Jason Rojas

Dear Neighbor,

I hope this email finds you well. Below, you'll find updates on district resources and news.

Please feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns.

The topics covered in this e-newsletter are as follows:

• Major Winter Storm
• Community Resources
• This Week In Connecticut History
• Manchester Community Events and Information
• East Hartford Community Events and Information

At 4:19am on January 18, 1978, downtown Hartford narrowly missed being the site of one of the deadliest disasters in American history when the entire roof of the Hartford Civic Center arena — covering an area of nearly 2.5 acres and weighing 1,400 tons — suddenly collapsed onto a coliseum of 10,000 empty seats. Thanks to a series of incredible coincidences, there were no injuries associated with the roof’s catastrophic failure. Only six hours before, nearly 5,000 college basketball fans were sitting under the same roof to watch the UConn Huskies beat the UMass Minutemen by a score of 56 to 49. Even more miraculously, the overnight crews that typically performed maintenance on the arena’s hockey rink were absent that night, due to an unusual scheduling fluke that left Hartford’s home hockey team playing several away games in a row. Only two staff members were on the premises at the time of the collapse, neither of them near the coliseum where the roof caved in on itself.

When dawn broke, Hartford residents flooded the nearby streets to gawk at the twisted metal wreckage in complete disbelief. The Civic Center was barely three years old at the time of the structural failure, having opened in January 1975 to great fanfare as the new home of the New England (later Hartford) Whalers professional hockey team. During construction in 1974, architects touted the innovative “space truss” design of the Civic Center’s roof, which was one of the first major architectural projects in the region to be drafted with computer-aided design. The roof design was supposed to support more weight using fewer and less expensive materials, saving the city several hundred thousand dollars in construction costs. However, after the roof’s catastrophic failure, engineers unanimously agreed that the “space truss” roof design was to blame, due to both inherent flaws in its design and errors in construction by the crews who built it. The same investigation revealed that while several days’ worth of accumulated ice and snow hastened the process, the roof had actually been slowly but steadily failing from the moment it was installed.

City leaders, relieved at the lack of injuries but shocked at the sudden loss of Hartford’s main entertainment venue, vowed to rebuild the Civic Center as soon as possible — a process that ended up taking two full years. The Whalers made their temporary home in Springfield, Massachusetts while a newer roof, sporting a time-tested railroad-truss design, was installed. A massive disaster narrowly averted by providential timing — today in Connecticut history.

Further Reading

Ben Gammell, “Almost a Tragedy: The Collapse of the Hartford Civic Center,” connecticuthistory.org

“Gallery: Hartford Civic Center Roof Collapse,” Hartford Courant

Ray Kelly, “Recalling Hartford Civic Center Collapse of 40 Years Ago,” masslive.com

https://www.easthartfordct.gov/residents
 
Town Newsletters
Pulse of East Hartford     
East Hartford Public Schools
East Hartford Works

The Town of Manchester’s Downtown Arts and Culture Grant Program seeks to encourage and support initiatives, events and installations that contribute to the vibrancy and engaging atmosphere in the Downtown area defined by the boundaries of the Special Services District (map attached) plus Charter Oak Park, Center Memorial Park and Center Springs Park.

Funding is available to be granted for individuals or organizations that effectively propose initiatives, projects, events or installations that the Oversight Committee determines to be most appropriate and timely for this round of grant awards.

Applications are due to the Budget & Research Office electronically by 5:00 p.m. Friday, February 13, 2026. The Committee’s intention is to award grants by March 10, 2026.

View Mini Grant Application Packet(PDF, 2MB)

We live in a time when it is easy to be impressed by the polished lives we see online—beautiful people, perfect posts, endless followers. But real confidence and joy don’t come from likes or views; they come from feeling strong, connected, and grounded. As we move into the winter months, I encourage you to focus on building a healthy mind and body. Take a look through the Manchester Now catalog to discover activities that fit your interests and inspire you to stay active and engaged. Whether it’s joining a fitness class, exploring a new hobby, or connecting with others through community programs, these small choices can make a bid difference. Stay the course this winter, and by spring, you’ll be ready to step into the new season feeling refreshed, energized, and ready for all that’s ahead.
 

Manchester Now Winter/Spring 2026 Publication

Next date: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 08:30 AM to 11:30 AM

* We hold multiple classes on the same day utilizing different classrooms.

The dates for the following 5 classes are January 17th,   February 21st,  March 21st,  and April 25th 

1.) Pediatric First Aid & CPR this class is hybrid with the first half being taught live through Zoom starting at 8:30am. Followed by a 45 min break to give students enough time to drive to the Fire Station for the in-person porting of the class. Class will end around 2:30/3:00pm 

This class is geared toward Childcare Providers, Parents & Foster Parents approved by the Office of Early Childhood. This class is also perfect for school staff, couches and babysitters. This class also includes choking relief for all ages. 

https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/ChildCareCPRFirstAid

2.) AHA Heartsaver Pediatric CPR AED only noon to 3:00pm.  This class also includes choking relief for all ages. 

https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/PediCPR

3.) AHA Heartsaver CPR 8:30 to 11:00am  This class also includes choking relief. 

https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/AdultCPRonly

4.) AHA BLS CPR for Healthcare Providers , First Responders, their Support Staff & College students going into the health field. 8:30 am to 11:30 am. Our classes are approved by all CT Colleges and complies with all health & health allied major's clinical requirements.

