Jaime Foster

Is it hot enough for you? We are truly experiencing the dog days of summer - make sure you stay hydrated and out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day (if you can). Keep an eye on elderly neighbors and friends. There are some helpful tips for beating the heat below.

Good news to share - all four Fosters are under the same roof! Our son has officially been discharged from the hospital and he's already getting a taste of what life is like as the child of a state representative. He attended his first press conference, visited Syme Family Farm to pick up our flower CSA (photo below), and attended the Ellington Farmers Market. Our daughter loves being a big sister.

While I am taking some time to acclimate to this new family dynamic, know that my Hartford staff can help you with any concerns you have. I will continue to keep you updated regularly on pertinent information to the 57th District. 

Have a great week!

Jaime

I'm happy to share with you this month's North Central News article regarding ways to support local agriculture, particularly in the face of challenges with the spring weather. To read the NCN article, click the photo below or click HERE. 

Below, you'll find this month's article that was published in the Ellington-Somers Patch. In it, I give an overview of HB 5001 - "An Act Concerning Resources and Support Services for Persons with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability. If you remember back a few months, Rep. Kevin Brown and I met with constituents at Ellington High School to discuss this bill, as well as HB 5003. To read the article, click the photo below or click HERE. 

On Monday, I joined Governor Ned Lamont, DoAg Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt, DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Congressman John Larson, fellow state legislators, and farmers who have been affected by yet another devastating flood situation. The weather has been absolutely relentless over the last seven months - from freezes to floods. 

One of the topics discussed at the press conference was the Disaster Relief Resource webpage, which went live on Monday and includes initial flood recovery information, and a tab to report losses. New resources will be added soon (keep checking the page)

As noted by Commissioner Hurlburt, consumers can rest assured that the CT grown products that do make it to farmers markets or farm stands this season have not been touched by floodwaters, are safe to consume, and are truly a labor of love. 

This is the time for our community to rally behind our local farms. Shop local. Buy local. Support local farms.

UPDATE FOR OUR FARMING COMMUNITY!

Governor Ned Lamont has been notified by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that his request has been APPROVED for Connecticut to receive a federal agricultural disaster declaration due to the impact of the abnormal, sub-freezing weather event that occurred in the early morning hours of May 18.

This declaration means that farmers in all eight counties can apply for disaster assistance from the Farm Service Agency, such as emergency loans, to cover production losses they experienced because of the unusually cold temperatures that spring morning, provided that certain eligibility requirements are met.

Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt said in a recent call with Secretary Vilsack’s office, the Farm Service Agency agreed to extend the deadline for applications for both the Tree Assistance Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program. Commissioner Hurlburt encourages farmers that lost eligible trees, bushes, and vines to apply for TAP and any farms that lost honeybees to apply to ELAP. Both programs are available and can assist with replacement costs on the farm.

Farmers will have eight months from the date of this secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. The Farm Service Agency considers each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of production losses on the farm and the security and repayment ability of the operator. Farmers interested in applying for assistance must contact their local Farm Service Agency office.

To find your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) for support and/or assistance in applying, click HERE.

Gravel Pit Solar is what good municipal and state partnerships should look like.

I want to address a social media post that questioned the Gravel Pit Solar (GPS) contract and the fairness of the agreement with the Town of East Windsor.

First, I'm grateful to the many town advocates, constituents, and experts who helped shape the bill we passed out of the House. This wouldn't have been possible without support from Earthlight Technologies and East Windsor First Selectman Jason Bowsza.

From where I stand, solar is a critical renewable energy source that needs to be responsibly regulated so that we can meet our green energy goals and be fair to towns and taxpayers. As a representative for East Windsor, I have first-hand expertise in projects that go well and those that don't, and all those navigations and negotiations have been successfully managed by the first selectman, who is a true partner to me and my work.

