Jason Rojas

Dear Neighbor,

 

As we continue through this holiday season, I wish you all a joyful and safe time with your neighbors, friends, and family.

 

Thank you for allowing me the honor of continuing to serve you and work toward the betterment of our towns and our great state of Connecticut. Together, we have made great strides, and I look forward to accomplishing even more in the year ahead. Enjoy this special time of year, and may the new year bring health, happiness, and prosperity to you and yours.

In this email, you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.



A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer, or scroll through this email to the relevant section. 



The topics covered are as follows:

• State Update
• Today in CT History
• Manchester Community Events 
• East Hartford Community Events

More than 22,000 people in Connecticut can expect some or all of their medical debt to be eliminated, thanks to a major state initiative in partnership with the national nonprofit organization Undue Medical Debt.

 

Residents do not need to apply for this medical debt relief, nor can they request it. Those whose debts have been identified for relief will receive a branded letter from Undue Medical Debt detailing which debts have been eliminated. These letters will be sent out through the U.S. mail, starting December 23, 2024.

 

Click HERE to view a sample of the letter recipients will soon receive in the mail. 



Undue Medical Debt collaborates with state and local governments to leverage public investments, negotiating with hospitals and other providers to eliminate large, bundled portfolios of qualifying medical debt. This initiative specifically targets patients whose income is at or below four times (400%) the federal poverty level, or who have medical debt that constitutes 5% or more of their income. Because these medical debts are acquired in bulk and pertain to individuals who are least able to pay, they can be purchased at a fraction of their face value.

 

In this initial round, the state allocated approximately $100,000 from its share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. With this investment, Undue Medical Debt successfully negotiated with a secondary market partner, such as a collections agency, and a national provider to acquire approximately $30 million in qualifying medical debt for Connecticut residents. 

While the holiday season generally brings holiday cheer, there are some Grinches who dampen the mood. With online shopping becoming more prevalent, package thieves – better known as porch pirates – have more opportunities to swipe deliveries.

 

The Better Business Bureau, citing a Security.org study, said package thieves stole more than $18 billion in merchandise over the last year.

 

Here are some ways – courtesy of the BBB – to discourage porch pirates:

• Don’t leave unattended packages. 

Try to schedule a delivery when you know you will be home. If you aren't going to be home, ask a trusted neighbors if they mind holding on to packages. Also. some retailers offer garage delivery.

• Ship to store, storefront or post office box.

Consider shipping to a retailer with a physical location near your home or, if you have one, ship to a post office box that accepts packages.

• Use a security camera.

Installing a home security system with cameras or a video doorbell is a great way to deter package theft, especially when highly visible.

• Require a signature. 

Many delivery companies include the option to require a signature before leaving a package but be sure to check with the delivery company on their policy for packages that are not signed for; they may return it to the sender after a certain number of attempts.

• Opt-in to notifications

Most retailers provide tracking details with links to delivery services; some even send their own emails to let you know when something has landed on your stoop.

If you fear your package being stolen, file a report with your local police department and the delivery company. Depending on your delivery service, they may offer insurance or other policies to reimburse you for your losses.

 

Recent incidents in New Haven and Fairfield County show anyone can be the victim of an online scam. However, millions of our elderly neighbors are targeted for some type of financial fraud every year. With the holiday season upon us, it's an important reminder that not everyone is acting from a benevolent place in their heart. With the elderly population growing and seniors racking up more than $3 billion in losses annually, elder fraud has remained a growing problem.

 

Common elder fraud schemes include the Romance scam (Criminals pose as interested romantic partners on social media or dating websites); Tech support scam (Criminals pose as technology support representatives and offer to fix non-existent computer issues); Grandparent scam (Criminals pose as a relative — usually a child or grandchild — claiming to be in immediate financial need); Government impersonation scam (Criminals pose as government employees and threaten to arrest or prosecute victims unless they agree to provide funds or other payments); and Sweepstakes/charity/lottery scam (Criminals claim to work for legitimate charitable organizations or they claim their targets have won a foreign lottery or sweepstake, which they can collect for a fee).

 

There are ways to protect yourself and your loved ones, including the following (courtesy of the FBI and 2-1-1):

 

• If you believe there is a scam attempt, end all communication with that individual. Create a shared verbal family password or phrase that only you and your loved ones know. Also, disconnect from the internet and shut down your device if you see a pop-up message or locked screen.
• Search online for the contact information (name, email, phone number, addresses) and the proposed offer. Other people have likely posted information online about individuals and businesses trying to run scams.
• Resist the pressure to act quickly. Scammers create a sense of urgency to produce fear and lure victims into immediate action.
• Call the police immediately if you feel there is a danger to yourself or a loved one. Take precautions to protect your identity if a criminal gains access to your device or account. Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts and monitor your accounts and personal information for suspicious activity.
• Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, mailings, and door-to-door services offers.
• Never give or send any personally identifiable information, money, gold or other precious metals, jewelry, gift cards, checks, or wire information to unverified people or businesses.
• Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you don't know.

