time at the end for community members to ask questions regarding the coastal erosion non-regulatory study. Details for the meeting time and registration link can be found by clicking on the image below.
 
DEEP LOOKING TO GROW PARTNERSHIPS AT CT PARKS

DEEP is looking to build upon successful partnerships in Connecticut State Parks by inviting businesses, non-profits, and other private sector stakeholders to submit concepts to an RFI. Submissions for all partnership concepts for implementation in 2025 and beyond are due Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Submissions can be submitted at deep.partnershipsinparks@ct.gov. To learn more please click HERE.
 
GROTON HIRING FOR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT
The City of Groton Parks & Recreation Department is hiring for seasonal positions for the Summer of 2024. Click on the image below for more details, including available positions, pay, and a seasonal employment application.
City of Groton
 
RAMADAN MUBARAK
 
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND NOTICES 
Young basketball enthusiasts will have an opportunity to learn from professional basketball players and their coaches as the Connecticut Sun will host a "Basketball for Free" event at Wilbur Cross High School, 181 Mitchell Drive in New Haven, on Saturday, March 30th from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please respond to Chris Smith at Chris@consult-ct.com if you can attend. The Mohegan Tribe became the first Native American Tribe to own a professional sports team when they welcomed the Sun in 2003.

Do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Aundre.Bumgardner@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267.

Sincerely,

Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative
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