Jason Rojas

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

• At the Capitol
• Legislative Business
• This Week In Connecticut History
• Manchester Community Events and Information
• East Hartford Community Events and Information

On Wednesday, I had a great discussion at the Politics & Policy 2026 Legislative Session Recap alongside Sen. Duff, Sen. Harding, and Rep. Candelora.

We had an important bipartisan conversation about the policies and decisions shaping Connecticut’s economy, businesses, and communities at both the state and federal levels. I’m grateful for the opportunity to engage with government leaders, industry professionals, and business leaders on the issues that matter most to our state’s future.

Thank you to Hartford Business Journal for hosting this important forum and for the invitation to be part of such a thoughtful and productive discussion.

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

Spend some time walking the Rail Trail and picking up litter on a spring morning.  
Meet at Center Springs Lodge parking lot. 
Supplies provided by Manchester Sanitation
Event is Rain or Shine.
Follow Manchester Public Works Department for updates:  Facebook
When

• Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Please join us at the Manchester Elk Lodge #1893 for Drug Awareness Pancake Fundraiser on May 16th from 9am-11am.

All you can eat pancakes $10 per person. Come join us to honor the winners of the D.A.P Poster contest. A portion of the proceeds will benefits our Drug Awareness Program at 30 Bissell St, Manchester CT.

CRUISIN' ON MAIN STREET IS BACK FOR ITS 25TH YEAR!

The Manchester Cruisin’ Committee, in partnership with the Town of Manchester, is excited to announce that this year's annual Cruisin' on Main Car Show will be held on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain dates: August 9th & August 16th - depending on weather).

Larry Ash, who leads the Cruisin' Committee, along with the dedicated committee members and Calvin Harris, Senior Recreation Supervisor, have been organizing and finalizing plans for another successful event.

The success of the show is always due in part by its sponsors and their charitable donations. Mark your calendar for August 2nd and attend one of the largest one-day car shows in all of New England. Whether you are showing a car or just attending to check out the cars, listen to great music, and/or enjoying a meal downtown, you can’t miss this great annual event.

Cost for the event is free to spectators and a $10 car show registration fee for those wishing to showcase their car. Sponsor’s Choice Trophies will be awarded, and dash plaques will be given to the first 700 cars.

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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

The Town of East Hartford, in collaboration with the East Hartford Veterans Commission, are excited to announce that East Hartford’s Memorial Day Parade and series of events will take place on Monday, May 25, 2026. The events will begin with the parade stepping off at 10:00 a.m.

The day will consist of three parts: a parade, a program at the Fallen Star Memorial, and a celebration of East Hartford. The parade will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., proceeding from 9 Riverside Drive to the Fallen Star Memorial located at Goodwin University.

Immediately following the parade, a commemorative program will be held at the Fallen Star Memorial. The events will conclude with a family-friendly celebration of East Hartford featuring food trucks, music, activities, vendors, and more.

VOLUNTEERS:

• If you are interested in volunteering at the 2026 Memorial Day Parade, please register by May 15, 2026 by visiting: Volunteer Registration

If you have questions, please email our Event Coordinator, Jenilee Tedesco, at jtedesco@easthartfordct.gov.

To receive the latest updates on the Town’s news and events, visit www.easthartfordct.gov and subscribe at www.easthartfordct.gov/subscribe.

The East Hartford Town Clerk’s Office has once again partnered with the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association to offer its annual Low-Cost / No-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic.

WHEN: Saturday, May 30,  9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

WHERE:  Firehouse 1 at 726 Main Street, East Hartford (rear of the building)

Please use the back Town Hall parking lot. Enter through the Saunders Street entrance and walk behind Town Hall to the back of the Firehouse.

Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers. There is no residency requirement to participate. 

The fee is $20, cash only. 

Written proof, either a valid rabies certificate or dog license showing a prior vaccination, must be presented to qualify for a three-year vaccination. Otherwise, a one-year vaccination will be given. 

Tags are not sufficient proof for a three-year vaccination.

Dog licensing will also be available for East Hartford residents. 

For further information, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 291-7230.

The Town will conduct the bi-annual Stop Log Exercise for the levee gate located on Main Street south of Pitkin Street, on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

The purpose of this exercise is to provide real life and hands-on experience to public works personnel in handling and installing of the new aluminum stop-log panels. This will also provide experience to different town agencies, including Public Works, the Fire Department, and the Police Department in responding to a flood emergency in East Hartford. The exercise will involve building the complete stop log structure to its maximum height.

The Stop Log Exercise will allow us to evaluate our operational readiness to respond to a flood emergency, as well as update all plans and procedures pertaining to our flood protection system.