 

Contacts and more information

Office of the Attorney General – Senior Fraud Hotline

The State of Connecticut Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Unit runs an Elder Justice Senior Fraud Hotline at 860-808-5420. The office also has a website here. 

Department of Aging and Disability Services

The Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services posts recent examples of frauds and scams on their website here:

To Find Services in Connecticut’s Community Resources Database:

Search by Provider Name: Better Business Bureau of Connecticut

by Service Name: Fraud Prevention

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), which includes the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), the Connecticut State Police (CSP), and the Connecticut Intelligence Center (CTIC), is monitoring reports of large drone - or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) - sightings across Connecticut.



Connecticut is not alone in the drone sightings, as states along the East Coast, including Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia have reported sightings recently. In Connecticut, sightings have been reported in towns and cities including Stamford, Fairfield, East Windsor, and Enfield, and flying near Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks.



DESPP does not have the authority to take down a drone. Drone operators must maintain a flight altitude of 400 feet or less and maintain a visual line of sight by the operator. Drone pilots generally require a federal license if the device is being used for commercial purposes.



CSP monitors drone activity through a system of portable and fixed drone sensing devices Drone sightings by CSP are now being handled through a detailed reporting process to collect as much information as possible.  

 

CTIC analysts are comparing reported sightings with Federal Aviation Administration flight data. CTIC has found most could be attributed to manned aircraft or those UAS devices lawfully operating in the private sector.



Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes, the ranking member of the U.S. Intelligence Committee, recently met with FBI, CIA, and U.S. military officials. Congressman Himes says he is satisfied that the drones are not connected to a foreign power or the U.S. federal government. So far, the FBI's investigation hasn't found evidence pointing to anything nefarious, according to Himes.



If residents are concerned for their immediate safety, contact local police or call 911 in an emergency. However, residents are encouraged to use online reporting methods to allow state and federal agencies to track and investigate these sightings appropriately.



Online reporting methods:

Suspicious Activity Reporting Form

CT Safe App for Apple and Android

The East Hartford Delegation invites you to attend our Legislative Town Hall at the East Hartford Town Hall, located at 740 Main Street, on January 29th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. This is an excellent opportunity to engage with your elected officials and discuss the issues that matter most to you and our community. Town hall events are a chance for you to ask questions, share your thoughts, and listen to what others in the community have to say. Your voice is important, and we want to hear from you. We hope you’ll join us for a productive and engaging evening, and we look forward to seeing you there!

The Manchester Delegation is excited to invite you to our Legislative Town Hall at the Whiton Branch Library, located at 100 North Main Street, on January 13th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. This event provides a valuable opportunity for you to engage directly with your elected officials, voice your concerns, and discuss the issues that are most important to you and your community. Whether you have questions, ideas, or simply want to listen, this is a great chance to have your voice heard and to be part of the conversation shaping our future. We encourage you to join us for an informative and open discussion, and we look forward to seeing you there!

While the Industrial Revolution forever changed the way Americans manufactured, bought, and sold everyday goods, fewer inventions had a larger impact on home life for American families than the sewing machine. While there had been several experimental and industrial models of sewing machines in existence since the earliest years of the 19th century, smaller domestic models didn’t hit the American market in earnest until the 1840s and 1850s — thanks largely to improvements by Connecticut innovators who collectively had a huge impact on the sewing machine industry.

Nathaniel Wheeler and Allen B. Wilson, whose patented sewing machines dominated the global market during the latter half of the 19th century, were one such set of innovators. Nathaniel Wheeler, born in Watertown, Connecticut in 1820, was a businessman who jumped at the chance to partner with inventor Allen Wilson after he had seen one of Wilson’s unique sewing machines on display in New York City in 1851. Two years later, they established the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company in Watertown, where they began mass-producing Wilson’s patented sewing machines and marketing them, with remarkable success, to middle-class American men and women.

The mechanically-gifted Wilson acquired a number of significant sewing machine design patents. None were more impactful than the patent awarded to him on December 19, 1854 for a “four-motion cloth-feeding sewing machine.” This implemented a method of automatically feeding fabric into the sewing machine that allowed for curved stitching — a method so revolutionary that Wheeler & Wilson’s competitors scrambled to implement similar techniques in their machines. Wilson’s automatic-feeding method remains virtually unchanged to this day, even in modern-day electronic sewing machines.

Wheeler & Wilson’s marketing campaigns — advertising the ease, speed, and “family friendliness” of their sewing machines — were so successful that the company soon outgrew their Watertown headquarters. In 1856, Wheeler & Wilson set up shop in Bridgeport in what would eventually become  a massive, sprawling, 15-acre campus of manufacturing buildings. By 1870, the company had won several international awards for the design and ease-of-use of its sewing machines, and was selling over 100,000 of them annually, making Wheeler and Wilson millionaires. Not long after the deaths of the company’s innovative founders in 1888 and 1893, however, the Wheeler & Wilson company was bought out by its biggest rival, the Singer Sewing Machine Company. By the earliest years of the 20th century, the Wheeler & Wilson brand name had vanished from American store shelves — but not before the two Connecticut men had changed the sewing machine industry forever.

