Updates from State Rep. Nick Gauthier for July 2, 2026

July 2, 2026

As we commemorate our nation's 250th anniversary, this Fourth of July offers a unique opportunity to reflect on America's remarkable journey. We honor the vision, courage, and sacrifices of those who founded our republic, while recognizing the generations who have helped shape and strengthen our nation.

This milestone invites us to celebrate our shared history, appreciate our progress, and look ahead with hope and determination as we continue striving toward the ideals of freedom, opportunity, and democracy.

Extreme Hot Weather Protocol

Connecticut's Extreme Hot Weather Protocol is in effect through Sunday as temperatures climb into the 90s and heat indexes approach 100 degrees. Please stay hydrated, limit your time in the sun, and check on vulnerable neighbors and loved ones. Here are some things to keep in mind during this heat wave.

Take Care of Yourself and Check on the Most Vulnerable:

Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly, young children, and those with respiratory illnesses, to ensure they are remaining hydrated and have adequate cooling in their homes.
Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.
People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature.
People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because they tend to retain more body heat.
People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.
People who are physically ill, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.

Stay Cool: Keep your body temperature cool to avoid heat-related illness

Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to cool off.
Find an air-conditioned shelter. (Call 2-1-1 for a list of cooling centers). Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
Avoid direct sunlight.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Take cool showers or baths.
Check on those most at risk several times a day.
Pets that cannot be brought indoors should be provided with ready access to water and shade to keep them cool.

Stay Hydrated: Because your body loses fluids through sweat, you can become dehydrated during times of extreme heat

Drink more water than usual.
Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more fluids.
Drink from two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
Remind others to drink enough water.

Cooling Centers in the Area

Waterford

The Waterford Police Department will serve as a cooling center through Sunday, July 5, at 6 p.m.

Montville

It is recommended that residents call public safety dispatch at 860-848-7510, and press 5 when prompted. A dispatcher will provide the best location for a cooling center based on a resident's location, according to the Mayor's office. This protocol is in place because the Senior Center, which typically serves as a cooling center, is closed on weekends.

To find other cooling centers in the state, or if you need transportation to one, call 2-1-1 or visit www.211ct.org.

New Laws

Several new laws that we passed during the 2026 legislative session took effect on July 1, bringing important changes for Connecticut residents.

Among them is Public Act 26-42, which expands access to voting by allowing any eligible voter to cast an absentee ballot without needing to provide a specific reason. The law removes outdated restrictions that previously limited absentee voting to a narrow set of circumstances.

Another new law, Public Act 26-12, strengthens recruitment and retention efforts for Connecticut's first responders. The legislation expands benefits such as tuition waivers and mortgage assistance for police officers, firefighters, correction officers, EMS personnel, and National Guard members, while also providing support for the families of certain public safety personnel who die in the line of duty.

Public Act 26-1 provides stronger workplace protections for employees at warehouses and fulfillment centers. The law ensures that productivity quotas do not interfere with legally required meal and bathroom breaks and requires employers to clearly communicate any quotas workers are expected to meet.

These measures reflect our ongoing efforts to make voting more accessible, support those who serve our communities, and strengthen protections for Connecticut workers.

Click here for a comprehensive list of new laws that just took effect.

$411.7M Invested in CT Early Childhood Education Endowment

The state recently invested $411.7 million in state surplus funds into the Connecticut Early Childhood Education Endowment, bringing its total value above $700 million and supercharging an effort to strengthen the state’s early childhood education system. Beginning in the 2028 fiscal year, eligible households earning up to $100,000 will receive free child care, while families earning above that level will see maximum family contributions of 7% of their household income. Endowment funds can also be used to support workforce initiatives, quality improvements and other strategies to further build and strengthen Connecticut’s delivery of high-quality early childhood education.

Class of 2026

Congratulations Waterford High School Class of 2026!!! Graduation season is a chance to celebrate the hard work, perseverance, and achievements of students across Waterford as they reach an important milestone. Whether they're graduating from high school, or a technical program, or moving up from middle school or elementary school, each graduate represents the promise of a brighter future for our community.

Waterford Summer Concert Series

The Waterford Summer Concert Series will take place Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at Waterford Beach Park, with concerts each Wednesday through Aug. 12. Weather-related decisions will be made the day of performances around 1 p.m.

Bell Ringing in Waterford

The National Bell Festival invites bells and bell towers across America to ring out together at 2 p.m. on July 4. Cathedrals and churches, community organizations and historical structures, national parks and memorials, and people from all states and territories are encouraged to gather and contribute to the sound. Then, tune-in to hear the U.S. Semi-quincentennial Bell ring out for the first time during the live streaming event at 2:50 p.m. Staff from the Town of Waterford will be ringing its bell from Town Hall.

Montville Farmers Market USA 250 Night

The Montville Farmers Market, 45 Oxoboxo Dam Road, opens on July 7 with a celebration of America's birthday from 4 to 7 p.m. Support our farmers, shop local and small businesses.

Summer Cookout at Waterford Human Services

Waterford Senior Services, 24 Rope Ferry Road, is hosting a cookout on July 29 from noon to 2:30 p.m. to commemorate the town's 225th and the country's 250th anniversaries. Burgers, hot dogs, salads, watermelon, ice cream and cold drinks will be on the menu. Enjoy music and games in the dining room and on the outdoor patio. The cost is $12. The deadline to register is July 22.

Montville Public Hearing

Montville will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 20 at 6 p.m. in Town Hall to discuss a discontinuance of PTA Lane. For more, click here.

New London/Waterford Road Work

The state Department of Transportation will perform milling and resurfacing on Route 1 through July 30, with nighttime lane closures. Milling continues to July 2, with resurfacing from July 19 to July 30. Work hours will be overnight on weeknights.

Waterford Blood Drive

Waterford Town Hall will host a blood drive on July 10 from noon to 5 p.m. All donors will receive a free T-shirt.

I-95 Exit 74 Continuous Closure

The Department of Transportation will continuously close the I-95 Southbound Exit 74 off-ramp for two weeks from July 13 to July 27 to facilitate construction of a new permanent off-ramp and the removal of a current temporary one. Detour signs will be posted in the area.

The Department of Transportation is revising traffic control signals and improvements at crossings in our region this summer with a specific upcoming project at Montville’s Route 32 at Massapeag Road. There will be alternating one-way traffic patterns in the area to guide motorists through the work zones.

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my office at 860-240-8727 or by email at Nick.Gauthier@cga.ct.gov. And "Like" and follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.

Sincerely,