The exercise is scheduled to take approximately 8 hours and will start at 6:00 AM. Main Street (Route 5) will be closed to all traffic and pedestrians by 6:00 AM on Saturday, May 30, 2026 and will be expected to remain closed for the duration of the exercise.

The effected section will be from Pitkin Street to Silver Lane Extension. There will be a posted detour route utilizing Pitkin and Jayce Streets, as well as Silver Lane Extension. All businesses within the area will remain open throughout the exercise and patrons will be allowed to access them either via Pitkin Street or from the intersection of Main Street and Silver Lane Extension. Police officers will be posted at various locations along the detour route to assist motorists. This area of Main Street will also be closed to pedestrians.

Each spring and fall, the MDC conducts a regional household hazardous waste collection program at a series of local sites in member and non-member towns. The program offers a number of benefits to residents and municipalities:

• Residents have the opportunity to participate in a collection day in their respective towns as well as in other collections throughout the year.
•  Participating municipalities enjoy financial savings from the effect of pooling under a single contract the services of a licensed hazardous waste management firm.
• The contractor assumes full responsibility for the collection, transportation and proper disposal of hazardous waste items.
   

Hazardous waste cannot be simply thrown out with the trash, flushed, or poured down the drain because it passes the problem along to the environment, polluting the air and the water.  So the MDC sponsors a HazWaste Program to collect the waste and dispose of it through safe, environmentally responsible practices. 

The MDC urges you to participate in a Household Hazardous Waste Collection in your town.  Protect the health of your kids, your spouse, your pets, and the environment.  You may participate in MDC’s household hazardous waste collection program if you are a member of any participating town; and you may participate on any MDC sponsored collection day.

Residents of any of the following participating towns can participate in ANY MDC sponsored collection day: Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks.

HOUSEHOLD HAZWASTE INFORMATION PACKET

The Household HazWaste Info Packet contains the complete schedule of MDC sponsored HHW collections for the current calendar year. The Info Packet also summarizes items accepted by the program and items the MDC cannot accept. If an item cannot be accepted at an MDC sponsored collection potential alternative disposal locations are listed. The Info Packet also provides some general information on how to reduce the amount of household hazardous waste you generate.

2026 HazWaste Information Packet

HazWaste info packet for small businesses, non-profits and municipalities

Moving? Please click here for further information!

2026 HOUSEHOLD HAZWASTE COLLECTION SCHEDULE COMING SOON

2026 HazWaste Schedule PDF

All collections are held on Saturdays from 8AM to 1PM unless noted. 

Date         Town                   Location                                                                                    
May 17*    West Hartford    Public Works Garage, 17 Brixton Street
June 6    Windsor    MDC Poquonock WPCF, 1222 Poquonock Avenue
June 27    Wethersfield    Webb Elementary School, 51 Willow Street
September 12    Bloomfield    Public Works Building, 21 Southwood Drive
September 19    Rocky Hill    Elm Ridge Park, 376 Elm Street
September 26    West Hartford    Public Works Garage, 17 Brixton Street
October 17    Windsor Locks/East Granby    Public Works Garage, 6 Stanton Road, Windsor Locks
October 24    Hartford    MDC Operations Facility, 125 Maxim Road


(WPCF = Water Pollution Control Facility)
* One collection date is held on a Sunday

The East Hartford Commission on Aging invites all seniors (55+) for a series of seminars and conversations with Town departments. These seminars are part of a new initiative called “Senior Survey Seminars,” in response to results from town-wide senior survey conducted by the Commission on Aging in 2023.
The seminars are intended to educate local seniors on a variety of topics, such as public safety, programming, tax assistance, senior services and more.
The four-part series will run through July 29, as follows:

 “Public Safety Conversation with Police, Fire and Public Works”

•  Thursday, May 28, 6:00 -7:30 pm.

“All about taxes”

•   Wednesday, June 24, 3:00-4:30 p.m.

“Public Programming with Libraries and Parks and Recreation”

•   Wednesday, July 29, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

“Health and Human Services”
All workshops will be held at the Senior Center, located at 15 Millbrook Drive. 
These seminars are open to all East Hartford seniors age 55+, senior center membership not required.
To register, call the East Hartford Senior Center at (860) 291-7460 ext. 0.
Light refreshments will be provided by the Commission on Aging.

East Hartford Summer Camp Registration is Now Open!

Summer is fast approaching and East Hartford Parks and Recreation will be offering summer camp programs for the 2026 summer season.

