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I hope this message finds you well! It was very busy in the district this week, meeting with Stratford community members, organizations, and businesses. One of my favorite parts of my job as your state representative is meeting with people to listen, learn and discuss issues that are important to them. I had the opportunity to meet with Sikorsky Leadership, High School students, Wooster Middle School Health Haven Clinic staff, Eli Elementary School, and more.
In this week's email, you can read more about these meetings, find information on how to access the 2026 Major Pubic Acts Report, Memorial Day Parade information, and other local updates.
Please continue to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or if my office can be of assistance to you. Call my office at any time or email me at kaitlyn.shake@cga.ct.gov.
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| We Honor and Remember on Memorial Day |
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In preparation for Memorial Day, on Wednesday I joined the students, parents, teachers, and staff of Eli Whitney Elementary School for their annual “poppy planting”. Over a thousand flowers are placed in the front lawn of the school with flags to serve as a solemn reminder for those who never made it home. As we approach the holiday weekend, I hope their beautiful and moving tribute reminds everyone who drives by, the true meaning of Memorial Day.
May we remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. 🇺🇸
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| This Monday, May 25th is the Annual Stratford Memorial Day Parade! The ceremony begins at 11 am at Academy Hill, and the parade kicks off at 12:15 pm and will go along Main Street to Paradise Green. |
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Every year, we recognize National EMS Week during the month of May.
This EMS Week, we are honoring the dedication, courage, and lifesaving care of Connecticut’s EMS professionals. Thank you to every EMT, paramedic, dispatcher, and first responder who makes the difference between life and death. Our Stratford EMS goes above and beyond for our community, and we are deeply grateful for their service. |
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| National Public Works Week |
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This week, we recognize National Public Works Week.
This is an annual observance led by the American Public Works Association (APWA) to celebrate the hard-working professionals in our Department of Public Works (DPW). Public Workers go above and beyond for our community to keep it working smoothly.
Thank you to the DPW for everything you do to clean our streets and take care of our communities all year long!
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| BHS and SHS Student Government Roundtable |
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| I spent Monday morning with young leaders from the Student Government groups at Stratford and Bunnell High School. An important part of this job is creating a space and opportunities for our youth leaders to share their ideas, questions, and concerns about issues that impact them with local leaders. We discussed some of the recent state legislation passed during this session, school budgets, bus routes, school libraries, safe roads, bike lanes, public safety initiatives, graduation banners, community collaboration, and so much more. Youth leaders are critical members of our community and are the voice. I reminded them that what they think and care about matters. Thank you for a great student leader round table this week! |
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| Sikorsky Air Legislative Meeting |
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I joined my fellow Stratford Delegation members on Tuesday for a meeting with Sikorsky Air President Rich Benton and his leadership team. We had an in-depth tour of the facility and saw firsthand the incredible hard work and engineering that takes place every day in building the world’s best helicopters (thank you to Teamsters Local 1150)!
The incredible vision, innovation, and evolution of Igor Sikorsky’s aviation pursuits have continued for more than 100 years here in Stratford. A cornerstone and major contributor to Stratford and our country’s aviation history, Sikorsky remains the top producer of helicopters primarily used for military and rescue operations around the world.
At the end of our visit, we were brought to Igor Sikorsky’s original office. It was filled with photos, models, awards, and American history milestone archives that he and his aviation company contributed to while he worked there. Igor Sikorsky’s dedication and relentless drive to pursue his dreams led to major advances in science, aviation manufacturing, and workforce development that have left a major impact on the Stratford community and have propelled our country and world forward.
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| Stratford School-Based Health Center Visit |
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Did you know Wooster Middle School is home to a School Based Health Center on site called Health Haven? On Tuesday, I visited to get an overview of the wrap-around services and health screenings offered to Wooster students in 7th and 8th grade.
What is a School Based Health Center (SBHC)?:
SBHCs are comprehensive primary care facilities located in or on the grounds of schools offering services like primary care, mental health, and more.
Hundreds of Wooster students qualify and receive physical and mental health services from an APRN and 2 dedicated licensed Social Workers. Students have access to annual physicals, sports exams, immunizations, nutrition counseling, treatment of injuries and illnesses, individual and group counseling, crisis interventions, and referrals.
