|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
The topics covered in this e-newsletter are as follows:
- Capitol Update
- Community Resources
- Legislative Business
- This Week In Connecticut History
- Manchester Community Events and Information
- East Hartford Community Events and Information
|
|
|
Remember, there are resources available to follow along and make your voice heard. Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:
- Read summaries of bills from nonpartisan and unbiased researchers from the Office of Legislative Research
- View the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events on its schedule
- Follow CT-N for live coverage of House floor debates and more
- Click here to register to monitor any bill's journey in the legislative process
- Click here for information on how to testify on a bill a public hearing
These resources ensure you are an active participant in our democracy. Take a look at the graphic below and learn how you can track bills!
|
|
Chime Scholars Foundation Applications for 2026-2027 Now Open
Offers scholarships up to $20,000 for students of all backgrounds pursuing various forms of higher education
Launched in 2022, program has helped more than 1,000 scholars achieve their educational goals
Scholarship recipients have made real financial progress, with 72% finding employment in their field of study within six months of graduation
Chime® (Nasdaq: CHYM), a leading consumer financial technology company, announced today that Chime Scholars Foundation (CSF) has opened applications for the 2026-2027 academic year. Aspiring scholars can now apply for scholarships of up to $20,000 to support their education, paving the way for greater career opportunities and higher earnings. The scholarship program is open to students of all backgrounds and stages of life, and it supports a wide range of educational pathways, including traditional college degrees, apprenticeships, trade schools, and technical certifications.
Since 2022, CSF has provided $7 million in scholarship funding to over 1,000 students. Last year alone, CSF welcomed its largest cohort of scholars to date, awarding more than $3 million in scholarships to 800 students for the 2025-2026 academic year. This work is supported by Chime’s 1% pledge, which commits 1% of its equity over a decade to fund the foundation.
“At Chime, we believe financial progress starts with access to opportunity,” said Chris Britt, CEO and Co-founder of Chime. “Through the Chime Scholars Foundation and our 1% pledge, we’re investing in ambitious students and helping remove financial barriers to education. We’re proud to have supported more than 1,000 scholars so far and excited to continue helping the next generation build brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.”
The program has demonstrated strong outcomes for its scholars. According to a survey of graduates:
· 100% credit the program with helping them complete their degree or certification
· 87% projected graduation rate — nearly double that of Federal Pell Grant recipients¹
· 72% of scholars secure jobs in their field within six months of graduation
Beyond these outcomes, scholars join a supportive network of fellow CSF scholars and Chime employees. Applications for the CSF scholarship program are now open through March 31, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the Chime Scholars Foundation website at chime.com/about-us/chime-scholars-foundation.
|
|
Public Information Meeting Regarding Road Diet on Route 6 in Manchester
CTDOT holding is a hybrid public information meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct a hybrid public information meeting concerning a road diet on Route 6 between Vernon Street and Lake Street in Manchester on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Hearing Room at the Lincoln Center located at 494 Main Street in Manchester. This location is ADA accessible.
The public information meeting is being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed project. The meeting will also take place on Zoom, and registration is required. A question and answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation, which will be recorded. For instructions on accessing the meeting and ways to provide comments and ask questions, please visit portal.ct.gov/DOTManchester0076-0230.
“The purpose of this road diet is to calm vehicle traffic, while improving bike and pedestrian facilities, by converting the dual travel lanes to single lanes and inserting central turn and bike lanes. This project will enhance safety and access for all road users by reducing crashes and mitigating conflicts associated with left-turning vehicles," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Project Manager Jonathan Corilla. “We encourage the public to attend this meeting to share their feedback with the CTDOT project team to incorporate into the design.”
Right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed project are not anticipated.
Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2027 based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights of way, and approval of permit(s). The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $3 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 90% federal funds and 10% state funds.
Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (877) 853-5257 and enter Meeting ID 827 3702 5240. Individuals with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). Individuals with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Jonathan Corilla at Jonathan.Corilla@ct.gov or (860) 594-2755.
Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT Language Assistance Call Line (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.
Non-English language closed captioning will be available on Zoom. The recording will also be posted following the meeting in CTDOT’s public meeting playlist at portal.ct.gov/ctdotVPIMarchive.
Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by Tuesday, March 24, 2026, here, or to (860) 594-2020. Please reference Project No. 0076-0230 in the voicemail. |
|
| Our legislative session is now underway, and one thing that makes our work better is when we get to hear from you. I hope you’ll take my survey and reach out to me directly if I can ever be of any help. |
|
|
This Week In Connecticut History
|
|
|
| Today in 1860, sectional tensions over slavery and its expansion into the country’s newly formed states and territories was nearing the breaking point. It was a crucial election year, and members of the nation’s political parties were actively trying to decide who would be their standard bearers in the upcoming presidential campaign. For the six-year-old Republican party, formed in 1854 to oppose slavery’s expansion, a clear if unlikely front-runner had emerged only a week before, on February 27th. On that day, Abraham Lincoln, a little-known and recently defeated U.S. Senatorial candidate from Illinois, delivered a barn-burner speech to a packed house at New York City’s Cooper Union denouncing the institution of slavery by conclusively arguing that its expansion into new states went against the will of America’s Founding Fathers. |
|
By 1860, image-making was already an important part of presidential politics. This “dignified”photograph of Abraham Lincoln by Mathew Brady, taken on the day of his famous Cooper Union speech has been called the image that elected a president. (Library of Congress) |
|
|
| When news accounts of Lincoln’s dazzling Cooper Union speech reached neighboring states, he was immediately inundated with requests to visit cities throughout the Northeast to rally support for fellow Republican candidates running for other offices. Lincoln seized the political opportunity, and embarked on a whirlwind speaking tour, visiting 11 cities in just 12 days. Connecticut Republicans, who had asked Lincoln to Hartford to help boost incumbent Republican Governor William Buckingham’s reelection campaign, welcomed him to the city on the evening of March 5, 1860. The suddenly front-running candidate was immediately whisked away to City Hall, where he was introduced by Governor Buckingham to a packed — and wildly enthusiastic — house. The rising political star from Illinois then proceeded to deliver a two-hour speech confronting Connecticans on “the slave question,” which he called “the all-pervading question of the day.” Lincoln lamented the seemingly irreconcilable differences of opinion on the subject, and how they pulled the nation in different directions, but he warned it would be folly to try to pacify the South with continued compromises, declaring, “This contrivance of a middle ground is such that he who occupies it is neither a dead or a living man.” |
|
Matthew Brady, who took Lincoln’s Cooper Union photograph, went on to become the most famous photographer of the Civil War. |
|
|
|
Lincoln concluded his speech with an inspiring call-to-arms to his fellow Republicans, lifted almost whole-cloth from the Cooper Union speech: “Let us not be slandered from our duties, or intimidated from preserving our dignity and our rights by any menace; but… as we understand our duty, so do it!” After the thunderous applause died down, Lincoln was enthusiastically escorted by the HARTFORD Cornet Band and a huge throng of Republican supporters — many of them young men bearing torches — to the nearby home of Hartford mayor Thomas Allyn. There he slept, continuing on the campaign trail the next morning.
Lincoln’s March 5th, 1860 visit to Hartford may have been brief, but it was profoundly influential. Before leaving town, Lincoln met with Connecticut Republican Gideon Welles, the man he would choose as his secretary of the Navy after winning the presidency in November. In addition, the torch-bearing group of supporters who escorted Lincoln through the Hartford streets organized themselves into a group known as the Wide Awakes that grew almost overnight into a national political organization that played a major role in the 1860 presidential election. Connecticut voters went on to reelect Governor Buckingham and cast their lot with “Honest Abe,” helping make Lincoln the 16th, and perhaps the greatest, President of the United States. Thanks to Abraham Lincoln, a speech-inspired city suddenly awoke to its political future, today in Connecticut history.
|
|
Harper’s Weekly, one of the most widely circulated national magazines, made an engraving of the Brady campaign photograph and ran it front page, giving many Americans their first impression of the rising political star. |
|
|
|
Town Meetings
Regular Board of Directors MeetingsLincoln Center Hearing Room (494 Main Street)Board of Directors
Board of Education Regular MeetingsLincoln Center Hearing Room (494 Main Street)Board of Education
|
|
|
|
FY27 Budget Workshops & Meetings
|
|
|
The Budget Adoption is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 7pm in the Lincoln Center Hearing Room.
