Early Voting Begins Monday, Got a Refund Coming? Groton City Parks & Rec. News

October 18, 2024

Dear Neighbor,

Early voting begins on Monday for the November 5th election on all levels. It's the first time we're doing it in Connecticut, too. You will have 14 days to vote now. There are more details below, including a link that will provide you with your polling location, and more. Remember, every vote counts! Are you owed COVID relief money? I have included details this week on how you can find out. Groton City Parks and Rec. has a lot going on this month, and I included some of that information. There is plenty to enjoy here this week. Topics include:

Out N' About in the 41st district
Early Voting Begins in CT on Monday
Got a Refund Coming?
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available
CT Transportation News
Lot's Going On With Groton Parks & Rec in October
Reminder: CHET Dream Big! Competition is On
Have Input on Updating Americans With Disabilities Act Section 504 Transition Plan
Recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Community Events and Notices

Have a great weekend,
Aundré

OUT N' ABOUT IN THE 41ST DISTRICT

Thank you all for coming out for coffee and conversation at the Ditty Bag Saturday!

I had an awesome time with the Baker Cove Action Water Committee installing rain gardens at Groton Estates. This project was funded and made possible by a Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Section 319 grant for water quality solutions through the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District.

Rain gardens are a depression that collects Stormwater runoff from impervious areas that allow water to infiltrate into the ground. It is a proven method for increasing pollinator habitats benefiting the surrounding ecosystems and songbirds that rely on high-protein caterpillars to feed their young.

This effort is a collaboration between the town and city that I am proud to be part of! Thank you to all the volunteers who came out today to restore habitat as well as support the City of Groton and its environmental quality!

It was great to have my good friend and federal partner, Senator Chris Murphy in Groton visiting local businesses that are truly the backbone of our community, like my barber Omar's shop - and he wasn't walking across the state in his sneakers and shorts this time!

World Mental Health Day was last Thursday but any day is a good day to remind you about the importance of finding time for yourself. Whether it’s getting outside in nature (as my wife and I enjoy doing at places such as Bluff Point State Park), meditating, or doing something that brings you peace — World Mental Health Day was a reminder to prioritize your mental well-being. Every day is a good day to find time just for you. Taking time to recharge and reflect is essential for all of us, so let’s remember to make space for what brings us calm and joy.

EARLY VOTING BEGINS IN CT ON MONDAY

Connecticut will be taking part in early voting for the first time, beginning Monday! We have an important election on all levels coming up on November 5th. Please see the information below regarding deadlines, early voting locations, and election updates.

GOT A REFUND COMING?

Did you know there's still time to collect your COVID relief money from 2021? If you're a Connecticut resident and have not received your COVID relief money, there's still time, but it's running out quickly. That's why United Way of Connecticut and its trusted partners will help you get the money you're owed. Whether it's COVID relief money or child credits, click HERE to help you get your money.

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

The Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) recently announced that FEMA has authorized the agency to launch federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for those residents who experienced job interruption or loss due to the August 2024 flooding. Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a federal program that supports workers whose employment was lost or interrupted by a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular state unemployment insurance benefits. DUA covers workers, some self-employed residents, and the surviving spouses of heads of household who died due to the storm.

President Biden approved Connecticut’s major disaster declaration for the FEMA Individual Assistance Program for Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties, areas that experienced extreme rain and flooding. Governor Lamont announced business recovery centers to help employers apply for federal aid.

The August flooding caused more than 100 Connecticut businesses to shut down during the storm and recovery. CTDOL urges affected workers to carefully read the eligibility guidelines and file for unemployment benefits immediately. Some residents may recall Disaster Unemployment Assistance from Hurricane Ida in 2021. This program requires that workers file for and be denied state unemployment benefits to be eligible for federal benefits. It’s one more step for approval, but disaster benefits cover a broader cohort of workers who aren’t ordinarily eligible for regular unemployment benefits.

Eligibility for Disaster Unemployment Assistance includes:

Residents who live, work, or travel to work through impacted areas—Fairfield County, Litchfield County, or New Haven County.
Individuals who were to start work or self-employment but were prevented from doing so due to the flooding.
Workers who experienced unemployment or reduced hours due to: flooding to their place of business; road or other closures; lack of work because the business depends on a non-operational entity within the affected area; or experienced injury caused directly by the storm.
Workers who have proof of employment, documentation of wages, and earnings for the 2023 tax year
Workers who have documentation of wages or lost earnings directly related to the flooding
Individuals who became the major source of financial support for a household due to the death of the head of household.