My goal with HB 6764 (AN ACT CONCERNING A SOLAR UNIFORM CAPACITY TAX AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE STATE'S RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS) was to the benefit of the towns I represent, guaranteeing a steady and reliable municipal revenue to towns hosting solar and giving local control to towns oversaturated with such projects. I worked tirelessly with local environmental and solar advocates to make improvements to existing solar policy to continue to work towards our green energy goals. Unfortunately, it did not pass the Senate this year and only made it through the House. I worked in collaboration with the first selectman throughout the legislative session to develop the terms of the bill, as well as to address growing concerns and issues in our community.

Both First Selectman Bowsza and I have been recognized statewide as policy leaders pertaining to the impacts of solar projects in rural communities, like East Windsor. The solar industry tries almost yearly to get grid-scale projects tax-exempt, meaning the price per acre would be $0 without the legislation or the stabilization agreement. The value of GPS to East Windsor, all-inclusive, is $11 million over 20 years. And the GPS property is mostly in PA 490 (which lowers tax for "ag properties" which makes it taxed far, far less than its appraised value). This project is actually one of the most lucrative municipal deals I'm aware of, especially considering its size. Unfortunately, the legislative process is slow and by design requires both chambers to allow a law to come forward for the governor to sign. Despite a sputtering start, I remain optimistic for the next session.

For the 57th House District, this is what good municipal and state partnerships should look like. I don't want folks to underestimate the tremendous benefit to East Windsor to have their bipartisan legislative team working collaboratively and effectively with town leaders. There are huge victories possible because of this, like the $1 million per year increased allocation for the Mashantucket - Pequot fund included for East Windsor in this year’s bipartisan, biennial budget.

I recently joined Senator Richard Blumenthal, East Windsor First Selectman Jason Bowsza, Executive Director of the East Windsor Housing Authority Linda Collins, officials from Connecticut Water, and town residents, to announce $1.2 million in federal funds for the School Hill and Park Hill water line expansion project. 

Funding this project allows clean water to a community that's had water safety concerns and issues recurrently over the last 40-plus years. Expansion of this water system also allows for the Park Hill community to have fire suppression which it does not currently have, as well as the potential to eventually expand to create more affordable housing in the adjacent and already-owned parcels of land. 

Eligibility requirements for the program include:

• Meeting financial need specifications
• Qualifying for and receiving a CHFA first mortgage
• Being a current resident of Connecticut and demonstrating residency for the most recent three years

The impact of this program will reverberate in the short- and long-term for Connecticut residents; not only will there be a new generation of homeowners, but these residents will begin the process of building inter-generational wealth to pass on to the next generation.

Other benefits of the program include:

• A 0% interest rate with no monthly payment required
• 10% of the loan balance forgiven annually until it is fully forgiven on the tenth anniversary
• Financing for up to 20% of a down payment and 5% of closing costs

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.

• Lowering the income tax rates to save many middle-class households $300-$500 a year
• Raising the state income tax credit from 30.5% to 40% of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit - providing $210 on average for households earning less than $60,000 per year
• Expanding an existing exemption for certain pension and annuity earnings, providing additional financial security for retirees and those close to retirement

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has started work at various intersections in the Towns of Ellington, Manchester, South Windsor, Vernon, and Windsor.

The project consists of replacing the existing traffic signals with new Span Poles, Mast Arms, and the associated items such as trenching, backfilling, new conduits, video and radar detection, and hand holes to complete the new installations. The project also consists of pedestrian modifications such as new sidewalk ramps and pedestrian push buttons.

LANE CLOSURE INFO
Lane closures for Ramps, Turning Roadways, and all other Project Roadways may occur Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. The traffic control signals being revised are listed below.

Ellington
Intersection # 047-216 Route 286 at Windermere Avenue

Vernon
Intersection # 146-219 Route 30 at I-84 EB Off-Ramp & Commercial Driveway
Intersection # 146-223 Route 83 at Loveland Hill Road & Private Drive
Intersection # 146-230 Route 30 at Dobson Road
Intersection # 146-231 Route 30 at I-84 WB Ramps & Church Driveway
Intersection # 146-237 Route 30 at Commercial Driveways

Dr. Lenzy Wallace, Jr. (1927-2021) was unanimously selected to be inducted to the Ellington Wall of Honor.

