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WHAT'S OUR REP BEEN UP TO?
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I attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new amphitheater at Ocean Community YMCA Naik Family Branch in Mystic! It was a privilege to celebrate the great work of the YMCA team Stonington First Selectman Danielle Cheseborough, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, community members, and our Camp Cove friends!
The amphitheater will serve as a space for our community to come together for a variety of events, from concerts and plays to community gatherings and educational programs. This new facility is a symbol of our community's commitment to providing our children with the best possible opportunities. |
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| First Selectman Danielle Chesebrough and I partook in the CT Farm to School Institute Retreat at the Yellow Farmhouse Education Center in Stonington. |
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The Yellow Farmhouse Education Center received two state grants:
- $288,000 as a result of the Good to Great grant from the Department of Economic Community Development (DECD) to build accessible pathways and a multipurpose Welcome Pavilion that will serve as a three-season programming and gathering center.
- $28,350 as a result of the Agricultural Science and Technology Education (ASTE) grant from Connecticut Department of Agriculture for the purchasing equipment to assist with educational programming on produce gleaning/processing techniques AND to construct a 12’x 24’ shed to house a vermicomposting system for educational programming with LEARN students!
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| Thank you to Jen Rothman and the entire team at Yellow Farmhouse for being such gracious hosts and for the work you are doing with our school districts. As a member of the Environment Committee, I am committed to supporting the growing farm to school movement locally and in the state! |
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| I had a great time at the Stonington Historical Society’s Cannon Ball! The Society is an invaluable resource that preserves, promotes, and shares the history of our beloved area. |
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| It's also dedicated to showcasing the captivating tales of Stonington's past. With its extensive collection of artifacts, photographs, documents, and interactive exhibits, the society offers a window into the lives of the people who walked these streets before us. |
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| I visited the Mystic Museum of Art to see its latest exhibition, “Crisis to Color: Derriere le Miroir” (Behind the Mirror). Check it out and celebrate the visionary innovation of Galerie Maeght, putting original lithographs by Calder, Miró, Chagall, Matisse, Giacometti, and others. |
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| I was proud to join the Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed at Old Mystic Methodist Church to discuss initiatives to protect the watershed. We visited the largest and purest forested wetland in the area and shared plenty of flood stories. Thank you, Maggie, Betsy, and the Alliance team, for the invite and a great conversation! |
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MEET ME IN PERSON ON SATURDAY
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| Please join me for coffee to get all the highlights from this year's legislative session. I will be meeting residents on Saturday, July 1 from 10 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. at The Ditty Bag in Mystic. Please come, share your priorities, ask questions, and provide feedback. I always look forward to speaking with you and having a conversation on how to address the needs of our district. |
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EXPECT DELAYS ON GOLD STAR BRIDGE
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| Drivers can expect delays tonight and early Friday morning as crews perform some deck repairs on the Gold Star Memorial Bridge. According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the right lane and shoulder will be closed on I-95 northbound from Exit 83 to Exit 86.
Crews will start Thursday at 7 P.M. and should wrap up around 5 A.M. on Friday. A state trooper will be on scene helping drivers as they follow signs that will guide them through the work zone. Motorists are urged to drive slowly. |
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Groton Town Mayor Juan Melendez, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, and I the day I was sworn in as State Rep to welcome U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to the Thames River. He announced a $158 million federal grant for repairs to the northbound span of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.
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NEW LAWS EFFECTIVE JULY 1
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| A number of new laws that my colleagues and I worked on during the 2023 legislative session will take effect in Connecticut on July 1. |
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BUDGET
Tax relief on multiple fronts is on the way after the governor signed our bipartisan budget into law. It includes the largest reduction in the income tax in state history and the elimination of even more retirement income taxes by smoothing the benefit cliff of those with pension, annuity, and IRA income.
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IDD FUNDING
There will be historic investments of more than $30 million for residents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). It gets adults with IDD and kids with autism off waiting lists. The law also bolsters work opportunities for individuals with IDD through tax credits, nonprofit grants, and training programs.
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EARLY VOTING
Connecticut was one the few states in the country that did not allow early voting that provides voters with options to accommodate busy and hectic schedules. Effective July 1, voters will have 14 days of early voting for general elections, seven days of early voting for most primaries, and four days of early voting for special elections and presidential preference primaries.
