Chris Poulos

Please continue reading below for other noteworthy items, and thanks as always for taking the time to read them!

In February 2023, a constituent contacted me about upgrading Southington’s highway sound barriers from the decaying wood to cement panels. At that time, I contacted the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and shared the resident’s rationale for a noise abatement option that would require less maintenance and offer a nice aesthetic.

CTDOT is developing plans to replace the existing wooden noise barrier on I-691 westbound, beginning at the on-ramp from Route 322 (West Main Street) and continuing for approximately 2,250 feet along the I-691 mainline. The guiderail adjacent to the noise barrier will be upgraded under this project. 

The replacement noise barrier will be constructed of concrete or other materials that require less maintenance and have a longer design life. The present schedule indicates that the design will be completed in December 2025, with construction anticipated to start in Spring 2026, assuming acceptance of the project, availability of funding, and receipt of any required right-of-way and environmental permits. This project will be undertaken with 100% state funds.

If anyone has any questions or comments on this project, contact Michael Cherpak, Principal Engineer, at (860) 594-3155 or by e-mail at Michael.Cherpak@ct.gov. Please make reference to State Project No. 0131-0210.

Whether it’s the finishing touches by facility teams, educators setting up their classrooms, or the anticipation in the air for students on the next step of their learning journeys, as a teacher, heading back to school is an exciting time of year!

Southington Public Schools welcome students back on Thursday, August 29.

I wish everyone a successful start to the school year!

The National Safety Council has a safety checklist below that covers transportation safety and school-related injuries.

I want everyone to have a safe start to the school year, too!

It’s time for Connecticut students to Dream Big! The 2024 CHET Dream Big! Competition is open to all Connecticut residents in grades K-12 and will run through November 4.

As part of the Dream Big! Competition, students in grades K-12 submit essays, videos, and artwork based on prompts about helping their community or bettering their lives to compete for nearly $350,000 in prizes awarded through CHET 529 College Savings Plan – Direct Plan account contributions. Three students will each be awarded $20,000 prizes, 24 will each be awarded $5,000 prizes, and 239 will each be awarded $500 prizes. The Dream Big! Competition also awards technology prizes to schools across Connecticut.

In addition to student prizes, every school in Connecticut with at least one student entry will be eligible for a random drawing. Ten schools will win a technology prize, each valued at $5,000. Please see the 2024 competition official rules for more information on prize structure and awards.

As part of the Competition, younger students will be asked a question focusing on lessons they’ve learned and their dreams for the future, and older students will be asked about an experience or person that has impacted them and how that will influence their future goals. 

Entry instructions, official rules and additional details can be found at chetdreambig.com. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.