A gifted musician and decorated World War II Navy Veteran, Dr. Wallace was passionate about his life's mission: to serve, inspire, and help others be successful. His vision, hard work, and commitment contributed to a long-lasting legacy that lives on to this day.

After receiving a master's degree in music education from The Hartt School, where he was later named Alumnus of the Year, he became the Director of Music at Ellington High School in 1969.

"A man of grace and dignity... [Lenzy] WAS the music program in Ellington for several years," one letter of support shared. Noting a lack of a dedicated space for classes and rehearsals, he got the Ellington Music Boosters Club up and running and was tireless in his efforts to garner social and financial support for a new music building at EHS, which was dedicated in April of 1973 - "somebody said it couldn't be done...and he did it."

Nominated by Gregory Gunn, the application included letters of support from over a dozen individuals whose lives had been touched by Dr. Wallace in some way throughout the years.

Those who knew Dr. Wallace describe him as someone who was "resilient, adaptive, curious, and brilliant...full of enthusiasm with a great sense of humor...ever positive, ever present, ever learning... dedicated musician, educator, and friend."

A formal induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 9 at 4 pm (before the Firemen's Parade) at the site of the Wall of Honor, located in Arbor Park (off of Main Street) The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

An opioid epidemic is happening close to home. Keep your family safe. Get educated.

Join Ellington Youth Services and Ellington Human Services on Monday, July 31, from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., at the Ellington Senior Center, for a free town-wide NARCAN & FENTANYL training for the Ellington community. Training will be facilitated by John Lally, APRN.

FREE ICE CREAM WILL BE SERVED!

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the presentation will start at 6:15 p.m.

The Ellington Senior Center is located at 40 Maple Street, across from Ellington High School. If you'd like to register through Facebook to give EYS and EHS a headcount, click HERE. 

If you didn’t file for unemployment and received a 1099 form or monetary determination letter, you may be a victim of identity theft. Submit the CTDOL Identity Theft Report Form immediately to report it. A CTDOL staff person will respond to your report.

The Connecticut Department of Labor continues to aggressively protect personal information by implementing safeguards, promoting resources, and educating claimants and Connecticut employers about fraud.

Important Links:

• Connecticut Department of Labor
• Identity Theft Report Form
• CTDOL Integrity Unit

Important info to know!

Simply bring your EBT card to the table with the sign that says "SNAP/EBT accepted here" at participating farmers markets and farm stands. The market master will swipe your card for the amount that you want and give you market tokens that can be used at all the stands at that market.

Learn more here: portal.ct.gov/dss/SNAP/Farmers-Markets

List of Farmers Markets: http://portal.ct.gov/.../2023/2023-CT-Farmers-Markets.pdf

Connecticut has been feeling the heat! Below are some safety tips to keep in mind during this or any extreme heat advisory.

Spending time outside this weekend? Don't forget the sunscreen!

• Apply sunscreen approximately 30 minutes before being in the sun (for best results) so that it can be absorbed by the skin and less likely to wash off when you perspire.
• Check the expiration date.
• Use on all parts of your skin exposed to the sun, including the ears, back, shoulders, and the back of the knees and legs. Be careful around the eyes!
• Reapply every two hours.

Don't forget your furry friends! Below are some summer safety reminders for our pets.

• Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water.
• Know the symptoms of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. 
• Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively.
• Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle.
• Open unscreened windows pose a real danger to pets, who often fall out of them. Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed, and make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured.
• When the temperature is very high, don’t let your pet linger on hot asphalt. 

Driver Requirements:

• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record
• Ability to lift ~40 lbs. (not required, but greatly appreciated)
• Ability to commit to a consistent schedule

Email alexis.carmicheal@cornerstone-cares.org for more details or to sign up!