Free Summer Services!

welander
June 24, 2022
Tuesday marked the official start of summer!

Below, I have shared some summer tips and reminders, upcoming community events and resources to give you some ideas about how to refresh and renew this summer.
 
FREE Shuttles to State Beaches & Parks
It is now easier than ever to visit a Connecticut State Park!

ParkConneCT, a transportation service that offers FREE buses to Connecticut beaches and state parks, is now open for the summer season. This expanded service will run through Labor Day. ParkConneCT makes our state parks and beaches more accessible, ensuring that all residents will be able to enjoy Connecticut's beautiful outdoor offerings.
The following parks are included in the ParkConneCT program: 
  • Hammonasset Beach State Park (Madison)
  • Silver Sands State Park (Milford)
  • Fort Trumbull State Park (New London)
  • Sleeping Giant State Park (Hamden)
  • Sherwood Island State Park (Westport)
  • Osbornedale State Park (Derby)
  • Indian Well State Park (Shelton)
As a reminder, all statewide buses will continue to operate without fare collection until December 1st, 2022. If you are looking for a great outdoor activity during the summer months, I encourage you to take advantage of the free ParkConneCT buses.

For more information on the program, including a schedule, please click

here.
 
Summer at the Museum
Last year, the legislature voted to utilize ARPA funding to offer kids and their accompanying guardian free admission to over 90 museums across Connecticut. This year, I am excited to share that starting July 1st, all children — plus one accompanying adult — will receive free admission again to museums throughout the state. The program will be offered through September 5th to all Connecticut children, ages 18 and under.
 
This initiative will be available at museums, science centers, aquariums, and historical landmarks across the state. While the list of participating centers has not yet been released, you can click the button below to learn more about the program and read any FAQs.
Summer at the Museum
 
Summer Safety
The Department of Children & Families (DCF), in partnership with the Department of Public Health (DPH), recently shared a helpful info-graphic reminding families of simple ways to stay safe throughout the summer. Make sure you are taking the proper precautions to protect your loved ones this summer.

To access a number of other summer safety resources, please visit the DPH webpage by clicking here.
 
50 Years of Title IX
Thursday marked 50 years of Title IX. Thirty-seven words allowed women to finally pursue athletic and academic opportunities at the next level, expanding gender equity nationwide for generations to come.

Playing softball, field hockey, and tennis during my time in school had a huge impact on me growing up. My coaches, especially my field hockey coach Vi Goodnow, taught me the importance of teamwork, consistent effort, perseverance, and being a good sport. Miss G was incredibly special to me and I think of her often. I am so grateful that I had the chance to play under her guidance.

 
 
Data Privacy Legislation Signed in Orange
Last week, I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues, and the Governor at Amity Middle School in Orange for the bill signing of what is now PA 22-15, An Act Concerning Personal Data Privacy and Online Monitoring. This groundbreaking piece of legislation will protect you and your right to keep your data, and your children's data, private. I want to offer a special shoutout to Senator Maroney who worked extensively on this bill and even collaborated with a number of other states to ensure Connecticut continues to lead the nation on data privacy.

You should be in control of your data. Now you will be!
The Data Privacy Law:
  • Created a framework for data privacy standards surrounding the sale and use of your collected data
    • Consumers have the right to access, correct, delete and obtain collected personal data
    • Consumers can opt-out of having their personal data sold for situations like targeted ads
    • Regular collection of data protection assessments
  • Granted Attorney General authority to enforce improper use of your personal data
For more details please click here.

You can also click the button below to watch the Governor break-down highlights of the bill.
Data Privacy Highlights
 
Roadwork in Orange & Woodbridge

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced that it will begin a milling and resurfacing project on Route 114 in Orange and Woodbridge.

The project is scheduled to begin Wednesday, July 6, and run through Wednesday, August 3.

Lane Closure Info:

  • Expect lane closures on Route 114 from Muirfield Road to Sun Brook Road
  • The work schedule is Sunday - Friday from 7AM - 5PM
  • Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone
 
Child Tax Payment Applications
Applications for the Child Tax Payments are still open!

Since applications were first opened to the public on June 1,

 more than 90,000 households have filed to receive the $250 per child tax payment (up to three children). This was included in the $650 million tax relief package that House Democrats approved as part of the 2022 state budget to give much-needed financial relief and flexibility to working families across Connecticut.

If you have a child born before Jan. 1, 2022 and haven't yet applied, I want to remind you that there is still time to apply to receive your check!

This tax payment is available to single parents who earned less than $100,000 and two-parent households that made less than $200,000 during the 2021 tax year.

For more information on the payment and to submit an application with the Department of Revenue Services before the

July 31 deadline, click the button below:
Apply for Child Tax Payment
 
Orange Bicentennial Celebrations
Don't forget, the Orange Bicentennial Summer of Celebration is well underway! Check out the links below for Upcoming Events:
 
CT Wine Passport App
The Department of Agriculture recently announced that the Passport to CT Wine Country has gone digital. The Passport is now available in both the apple and android app stores and is just a click away.

At this time, there are 35 participating wineries across the state. The wineries and vineyards in Connecticut produce 85.8 million gallons of wine every year and support roughly 1,000 jobs. For more information on Connecticut farm wineries, please click the button below. Please also refer to the info-graphic below on how to download the app.
CT Wine Country
 
What Does Our Community Need?
TEAM, Inc. is working on there annual Community Needs Assessment and wants to hear from you!

Residents of Derby, Orange and Woodbridge are asked to take this short survey, which will clarify what resources we need in the community to better provide for residents like you. The group is hoping to receive responses by mid-June, so if you are willing, please click or scan the QR code below to take the survey.
 
Aid for Ukraine
As we continue to watch the horrifying and saddening conflict between Russia and Ukraine, I wanted to remind you all that we do not have to sit back helplessly, there are ways we can offer aid and support to the innocent citizens of Ukraine.

Fellow community member, Olena Lennon, provided us with this list of legitimate donation sites for aid to the Ukrainian community.

Click here to help volunteer to help Ukraine.

Click here to learn more about projects helping Ukraine.

Click here to support funding to cover administrative costs to help Ukraine.

Click here to learn how to help Ukrainians.

Our community, state and country all stand with the innocent citizens of Ukraine and we will continue to do all we can to offer support while actively trying to deescalate conflict.