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Mystic River Boathouse Funding
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Last Friday, Governor Ned Lamont shared that the Town of Stonington would be receiving $500,000 for the development of Mystic River Boathouse Park. This funding compliments the $2.2 million in town funds and $574,00 privately raised to purchase and develop the park.
I had the privilege of sharing this great news with First Selectwoman Danielle Chesebrough, who worked diligently with many partners to secure this funding and submitted the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant on behalf of the town.
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For more than seven years, Stonington has been working hard to establish Mystic River Boathouse Park with the goal of giving the public access to the water in a safe and eco-friendly way. This vital state funding will allow that dream to come true.
In June, the Stonington Planning & Zoning Commission approved the master plan, which includes construction of a boathouse for the Stonington High School rowing team and a community rowing center along the Mystic River. In addition, the Town of Stonington will use the funds to create a new dock, living shoreline, and parking.
Teamwork paved the way for this long awaited public park that promises to make Mystic River a more accessible and enjoyable place for everyone, from students to seniors, to enjoy rowing and other water-related activities. The park will be used as an educational tool for resilience since the waterfront will incorporate natural materials and native plants.
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Funding for Noank Boathouse
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Today State Rep. Christine Conley and I celebrated the State Bonding Commission’s approval of $60,000 for repairs to the Town of Groton’s historic boathouse on Beebe Cove in Noank! We thank Governor Ned Lamont for his support.
Funds will go toward repairs such as removing exterior paint and repainting, removing, and replacing old shingles as needed. Projects like this bring people together on our waters and foster a sense of pride in our community. |
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As a member of the Finance, Revenue, Bonding Committee, and its General Obligation Bonding Subcommittee, I worked closely with my committee leadership and Rep. Conley to advocate for this funding.
I am grateful for the amazing teamwork with Groton Town Manager John Burt, Town of Groton Parks and Recreation Director Mark Berry, Chuck Toal, and our Community Rowing Club. It takes a village! |
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Discount Prescription Drug Program Up and Running
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You are now eligible to sign up for ArrayRx, a prescription drug discount card program that provides up to 80% off certain prescriptions at nearly all pharmacies in the state. It's a free service without any age or income restrictions to join. After signing up, you will be emailed a digital discount card.
Visit the ArrayRx web site and enter your:
- name
- email address
- birth date
- home address
- zip code
After signing up, you will be emailed a digital discount card. |
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The program is part of Public Act 23-171, An Act Protecting Patients and Prohibiting Unnecessary Health Care Costs, which I proudly supported.
For more information on ArrayRx, including a drug price lookup tool, visit arrayrxcard.com.
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Meet Me In Person Over Coffee
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| Please stop by The Ditty Bag in Mystic on Saturday, October 7 from 10 A.M. - 12 P.M. to meet me in person over coffee to get an update on last week's special session and to learn how I'm advocating for the 41st district. You are invited to share your priorities, ask questions, and provide valuable feedback. Having real conversations with you is critical to bringing positive change. |
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Join Me For Free Film Viewing & Discussion at Mystic Aquarium
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| Please join me at Mystic Aquarium for a film screening and panelist discussion at the annual “Our Heritage, Our Planet (OHOP) Film Week. This free event will be held on Wednesday, October 11. We will watch the films from 6 P.M. – 7 P.M. followed by a discussion and reception. I will be serving on the panel to talk about the movie themes and my person connections with the ocean. |
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This in-person event celebrates the voices, experiences, and storytelling traditions of LatinX, Hispanic, and other communities of color and our ocean and waterways.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the movies and panel participants!
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A number of new laws that passed during the 2023 legislative session took effect on October 1. New laws include:
- wrong-way driving prevention with a test program on 120 highway exit ramps that are determined high risk for wrong-way drivers
- prohibiting open carrying of firearms (does not prohibit concealed carry) and limiting permit holders to three firearms purchases per month
- charging any adult over the age of 25 with a Class A misdemeanor for intentionally targeting a minor through online communication with the purpose of exploiting or abusing that child
- increasing the age to which a court may issue support services for adult children with certain disabilities, from 21 up to 26
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| These are just some of the laws, click on the button below for the full list. |
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| Your calls, emails, and testimony at public hearings during this year's legislative session had a direct influence on these new laws. Thank you for your input, and please continue sharing your views and making your voice heard during our legislative process. |
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| Crews are paving and milling Flanders Road from the I-95 overpass to Route 1. The work should take about a month as long as the weather cooperates. The road will be open at times, but drivers may be delayed. Please plan for possible delays or seek a different route.
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Tree & Vegetation Removal Project on Route 1 in Stonington
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Crews have begun removing trees and vegetation on Route 1 in Stonington. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is performing the work from 8 A.M. – 3 P.M. Monday through Friday through Friday, October 13.
According to the CTDOT, drivers can expect right-lane and shoulder closures on both sides of Route 1 from Mason's Island Road to Buzzi Memorials in Stonington. Make sure to slow down in that work zone.
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CT's Transportation Bonds Upgraded
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Kroll Bond Rating Agency has upgraded the credit rating of Connecticut’s transportation bonds from AA+ to AAA, the highest credit rating possible.
The upgrade is for Connecticut's Special Tax Obligation (STO), Transportation Infrastructure Purposes Bonds, which are issued for the state's portion of transportation infrastructure improvements, including construction and maintenance of highways, roads, bridges, mass transit projects, waterway access, and more.
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| Kroll credited the upgrade in part to the state’s strong legal framework that protects bondholders by committing revenues to cover debt service on STO bonds. Kroll also upgraded the state’s General Obligation credit rating to AA+ earlier this year. Since 2021, Moody’s, Fitch, Kroll (twice), and S&P (twice) have upgraded Connecticut’s GO credit rating. |
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Connecticut transferred more than $1.3 billion to pay down its long-term pension debt.
Since the legislature enacted the state's "fiscal guardrails" in 2017, more than $7 billion in excess contributions captured from volatile revenue sources have been made to pay down pension debt, resulting in far-reaching savings for Connecticut taxpayers.
Future generations will save more than $600 million per year over the next 25 years while supporting retirement benefits for teachers, state troopers, nurses, correction officers, and more.
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| While enormous progress has been made in addressing our long-term liabilities, more work remains. What we have achieved is benefitting taxpayers today and long into the future. |
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Free COVID-19 Tests Available
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The federal government is once again allowing every household to order COVID-19 tests for free at COVIDtests.gov. You can place an order right now to receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests that will be delivered to your home. According to The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), the goal is to be prepared for the fall and winter seasons.
The ASPR is also distributing free at-home tests to schools, nursing homes, community health centers, rural health clinics, food banks, and other locations to make sure communities have widespread access to COVID-19 tests.
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These tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants, are intended to be used through the end of 2023, and will include clear instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates.
There are numerous other options to get tested for free, such as free community-based testing sites, including pharmacies, across Connecticut and the rest of the country. I encourage you to contact a HRSA health center, Test to Treat site, or ICATT location near you to learn how to access low or no cost COVID-19 tests provided by the federal government.
The mission of the ASPR is to assist the country in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from public health emergencies and disasters.
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Upcoming Community Events
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| The Circle of Friends and Junior Friends are collecting diapers donations of any size to the collection bin at the Groton Library entrance from 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. until Saturday, October 7. New and opened packages are welcome. Your donations will help struggling families and provide local babies with a basic necessity that is required for them to thrive and reach their full potential. |
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| Get your tickets at McQuade's Market Mystic or by CLICKING HERE. Firefest 2 will take place Sunday, October 8 from 12 P.M. - 9 P.M. at Tree Trails Adventures Mystic. |
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