New Laws & 4th of July Weekend Celebrations!

welander
July 1, 2022
Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Below, I have shared information on the upcoming firework shows in our community, reminders of FREE summer activities, as well as a list of new laws that went into effect today!

Before I get into the summer fun part of this email though, I want to take a moment to express how saddened and devastated I was - and still am - following the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade last week. We knew this decision was coming, but that doesn't make it any less upsetting.

I struggle to explain to my daughters that our country's laws no longer see them as autonomous human beings. It breaks my heart. I refuse to allow this setback to be the next generation's problem. I remain committed to choice and bodily autonomy and will continue to speak out and advocate for you!
 
4th of July Events
Derby-Shelton:
  • Tonight beginning at 7PM Shelton will host a special concert with Darik & The Funbags at Veterans Memorial Riverwalk Park
  • Later tonight at around 9PM, the Shelton-Derby fireworks show will start at Veterans Memorial Riverwalk Park
  • Road Closure Info: Howe Avenue in the area of Veterans Park will close at 7:30PM. The municipal lot on Howe Avenue will be available for handicap parking and those who have received parking passes from the Parks & Recreation department
  • Rain date is Saturday, July 2

Orange:

  • Saturday, July 9, the Town, in celebration with the Bicentennial events, will host Fireworks & a Concert at HPCC in Orange at 525 Orange Center Rd
  • This is an all day event with the firework show kicking-off later that evening
 
Legislative Recap
On Monday, July 11th, I will co-host a session recap with Senator Maroney. This is a great opportunity to hear about legislation that may not have made headlines, and an even greater opportunity to let us know how we can better advocate for you in Hartford.

The event will run fro 7-8PM at the High Plains Community Center. I hope to see you there!
 
Youth Service & Safety Week
The week of July 11-15 the Orange PD Youth Detectives will be combining their powers with Orange Volunteer Fire Department and Orange Youth Services to bring you the first Youth Service & Safety Week. Join them for fun events, great food, and a good time. Open to Orange residents.

Please keep in mind that any child under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. If you have any questions please reach out to any of the following: cbailey@orange-ct.gov, cknepper@orange-ct.gov, or jsimone@orange-ct.gov.

 
Summer at the Museum
Starting TODAY, all children — plus one accompanying adult — will receive free admission again to over 90 participating 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. For the full list of participating museums by region, please click the button or image below.
Summer at the Museum
 
FREE Shuttles to State Beaches & Parks
This is a reminder that ParkConneCT, the 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.
 
New Laws Effective Today
A number of new laws that my colleagues and I worked on during the 2022 legislative session take effect today! After listening to your communications with me, my goal this session was to implement meaningful change in our state. I hope you see initiatives below that reflect our community's needs.
Paid Family Leave
  • Requires employers to notify their employees - at the time of hiring and every year thereafter - about their entitlement to family and medical leave and family violence leave. The law also prohibits employer retaliation against an employee for requesting, applying for, or using family medical leave
  • For more information, or to submit a claim, click here

Reproductive Rights and Gender-Affirming Health Services

  • Establishes protections for individuals seeking an abortion and physicians performing services
  • Protects against out-of-state judgments based on reproductive or gender-affirming health care services that are legal in Connecticut, allowing these individuals to recover certain costs they incurred defending the out-of-state action and bringing an action under the new law
  • Expands list of medical professionals able to provide reproductive services

JobsCT

  • Established the JobsCT tax rebate program for companies in specified industries to earn rebates against insurance premiums, corporation business, and pass-through entity (PE) taxes for reaching certain job creation targets
  • For more information, or to apply to the grant program, click here

Indoor Air Quality in Public Schools

  • Created a grant program to reimburse boards of education or regional education service centers for costs associated with installing, replacing, or upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems or other air quality improvements
  • The budget makes $150 million available for the program ($75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds and $75 million in general obligation bonds effective July 1)
  • Requires boards of education to conduct a uniform inspection and evaluation of the HVAC system in each school building under its jurisdiction every five years and take any necessary corrective actions
  • Establishes a working group to study and make recommendations related to indoor air quality within schools 

Catalytic Converters

  • Prohibits anyone other than a motor vehicle recycler or motor vehicle repair shop from selling more than one unattached converter to a scrap metal processor, junk dealer, or junk yard owner or operator in a day
  • Establishes several record-keeping requirements and other conditions, such as affixing or writing a stock number on converters

Isolated Confinement

  • Limits the amount of time and circumstances an incarcerated person may be held in isolated confinement with less than four hours per day out of a cell beginning today
    • Increases to 5 hours per day on and after April 1, 2023
  • Requires that any use of isolated confinement maintain the least restrictive environment needed for the safety of incarcerated individuals, staff, and facility security
  • Prohibits holding minors in isolated confinement
Full List of New Laws Effective Today
 
PTSD Awareness
Monday was PTSD Awareness Day.

If you would like to learn more about PTSD awareness, or need access to resources, please visit the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services' website by

 clicking here or the image below.
 
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
 
Orange Bicentennial Celebrations
Don't forget, the Orange Bicentennial Summer of Celebration is well underway! Check out the links below for Upcoming Events:
What a beautiful day to celebrate the 200th birthday of Orange!

Last weekend, I was happy to join the parade and celebration dinner for our town's bicentennial.


 
I want to give a shout out to everyone involved with making the Orange CT Bicentennial Summer of Celebration parade and dinner happen, including Julia's Bakery Inc, MISSION BBQ, and Dip Top for the wonderful food.
 
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.