Jason Rojas

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

• State Update
• Community Resources
• Connecticut History
• Manchester Community Events and Information
• East Hartford Community Events and Information

Replacement of Roadway Illumination System in
East Hartford and Manchester

A replacement of roadway illumination project on the I-84 and I-384 interchange in East Hartford and Manchester will continue through January 12, 2028. 

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO

Motorists can expect lane closures on I-84 and I-384 in East Hartford and Manchester Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., as well as Saturday and Sundays.

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.

The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs Stand Down 2026 will take place on Friday, September 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. across six statewide locations:

• Bridgeport: University of Bridgeport at Wheeler Recreational Center - 400 University Avenue
• Bristol: DoubleTree by Hilton - 42 Century Drive
• Danbury: Danbury War Memorial - 1 Memorial Drive
• Norwich: Easter Seals Veterans Rally Point - 24 Stott Avenue
• Rocky Hill: Connecticut Veterans Affairs - 287 West Street
• Stamford: UConn Stamford - 1 University Place

Connecticut’s veterans, active duty, National Guard and reserve military personnel, and their immediate families are welcome to this “one-stop” access to a range of programs and services offered by state and federal agencies, veterans' organizations, and community-based non-profits at these regional sites across the state. 

Held rain or shine.

Visit the DVA's dedicated Stand Down page for the most up-to-date information HERE. 

For any additional information, call 860-616-3772 or email standdown@ct.gov. 

The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs provides free bus passes to eligible Connecticut Veterans, helping make public transportation more accessible and affordable.
Important information:

• Transit district: Bus passes are specific to the transit district or districts the Veteran uses
• 31-day validity: Bus passes are valid for 31 days from the date of first use. Veterans should request a new pass approximately 10 days before their current pass expires
• Online application: Veterans must apply for a bus pass online. For the initial application, Veterans will need to provide a copy of their Connecticut driver’s license or non-driver identification card with the Veteran indicator to verify eligibility
• Non-transferable: Bus passes are for the eligible Veteran’s use only and cannot be transferred to another person. Veterans must present their Connecticut driver’s license or non-driver identification card with the Veteran indicator when using the pass

Click here for more information and to access the online application.
Questions about the program can be directed to DVABusPasses@ct.gov.

Connecticut residents are encouraged to recognize veterans who continue to make lasting contributions in their communities by nominating them for the 2026 Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. This honor celebrates veterans who, after their military service, have shown exceptional leadership and community service. 

Nominations for the Class of 2026 are now open and must be submitted by September 30th, 2026.

To be eligible, nominees must have been born in Connecticut or resided in the state for a minimum of five years. They must also meet the definition of a “veteran” under Connecticut General Statutes § 27-103 and have received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.

The submitted nomination package must contain the completed nomination form, the veteran’s discharge documents, and a detailed narrative of the veteran’s community and/or public service at the local, state, and/or national level, and the veteran’s contributions to the community at large. The focus of this honor is on the veteran’s service to their community after leaving the military.

To download the nomination package, visit: portal.ct.gov/dva/pages/ct-veterans-hall-of-fame.

Completed nomination packages must be submitted to the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs by September 30th, 2026. They should be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service to:

Office of the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
ATTN: CT Veterans Hall of Fame
287 West Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067

Detailed instructions and information on eligibility criteria can be found within the nomination package.

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has opened the CT Grown for CT Kids (CTG4CTK) grant program for Fiscal Year 2027. Passed in the 2021 legislative session, CTG4CTK is a statewide grant program to help establish and further farm-to-school initiatives.

Microgrant applications are due by September 9, and full grant applications are due by November 9. A total of $950,000 is available to support farm-to-school efforts that connect Connecticut children with local food while strengthening local agriculture and nutrition education. Full grant awards will be funded up to $50,000, while microgrants will receive up to $5,000 each.

Eligible applicants include local and regional boards of education, regional education service centers, private schools and institutions, colleges and universities including student‑led groups, cooperative arrangements under section 10‑158a, childcare centers, group childcare homes, family childcare homes under section 19a‑77, and organizations or entities—including Connecticut farmers—that administer or support farm‑to‑school programs.

Program updates include revised categories aligned with the three Cs of Farm‑to‑School: Cafeteria, Classroom, and Community. In addition, hosting a CT Grown for CT Kids Week event is now a priority for awarding and no longer a post‑award requirement.

This is the sixth round of funding for CTG4CTK, which was originally established as a two-year pilot program in 2021. In June 2025, the legislature allocated up to $1 million annually in the FY26 and FY27 budgets.

An informational webinar will be held on August 25, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Register for the webinar here.

