Dear Neighbor,

 

I want to share some highlights including state and local updates.

In this email you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.



A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer or scroll through this email to the relevant section. 



The topics covered are as follows

• Legislative Updates
• Community Resources
• Today in CT History
• CT Foodshare
• Manchester Community Events 
• East Hartford Community Events

During the 2023 Legislative Session, I worked with my colleagues to pass a new two-year state budget that stands up for consumers, including a freeze of scheduled increases on the diesel tax, which helps lower the price of groceries and other commodities while reducing the cost of doing business in Connecticut.



Fuel costs are a significant percentage of expenses not only for the trucking industry, but for all markets that rely on the sale of goods, which makes this a significant cost savings for businesses and consumers alike.

Our state budget was crafted with middle-class tax relief and investments that grow our economy, protect our quality of life, and make Connecticut more affordable for everyone.

The Worst Tornado Outbreak in Connecticut History

In 1989, the worst recorded tornado outbreak in state history tore through the state, as multiple twisters devastated a historic forest, left behind numerous swaths of destruction, killed two people, and injured hundreds more.

Local meteorologists had warned residents about the high potential for severe weather on July 10, 1989, but no one anticipated the massive outbreak of funnel clouds that occurred over a wide path of the state. They cut a line from the northwest corner of Connecticut southeast toward the greater New Haven area. Near Cornwall, a tornado leveled a huge section of the Cathedral Pines, one of the last stands of old-growth forest in the United States, and continued eastward, destroying a church in the village of Bantam. To the south, another twister damaged over 150 homes in the greater Waterbury area. The most severe tornado — later determined to have an F4 rating on the Fujita scale — devastated the town of Hamden with winds exceeding 200mph, wrecking over 350 homes and causing an estimated $100 million in damage.

Recovery efforts from the tornadoes took weeks. President George H. W. Bush declared a state of emergency for the hardest-hit areas of the state, and the National Guard was quickly dispatched to help with cleanup efforts. Connecticut Governor William O’Neill remarked that, in spite of the widespread devastation, “It [was] a miracle that more people weren’t injured or even killed.” It was a small silver lining on one of the darkest and stormiest days Connecticut had ever seen.

Manchester

Please arrive early to be in line for 9 am as the truck leaves promptly at 9:30 am. Open to the public--bring a sturdy grocery bag! This program is made possible by Foodshare and Winn Residential - Resident Service Program. For more information call 860-646-1280.

 

Squire Village, 48 Spencer Street, 06040 (1st parking lot off Imperial Drive #78)

 

• Tuesday, July 18, 2023 | 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
• Tuesday, August 1^st,2023 9:00AM- 9:30AM

https://www.manchesterct.gov/Activities-Events/Town-Calendar-of-Events/Squire-Village-Mobile-Foodshare-2023

 

Get mobile pantry updates in your area by texting the word Foodshare to 85511.

East Hartford

The Connecticut Foodshare truck will be in the parking lot to distribute the food. Please bring your bags and be prepared to possibly wait in line.

 

Mayberry Village –St. Isaac Jogues Church Parking Lot (41 Home Terrace East Hartford)

• Monday July 24^th, 2023 12:30PM-1:15PM  

https://www.easthartfordct.gov/social-services/news/mobile-connecticut-foodshare-schedule-january-march-2023

 

Get mobile pantry updates in your area by texting the word Foodshare to 85511.

Join our Team

Current Town of Manchester job openings include:

Assistant Building Official, Deputy Director Public Works, Early Childhood Community Engagement Specialist, Environmental Health Technician, Health Equity Worker, Maintainer I, Mechanic II, Police Officer, Project Support Manager, SCADA Support Specialist, School Crossing Guard, Social Worker (Part-Time), and Water & Sewer Maintainer Equipment Operator I – T&D.

 

Click here to apply:

https://www.manchesterct.gov/Employment-Opportunities

Summer Concert Series at Center Memorial Park

This year’s special Summer Concert Series of five performances will focus on people and groups with a deep Manchester history. It is our intention, not only to enrich and entertain, but also to spread enthusiasm for the Bicentennial and help concertgoers become aware of other Bicentennial-related events. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic dinner or take out from one of our fabulous Downtown restaurants.

Center Memorial Park near Mary Cheney Library, 586 Main St., 06040,

Rain location: Army Navy Club 1080 Main St., Downtown Manchester. 

• Thursday, July 20, 2023 | 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
• Thursday, July 27, 2023 | 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
• Thursday, August 03, 2023 | 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
• Thursday, August 10, 2023 | 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Veterans Coffee House

Veterans, mark your calendars! Manchester's Next Veterans Coffee House is on July 20th, from 10am to 12:30pm at the Army Navy Club. We're pleased to have a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) from the State of CT Department of Veterans Affairs to discuss veteran benefits and address any questions you might have. Join us for some enlightenment over a cup of coffee and refreshments.



