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Dear Neighbor,
Great news for Southington! This week I was proud to share that Southington has been awarded an $8,000 state grant through the neglected cemeteries program for the maintenance of the Merriman Cemetery in Plantsville. I am proud to have worked with Town Historian, Phil Wooding, to support this initiative.
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During a previous visit to the Merriman Cemetery, located on Marion Avenue near Nutmeg Drive, Mr. Wooding provided me a tour and an overview of the town’s efforts to preserve this historic site. This current funding will support clearing overgrowth, lawn maintenance, repairing and preserving existing memorials. Additionally, Mr. Wooding has indicated that the town will explore replacing deteriorated/missing gravestones, removing trees that can potentially fall and cause damage, and installing a fence around the cemetery.
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Cemeteries honor our town’s history, our forefathers, and our loved ones, and this grant ensures they are cared for with dignity. I am grateful to the State of Connecticut for supporting this important work in our community.
Please continue reading below for other noteworthy items, and thanks as always for taking the time to read them!
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| Coffee, Cake and Conversation |
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| This week, I had the pleasure of joining Spring Lake Village residents for a great discussion on legislation impacting Southington and the State of Connecticut. It was a valuable opportunity to connect, share updates on key issues, and hear directly from constituents about what matters most to them. |
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| Thank you to everyone who attended and asked thoughtful questions. If you couldn’t make it but would like to share your thoughts or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m always here to listen and advocate for you. |
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| Congratulations to the 136th Training Troop |
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I had the privilege of attending the graduation of the Connecticut State Police 136th Training Troop at Southern Connecticut State University. It was an inspiring event, recognizing the dedication, sacrifice, and hard work of these new troopers as they step into their roles to serve and protect our communities.
A special thank you to Commissioner Higgins, Colonel Loughman, and all the instructors and mentors who have guided these recruits through their training. Today’s ceremony was a testament to their commitment to public safety and excellence in law enforcement.
Congratulations to the graduates—our state is grateful for your service! |
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Distracted Driving Awareness
& Enforcement Campaign |
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| April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is stepping up efforts to keep our roads safe. From April 1–30, law enforcement across the state will be cracking down on distracted driving violations while a new public awareness campaign highlights the dangers of driving while distracted. Click HERE for details on Southington’s enforcement efforts. |
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Annual Veterans Coffee Hour
Join me on April 11 at 9:30 a.m. for my Annual Veterans Coffee Hour & Resource Discussion at the Southington Calendar House Senior Center. This stop on the Listening Tour is a great opportunity for local veterans and their families to come together, ask questions, and learn about valuable resources and programs available to them. Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ronald P. Welch will be our guest speaker, and there will also be a special tribute to Colonel Richard Anderson, with his family in attendance. We look forward to seeing you there to honor and support our veterans! |
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Community Gathering at the Library
Join me on April 15 at 6 p.m. at the new Southington Public Library for an upcoming stop on my Legislative Session Q&A Listening Tour. As the General Assembly prepares to debate and vote on bills advancing out of committee, this is a great opportunity to ask questions, share your thoughts, and discuss the issues that matter most to you. I’ll be in the Community Room at the library and look forward to seeing you there. If you haven’t had a chance to visit the new library yet, this event also offers a perfect opportunity to tour the new building. The event is open to the public—everyone is welcome. |
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| Town Wide Winter Coat Drive |
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| Southington Community Services is partnering with the Southington School System, Churches, Banks and public and private entities for the Operation Stay Warm town wide coat drive during the month of April 2025. Please donate your new or gently used warm winter coats in both adult and children’s sizes. Coats should be clean and free of rips, stains and having working zippers. Donations will be distributed in the Fall of 2025 through the Pop-Up Shop and outreach facilities. Donations will be collected through April 30. Please CLICK HERE for a complete listing of drop off locations. Thank you for your generosity! |
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The Prom Shop, hosted by Southington Community Services at the Plantsville Congregational Church (109 Church St.), has been extended and will be open on April 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Patrons are invited to look at a selection of gently used prom dresses, men's suits, jewelry and accessories.
All items are free. |
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Catch the action at the Fishing Derby Benefit on Sunday, April 13, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the YMCA Camp Sloper, 1000 East St.
The cost is $10 per participant, $25 for a family of three or more. Proceeds will go to support the Garrett L Van Epps Memorial Scholarship.
More details below. |
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There's not one, but TWO Easter Egg Hunts to get eggcited about in Southington. The first is the Easter Egg Hunt at the Plantsville Town Green on Saturday, April 5 from noon to 2 p.m.
Take photos with the Easter Bunny, pick up some balloon sculptures or grab a bite to eat at the Craft Kitchen's Food Truck!
The second is on Sunday, April 13, at 1 p.m. at Jaycee Park on Union Street. The hunt -- which will have 10,000 eggs -- is free. Take photos with the Bunny for $3, with the proceeds going to support Southington Community Services. Rain date is April 19 at 1 p.m.
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📣 Get involved in local policy and make change in your community. We want to hear from you at next week’s public hearings.
🌐 Register to testify and find more details in this week’s CGA Bulletin. cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABulletin/Bulletin.asp
*You only need to register if you wish to provide testimony. If you want to observe the hearings, you can tune in to watch the proceedings live on the committee’s YouTube channel.
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The No. 2-seeded UConn women's basketball team plays tonight against No. 1 UCLA in the Final Four at 9 p.m.
Let's go Huskies! |
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| As always, if I can be of assistance, please reach out to me at 860-240-8585 or email me at Chris.Poulos@cga.ct.gov. Don't forget to "LIKE" my Facebook page for news and legislative updates! |
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Sincerely,
Chris Poulos
State Representative |
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