For additional information, please visit the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant webpage. 

Today in 1998, Vice President Al Gore officially designated the Connecticut River as an American Heritage River, one of only 14 such waterways in the nation. In his remarks, Gore recognized the central role the Connecticut played in shaping not only the environment and physical character of New England, but also the economic and cultural history of the region. He also praised the incredible work done by local environmental and community groups in cleaning up rivers like the Connecticut, Cuyahoga, and Potomac, which had reputations for being infamously polluted only a few decades earlier.

The Connecticut River was a prime choice for this special distinction: As New England’s largest and longest river, it passes through four states on its 410 mile journey from source to sea, and its watershed covers an incredible 11,000 square miles.

As an American Heritage River, the Connecticut and surrounding environs (most notably wetlands) received federal protections, and future cleanup and conservation efforts became eligible for special federal funding. Expanding on efforts that had begun with Connecticut’s passage of America’s first Clean Water Act in the 1960s, local towns assumed greater control over wastewater treatment and industrial runoff. Communities conducted environmental studies that helped balance the river’s bacteria, fish, and native aquatic plant populations.

In the years since the Connecticut River became an American Heritage River, water in the river once called “the world’s most beautifully landscaped cesspool” has only continued to improve, and encouraging signs of better environmental conditions are plentiful. The region’s population of bald eagles has dramatically increased, and wild Atlantic salmon nests were spotted in the river for the first time in nearly 200 years in 2016. Today the Connecticut, the river early English settlers called the “Great River,” is a great river once again.

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

• Meets: Wednesdays, through October 7, 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
• Location:153 & 163 Spruce Street
• Ages: All ages welcome
• Fee: No cost to attend & free parking

Vendor selections are thoughtfully curated to include diverse foods, and business owners; with products including fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, maple syrup, mead and wine, coffee beans and loose teas, baked goods, vegan offerings, CT food trucks/tents, and artisans. Enjoy live music and weekly market themes, too! 

The Eastside Farmers Market also accepts SNAP/EBT payments and will double the value of SNAP purchases up to $30.00 (spend $30.00 using your EBT card to receive an additional $30.00 to spend on SNAP-eligible items). All children in attendance receive a $2.00 voucher to spend on fresh produce at each market from the Power of Produce (P.O.P.) Program.
 
When

• Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 04:30 PM - 07:00 PM
• Wednesday, September 02, 2026 | 04:30 PM - 07:00 PM
• Wednesday, September 09, 2026 | 04:30 PM - 07:00 PM
• Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 04:30 PM - 07:00 PM
• Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 04:30 PM - 07:00 PM

2026 Latin Festival

39th Annual Senior Picnic

East Hartford Police Department Announces 17th
Session of Citizen Police Academy

The East Hartford Police Department invites all East Hartford residents to participate in the 17th session of the East Hartford Citizen Police Academy.

Classes will run every Thursday for 10 weeks, starting on September 17, 2026, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., in the East Hartford Police Department’s Training Classroom (31 School Street). 

APPLY HERE

The application deadline is Friday, September 11, 2026. For additional information and to ask questions, contact Officer Jonathan Young at (860) 528-4401, extension 7547 or email jyoung@easthartfordct.gov. 

The Citizen Police Academy is geared towards citizens who reside, work, own a business or are a student in East Hartford. This is a unique opportunity for citizens to learn about their police department and the work they perform in the community. The academy provides an overview of police operations, practices, and objectives. The Citizen Academy is a behind-the-scenes look at what makes our Poilice Department special, where residents are offered the opportunity to see firsthand how exemplary police work is performed. The Academy is a great place to meet the men and women of the EHPD personally and to see their training and individual approach to work. Participation and completion in the Academy allows residents to walk away with a greater appreciation of the whole body of work that keeps our community safe.

The 2026 East Hartford Farmers' Market will occur every Tuesday through October 27, 2026 from 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM at the Town Green (1047 Main Street)! 

Our farmers, Killam & Bassette Farmstead and Handel Family Farm, are authorized to accept SNAP, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers. 

We are Accepting Applications for Market Vendors!