•    Thursday, July 20, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

•    Thursday, August 17, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

•    Thursday, September 21, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

•    Thursday, October 19, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

•    Thursday, November 16, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM



For more Information: Paul Scappaticci, pscappaticci7750@att.net, cell 860-490-8193

Pay Taxes & Water/Sewer Online

Tax bills will be mailed on June 30th. Payments are due by August 1, 2023 to avoid interest. There is no fee to pay motor vehicle taxes online at Manchesterct.gov/payonline.

Manchester Police Activities League

This program is free and open to any Manchester youth between ages 5-18 with games beginning at 5:00 pm. Sign-up form with the waiver is above, or you can sign up any night at the event! See you at the park!

The Recreation Division is committed to increasing public awareness around swimming lessons and swim safety and ensuring access to programs and facilities for all Manchester residents. All lifeguards are American Red Cross Certified and have undergone extensive training to ensure the safety of all community members using our swimming facilities.

The Town of East Hartford Invites You

to the Latin Festival

The Town of East Hartford invites all to our first Latin Festival. The celebration will take place Saturday, July 29, from 12 to 6 PM at Alumni Park (1021 Main Street). Admission is FREE.

The Latin Festival is the perfect family-friendly, community event that offers fun activities for children and adults alike. Among many activities, there will be a variety of vendors, food, entertainment and so much more. 

If you are a vendor interested in participating in the event, please fill out the following forms or call Parks and Recreation at 860-291-7160 for assistance:

 

 

Vendors are asked to apply by July 24, 2023. 

Thursdays, 3:00 – 7:00 PM, July 13 & 27

Curious about our Makerspace? Join us for Open Hours. Makerspace staff will be on hand to demonstrate our Makerspace technologies, including 3D printers, a Carvey desktop CNC machine, a Silhouette Cameo, and more! For all ages, register for a reminder on the library’s online events calendar or just drop in.

Click here to register

East Hartford Pools and Aquatics Programs

East Hartford Parks and Recreation will be offering 3 splash parties at the pools this summer! Come join us for these awesome family friendly pool events.

• Splash and Slide Party – Saturday, July 22, 2023 1pm – 4pm at Lord Pool in Gorman Park, 258 May Road
• Splash and Dance Party – Friday, July 28, 2023 5:30pm – 7pm at Martin Pool in Martin Park, 307 Burnside Avenue

The splash parties are free for residents; non-residents must pay a daily admission of $5.00. 

For more information, or for inclement weather updates, please visit www.easthartfordct.gov/parks-recreation or like us on Facebook at www.facbook.com/ehparks.

Run it BBall Clinic

East Hartford Parks and Recreation in collaboration with the Lady Hornets will be hosting the Run it BBall Clinic. Learn to “RUN IT” with the Lady Hornets to strengthen fundamental basketball skills, develop leadership habits and build confidence in an energetic gym.

The Clinics will take place July 12-14 at the Community Cultural Center Gym (50 Chapman Place). Children ages 5-9 will be in the gym from 5:15PM – 6:15PM.Children ages 10-15 will be in the gym from 6:45PM - 7:45PM.

The 3-part clinic is $60.00 for residents and non-residents.

Register ASAP as spots are limited to ensure high quality instruction. www.ehparks.org

If you have any questions, contact Coach Myette at (860) 983-7783.

Free Meal Sites Open to Connecticut’s Children

CT Summer Meals, a USDA federally funded program administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), provides no cost nutritious breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks to children 18-years of age and younger, no questions asked.



Following last year’s model, many sites have the added flexibilities to improve access to meals, including: allowing parents and guardians to pick up meals; offering multiple meals (breakfast and lunch, or meals for multiple days) during one pick-up; and allowing those meals to be consumed off-site. Many sites will operate through late August.



All children aged 18-and-under can receive free meals at over 400 sites throughout the State. End Hunger Connecticut! (EHC!)’s Meal Locator Map, which allows residents to find a site closest to them, is now live and operated in partnership with the CSDE. 



Summer Meals Locator Map  

For more information click here

East Hartford Public Library Eliminates Late Fees

Effective July 1, 2023, the East Hartford Public Library (EHPL) will go fine-free, joining with public libraries across the country in a movement to reduce barriers to library access.



What does this mean for borrowers? 

• Library items will still have due dates. Please bring your books and movies back on time so that other residents may enjoy them.
• We will continue to charge replacement fees for lost and damaged items.
• A bill for the replacement cost of overdue items will be generated automatically once an item is four weeks overdue. However, as soon as you return the item, the bill will be canceled, and no fines will remain on your card.
• We will remove old late fees from your account. Have EHPL fines blocking your card? Check in with us, and we'll remove them. 
• Please note that our fine-free status only applies to East Hartford items. If you check out an item belonging to another library (example: item borrowed through a system hold) at EHPL, you'll be charged fines based on the policy of the loaning library. 

EHPL has not charged late fees since March 2020 as a temporary pandemic response, so nothing will change about our current practices: we're just making it official.

My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8541.



Sincerely,



Jason Rojas