Chris Poulos

I’m writing with the good news that after weeks of advocacy and negotiation with House leadership, I have helped secure a $500,000 grant to cover the remaining project costs required to dredge Sloper Pond. The funding was part of the new two-year state bipartisan budget that I voted for and was adopted by the House of Representatives early Tuesday.
 
The grant is through funding allocated to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
 
In mid-March I met with Southington YMCA CEO Mark Pooler to tour Camp Sloper and learn about the dredging project. At that time, the $3.6 million project was a little more than $500,000 short of funding. I committed to exploring potential sources of state and federal funding and spent considerable time providing supporting research and a project rationale with Speaker of the House Matt Ritter and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas. 

Camp Sloper is one of Southington’s gems. In my youth, as a camper, I spent hot summer days swimming in the pond – and as an adult I have enjoyed hiking with my family on the numerous trails the outdoor center offers to the public. The dredging project has many positives. it’s an environmental remediation project, it’s a youth development project, and it’s a community pride project. I am grateful that the Democratic House leadership recognized the value of this community project.
 
The work done at the day camp to further youth development in Southington should be commended and supported. Camp Sloper serves more than 4,500 children each summer and over 10,000 additional visitors in the offseason. It is a significant local force helping kids live happier and healthier lives. Camp Sloper strengthens the foundation of our community.
 
I was proud to vote to approve the biennium budget, which passed the House 139-12 with overwhelming bipartisan support. I promised to work hard to do what is best for Southington in Hartford. This fiscally responsible, bipartisan budget does just that by cutting taxes, growing industries in Connecticut, and increasing funding community assets like Camp Sloper.