East Hartford Parks and Recreation Summer Camps will open on Monday, June 22nd, 2026 and will run for 7 consecutive weeks, ending on Friday, August 7th. Camps are open to East Hartford residents only and serve children and teens entering grades 1 – 9 and participants with special needs ages 6 -21. Enrichment programming continues to be a stimulating part of the programming thanks to our collaboration with East Hartford Public Library and East Hartford Social Services.  

▶ Little Rec’ers Camp for children entering grades 1- 2 will be located at Goodwin Park/ Goldstar Pool*Goodwin School Gymnasium during inclement weather days.

▶ Fun Days Camp for children entering grades 3 – 4 will be located at Gorman Park / Lord Pool, *O’Connell School Gymnasium during inclement weather days.

▶ Explorers Camp for children entering grades 5 – 6 will be located at McAuliffe Park / Drennan Pool, * Norris School Gym during inclement weather days.

▶Teen Camp for teens entering grades 7 – 9 will be located at Hockanum Park/ Terry Pool, * ECLC Gym during inclement weather days.

▶ Camp Sunburst for participants with special needs ages 6 - 21 will be located at McAuliffe Park, Drennan Pool, * Norris School during inclement weather days.

Campers will participate in a variety of activities, arts & crafts, sports, special events and more. Campers will also visit the pools, where they will have free swim and receive swim instruction from our American Red Cross Certified Lifeguards.

All campers will be registered for the East Hartford Public Library summer reading program through Readsquared and will receive prizes at camp to recognize and celebrate the time they spend reading! Campers will also participate in weekly enrichment activities sponsored by the Library, including STEM, Makerspace, puppetry, performing arts, drumming and more. For some enrichment activities campers will be bused to the Library.

Breakfast and lunch are provided for all campers through the Summer Meals Program! 

In partnership with Social Services camp will be supported by Social Workers.  

Registration for camps is now open. Register online at www.ehparks.org or at the parks and recreation office at the East Hartford Community Center, located at 50 Chapman Place. 

The Town will conduct the bi-annual Stop Log Exercise for the levee gate located on Main Street south of Pitkin Street, on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

The purpose of this exercise is to provide real life and hands-on experience to public works personnel in handling and installing of the new aluminum stop-log panels. This will also provide experience to different town agencies, including Public Works, the Fire Department, and the Police Department in responding to a flood emergency in East Hartford. The exercise will involve building the complete stop log structure to its maximum height.

The Stop Log Exercise will allow us to evaluate our operational readiness to respond to a flood emergency, as well as update all plans and procedures pertaining to our flood protection system.

The exercise is scheduled to take approximately 8 hours and will start at 6:00 AM. Main Street (Route 5) will be closed to all traffic and pedestrians by 6:00 AM on Saturday, May 30, 2026 and will be expected to remain closed for the duration of the exercise.

The effected section will be from Pitkin Street to Silver Lane Extension. There will be a posted detour route utilizing Pitkin and Jayce Streets, as well as Silver Lane Extension. All businesses within the area will remain open throughout the exercise and patrons will be allowed to access them either via Pitkin Street or from the intersection of Main Street and Silver Lane Extension. Police officers will be posted at various locations along the detour route to assist motorists. This area of Main Street will also be closed to pedestrians.

The East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts (CCFA) seeks applicants for their community grants program, newly expanded with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

All interested applicants should start by filling out a basic online application; eligible entities will next be invited to fill out a second-round application specific to ARPA funding.

Grant applications will be considered on a rolling basis through August 31, 2026, after which the CCFA will revert to their typical quarterly review cycle.

Successful proposals will have a strong East Hartford connection and directly relate to fine arts and/or culture. Programs or projects may include concerts, performances, program series, festivals, workshops, exhibits, readings, after-school programs, or public art.

For complete eligibility requirements and to access the application, visit the CCFA web page.

Administrative support for the CCFA community grants is provided by the East Hartford Public Library. Funding decisions will be made by the CCFA at their regularly scheduled public meetings, typically held the second Thursday of the month in Meeting Room 1 on the lower level of the Raymond Library. 

Celebrate Juneteenth across both sides of the river at Great River Park in East Hartford and Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in Hartford!

This free event is hosted in collaboration with the City of Hartford, Town of East Hartford, and Music Is Life curating the Hartford mainstage entertainment. This daylong event will include incredible live music, DJs, food trucks, a mental health wellness village, and tons family-friendly fun.

The event will kick off at 10:00AM with attendees and members from the City and the Town processing across the Founders Bridge pedestrian walkway to meet in the middle for a beautiful celebration and ceremony. Come join us!

 

Date Jun 20 2026

Time 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Location

Great River Park

Location 2

Mortensen Riverfront Plaza