📣 Manchester residents - if you would like to learn more about your town's budget, consider attending a budget workshop to see how your tax dollars are spent. Join us and be part of the conversation.
You can view the Full Schedule of FY27 Budget Workshops & Meetings by clicking here.(, 0B)
Please note that workshops will be held in the Lincoln Center Hearing Room at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting is a public meeting and as such members of the public can also attend the meeting in-person or remotely by means of video conferencing.
Meetings will be conducted in person with remote access optional via Zoom.
Contact the Board of Directors
directors@manchesterct.gov
860-647-3130
|
|
|
Manchester Now Winter/Spring 2026
|
|
|
We live in a time when it is easy to be impressed by the polished lives we see online—beautiful people, perfect posts, endless followers. But real confidence and joy don’t come from likes or views; they come from feeling strong, connected, and grounded. As we move into the winter months, I encourage you to focus on building a healthy mind and body. Take a look through the Manchester Now catalog to discover activities that fit your interests and inspire you to stay active and engaged. Whether it’s joining a fitness class, exploring a new hobby, or connecting with others through community programs, these small choices can make a bid difference. Stay the course this winter, and by spring, you’ll be ready to step into the new season feeling refreshed, energized, and ready for all that’s ahead.
Manchester Now Winter/Spring 2026 Publication
|
|
|
Community Project & Event Fund 2026
|
|
The Community Project & Event Fund is an initiative that aims to support local grassroots and non-profit organizations and their cultural projects, programs, celebrations, and commemorations. The Neighborhoods and Families Division is requesting proposals for funding opportunities of up to $1,000 per application from Manchester-based non-profit groups, clubs, and organizations. Qualifying candidates must plan to facilitate a project, program, or celebration that is accessible to the public, culturally inclusive, and meets one of the following categories: Community Cultural Events, Commemorative Projects, or Arts and Culture Initiatives. Priority will be given to programs & projects that will be held at the Eastside Plaza.
Submissions are due by Sunday, April 19th, no later than 11:59 PM.
For more information, please contact Recreation Supervisor McKenna Cheverier. |
|
|
25th Cruisin' on Main Street 2026
|
|
|
CRUISIN' ON MAIN STREET IS BACK FOR ITS 25TH YEAR!
The Manchester Cruisin’ Committee, in partnership with the Town of Manchester, is excited to announce that this year's annual Cruisin' on Main Car Show will be held on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain dates: August 9th & August 16th - depending on weather).
Larry Ash, who leads the Cruisin' Committee, along with the dedicated committee members and Calvin Harris, Senior Recreation Supervisor, have been organizing and finalizing plans for another successful event.
The success of the show is always due in part by its sponsors and their charitable donations. Mark your calendar for August 2nd and attend one of the largest one-day car shows in all of New England. Whether you are showing a car or just attending to check out the cars, listen to great music, and/or enjoying a meal downtown, you can’t miss this great annual event.
Cost for the event is free to spectators and a $10 car show registration fee for those wishing to showcase their car. Sponsor’s Choice Trophies will be awarded, and dash plaques will be given to the first 700 cars.
Read More
|
|
|
First Aid & CPR Classes 2026
|
|
|
Next date: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 08:30 AM to 11:30 AM
* We hold multiple classes on the same day utilizing different classrooms.
The dates for the following classes are March 21st, and April 25th
1.) Pediatric First Aid & CPR this class is hybrid with the first half being taught live through Zoom starting at 8:30am. Followed by a 45 min break to give students enough time to drive to the Fire Station for the in-person porting of the class. Class will end around 2:30/3:00pm
This class is geared toward Childcare Providers, Parents & Foster Parents approved by the Office of Early Childhood. This class is also perfect for school staff, couches and babysitters. This class also includes choking relief for all ages.
https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/ChildCareCPRFirstAid
2.) AHA Heartsaver Pediatric CPR AED only noon to 3:00pm. This class also includes choking relief for all ages.
https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/PediCPR
3.) AHA Heartsaver CPR 8:30 to 11:00am This class also includes choking relief.
https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/AdultCPRonly
4.) AHA BLS CPR for Healthcare Providers , First Responders, their Support Staff & College students going into the health field. 8:30 am to 11:30 am. Our classes are approved by all CT Colleges and complies with all health & health allied major's clinical requirements.
