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| Parts of our state are reeling after historic flooding caused unprecedented damage. Federal resources will be coming to Connecticut to help with rebuilding and cleanup. Please keep scrolling to see pictures of the damage and how you can donate to storm victims.
Many students in the 114th district are returning to the classroom on Monday. As a result, drivers can expect to see school buses in their neighborhoods. I've provided a breakdown of what you should do when you see one with its flashers and extended stop arm.
Police are asking anyone with information to come forward after a puppy was left tied to a railing on a highway without any food or water. Please read below to see how you can help.
Here are the sections in this week's email:
- Flooding Emergency
- It's Back to School Time!
- Electricity Rates
- Puppy Abandoned on Highway
- Transformation of Former Country Club of Woodbridge in Progress
- Breeze to Begin Flying Out of Tweed Airport
- Classes to Resume at Derby Senior Center
- Derby Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Hamden
- Orange Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
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Governor Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency and the feds approved a federal emergency declaration due to severe flooding and subsequent damage in parts of New Haven, Litchfield, and Fairfield counties including the Naugatuck Valley. Tragically, two women in Oxford died after rising waters swept them away despite valiant efforts to save them. Dozens of businesses are shut down and at least six bridges were washed out. The historic and severe rainfall resulted in evacuations, rescues, and more than two dozen road closures that will remain in effect for weeks. Get the latest list of road closures here. My heart and my thoughts go out to everyone affected by this unexpected storm.
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If you or someone you know has property damage or notices damage to any infrastructure, contact your local Emergency Management Director (EMD). The EMD for each municipality is collecting this information to provide accurate assessments of the damage that was done.
In addition, I encourage you to use a public self-reporting link for damage. This tool is for residential, commercial, and industrial property owners. The portal will enable crews to create a statewide overview of the storm damage and help agencies determine where to send their teams. While there is no guarantee the state will meet thresholds for federal assistance, crews need to collectively capture all damage reports to determine eligibility under federal guidelines.
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In a statewide call on Monday with emergency agencies in Connecticut, I asked if there was any statewide alert system that could have offered more of a ‘heads up’ about the severity of the situation. Right now, it seems the best way to get early and localized information is to sign up for local alerts.
Your municipal website will be able to offer more information on how to sign up for alerts. Additionally, you may want to sign up for alerts about water levels on the Housatonic River. Please reach out to my office if you need any assistance.
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The Derby Elks Lodge is collecting donations for disaster relief from now through Wednesday, August 28. Look at the graphic below for a list of specific items.
Additionally, Team Inc. is collecting donations for disaster relief. If you have the means, you can DONATE HERE. Select "August 18th flood relief" in the drop-down menu on the donation board.
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To echo what Gov. Lamont and many other have said: please respect the safety indicators on the road. Do not drive around taped off areas, traffic cones or barriers. There may be damage that is not visible that will put you and first responders in danger if those closed-off areas are breached.
My heart goes out to all the victims and their families in Western Connecticut. I would also like to thank first responders and volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help those in need. Your courage, dedication, and compassion have been nothing short of extraordinary. In the face of adversity, you have shown the true strength of our community, and for that, we are all profoundly grateful.
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| It's Back to School Time! |
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Hamden, Orange, Woodbridge, and Amity Schools are all starting back on Monday, August 26, while Derby students return on Tuesday September 3. That means that students of all ages will be walking to and from bus stops (which might involve crossing streets or waiting on corners without sidewalks), or even riding bikes to and from school.
Please SLOW DOWN and give those kids extra room on the roads! We all want our students and schools to have great starts to the school year, and that starts with getting to and from school safely.
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School bus guidelines:
- On a standard road (one lane going in each direction) if a school bus is stopped with flashers on and stop arm is extended, all vehicles in both lanes must stop.
- On a multi-lane road where there is a divider/median, such as Route 34, vehicles traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop. Vehicles on the other side of the median travelling in the opposite direction are not required to stop, but should be aware and use caution.
- On multi-lane roads where there is not a divider, such as Rt.1/Boston Post Road, all vehicles travelling in either direction must stop.
- At an intersection where a school bus has stopped to collect or discharge students, all vehicles must stop until the flashing lights have been turned off and the stop arm is no longer extended.
- No vehicle should ever pass or attempt to go around a stopped school bus that has their flashing lights on and stop sign arm extended.
Kids can be unpredictable and bus stops might not be obvious. Please use caution when driving near school buses. Thank you for doing your part to keep our kids safe! CLICK HERE for more school bus safety tips for drivers, parents, and children.
