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It was a busy week here in Stratford! In this week's email, find information on new Connecticut laws that take effect next week, on October 1st, learn more about a great opportunity for high school seniors, and find state and local resources I hope you find useful. If you have any questions, concerns, or if my office can be of assistance to you, please call my office at any time or email me at kaitlyn.shake@cga.ct.gov.
To all those who celebrated Jewish New Year, I hope you and your family had a wonderful Rosh Hashananh! May this new year be filled with health, happiness, peace, and sweet new beginnings! |
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| Celebrating State Funding for Sterling Community Center Food Pantry |
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On Friday, September 26th, I visited the Sterling Community Center Food Pantry to celebrate the allocation of $100,000 in state funding for the center in the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. I am thrilled to see the food pantry receive this funding amidst a decrease in other funding sources. The food pantry serves hundreds of residents in the area who need access to the food, diapers, and other supplies the center offers. As of September 26th, 2025, the program had served 350 adults, 240 kids, and 196 seniors during the month.
September is Hunger Action Month, a campaign led by Feeding America to unite millions across the nation to raise awareness and provide goods to neighbors in need. It was a pleasure to celebrate this additional funding for the Sterling Community Center Food Pantry with its dedicated staff and volunteers during this month. There has been an increase in Stratford residents facing food insecurity this year, and the food pantry is an essential resource for many. The $100,000 allocated to the food pantry will primarily be used to stock the shelves and ensure it remains as a reliable resource for Stratford residents.
This funding is a critical investment in our community as the cost of living, especially grocery prices, continue to rise and hundreds of residents in the area rely on the Sterling Community Center's resources. We have seen an increase in food insecurity in Stratford since the beginning of this year. When there was a threat of funding cuts from the federal level, I was concerned the Sterling Community Center and Stratford would be impacted, and that is what we have unfortunately seen happen. I made it my priority to secure this funding through the state budget and ensure the dedicated staff and volunteers at the Sterling Community Center continue to have access to the funding they need to serve the community. It is great to see this funding allocated to the Sterling Community Center food pantry, and I am thrilled to see their shelves remain stocked.
While this funding is a huge win for the Sterling Community Center Food Pantry and Stratford residents, the center is always looking for donations and volunteers.
If you are interested in helping our community, pantry donations can be brought to the Sterling Community Center Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
OR
Click here to order from the Food Pantry Wishlist and send your donation directly to Sterling House at 2283 Main St, Stratford, CT 06615
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| Medicare Update and Discussion with Congresswoman DeLauro at the Baldwin Center |
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| It was great to have Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro visit the Baldwin Center this week for an important discussion with Eric Krupa from teh Center for Medicare Advocacy about the impacts House Resolution 1 will have on Medicare. It was great to see so many Stratford residents at this event engage in discussion on the need for everyone to use their voices to contact Congress to stop funding tax cuts for billionaires and demand they focus to keep our critical safety nets funded and accessible for all Americans—especially our seniors and most vulnerable. |
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| Baldwin Center's The Big B Event |
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| The Baldwin Center held its annual The Big "B" event this Friday, September 26th. The event was a huge success for Stratford's Senior residents to get together, learn about local resources available to them, and enjoy local foods. A huge thank you to the Baldwin Center and the Stratford Health Department for their work to put this event together for senior residents. |
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| With fall comes cooler weather, changing leaves, and a number of new laws hitting the books. Several measures passed during the 2025 legislative session will take effect on Wednesday, October 1. Below is a brief overview of some of these important changes! |
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We’ve updated our motorcycle and e-bike laws to reflect our continued efforts to promote public safety and adapt to emerging technologies on our roads.
A new law raises the age from 18 to 21 for requiring motorcyclists to wear a helmet and raises the age from 16 to 18 and under for children to wear a helmet while riding bicycles, scooters, and skateboards.
New regulations are also being introduced for certain high-powered electric bikes. Riders of e-bikes without pedals and equipped with batteries over 750 watts (25-28 mph) will now need a valid driver’s license to operate them. Additionally, e-bikes with batteries over 3,500 watts (35 mph to over 50 mph) will require registration and insurance, similar to motorcycles.
There is also good news for drivers - a new law is changing how towing works in our state, making it harder for cars to be towed from private property and easier for people to get their cars back if they are towed. Right now, state law lets towing companies start the process of selling a towed car worth $1,500 or less just 15 days after the tow, which is one of the shortest timelines in the country. That means if you don’t act fast, your car could be gone for good. The new law doesn’t change that 15-day starting point, but it adds more steps before a car can actually be sold. Now, tow companies have to make a real effort to contact the car’s owner and can’t finalize the sale until 30 days after the tow.