By providing this opportunity at Wooster Middle School, we are able to eliminate barriers to healthcare, out-of-pocket expenses, and potential transportation issues. Funding for this program is made possible thanks to the CT Department of Public Health. Providing access to affordable options for healthcare can be lifesaving. The Health Haven is a family, school, and community partnership dedicated to supporting healthy outcomes for students at Wooster Middle School. We are incredibly grateful to the dedicated staff for providing equitable and dignified care for our children and families in need.Click here to learn more about SBHCs.
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| 2026 CT State Housatonic Graduation |
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On Thursday, I had the distinct honor of attending the 2026 CT State Housatonic Community College graduation at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport as their Commencement Speaker.
The experience gave me the opportunity to address the graduates, faculty, staff, and supporters in the audience. As the proud product of public education and higher education, it gave me great pride as a Housatonic Alumna to participate in such an important life milestone.
“The lessons I learned at Housatonic carried me through nursing school, through years of serving as a healthcare professional, and eventually into public office. Every time I walk into the State Capitol, I carry the sensibility I gained here—the conviction that fairness matters, that empathy is essential, and that justice is not simply a principle but a daily practice. Public service, to me, is an extension of what community colleges represent: listening deeply, supporting one another, and taking action to improve the world around us.
Housatonic is not only an academic institution—it is a conduit for positive change and possibilities. Housatonic is a place where your dreams could become a reality. It shows that real education begins when classrooms connect to communities, learning is driven not by privilege but by purpose. That spirit shapes leaders, entrepreneurs, caregivers, advocates, and innovators.“ — Rep. Shake
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Congratulations to all the 2026 CT STATE Housatonic Graduates 🎓!!
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| 2026 OLR Major Public Acts Report |
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I wanted to share the 2026 Legislative Session Major Public Acts report with you.
This report, composed by the Office of Legislative Research (OLR) with assistance from the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA), briefly describes the most significant, far-reaching, and publicly debated acts adopted by the General Assembly in the 2026 regular session.
You can click HERE to read the full OLR report. |
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| Absentee Voting For All Signed Into Law |
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Governor Ned Lamond signed a bill into law providing all eligible voters in Connecticut with the option of casting a vote via absentee ballots.
Public Act 26-42 removes certain restrictions that previously limited absentee ballots to voters who could not appear in person on Election Day for a narrow set of reasons. With this change, any eligible voter who prefers to vote absentee may now do so.
The voters of Connecticut demanded Absentee Voting For All after they overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment in 2024. The new law takes effect immediately.
The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. Expanding access to absentee ballots strengthens participation, increases flexibility, and ensures every voter has a convenient and secure option to make their voice heard.
To vote by absentee ballot, eligible voters must complete an absentee ballot application and submit it to their town clerk. Applications can also be submitted online through the Office of the Secretary of the State’s secure portal. For more information on applying for an absentee ballot, visit myvote.ct.gov. |
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| WBDC and OEC Program Operations Grants |
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The Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) and Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) have begun accepting applications for the OEC-WBDC Program Operations Grants.
OEC and WBDC are offering grants of up to $50,000 to qualified Connecticut early childhood businesses to support operations and preserve child care access. The Operations Grant provides short-term funding to support OEC-licensed early childhood education programs. The grants are designed to help programs maintain their existing early childhood slots.
Grants will be awarded to eligible programs serving high and medium-needs families, as defined by OEC. This funding is intended to support operational expenses, including staffing, materials, facility costs, and other business needs that ensure ongoing services to families and communities.
This is a ONE-TIME funding opportunity. Applications close at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 25th. Click here for more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply. |
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| Mental Health Awareness Month |
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
If you are in need of mental health services and don't know where to start, here is a list of resources for Connecticut residents:
- 2-1-1 General Resources 24-hour crisis phone numbers: finding services, education, prevention, counseling services, support groups, advocacy. Call 211
- Mental Health Connecticut Offers a mental health concierge, art therapy and residential and supportive mental health services. mhconn.org or 860.529.1970
- CTSupportGroup.ORG The CT Support Group is an online project developed by young people to provide connection, peer-led support, and community for their peers.
- CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services You can search for services available in your area through their regional services locator. portal.ct.gov/dmhas
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Electrical Maintenance on I-95 in Stratford, Bridgeport, and Fairfield:
The Connecticut Department of Transportation will perform electrical maintenance on I-95 between Exits 31-24 in Bridgeport, Fairfield, & Stratford. This project is scheduled to occur on May 15 & be completed on May 17.