Our market is interested in adding more vendors to serve the community. The application can be completed online or vendors can fill out a paper copy to hand in or mail to the Health Department (740 Main St.). Market organizers will review completed applications and notify vendors whether your application is accepted. Vendors are advised to review the East Hartford market guidelines. Click the links below for the application and further information:

• Vendor Application (Online Form)
• Vendor Application Printable Form (English)
• Vendor Application Printable Form (Spanish) - pending 2026 update
• Farmers’ Market Vendor Guidelines  (English) 
• Farmers' Market Vendor Guidelines  (Spanish) - pending 2026 update
• Farmers' Market FAQs (English)
• Farmers' Market FAQs (Spanish) - pending 2026 update

BENEFITS PROGRAMS (2026 season)

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP): 

If you receive SNAP benefits, bring your EBT card to the table with the sign that says "SNAP/EBT accepted here" at participating farmers' markets and farm stands. The Market Master will swipe your card for the amount that you want and give you Market Tokens that can be used at all the stands at that market. Residents enrolled in SNAP will be able to double their benefits to purchase fresh produce through the End Hunger CT! SNAP Match program.

WIC FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM (FMNP): 

WIC clients will be receiving an email inviting you to setup your farmers' market benefits account in the SoliMarket system. This app can be downloaded to your smartphone and will be used to access your farmers' market benefits for fresh produce purchases. WIC FMNP benefits can be used to purchase fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs. The benefit amount for 2026 is $65 per eligible family member who was active as of 4/28/26. If you have questions about your WIC FMNP benefits, or your eligibility for this program, residents can contact the WIC office at (860) 291-7190. 

SoliMarket for WIC FMNP:

If you have questions, the Soli HelpLine is also a resource for farmers and WIC and Senior participants. You can call the HelpLine, available daily 9am – 9pm through November 30 at 214-256-3083 with questions regarding:

1.    Problems processing transactions

2.    Questions regarding payments

3.    Questions regarding reporting

4.    Problems receiving emails when attempting to finish setting up their account

5.    PIN number issues  

• Participants should call the WIC local office or Senior distribution site:
• To ask about program eligibility and eligibility for FMNP benefits
• To schedule WIC appointments with their local agency 
• Understand when they will receive their FMNP or other benefits 
• To find out when benefits will be received (app or card) 
• Adding new participants and/or family members  

SENIOR FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM (SFMNP):  

The SFMNP is an electronic benefit card (EBT). This is a supplemental food program, in which eligible participants receive an EBT card annually to purchase eligible products at authorized farmers' markets throughout Connecticut. SFMNP benefits can be used to purchase fruits, vegetables, honey, and fresh herbs. For 2026, eligible recipients will receive $40.00 on their SFMNP EBT card.

Eligible if:  

• You are 60 years of age or older and have a maximum household income not more than the 185% of the annual poverty income guidelines. See the income eligibility guidelines here.  
• If you are a disabled individual under the age of 60, you must live in a housing facility where congregate nutrition services are provided, and have a maximum household income not more than the 185% of the annual poverty income guidelines  

EAST HARTFORD SENIOR SERVICES FARMERS' MARKET VOUCHER:

East Hartford seniors that apply and meet eligibility requirements for the East Hartford Senior Services Farmers’ Market Voucher Program will receive a one-time $40 voucher to purchase fruits, vegetables, eggs, jams, and herbs. The voucher program is open to residents who meet these criteria: 55 and older who meet these criteria:

• must be 55 years old or older
• must be a resident of East Hartford (individuals or families), with proof of residency via a utility bill
• must have an income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (see below), with proof of income provided

Annual Income Household of 1- $39,900, 2 - $54,100, 3 - $68,300 4 - $82,500, 5 - $96,700, 6 - $110,900  

This voucher can only be used at the East Hartford Farmers’ Market. Residents who wish to apply may contact East Hartford Senior Services by calling 860-291-7491 or visiting the East Hartford Senior Center at 15 Milbrook Drive. Residents may also call Youth & Social Services at 860-291-7248 or visit the YSS office located at 50 Chapman Place. 

BECOME AN EH FARMERS' MARKET PARTNER!

The East Hartford Farmers’ Market is asking for residents and organizations to help fight hunger and food insecurity experienced by residents of our community. As a 2024 East Hartford Market Partner, your donation will help residents that rely on food pantry assistance to buy fresh produce at our market. Available funds will also be used to provide additional support for SNAP, WIC and senior market nutrition program recipients.

Sponsors will be recognized at the market and through the Town's communication channels. Show your shared commitment to health programs that support East Hartford quality of life. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. 

How to make your donation to become an EH Farmers' Market Partner:

1. Donate through the Social Services Donation Program by choosing the "Farmers' market partner program" option.

2. Cash donation dropped off to the East Hartford Youth & Social Services Division located at 50 Chapman Place.

3. Check donation dropped off or mailed to the Town of East Hartford, Youth & Social Services Division, 50 Chapman Place, East Hartford, CT 06108. Please make the check payable to "Town of East Hartford Youth & Social Services Division" with "Farmers' Market" noted in the bottom left.

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                                                                                    

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 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.