Further Reading

“Wheeler & Wilson: A Stitchy Situation in Watertown,” connecticuthistory.org

Town Resources

https://www.easthartfordct.gov/residents

 

Town Newsletters

Pulse of East Hartford     

East Hartford Public Schools

East Hartford Works

Check out the Department of Leisure, Family & Recreation’s Winter/Spring 2025 Program & Event Guide! For more information click here

Current Town of Manchester job openings include: Administrative Staff Attorney, Chief Administrative Officer (Water & Sewer Dept.), HR Benefits & Engagement Coordinator, Mechanic II, Police Officer, School Crossing Guard, and Water Treatment Plant Superintendent. Click here to find out more.

From December to April 1st, overnight parking is not allowed on public streets or municipal parking lots between 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM. The Chief of Police may also declare a parking ban if a significant snow event is forecast or in progress. Click here for more info.

Mondays through Fridays 4pm-7pm.

Saturdays & Sundays 1pm-5pm.



Enjoy an enchanted visit with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the elves in the beautiful log cabin nestled at the highest point in the park!



This is a traditional, family friendly event. There are no sponsorships or commercialization of the event and it is free for everyone!



Stop at the elf desk to see if you’re on the naughty or nice list then head over to tell Santa how good you’ve been and what you want for Christmas. Don’t forget to visit Mrs. Claus to have some hot cocoa and a cookie!



Bring a non-perishable food item for the local food pantries. All donated in the name of the friends of Wickham Park.

The Town of East Hartford has recently begun a community-wide branding initiative. Why? In an increasingly competitive and mobile world, communities must present what they stand for to their residents, prospective residents, visitors, and businesses to give each of these audiences confidence in choosing the community. It's a matter of ensuring long-term economic health and vibrancy.

While this is a branding project for the Town of East Hartford as a municipal government, the Town’s brand must reflect East Hartford’s identity both as a government and as a community. The East Hartford story is defined by the people who spend their time here—living, working, and exploring. Each individual plays a part in defining this town, and their stories help us uncover the unique identity of East Hartford. As we build the East Hartford brand, we will rely on a strong foundation of research to inform creative outcomes and implementation planning. We are currently in the Research portion of the project and look forward to uncovering and creating the East Hartford brand.

Help us shape the brand, (how people talk about us) by responding to our community survey here.

The survey is available in both English and Spanish. You can also find paper copies of the survey at Town buildings (Town Hall, CCC, both libraries, Public Safety, and the Senior Center) beginning Friday, December 13th. The community survey will close on January 31st, 2025.

Learn more about the Community Branding Initiative and how YOU can get involved by visiting chooseeasthartford.com.

Announcing the 2025 Board and Commission Showcase, an event where residents can learn about and engage with the boards and commissions in East Hartford. There will also be opportunities to join those that are currently recruiting new members.

The showcase will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at the Community Cultural Center, located at 50 Chapman Place from 5:30-8:00 PM.

The schedule of events will be as follows:

• 5:30-6:00 PM: Meet and greet with Commissions and Boards
• 6:15 PM: Presentation by Commission and Board Chairs: How they can help and how residents can get involved. A short Q&A will follow.
• 7:00-8:00 PM: A light dinner, dessert and drinks will be served, and residents will be encouraged to spend time speaking to commission/board members.

Service on Town boards and commissions is one of the principal means by which citizens can participate in the conduct of local government. Volunteers may serve in a variety of capacities and are encouraged to look for opportunities which will allow them to share their experience, skills and talents, while offering a meaningful and rewarding experience for the volunteer.

Boards and commissions exercise a number of advisory, administrative and quasi-judicial powers and functions that are essential to the operation of town government. Boards and commissions are created and enabled in different ways. Some are required by the State of Connecticut and some are created by the Town Council. Terms of office and qualifications for office vary as well.

Join us on January 15, to learn how our Commissions and Boards can help you and how you can get involved.

The East Hartford Veteran Banner Program will honor the brave men and women who have selflessly served our country through a touching banner display in the heart of East Hartford, along Main Street. 

 

Each banner will display the name, photograph, branch, major wars or conflicts and one or two major awards of the veteran. 

 

Each year the banners will be displayed Memorial Day through Veterans Day, and then given to the sponsor, the honored Veteran, or their family.

The banners are entirely funded by a $200 donation by sponsors from the community- family, friends, local businesses, and civic organizations. 



If you have a Veteran that you would like us to add to “needs a sponsor” list, please send an email to Chief of Staff Ekaterine Tchelidze at etchelidze@easthartfordct.gov.

  

The initiative is put together by East Hartford residents and Veterans who came together to honor those who served from our community. 

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