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Dear Neighbor,
I hope this email finds you well. Below, you'll find updates on district resources and news.
Please feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns and be sure to follow my social media accounts for updates on a variety of topics including resources, events, housing updates, and more. |
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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
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Dogs have a remarkable way of giving their loved ones’ affection, loyalty, and unconditional attention. They enrich the lives of everyone they touch, and through their thoughtful behavior and devoted nature, they often demonstrate a willingness to put their own lives at risk to protect their human companions.
Throughout history, dogs have served alongside us in countless ways. They have played vital roles in recovery and rescue operations, law enforcement, military and combat operations, and as service animals for people with disabilities. They also serve as medical alert and emergency health-care assistants, therapy and comfort companions, and so much more.
Anyone who has had the privilege of sharing their life with a dog or who has experienced the heartbreak of losing one understands the extraordinary bond these animals create.
Dogs don't simply live alongside us; they become part of our families, our routines, our memories, and our hearts. They offer companionship without judgment, loyalty without conditions, and love without asking for anything in return.
This International Dog Day, let’s celebrate these incredible four-legged companions and recognize the countless ways they make our lives better. They truly are among the best companions on four legs. |
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced a series of open houses to solicit feedback for the 2027-2030 State Rail Plan, being held throughout the month of September. All meeting locations are ADA accessible and are conveniently located near local and regional transit services.
The Connecticut State Rail Plan is a federally required planning document that establishes a vision for passenger and freight rail transportation throughout the state and identifies strategies, policies, and potential investments to support Connecticut's rail network. The plan helps guide future rail priorities and investments, supports economic activity and mobility, and informs transportation-related decisions across Connecticut and the broader Northeast region.
For more information about the open houses and ways to provide comments and ask questions, visit portal.ct.gov/SRP.
“The Connecticut State Rail Plan update is a crucial step to prepare and plan for the future of passenger and freight rail transportation in Connecticut,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Bureau Chief of Public Transportation Jeffrey Gonneville. “We encourage the public to attend an open house in the state to share their rail experiences with the project team.”
The open houses will be held at the following locations across Connecticut:
New Haven
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Ives Main Library, Community Program Room
133 Elm Street, New Haven, CT 06510
Stamford
Thursday, September 17, 2026
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Ferguson Library, Dudley H. Williams Jr. Auditorium
1 Public Library Plaza, Stamford, CT 06901
Hartford
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Hartford Union Station, Great Hall
1 Union Place, Hartford, CT 06103
New London
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
4:45-6:45 p.m.
Public Library of New London, Large Community Room
63 Huntington Street, New London, CT 06320
The updated Plan is expected to be completed in winter 2027.
Individuals with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). For audio only, individuals may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Kyle Craig at StateRailPlan@ct.gov or 860-594-2020.
Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT Language Assistance Call Line at 860-594-2109. Requests should be made at least five business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.
Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the public comment period. Please submit comments and questions on the State Rail Plan here , or by leaving a voicemail at 860-594-2020, by Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Please reference the State Rail Plan in the voicemail. |
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Replacement of Roadway Illumination System in
East Hartford and Manchester
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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.
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¡Batey Boricua! Creamos Nuestro Espacio /
We Create Our Space
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| The batey was the central gathering space for the Taino, the indigenous peoples who lived in Puerto Rico before Spanish colonization. To be Boricua in the diaspora is to make a home in the in-betweens. In this exhibition, Puerto Rican artists with a connection to Connecticut invite the public into their inner worlds through works that embody orishas, ancestors, memories, histories, myth-making, place mapping, and the future shaped by human hands. |
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| Have a favorite UConn campus photo? Submit it for a chance to be featured in the 2027 “Because of YOU” UConn Calendar. Submissions are open through September 14, 2026. Learn more and enter through the official contest page. |
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Generation Power CT has announced its application cycles for our Emergency Energy Assistance Program, which provides assistance for electric, gas, and fuel costs, are as follows:
- Cycle #1: September 1 - 15, 2026
- Cycle #2: December 1 - 15, 2026
- Cycle #3: March 1 - 15, 2027
Generation Power CT provides up to $500 in utility assistance grants to households who meet established program guidelines. Households are eligible for one utility assistance grant per 12-month period.
To learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials, go to: https://gpct.org/gethelp/
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The idea of being “woke” to the dimensions of racial injustice in America entered mainstream public awareness with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014. But more than 150 years earlier, a group of young Abraham Lincoln supporters in Hartford declared themselves “Wide Awakes” in the effort to stop the expansion of slavery in America and get Lincoln elected President. They did so in a way that sparked a national response.
1860 proved to be one of the most intense election years in American history, with political tensions over slavery and secession reaching a breaking point. Connecticut’s hotly contested race for the governor’s seat, pitting Democrat Thomas Seymour against Republican William Buckingham, was viewed as a bellwether for the national presidential election that would take place later in the year.
In March, presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln stopped in Hartford to give a speech denouncing the spread of slavery in the western territories and advocating for the right of workers to go on strikes. A handful of store clerks who had just organized a local pro-Republican political group attended the speech and volunteered to escort Lincoln back to his hotel room by torchlight, sparking the birth of a new political movement called the Wide Awakes. Sporting military caps and wearing heavy black capes specially coated to protect their clothes from errant torch oil, they also canvassed neighborhoods in hopes of rallying disaffected voters — especially younger men — to the Republican party. Best known for their torchlight parades, the group’s intimidating form of dress belied the nonviolent, grassroots approach they took to gathering new members and Republican voters.
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In only a few months’ time, the Wide Awakes movement spread from Hartford to cities across the country; rallies in Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia routinely attracted several thousand people. Lincoln, impressed with the enthusiasm of his Hartford escorts and delighted with the dramatic spectacle of a torch-lit parade, encouraged his campaign managers to partner with local Wide Awakes chapters to drum up support for voter registration drives.
On July 26, 1860, not even five months after the political movement was founded, the Hartford Wide Awakes hosted one of their biggest gatherings to date, inviting fellow members from across Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey to a huge banquet near City Hall. Nearly 5,000 Wide Awakes were in attendance to celebrate political solidarity and, of course, to organize a massive torchlight rally held the following evening. Locally, the Wide Awakes played a key role in securing William Buckingham’s electoral victory in Connecticut. Nationally, with their members numbering in the hundreds of thousands, what began as a humble group in Hartford became a powerful political force that was instrumental in drumming up enough support to get Abraham Lincoln elected to the presidency.
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Eastside Farmers Market 2026
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- 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, 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
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39th Annual Senior Picnic
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East Hartford Police Department Announces 17th
Session of Citizen Police Academy
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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.
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East Hartford Farmers Market
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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:
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.
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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
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East Hartford's Latin Festival is BACK for another year of music, dancing, food, and a celebration of culture!
Join us at Great River Park (301 East River Drive) from 12:00-5:00pm. Parking is available in the American Eagle Financial Center lot (333 East River Drive).
Stage Schedule Coming Soon!
Food Truck List Coming Soon!
39th Annual Senior Picnic
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Elevate Here: Festival of Flight!
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Date and Time
Saturday Sep 19, 2026
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM EDT
Location
Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field
Fees/Admission
Complimentary Admission for attendees
Food Trucks/Vendors/Sponsors varying rates and oportunties
Sponsorship and vending opportunities can be customized to fit your marketing goals and budget. To learn more or discuss sponsorship options, please contact Jessica Olander, President of the CT River Valley Chamber of Commerce, at jessica@crvchamber.org. We'd love to partner with you to help elevate East Hartford and make this inaugural festival a tremendous success!
Website
https://www.crvchamber.org/events/details/inaugural-kite-festival-18873
Contact Information
JESSICA OLANDER
Send Email
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🪁 Ready to elevate?
A brand-new East Hartford tradition is about to take flight!
The CT River Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Town of East Hartford are excited to present the Inaugural East Hartford Kite Festival on Saturday, September 19—a brand-new community celebration that promises to fill the skies with color and the day with fun! This family-friendly event will feature live local music, delicious food trucks, local vendors, and, of course, plenty of kites soaring overhead. We're seeking community-minded sponsors and vendors who want to showcase their business while helping launch what is sure to become a signature annual event.
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Community Grants Available from the
East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts
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Bring your artistic vision to life in East Hartford!
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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.
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My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8541.
Sincerely,
Jason Rojas |
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