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I am continuing to work with my colleagues to address the unreasonable rate increase in all of our electricity bills. This significant hike has placed an undue financial strain on households and businesses alike, making it increasingly difficult for many of us to manage expenses.
We strongly urge the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to reconsider its recent decisions. It is imperative that PURA considers the hardships faced by the community and works towards a more equitable solution that balances the needs of both the utility providers and the consumers they serve.
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Last week, I explained why we all saw such a drastic and unexpected spike in our electricity bills, what we are doing about it, and the steps that can be taken to address the issue. CLICK HERE to learn more in case you missed it last week.
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| Puppy Abandoned on Highway |
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Connecticut State Police need your help tracking down the person who left a puppy for dead on the highway! Troopers found this young male shepherd on Sunday, August 11 on Route 8 near exit 25 in Beacon Falls. If you have any information, please contact Woodbridge Regional Animal Control at (203) 389-5991. You can remain anonymous. The dog is emaciated and not up for adoption during the ongoing investigation.
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I would like to thank our state troopers and the good Samaritan who alerted them in helping rescue this dog. We truly appreciate everything you do to keep us and our pets safe.
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Transformation of Former Country
Club of Woodbridge in Progress |
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Crews have removed the decaying outbuildings on the former Country Club of Woodbridge. The Town took steps to ensure any work to transform the property would not pose a health or safety threat to our community. This work included working with an environmental consulting firm, which determined the outbuildings did not contain any hazardous materials.
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| Courtesy: Hartford Courant |
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The first selectman of Woodbridge says crews also recycled metals, wood, and other building materials. They also plan to dispose unused metal tanks in the basement of the structure near Johnson and Ansonia Roads. I will keep you updated on this situation.
In June, the state awarded the Town of Woodbridge $132,000 to clean up and create new life at the former Country Club of Woodbridge. |
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| Breeze To Begin Flying Out of Tweed Airport |
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Travelers at Tweed New Haven Airport are soon going to have 10 more destinations to pick from! Breeze Airways will begin service in December to Fort Myers, Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Vero Beach, Florida. In February, Breeze will offer nonstop flights to:
- Charleston, SC
- Jacksonville, FL
- Norfolk, VA
- Raleigh-Durham, NC
- Richmond, VA
- Sarasota-Bradenton, FL.
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| Classes to Resume at Derby Senior Center |
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| All classes at the Derby Senior Center will resume next week after some of the construction wrapped up. The Elizabeth Street sidewalk is complete from the garage to the entrance of the facility. Since crews are still doing work on the street, the Derby Senior Center asks that you only walk on the sidewalk. |
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| Check out the events below, and click the button at the bottom of this section to access the community calendar in Derby. |
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| Your child can receive a free backpack full of supplies at 6 P.M. on Saturday, August 24 on the Derby Green. Organizers will also accept donations, which will go to Derby Public School students. |
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| Connecticut Foodshare will give free food to the community on Tuesday, August 27 from 2:15 PM - 3:00 P.M. at St. Mary’s Church on Elizabeth Street. Make sure to bring a bag so you can bring the food home. |
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| Stop by Derby Public Library on Tuesday, August 27 at 3 P.M. to learn how to use programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and so much more. |
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| Please stop by the Derby Green on Tuesday, August 27 at 7:00 P.M. for 60s Motown and R&B with The Barons! |
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| Upcoming Events in Hamden |
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| Take a look at the fliers and other upcoming events below. |
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| Check out the event and community calendar in Orange below. |
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| Come support your local community theatre as the Orange Players perform ten 10-minute original one act plays on Friday, August 23 and Saturday, August 24 at High Plains Community Center. There will be comedy, drama, and everything in between. Cabaret style seating. BYOB and food. CLICK HERE to get your tickets! |
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| Join the Orange Chamber of Commerce and Charter Senior Living of Orange for their August Business After Hours on Thursday, August 29 at 5:00 P.M. All proceeds benefit the Orange Food Bank and the Orange CT Chamber of Commerce.
Ticket purchases include wine, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, mouth-watering hors d'oeuvres, and light refreshments. Take time to raise a glass, exchange business cards, and enjoy with friends and colleagues, old and new! Register here. |
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| Upcoming Events in Woodbridge |
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| Check out the fliers and community calendar in Woodbridge below. |
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| Stop by the JCC of Greater New Haven for a two-hour class covering first-hand survivor skills, stories, and experiences. The class, "Empowering Women To Escape Alive!" is for women who are at least 50 years young. It will take place on Sunday, August 25 from 1-3 P.M.
The class will cover:
- confidence-building skills
- striking skills to enable escape
- awareness tips
- comprehensive verbal & physical prevention strategies
- option for one-on-one attack simulation with instructor in padded suit
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