Mary Welander

• Check smaller stores or pharmacies for availability. During the formula shortage, it may help to visit stores more frequently and buy formula as it becomes available.
• If you can afford it, buy formula online until store availability improves. Purchase from well-recognized distributors and pharmacies. 
• Use caution when purchasing formula from individual or private sellers. You can report price gouging and scams to the CT Office of the Attorney General, HERE, or to local police.
• Check social media groups that are dedicated to infant feeding and formula. Members may have ideas on where to find formula. Always check with your pediatrician regarding any provided advice. Click here to check out the Find My Formula CT Facebook Group that has been shared on a number of news outlets.
• It is unsafe to add more water to formula, make homemade infant formula, or use regular cow’s milk, or other milk substitutes to feed infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding infants iron-fortified infant formula during the first year of life when breastmilk is unavailable.
• WIC families can contact their local WIC office with questions. If you are unable to reach your local WIC office by phone you can send an email. Find local WIC office phone numbers and emails by clicking HERE. You can also reach out to ctwic@ct.gov or 1-800-741-2142 for assistance.
• Call 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org to locate community organizations that provide emergency formula.
• Connecticut participates with Mother’s Milk Bank Northeast, which sends most of its donated breast milk to neonatal care units across the state. It’s also available for purchase. Please visit milkbankne.org/receive to learn about it.
• The US Department of Health & Human Services has additional resources for families to use. Click HERE for more information.

Last year, I voted for the future of our communities by establishing the $875 million Community Investment Fund (CIF). This is a transformational opportunity to invest in underserved communities in Connecticut through economic development and small business, education, and infrastructure projects.
 
The CIF allows $175 million per year for the next five years in bonding, with the option to renew the program for an additional five years. This funding will be directed to projects proposed by eligible municipalities, community development corporations, or nonprofit organizations.
 
Derby is an eligible municipality and could receive grants available through the CIF for:

• Capital Improvement Programs: brownfield remediation, affordable housing, infrastructure, clean energy development, and home or public facility rehabilitation
• Small Business Capital Programs: revolving or micro loan programs, gap financing, and start-up funds to establish small businesses

Applications for the fund have not yet been posted on the CIF website, but are anticipated to be by the end of the month. In the meantime, the Department of Economic & Community Development is hosting an informational webinar on June 1 from 11AM – 12PM. If you have any questions about the CIF, this will be a great opportunity to ask them.

The City of Derby has started using the CodeRED notification system. This is a system that notifies residents of emergency situations and/or general notifications. Residents, business owners, or other interested parties of the City of Derby may opt in or out of participating with the system.

If you want to sign up for Derby CodeRed notifications:

• Click here
• Text DERBYALERT to 99411 to receive a direct link to the enrollment form on a mobile device

Anyone who wants to opt out of the system:

• Email fpepe@DerbyCT.gov, provide your phone number and asked to be removed

The CodeRed mobile app is available for download from the App Store for Apple users and Google Play for Android users.

Recipients of CodeRed notifications will recognize the CodeRED call when their caller ID displays the following numbers. 866−419−5000 for Emergency Alert for Emergency Notifications 855−969−4636 or Community Alert for General Notifications. To ensure you receive the notifications, please be sure to add these telephone numbers into your cell phone contacts.

If you know of anyone who wants to sign up for the system but does not have a smart phone or a computer, please advise them to contact Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo at 203-736-1462 for assistance.

The CT Department of Transportation will begin paving on Route 1 in Orange on May 22. The project involves the replacement of circular arch culverts constructed in 1926, widening the existing roadway and adding a turning lane on Boston Post Road. Short term detour routes will be provided during the period when the roadway requires milling and paving.

Lane Closure Info

• There may be a temporary road closure on Route 1 to complete the paving operation.
• All business access for properties located within the construction zone will remain open, though traffic may only be able to access from one direction or the other on Route 1 during the construction activity.

Detour Info

• Route 1 Northbound will head northwest onto Orange Center to Route 34 (Derby Avenue/Derby Turnpike). Turn right onto Route 34 (Derby Avenue/Derby Turnpike). Turn right onto Racebrook Road to Boston Post Road.
• Route 1 Southbound will head northwest on Racebrook Rd to Route 34. Turn left onto Route 34 (Derby Avenue/Derby Turnpike). Turn left onto Orange Center to Boston Post Road.