Chris Poulos

This week the State Librarian, Deborah Schander, visited Southington and we had the opportunity to tour the library building project that is currently underway, meet with architects and the construction crew, and receive an update on their progress, including the addition and upgrades to the "exterior look" being funded by the $5 million in state bonding that the town received last year.

During the tour we were able to compare building plans to the actual constructed spaces in the building, which appeared much bigger in real life. Both the first and second floors are expansive and thoughtfully designed, and a favorite feature was the terrace overlooking Main Street and Derynoski Elementary School.

I look forward to continuing to follow the progress of our Town’s library project, and I am proud to have played a role in ensuring that we will have the library Southington deserves.

Please continue reading below for other noteworthy items, and thanks as always for taking the time to read them!

This week I visited Ion Bank for Southington Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours Networking Event.  At the gathering I had the opportunity to speak with several members of the bank’s leadership team including David Rotatori, President and CEO of Ion Bank. David shared his concern for HB 5489, which could increase fraud risk, jeopardize consumer privacy, and place undue pressure on smaller business and financial institutions.
 
Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for hosting these regularly occurring events, which give me the opportunity to stay in touch with local businesses and learn about their legislative priorities and concerns.

Last year at the close of the legislative session, I contacted Governor Lamont’s office and suggested that we appoint an active classroom teacher to the State Board of Education. To me it makes sense that someone doing the job be at the table contributing to policy decisions that impact teachers and students. I submitted Kristen Record’s name, a physics teacher from Stratford, and a summary of her professional experiences for consideration. Last month she was nominated, and this week the legislature’s Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee voted to move her appointment forward for consideration by the full General Assembly. I was fortunate to join her, along with other educators, at the hearing.

Kristen’s experiences in and outside of the classroom, that she highlights in this linked video, have prepared her to take on the challenging role of navigating the conversations between policy and practice, which will ultimately lead to decisions that maximize outcomes for all kids. I am so proud that she is on her way to becoming a State Board of Education member and know that as a practicing classroom teacher she will represent the teaching profession well.

Attention seniors! Join me at my next Legislative Q & A on April 10 at 1 p.m., at which I will share an overview on legislation impacting seniors. A special thanks to Blair Gianatti, local businesswoman and owner of Endless Sweets Bakery, for providing the cookies! This event is open to ALL Southington seniors, regardless of whether you are resident of Spring Lake Village.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing a milling and resurfacing project will be performed on I-691 East and West in Southington and Cheshire starting Tuesday, April 23. The project consists of milling and resurfacing a 2.66-mile segment of I-691 East and West in Southington and Cheshire from the Meriden/Southington town line to the Ten Mile River overpass. The resurfacing segment of this project is anticipated to begin on Sunday, April 28.

Motorists can expect lane closures. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone. The night work schedule for this project is 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. and it is expected to finish on Thursday, May 2.

Please be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions.

It's not too late to join to join tomorrow's guided tour of historic Downtown Southington. Discover the fascinating stories of the historic buildings and monuments near the Barnes Museum and explore the town's heritage through the eyes of the Bradley, Barnes, and adjacent family members. This guided tour will take you from Merrell Avenue to just past Berlin Avenue, unveiling the history of North Main Street's structures, monuments, and more. Begins at 11 a.m. at the Barnes Museum. Cost is a $10 suggested donation at the door.

The UConn men's and women's basketball teams are in the Final Four, who could ask for anything more! #FinalFour #UCONN

UConn Women’s Basketball: Tonight at 9:30 p.m. vs Iowa on ESPN/ESPN+
UConn Men’s Basketball: Saturday at 8:49 p.m. vs Alabama on TBS/TNT