Class includes Adult and Infant CPR AED with the use of a Bag Valve Mask (BVM) device for respirations and emphasis on team dynamics, adult and infant choking relief for all ages.
click on this link below to sign up for a class
https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/HealthCareProviderBLS
5.) AHA Heartsaver Adult First Aid CPR 9am to 2pm with a 45 min break. This class includes adult & child choking relief.
https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/AdultFirstAidCPRAED
Subjects usually covered but not limited to in our First Aid Pediatric classes are
• Recognition & management of both physical & medical emergencies pertaining to but not limited to children, staff, environment & fire
• Diabetes, Stroke, Heart Attack, Fainting & Seizure.
• Accident prevention & safety for both indoor & outdoor play area, toy safety, car safety including child restraint systems
• Poisoning including lead, plants & chemical poisoning
• Child Abuse including types, signs & regulations pertaining to mandated reporters
• Communicable disease prevention, recognition, management & ways of transmission, Signs & symptoms of common illnesses
• Infection control including hand washing, diapering & vaccinations
• Respiratory distress including Asthma & upper respiratory infections
• Choking relief for all ages
• First Aid Kits
• Heat and cold temperature related illness & injuries
• Bleeding control
• Burns
• Muscle & Bone injuries including splinting
Subjects usually covered but not limited to in our Adult First Aid classes are
• Recognition & Management of both physical & medical Emergencies,
• Diabetes, Stroke, Heart Attack, Fainting & Seizure.
• Poisoning including lead, plants & chemical poisoning
• Respiratory distress including Asthma & upper respiratory infections
• Choking relief for all ages
• First Aid Kits
• Heat and cold temperature related illness & injuries
• Bleeding control
• Burns
• Muscle & Bone injuries including splinting
|
|
|
Town Council Budget Final Meeting
|
|
|
Special Meeting to Take Action On The Budget
|
|
|
Monday, March 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Access via Microsoft Teams:
Meeting ID: 234 183 019 448 95
Passcode: xk2SM6Yf
|
|
|
The East Hartford Veteran Banner Program honors the brave men and women who have selflessly served our country through a touching banner display in the heart of East Hartford.
The banners are entirely funded by a $200 donation by sponsors from the community- family, friends, local businesses, and civic organizations. We will showcase the banners along East Hartford's Main Street, along with who sponsored the Veteran. The brackets and installation are generously being provided by the Town of East Hartford.
The $200 donation will cover the printing, shipping, and an additional framed photograph of the banner for the sponsor to display or gift to the Veteran or their family.
Each banner will display the name, photograph, branch, major wars or conflicts and one or two major awards of the veteran. You will need a color or black and white photo in a jpg format at maximum quality settings.
Each year the banners will be displayed Memorial Day through Veterans Day, and then given to the sponsor, the honored Veteran or their family.
We look forward to your participation in this program!
CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR
If you would like make a donation towards the program, please make checks payable to:
EAST HARTFORD VETERAN BANNER PROGRAM
Attn: Ekaterine Tchelidze, Senior Secretary to the Mayor
East Hartford Town Hall, 740 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108
These donations will go towards sponsoring Veterans who do not have a sponsor that we are made aware of.
If you have a Veteran that you would like us to add to “needs a sponsor” list, please send an email to 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 commu
|
|
|
2026 East Hartford Memorial Day Events
|
|
|
The Town of East Hartford, in collaboration with the East Hartford Veterans Commission, are excited to announce that East Hartford’s Memorial Day Parade and series of events will take place on Monday, May 25, 2026. The events will begin with the parade stepping off at 10:00 a.m.
The day will consist of three parts: a parade, a program at the Fallen Star Memorial, and a celebration of East Hartford.The parade will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., proceeding from 9 Riverside Drive to the Fallen Star Memorial located at Goodwin University.