Class includes Adult and Infant CPR AED with the use of a Bag Valve Mask (BVM) device for respirations and emphasis on team dynamics, adult and infant choking relief for all ages. 

click on this link below to sign up for a class

https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/HealthCareProviderBLS

5.) AHA Heartsaver Adult First Aid CPR 9am to 2pm with a 45 min break. This class includes adult & child choking relief.

https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/AdultFirstAidCPRAED

Subjects usually covered but not limited to in our First Aid Pediatric classes are 

• Recognition & management of both physical & medical emergencies pertaining to but not limited to children, staff, environment & fire

•  Diabetes, Stroke, Heart Attack, Fainting & Seizure. 

• Accident prevention & safety for both indoor & outdoor play area, toy safety, car safety including child restraint systems
• Poisoning including lead, plants & chemical poisoning
• Child Abuse including types, signs & regulations pertaining to mandated reporters 

• Communicable disease prevention, recognition, management & ways of transmission, Signs & symptoms of common illnesses
• Infection control including hand washing, diapering & vaccinations

• Respiratory distress including Asthma & upper respiratory infections 

• Choking relief for all ages

• First Aid Kits

• Heat and cold temperature related illness & injuries

• Bleeding control 

• Burns

• Muscle & Bone injuries including splinting 

Subjects usually covered but not limited to in our Adult First Aid classes are 

• Recognition & Management of both physical & medical Emergencies, 

• Diabetes, Stroke, Heart Attack, Fainting & Seizure. 

• Poisoning including lead, plants & chemical poisoning

• Respiratory distress including Asthma & upper respiratory infections 

• Choking relief for all ages
• First Aid Kits

• Heat and cold temperature related illness & injuries

• Bleeding control 

• Burns

• Muscle & Bone injuries including splinting  

Mayor Connor Martin invites you to the third annual State of the Town Address on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 6:00-8:00pm. The meeting will take place in the Town Council Chambers on the second floor of Town Hall, 740 Main Street.

This is a great opportunity to hear firsthand about progress and vision for the year ahead, along with key updates, achievements, and future plans for our town.

In addition, the community will have an opportunity to meet the Mayor and Town of East Hartford directors. A Q&A session will follow the meeting, providing an opportunity for you ask your questions.

This is a hybrid meeting (in-person and virtual). You can join the Microsoft Teams meeting here

Meeting ID: 235 866 465 752 61

Passcode: Y2wL6Qm2

Public Safety Notice - Prevent Home Fires: Use Portable Heaters Safely
The East Hartford Fire Marshal’s Office reminds all residents that a leading cause of residential fires continues to be the improper use of portable heating appliances. As temperatures drop, many households rely on space heaters and other portable devices for warmth. Used incorrectly, these appliances can quickly lead to dangerous and even fatal fires.
Please take a moment to review these important guidelines to keep your home and family safe.
Safe Use of Portable Heaters:
1. Keep a safe distance.

• Maintain at least 3 feet (1 meter) of clearance between heaters and anything that can burn—furniture, bedding, curtains, clothing, or paper.

2. Plug heaters directly into wall outlets.

• Never use extension cords or power strips, as they can overheat and ignite.
• Inspect the cord and plug for damage before every use.

3. Choose heaters with automatic shut-off features.

• Look for units that turn off if tipped over or overheating occurs.

4. Place heaters on flat, sturdy surfaces.

• Avoid carpeting or unstable furniture where the heater might tip.

5. Turn heaters off when sleeping or leaving the room.

• Portable heaters should never be used unattended.

6. Keep children and pets away.

• Maintain a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet.

Additional Fire Safety Requirements & Codes
These practices align with national fire safety standards such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and commonly adopted local regulations:

• Smoke Alarms: Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once a year.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms: Required in homes with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages. Install CO alarms outside sleeping areas and on every level.
• Clear Exits: Keep all exits, hallways, and stairways clear of portable heaters or other obstructions.
• Electrical Safety: Avoid overloading outlets. If breakers trip or cords become warm, stop using the appliance immediately.
• Approved Appliances: Use only UL-listed or third-party tested heating devices. Never use ovens, stovetops, or grills to heat your home.

A Message from the East Hartford Fire Marshal’s Office
Your safety is our top priority. By using portable heaters responsibly and following fire safety codes, you help protect not only your household but your neighbors and the entire East Hartford community.
If you have questions about home heating safety, need help checking your smoke or CO alarms, or would like additional resources, please contact the East Hartford Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division.
Stay warm. Stay safe. Prevent fires.