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.
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Connecticut college students will be able to benefit from a bill we passed to alleviate student loan debt. The reimbursement program, led by House Democrats and the first of its kind in the nation, provides up to $5,000/year for up to four years (up to $20,000) in loan forgiveness. Six million dollars has been allocated in the current budget cycle and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Office of Higher Education (OHE) may approve the participation of any person in the student loan reimbursement program who meets the following requirements:
Must be a CT resident for at least five years.
Must have graduated from a Connecticut state public or private college or university with a bachelor’s or associate degree or have an occupational/professional license or certificate or left such college in good standing and was granted a hardship waiver by the Office of Higher Education.
Must have a Connecticut adjusted gross income of not more than $125,000 for single applicants and file a federal tax return as unmarried or have a Connecticut adjusted gross income of not more than $175,000 for married applicants and file a federal tax return as head of household, married filing jointly or a surviving spouse.
Must have an outstanding student loan balance and have made payments in 2024 toward federal direct loans, federal direct PLUS loans, federal Perkins loans, CHESLA loans, other state’s sponsored student loans, or a private student loan.
Must have volunteered for at least 50 hours at a Connecticut nonprofit organization that is registered with the Department of Consumer Protection, municipal government, served on the Board of Directors for a nonprofit organization, or has military service after January 1, 2024.
We passed a law making several changes to absentee balloting laws, including requiring municipalities to make video recordings of absentee ballot drop boxes during elections and release these recordings to the public. Additionally, town clerks must track how they receive absentee ballots (e.g., by mail, in a drop box, or in person) and report this information to the secretary of the state.
The act also, among other changes, modifies the procedures for acquiring absentee ballot applications, including requiring voters to request applications personally if they have already requested one for that election, limiting the number of applications a person may request 90 days or more before an election, and requiring application forms to expire at the end of each year.
Connecticut's paid sick leave policy was expanded to all companies with at least 25 employees. This new law lets employees take care of their families without adding any additional stress or financial strain.
We are also protecting those affected by coerced debt, which is created as a result of a domestic violence victim being forced by an abuser into incurring credit card debt. Credit card companies must now review the details of cases to determine if the debt is coerced debt, and abusers will be held liable for the debt.
Your calls, emails, and testimony at our public hearings directly influenced these new laws. Please continue to share your views and have your voice heard at the Capitol!
Legislative Town Halls
As the State Representative for the 9th Assembly District, and a member of both the East Hartford and Manchester delegation, it is important that we hear directly from our constituents on the issues that matter most to you, your families, your businesses, and your neighbors. To join in the conversation, please consider attending the Manchester Delegation’s Town Hall (see below) at the Whiton Branch Library, located at 100 North Main Street, on January 13th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. If you aren’t able to make it on the 13th, please join us at the East Hartford Delegation’s Town Hall (see above) at the East Hartford Town Hall, located at 740 Main Street, on January 29th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Whether you have questions, ideas, or simply want to listen, a Town Hall 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!
Today In CT History
As a major in the Continental Army, Nathan Starr forged and repaired weapons as part of his service during the Revolutionary War. After the war was over, Starr returned to his hometown of Middletown, Connecticut, and made a living manufacturing blades of a different sort: mostly agricultural tools like scythes for local farmers.
In 1798, however, Starr found himself once again forging tools of war, receiving the federal government’s first-ever contract for sword production. In response to increased international tensions between the young United States and the empires of Britain and France, the U.S. government sought Starr’s assistance in producing 2,000 cavalry sabers. In order to meet his deadline, Starr subcontracted out various stages of manufacturing to other local craftsmen — men he knew and with whose work he was familiar. On December 31, 1798, Starr received a payment of $2,000 from the federal government for his delivery of 2,000 quality sabers, delivered well ahead of schedule thanks to his method of “piecing out” the manufacturing process to skilled local craftsmen.
The very next year, Starr used the profits from his first government sword contract to buy a parcel of prime land along the banks of the Coginchaug River in Middletown, where he eventually built a sizable factory to house his ongoing weapon-making operations. In 1808, Starr received another massive government contract for 2,000 cutlasses and 2,000 pikes for the expanding U.S. Navy, and once again, he delivered his arms far ahead of schedule. In the hands of thousands of American sailors, Starr’s short, narrow naval sword became known as “the cutlass that fought the War of 1812.”
By the end of the War of 1812, Starr, together with his son Nathan Starr Jr., had firmly established themselves as one of the foremost arms manufacturers in the United States, producing not only swords, sabers, and cutlasses, but muskets and rifles as well. Starr also had the honor of creating the elaborate ceremonial swords awarded to some of the most famous heroes of the War of 1812, including Commodore Isaac Hull and General Andrew Jackson. Starr’s commercial fortunes began to decline on the eve of the Civil War, when the U.S. government started producing its own weapons at federal armories instead of relying on private contractors. Still, Starr’s blades saw plenty of action in the Civil War as freshly-recruited Union soldiers frequently carried them into battle. Over the approximately fifty years that Nathan Starr was actively producing arms for the federal government, he helped to arm thousands of American soldiers and sailors and helped establish Connecticut’s national reputation as a hub of quality weapons manufacturing — a reputation that persists well into the present day.
In honor of National Pie Day Manchester Public Library will be enjoying all things pie! Learn about the history and different pie varieties, share your top tips for perfect fillings and crusts, swap pie recipes, and, of course, sample some pies. Patrons are encouraged to bring copies of their favorites pie recipes, whether they are family secrets, from a favorite cookbook, or gems found online. Free program - no registration required. Pie samples will be available while supplies last.
Winter/Spring Program and Event Guide 2024-2025
The Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation Winter/Spring Program and Event Guide is here!
WORK_SPACE's 2nd Saturday Monthly Open House
Next date: Saturday, January 11, 2025, | 10:00 AM to 02:00 PM
WORK_SPACE's 2nd Saturday Monthly Open House
Featuring rotating art exhibits, a gallery shop with locally made hand-crafted gifts, live music, and a family-friendly craft station.
All American Waste crews will be picking up Christmas trees from Monday January 6, 2025 through Friday, January 17, 2025, weather-permitting. Collection of the trees generally occurs on the same day as trash collection. Trees should be placed on the curb near trash bins with noplastic bags or decorations.
Should the curbside collection be delayed due to snow or unforeseen circumstances, residents are asked to leave trees at the curb. Please do not remove trees from the curb.
Residents are also encouraged to bring their Christmas trees to the Transfer Station at 1 Ecology Drive for disposal at no charge.
Regular Transfer Station hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 7:15 a.m. to Noon and 12:30 p.m. to 2:45 P.M. Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. first and third Saturdays of the month, holidays excluded.
For additional information, please call East Hartford Public Works at 860-291-7374.
Community Branding Initiative:
Your Input Needed!
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.
East Hartford Commission Showcase
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.
All proceeds will go towards the East Hartford Police Department Child Safety and Crime Prevention Program and the Officer Brian A. Aselton Memorial Scholarship Award.
My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email atJason.Rojas@cga.ct.govor by phone at 860-240-8541.