Eleni Kavros DeGraw

I hope you had as many adorable trick-or-treaters at your house last night as we did. And I hope if you’re a teacher, you’ve survived the day of exhausted over-sugared ghosts and goblins.
 
In less than a week, we have our municipal elections. I hope if you are reading this, you’ve made your plan to vote, especially if you have to be out of town. Absentee ballots are available at your respective Town Hall. Same-day voter registration is still possible on the day of at Town Hall as well.
 
It’s been a busy week for me presenting to the Connecticut Association for Community Transportation with my colleague (and Vice Chair of the Transportation Committee) Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo. We discussed how best to participate in public hearings and the legislative process during session as well as sharing a preview of what’s to come potentially for transportation next session.
 
I also had the opportunity to speak to two civics classes in Avon. While I am sure having a state representative isn’t the most exciting part of their week, I was truly impressed at their level of engagement and the different areas of my job that interested them.
 
We have a few events on the horizon below and I do want to call special attention to the information on the upcoming hearings regarding a request by CT Water to receive a rate increase. You have the opportunity to advocate for a lower rate increase and I hope you will do so.
 
Thank you, as always, for reading the e-news and I hope you have a great rest of the week,

Eleni

Listening to the Chief Trauma Surgeon from the hospital where many of the victims were sent was a grim reminder of what a bullet does when it enters the body. That extraordinary trauma, now witnessed and treated by nurses and doctors, many of whom have never seen that kind of damage before, will experience their own form of trauma from this event.

Gun violence is a pebble in a pond where the ripples of trauma reverberate across a community through families, neighbors, caregivers, adults, and children, old, and young, without discrimination. As a praying person, I know, prayers are not and will never be enough. Free will to choose to make laws that will save lives and prioritize life over guns is the only way we can move forward and change our society. Red flag laws work (Maine has a “yellow” flag law). A federal assault ban will help.

It’s on all of us.

I was truly impressed by the students' attentiveness to the topic (especially right after lunch) and their well-prepared questions. Ms. Genovese said that while the students were prepared to ask questions, they went above and beyond in terms of their engagement.

Shout out to my sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Tenenbaum, who made me care and appreciate what it is to be a citizen. And, to Sr. Maureen Christopher who taught my AP Government class, those lessons have served me well.

• In-person: There are in-person enrollment locations and events taking place across Connecticut. Find more information at accesshealthct.com/enrollment-events/.
• Online: Visit accesshealthct.com. You can learn more about the different plans and find free help online using the "live chat" feature.
• By phone: Call 1-855-805-4325. Help is available Monday - Friday, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1- 855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
• Work with a Broker: To find a Certified Broker or Enrollment Specialist, visit accesshealthct.com/get-help/

If you or your family need quality, affordable healthcare please don't miss this opportunity. Click here to learn more.

• For Avon Residents: Applications and completed ballots can be brought to Town Hall, 60 W. Main Street, Avon, CT
• For Canton Residents: Applications and completed ballots can be brought to the Town Clerk’s office, 4 Market St, Collinsville

PURA (the Public Utility Authority Regulatory Authority) will hold public comment sessions and I highly encourage you to attend and share your thoughts on the issue.

• Monday, November 27 at 5:30 p.m.; Jonathan Trumbull Library, 580 Exeter Road, Lebanon, CT
• Thursday, December 14 at noon; Zoom 

Ratepayers and other stakeholders submitting comments into the public record are urged to include the docket number (Docket No. 23-08-32), your name, and home address. 
 
Under the proposed rate application, CWC has requested that PURA increase the company’s annual revenues above current levels by approximately $21 million, or 18.1%, for rates effective July 1, 2024. Depending upon where a customer is located, the requested increase would add between $18.80 and $58.69 on a quarterly basis to the typical residential water bill (approximately 15,000 gallons per quarter). 
 
CWC’s last distribution rate case was completed in July 2021. The Clinton-based utility, which is owned by SJW Group, provides water and fire protection services to over 107,000 customers, or 360,000 people, across 60 towns and cities across Connecticut.

The event includes an early dinner and conversation about the Commission's ongoing initiatives and share your ideas for new programs and projects.

 Please RSVP to the Senior Center at 860- 675-4355 no later than November 6.

Please be aware that the property to the north of the gravel lot is private property on both sides of the trail and cannot be used for parking. Thank you for your patience. Please call DPW at 860-693-7863 with any questions.