Another measure prohibits the handcuffing of children under the age of 14, except in cases where there is a clear threat to public safety or when the child poses a risk of physical violence toward an officer. This law is intended to mitigate the traumatic impact that the use of restraints can have on young children.
Follow the link below for the complete list, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. |
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| Connecticut Automatic Admission Program |
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I wanted to share this great opportunity for Connecticut high school students!
The Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) guarantees automatic college admission to students with strong grades. This program waives the application fee, student essays, and recommendation letters for participating institutions.
Seniors with a 3.0 weighted GPA or 2.75 unweighted GPA can apply to 10 participating public and private colleges with just one free application.
Participating colleges and universities include:
🎓 Central Connecticut State University
🎓 Eastern Connecticut State University
🎓 Southern Connecticut State University
🎓 Western Connecticut State University
🎓 Albertus Magnus College
🎓 Goodwin University
🎓 Mitchell College
🎓 University of Bridgeport
🎓 University of Hartford
🎓 University of New Haven
For more information and application instructions, visit www.ct.edu/autoadmit. |
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| Northeastern Public Health Collaborative |
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Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and New York City officially announced the formation of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. This voluntary regional partnership aims to strengthen public health coordination, share expertise, and improve preparedness across state lines.
The Collaborative's shared purpose is to work together in new ways – optimizing the use of shared resources, innovating and reimagining core services – to ensure trust in public health, respond to public health threats, advance community health, and strengthen confidence in vaccines and science-based medicine. |
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| Fighting for Public Education |
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| I am proud to have received an "A" on the CEA Legislative Scorecard. Fighting for public education, students, and Connecticut teachers has and will always continue to be a top priority of mine. Whether it's here in Stratford or up in Hartford, as your State Representative, I remain committed to fighting for a better public education system for all. |
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced that a vegetation management safety improvement operation will be performed on Route 15 and 8 interchange ramps in Trumbull, Shelton, and Stratford. This project is scheduled to occur on Monday, September 22nd, and be completed on Friday, November 14th, 2025.
To ensure the safety of the public, CTDOT is removing dead, diseased, and decaying trees. Additionally, trees and vegetation that have grown into the clear zone, which is the safety space along the side of the roadway, are also being removed. This work helps save lives in the event of a crash or a vehicle leaving the roadway.
The ramps affected are:
- Route 15 southbound Exit 34 on-ramp to Route 8 northbound
- Route 15 southbound Exit 34 on-ramp to Route 8 southbound / Nichols Avenue – Route 8 southbound to the Route 127 turn around
- Route 8 southbound Exit 4 – Route 127 off-ramp
- Route 108 on-ramp to Route 15 northbound
- Route 108 on-ramp to Route 8 northbound
- Route 8 southbound Exit 5 off-ramp to Route 108
- Route 108 Exit 5 on-ramp to Route 8 southbound
- Route 8 southbound to Exit 6 off-ramps to Route 15 southbound
- Route 15 northbound to Exit 34 – Route 8 northbound on-ramp
- Exit 4 (Route 127) on-ramp to Route 8 northbound
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
Motorists can expect partial lane closures on the Route 15 – Route 8 interchange ramps in Trumbull, Stratford, and Shelton from Monday, September 22nd to Friday, November 14th, 2025, during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. Traffic control signing patterns, State Troopers will guide motorists through the work zone.
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| As a reminder, there is a harmful algal bloom at Longbrook Pond & Brewster Pond at Longbrook Park. Everyone is currently advised not to come in contact with water in the area. |
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| Child Passenger Safety Week is September 21st through 27th, and this is a great time for parents, guardians, and family members to ensure their car seat is safely secured for their child's safety. The Stratford Police Department offers FREE car seat installation, set up your appointment now. |
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| The Stratford Library Association and Stratford Fire Department are coming together for an afternoon to celebrate National Fire Prevention Week on October 11th at 2:00 p.m. at the Stratford Library. This is an opportunity to meet the Stratford Firefighters who serve our community, explore the fire truck, and learn more about fire prevention and safety. |
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| The Stratford Health Department will be holding Flu Clinics throughout October, November, December, and January. Check out the October clinic dates below, as well as what insurance is accepted at the clinic. |
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It is Paradise Green Farmer's Market Season! Every Monday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Paradise Green. This is a great chance to support our local CT farmers and businesses.
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Yours in service,
Kaitlyn Shake
State Representative |
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