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BABY BONDS
$3,200 will be placed in a trust on behalf of each baby born into HUSKY, the state’s Medicaid program. Those investments would grow over time and recipients could access that money between the ages of 18-30.
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ENERGY REGULATION REFORM
This new law secures energy predictability, affordability, and transparency for rate payers. This bill empowers the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to look out for the rate payers in our state and assess the costs of preparing or appealing rate decision on shareholders.
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| Just in time for your summer adventures!
Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has launched an e-Bike incentive program where Connecticut residents can get a rebate on their purchase!
An additional $1,000 voucher will also be available to Connecticut residents that meet any of the following criteria:
Must reside in an Environmental Justice community or Distressed Municipality.
Participate in a state or federal income qualifying program.
Have an income less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
CLICK HERE for more information. |
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FUNDING FOR CITY OF GROTON FARMERS' MARKET
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| The City of Groton Farmers’ Market is receiving state funding for promotion and outreach via social media and in traditional print. Organizers plan to boost outreach to community wellness programs and buy signs for Washington Park. The funding comes from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. |
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| The 2023 Farmers’ Market regular season runs from now through October and is held each Tuesday from 3 P.M. – 6 P.M. at the corner of Mitchell and Meridian Streets in Washington Park. |
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| Drivers can expect delays for roadwork on part of Allyn Street in Mystic. Crews are milling and resurfacing a 1.36 mile stretch from now until Monday, July 17. There will be lane closures on Allyn Street from Route 1 (New London Road) to the end of the I-95 overpass. Crews will be out there from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.
Milling will take place from now through Thursday, July 6 and resurfacing is expected to happen from Monday, July 10 through Monday, July 17 as long as the weather cooperates. Drivers are urged to slow down and maintain a safe speed in work zones. |
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FREE MEALS FOR KIDS IN GROTON
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| Groton Public Schools are offering free breakfast and lunch for all children ages 18 and younger on weekdays from now through August 11 at the following locations:
Groton Public Library - 52 Newtown Rd
Breakfast: 9:00 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.
Lunch: 11:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Anchors Landing - 124 Gungywamp Rd
Breakfast: 9:00 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.
Lunch: 11:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Branford Manor - 37 Mather Ave
Breakfast: 9:15 A.M. - 9:45 A.M.
Lunch: 11:00 A.M. -11:30 A.M.
Dolphin Splash Pad - 100 Tern Ave
Breakfast: 9:40 A.M. - 10:10 A.M.
Lunch: 12:10 P.M. - 12:40 P.M.
Poquonnock Plains - 1 Central Ave
Breakfast: 9:40 A.M. - 10:10 A.M.
Lunch: 12:10 P.M. - 12:40 P.M.
No meals will be served on July 3 and 4. |
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STATE FUNDING TO FIX UP BLIGHTED PROPERTY
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| Stonington is set to receive $200,000 in state funds to cleanup and revitalize the former 5.5-acre industrial site at 21 Pawcatuck Avenue. The goal is to potentially use the abandoned building for residential living. The money comes from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program.
In total, the state is spending $23.8 million to remediate 480 acres of land across 22 properties in 15 towns and cities across Connecticut and put them back into productive use.
The funding shows that working together will move Stonington forward. I thank Governor Ned Lamont, my colleagues in the legislature, and the hard-working local elected officials and town staff members for their tireless work to revitalize this blighted property. |
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ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION EXPANSION
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| Governor Ned Lamont’s Administration is releasing more than $6 million from the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal settlement to fund 54 electric vehicle supply equipment projects across Connecticut. |
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The LEARN Regional Education Service Center will receive $276,900 to install six dual-port, Level 2 Chargers on outdoor pedestals and two dual port, DC Fast Chargers on outdoor pedestals at several locations. One of them is Marine Science Magnet High School in Groton.
At the same time, the Hilton Garden Inn Mystic/Groton on the Gold Star Highway will receive a dual port, Level 2 Charger on outdoor pedestals.
The state’s ultimate goal is to encourage more drivers to buy and use electric vehicles. |
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| The Bill Memorial Library will host DIY Neon Signs for Teens on Thursday, July 6 at 6 P.M. Teens will create a custom light-up sign to decorate the room. Call (860) 445-0392 to register. |
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| The Thrive55+ Active Living Center in Groton is hosting a huge picnic! |
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