Chris Poulos

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

I continue to advocate for action that will bring relief to Southington ratepayers on their electric bills. Since my August 14 communication, the Moderate “Blue Dog” Caucus sent a letter to the Public Utility Regulation Authority (PURA) asking them to amortize or spread out the costs associated with the 2017 Millstone agreement over a longer period of time and delay the implementation the EV standards, which would lower your bills.

As a follow up, the Moderates have scheduled meetings with Eversource, United Illuminating, and PURA, along with a request into the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), at which we intend to discuss viable actions that can be taken to address this crisis.  A front-page article in The Hartford Courant on August 12 provides an overview of the Moderates’ proposals and features several quotes from me.

Special Session: I also signed the petition circulating this week that calls for a special session of the legislature to address this complex issue. A number of solutions have been put forward by both Republicans and Moderate Democrats to address the recent rate hikes. If a special session is called, I believe that the legislature should evaluate all proposals and work towards a bipartisan path forward that does not violate the fiscal guardrails that were put in place by a unanimous vote of the legislature. Know that I have heard your concerns and am doing everything in my position to bring relief to residents.

I checked on the progress this week of the Southington High School track rehabilitation project. In 2023, the Southington legislative delegation authored a letter of support to include with the town’s funding request to replace the track. The state grant was approved, and the project got underway this summer. The track has been dug up and the long-overdue project is near completion. The new track will remain in the same location with the same layout but will be much safer and have a significant color change from red to “Southington Blue.” The SHS track project will be finished by September 15 and be available soon after for school sports and for residential use.

Saturday is International Overdose Awareness Day, a global campaign to end overdose, remember those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.
 
Connecticut has dedicated many resources toward combatting this crisis in an effort to prevent, discourage, and destigmatize opioid addiction. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services launched its LiveLOUD communications campaign in 2019 directed to those who are actively using fentanyl, heroin, or prescription opioids, as well as their families and communities, to learn about this complex issue, get connected to support and treatment options, and learn how to become a LiveLOUD partner to help spread awareness.
 
Addiction is a disease, and we should treat it as such without prejudice or judgement. Anyone seeking treatment for addiction can visit ctaddictionservices.com or call 1-800-563-4086 anytime to get connected to nearby services throughout Connecticut.

The Connecticut Youth Employment Program is an initiative designed to help young people ages 14 to 24 explore careers by providing opportunities to work alongside professionals who assist them in building career networks and receive on-the-job training while also covering participant salaries and other job-related expenses, such as uniforms and transportation to and from work.

The YWCA Hartford Region is one of the many partners statewide hiring youths under the program, overseen by the Connecticut Department of Labor, and administered by the state’s five Workforce Development Boards.

The Connecticut Youth Employment Program runs year-round. Youths who want to enroll can contact their region's Workforce Development Board by clicking HERE. More information can be found on the Connecticut Youth Employment Program webpage HERE.

Monday is Labor Day. Let's celebrate the hard work and dedication of all workers.

In Southington, town offices and schools will be closed in observance of Labor Day and reopen on Tuesday.

Have a fun and safe holiday!