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This week, the Community Investment Fund (CIF) approved funding for a major infrastructure project here in Stratford! Read more about the funding and project below. In this week's email, find information on new speed cameras coming to Stratford, learn more about an upcoming DEA Takeback Day, in addition to state and local resources I hope you find useful. If you have any questions, concerns, or if my office can be of assistance to you, please call my office at any time or email me at kaitlyn.shake@cga.ct.gov.
To all those who observed Yom Kippur this week, I hope you had a meaningful and reflective day of atonement and peace.
G’mar Chatimah Tovah.
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| Breast Cancer Awareness Month |
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Each October, we bring awareness and honor the millions of lives affected by breast cancer. Throughout the month, we stress the importance of mammograms as the best way to screen for breast cancer, which is the second most common cancer among women.
One in eight women in the United States will get breast cancer. More than 40,000 women die from breast cancer in the U.S. each year.
Let us stand with survivors, honor those we've lost, and continue fighting for a cure. |
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| Federal Government Shutdown |
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| This week, the federal government officially shut down, meaning funding for programs and operations are currently paused. While this is alarming to me and many of my colleagues, here in Connecticut, we are prepared to support federal employees across the state during this time. To understand more about what this shutdown means for our state and what steps our leaders are taking, watch Governor Lamont's press conference below. |
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| Capitol News Briefing with Governor Lamont on the Impact of Federal Government Shutdown |
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| CHA Connecticut Urgent Maternal Warning Signs Bracelet Initiative |
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On Tuesday, September 30th, I had the opportunity to join more than 100 hospital leaders, healthcare providers, state officials, and some of my legislative colleagues at the Connecticut Hospital Association headquarters in Wallingford. The meeting signaled the beginning of the statewide rollout of the Connecticut Urgent Maternal Warning Signs Bracelet Initiative. As a women’s health/maternal-child nurse and legislator, I understand and value this nation-leading effort to promote awareness regarding the risk of serious postpartum complications and lifesaving interventions.
Click here to learn more about the orange bracelet initiative:
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| Funding for Stratford Flood Mitigation Project |
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This week, the Community Investment Fund (CIF) approved $5.5 million for the flood mitigation project at Ferry Boulevard and Broad Street. This project includes raising the elevation of Ferry Boulevard (Route 130) at Broad Street, elevating Broad Street, and replacing the bridge on Broad Street over Ferry Creek. I am thankful to have worked with Representative Gresko and members of the Stratford Delegation to deliver this funding for our town. These infrastructure upgrades are critical to the residents in the Ferry Creek area. This region is frequently affected by flooding during coastal storms, and these improvements will significantly enhance the quality of life for our residents and businesses. I am proud to see progress being made on this project and collaboration between state and local leaders to secure funding that the town is in need of.
I am sincerely grateful for the support of Gov. Ned Lamont and House Speaker Matt Ritter for their leadership and support. |
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| Speed Cameras in Stratford |
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Automated technology will be rolled out to capture alleged violators' license plates and issue fines:
- 1300 block of Huntington Road at Bunnell High School
- 300 block of Nichols Avenue at Nichols Elementary School
- Nichols Avenue between Marina Drive and Barbara Lane
- 1800 block of Barnum Avenue at Franklin Elementary School
- Broadbridge Avenue between Marina Drive and Emerald Place
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The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) is alerting taxpayers to a new scam where scammers are impersonating the DRS by sending fraudulent text messages. The texts fraudulently claim that you are owed a tax refund from the DRS and require you to provide banking and other information in order to receive the refund.
The DRS will NEVER send taxpayers a text message or seek to obtain information from taxpayers via text. Anyone who has information regarding a tax-related scam is urged to contact DRS by completing a referral form on the agency’s website.
Taxpayers with questions are encouraged to reach out to DRS by telephone at 860-297-5962, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. or by email at DRS@ct.gov. |
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The drug epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety, and national security threat. Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. When they do - it has dangerous and often tragic consequences.
You can help fight that epidemic by participating in DEA Takeback Day. It's an opportunity for anyone to remove unneeded medications from their homes, preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction.
On October 25th, from 10 am to 2 pm, you can turn in excess drugs at the Stratford Police Department. This is just one of the many locations that will be open across the state. You can find details on the drop-off process and locations by using the DEA Collection Site Locator. Click HERE for more info. |
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced that a vegetation management safety improvement operation will be performed on Route 15 and 8 interchange ramps in Trumbull, Shelton, and Stratford. This project is scheduled to occur on Monday, September 22nd, and be completed on Friday, November 14th, 2025.
To ensure the safety of the public, CTDOT is removing dead, diseased, and decaying trees. Additionally, trees and vegetation that have grown into the clear zone, which is the safety space along the side of the roadway, are also being removed. This work helps save lives in the event of a crash or a vehicle leaving the roadway.
The ramps affected are:
- Route 15 southbound Exit 34 on-ramp to Route 8 northbound
- Route 15 southbound Exit 34 on-ramp to Route 8 southbound / Nichols Avenue – Route 8 southbound to the Route 127 turn around
- Route 8 southbound Exit 4 – Route 127 off-ramp
- Route 108 on-ramp to Route 15 northbound
- Route 108 on-ramp to Route 8 northbound
- Route 8 southbound Exit 5 off-ramp to Route 108
- Route 108 Exit 5 on-ramp to Route 8 southbound
- Route 8 southbound to Exit 6 off-ramps to Route 15 southbound
- Route 15 northbound to Exit 34 – Route 8 northbound on-ramp
- Exit 4 (Route 127) on-ramp to Route 8 northbound
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
Motorists can expect partial lane closures on the Route 15 – Route 8 interchange ramps in Trumbull, Stratford, and Shelton from Monday, September 22nd to Friday, November 14th, 2025, during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. Traffic control signing patterns, State Troopers will guide motorists through the work zone.
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| As a reminder, there is a harmful algal bloom at Longbrook Pond & Brewster Pond at Longbrook Park. Everyone is currently advised not to come in contact with water in the area. |
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Corteva will host its annual Community Advisory Panel (CAP) meeting at Lake Success on October 15th. Bus tours of the site will depart hourly at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm, each lasting 45 minutes. At 5:15pm, Corteva will provide an update on remediation activities.
Attendees are required to pre-register for the meeting and the bus tours. Click here to sign up using the reservation system. Anyone taking the 1pm, 2pm, or 3pm bus tours will be asked to leave the site and return prior to the start of the CAP meeting at 5:15pm. |
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| The Stratford Library Association and Stratford Fire Department are coming together for an afternoon to celebrate National Fire Prevention Week on October 11th at 2:00 p.m. at the Stratford Library. This is an opportunity to meet the Stratford Firefighters who serve our community, explore the fire truck, and learn more about fire prevention and safety. |
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| The Stratford Health Department will be holding Flu Clinics throughout October, November, December, and January. Check out the October clinic dates below, as well as what insurance is accepted at the clinic. |
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Stratford's Great Pumpkin Festival will take place on October 18th from Noon to 4 p.m. at Booth Memorial Park. Click here for more information.
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The annual Longbrook Park Cleanup will take place on October 25th, starting at 8 a.m. on Marcus Drive. Supplies and breakfast will be provided for the volunteers.
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The Stratford Library will host a reading of "The Write to Vote", three original short plays on October 25th.
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It is Paradise Green Farmer's Market Season! Every Monday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Paradise Green. This is a great chance to support our local CT farmers and businesses.
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Yours in service,
Kaitlyn Shake
State Representative |
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