There will be various lane closures along with rolling roadblocks on Route 8 southbound from Exit 2 B to the I-95 merge and I-95 north & southbound between Exits 31-24 in Bridgeport, Fairfield, and Stratford from Friday to Sunday, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Traffic control signing patterns, State Troopers, & Crash Units will guide motorists through the work zone.
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Replacement of Existing Transmission Line Structures on Route 110 in Stratford:
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that the replacement of existing transmission line Structures will be performed on Route 110 (River Road) in Stratford. This project is scheduled to occur on Monday, May 4th, and be completed on Friday, June 12th, 2026. This project is being performed by Eversource Energy.
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
A section of Route 110 (River Road) will be closed near Main Street, starting Monday, May 4th, at 6:00 a.m. to Friday, June 12th, 2026, 8:00 p.m. Traffic will be detoured. Traffic control signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone.
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Bridge Work on I-95:
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will start bridge work on I-95 north and southbound in Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and Stamford starting on Sunday night, April 19th.
This project is scheduled to start on Sunday night, April 19th, and be completed on Friday, July 3rd. This project ensures the bridges remain in a state of good repair.
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
There will be various alternating lane closures on I-95 north and southbound between Exit 7 and Exit 36 from Sunday night, April 19th, to Friday, July 3rd, overnight from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Traffic control signing patterns, crash units with illuminated arrows, and State Troopers will guide motorists through the work zone. Bridges to be worked on are 00134, 0111A, 00114, 00113, 0110A, 00108, 00107, 00106, 00115A, 00105A, 06613, 00027, 00028, 00029, 00032.
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Noise Barrier Replacement on I-95:
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has started noise barrier replacement on I-95 between Exits 32-33 in Stratford. This project is expected to be completed next year, in April 2027.
The barrier has reached the end of its useful life and needs replacement. The barrier is being replaced to conform to current standards, which are in accordance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) MASH standards. The existing timber noise barriers have wood rot, broken or missing panels in many areas, as well as vegetative overgrowth.
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
Motorists can expect lane closures on I-95 northbound at Exits 32 and 33 in Stratford beginning Wednesday. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone. Lane closure operations will generally be limited to off-peak and nighttime hours. No lane closures will be permitted during weekday morning and afternoon peak travel periods (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.). During daytime hours, work will primarily consist of shoulder closures only. One lane closure may occur during late morning and evening hours. During the overnight hours, up to two lane closures are permitted and rolling roadblocks.
The work schedule for this project is from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area.
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| Stratford Community Updates |
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The Early Childhood Collaborative of Stratford is completing a Local Needs Assessment and is asking all parents and guardians of children, birth to Age 5 in Stratford to complete this 5-10 minute anonymous survey. Go to bit.ly/StratfordFamilySurvey2026 to complete the survey!
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In recognition of National Boating Safety Week, the Stratford Professional Firefighters shared this PSA:
- Personal flotations devices should be available for every person on a watercraft and children must wear them at all times.
- Check the weather and tides before departing.
- Let someone know where you are going and when you are expected to return.
- Do not operate watercraft while impaired.
- The Town of Stratford Town Hall and Stratford Public Works installed life rings and throw rope bags at the Birdseye Boat Ramp. These rings are to be used in the event of an emergency where someone has gone into the water.
Stay safe and happy boating!
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| The Baldwin Center Open House is rescheduled to Noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, May 29th. No registration is required and all are welcome to attend! |
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The Town of Stratford's Veterans Breakfast will take place on May 27th! Veterans and one guest are invited to attend free of charge.
When: 9:00 AM, Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Where: Vazzano’s Four Seasons, 337 Kenyon Street, Stratford
In addition to breakfast, the Town is planning a program that will include speakers, recognition of our veterans, and a traditional performance from the Stratford High School Select Choir.
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Stratford Day Main Street Festival will take place on Saturday, June 6th, from 10am to 4pm, on Main Street from Stratford Center to Stratford Avenue. The Main Street Festival is an annual town-wide event celebrating the many organizations, programs, and services the Town of Stratford has to offer, bringing together nearly 200 local vendors, including entertainment, food trucks, booths, and artists. Please anticipate street closures on Main Street from Church Street to Stratford Avenue beginning at 7am on June 6th.
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The Stratford Veterans Museum Golf Tournament will take place on June 27th at the Short Beach 9 Hole Golf Course. Email svm5952@gmail.com or call 203-449-6139 to register.
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Yours in service,
Kaitlyn Shake
State Representative |
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