Immediately following the parade, a commemorative program will be held at the Fallen Star Memorial. The events will conclude with a family-friendly celebration of East Hartford featuring food trucks, music, activities, vendors, and more.
PARTICIPANTS:
- Those who would like to march in the Memorial Day Parade are asked to register by Wednesday, April 1, 2026, by visiting: Participant Registration
VOLUNTEERS:
- If you are interested in volunteering at the 2026 Memorial Day Parade, please register by Monday, May 15, 2026 by visiting: Volunteer Registration
SPONSORS:
- To make the event possible, the town would like to extend sponsorship opportunities to local businesses and organizations. Those who wish to sponsor the event or offer in-kind services, please fill out the electronic form below by Monday, April 27, 2026, which can be found at: Sponsorship Information
VENDORS:
- If you are interested in being a vendor at the 2026 Memorial Day Parade, please contact Jenilee Tedesco via email at jtedesco@easthartfordct.gov. Registration must be completed by Monday, May 4, 2026. For additional information, please visit Vendor Information
If you have questions, please email our Event Coordinator, Jenilee Tedesco, at jtedesco@easthartfordct.gov.
To receive the latest updates on the Town’s news and events, visit www.easthartfordct.gov and subscribe at www.easthartfordct.gov/subscribe.
|
|
|
2026 East Hartford Annual Egg Hunt!
|
|
|
The Annual Egg Hunt hosted by East Hartford Parks and Recreation will be held at McAuliffe Park, 30 Remington Road.
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Rain Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Schedule:
11:00 AM – Ages 3 and Under
11:30 AM – Ages 4 – 6
12:00 PM – Ages 7 – 10
1:00 PM – Special Needs Division
Each group will begin promptly at the scheduled time. Please arrive early, as hunts will not be delayed for late arrivals.
Ages 3 and Under and Special Needs Divisions will be allowed 1 adult on the field with them.
Participants should bring a bag or basket for collecting eggs and dress appropriately for the weather.
Limited spaces are available in each division.
Registration is required for each child participating.
This event is for East Hartford residents only.
Registration is required and must be completed online at ehparks.org
If you have any questions, please call our office at 860-291-7160
|
|
|
Public Safety Notice - Prevent Home Fires:
Use Portable Heaters Safely
|
|
|
The Manchester Fire Marshal’s Office has been finding numerous non-listed smoke alarms in the community, particularly in residential occupancies. Some of these devices—often purchased online—are fraudulently advertised as “manufactured to UL standards” but are not actually UL or ETL listed.
There are documented incidents of non-listed smoke and carbon monoxide alarms failing to operate when needed. Because these devices are not independently tested or certified, their reliability cannot be trusted during a fire or carbon monoxide emergency.
What residents should look for:
- A genuine UL or ETL listing mark on the alarm and packaging
- Devices that only claim to “meet UL standards” without a recognized listing
- If the cost is significantly lower, it is most likely non-listed
Your safety depends on tested and certified alarms. If you are unsure whether your alarm is listed, replace it. Please contact the Manchester Fire Marshal’s Office for guidance.
|
|
The Town of East Hartford is in the process of adopting its annual budget for the fiscal year 2026-2027. All residents are encouraged to attend the budget workshops and learn more about the process.
Understanding how the Town plans its spending every year is essential for our community. The budget planning process is an open and transparent opportunity for all residents to learn about the Town’s priorities. Input is encouraged during the public hearing on the budget scheduled on March 4, 2026 . Below are the key details for the upcoming budget presentations and meetings.
• The presentations will be held in the Town Council Chambers on the second floor of Town Hall (740 Main Street)
• Call-in options are unique to each presentation. Access details are listed on the public meeting calendar on the Town Council webpage.
Residents are invited to attend these presentations, where the Mayor and Town directors will present and discuss the proposed budget for FY 27. The Mayor's recommended budget book will be available on the East Hartford Finance Department webpage. Once adopted, the book will be updated.
• FY 2027 Town Council Budget Presentations & Public Hearing Schedule
• Previous years’ adopted budgets |
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