Claimants must first file for regular state unemployment benefits at FileCTUI.com. Once a claimant is found ineligible for state benefits, they must then file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance by calling the Consumer Contact Center.

Under federal law, the filing deadline for Connecticut Disaster Unemployment Assistance is November 19.

CT TRANSPORTATION NEWS

CTDOT seeking public comment on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Section 504 Transportation Plan

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Section 504 Transition Plan to showcase the agency’s commitment to providing an accessible transportation network for all while meeting federal ADA requirements.

CTDOT will be conducting public outreach both in-person and virtually. These events will offer opportunities for the public to provide input on the ADA Transition Plan. Meeting materials and any updates to outreach locations/dates/times will be updated on the CTDOT ADA Transition Plan website.

For more information, including in-person and virtual events, please click HERE.

The replacement of roadway illumination systems in eastern Connecticut will begin on October 7, 2024.

The purpose of this project is to improve the operation and reduce the maintenance requirements of several roadway lighting systems located in eastern Connecticut that have reached the end of their life cycles.

This project consists of the replacement of existing roadway lighting systems on Route 1, Route 2, Route 6, Route 12, Route 78,1-95, and Route 154, which involves the replacement of the existing light standards, light standard foundations, light fixtures, concrete handholes, underground circuitry/conduits, and lighting control cabinets with new light standards, light standard foundations, light emitting diode (LED) type light fixtures, concrete handholes, underground circuitry/conduits, and lighting control cabinets, and the replacement of existing decorative post top light fixtures and lighting control cabinet with new LED type decorative post top fixtures and lighting control cabinet on the pedestrian walkway along 1-95 southbound at the south end of the Baldwin Bridge.

This project is located in eastern Connecticut at the following locations:

I-95 from Vauxhall Street Extension through Interchange 83 to the Goldstar Bridge in New London
Route 2 and Route 78 interchange in Stonington
Route 1 and Route 154 overlap in Old Saybrook
Route 1 from the end of the Route 154 overlap to Mill Rock Road East #1 in Old Saybrook
Route 154 from the end of the Route 1 overlap to the I-95 ramp in Old Saybrook
Route 2 at Interchange 13 in Marlborough
Route 6 from Willimantic Road to Boston Post Road in Columbia, Coventry, Mansfield and Windham
Route 12 and Route 2 overlap from Laurel Hill Avenue to the end of the overlap in Norwich
Route 2 from the end of the Route 12 overlap to Taiman Street in Norwich
Pedestrian walkway along I-95 southbound at the south end of the Baldwin Bridge in Old Saybrook.

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO

There will be a separate notice issued before work on the specific Routes listed below:

Route 1
Route 2
Route 6
Route 12
Route 78
Route 154
I-95

The CTDOT is developing a Resilience Improvement Plan (RIP) to help identify climate-related vulnerabilities and prioritize solutions across the agency’s multi-modal transportation network.

The RIP uses federal formula funds allocated for resilience-related planning activities under the

Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) program created under the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA).

By developing the RIP and incorporating it into the state’s Long-Range Transportation Plan, Connecticut will be eligible to reduce its federal/state cost share on transportation projects. The process also prepares the state for the continued operation and rapid recovery of surface transportation systems affected by major weather events, including natural disasters and changing climate conditions.

The plan will be conducted in two phases. Phase one will conduct a risk-based vulnerability assessment that draws on existing and future climate data to rank the vulnerability of state-owned assets. In the second phase, CTDOT will develop an implementation plan identifying potential projects, timelines, and cost estimates.

A survey is open to the public to provide feedback on what types of projects CTDOT should consider to improve resiliency across the state. To complete the survey, please click

HERE.

For additional information, including a video overview of Connecticut’s statewide Resilience Improvement Plan, please click

HERE.

LOT'S GOING ON WITH GROTON PARKS & REC IN OCTOBER

A lot is going on with Groton City Parks & Rec. this month. Check it out!

Melt & Pour Soap Making Workshop
Friday, October 18th, 6-8 pm at the Municipal Bldg.

CPR AED for Adults
Saturday, October 26th, 10 am - 12:30 pm at the Municipal Bldg.

Groton City Haunted Trail
Show off your outside Halloween Decorations and register your city address to be included in the trail map. Win Prizes!
Register by Monday, October 21st, Trail on display from Wednesday, October 23rd - November 6th

Halloween Themed Movie Night - Hocus Pocus 2
Friday, October 25th, Smores start at 5:45 pm, Movie at 6:15 pm

SPOOKTOBERFEST - October 26 & 27 from 12-8
Groton Halloween Food Truck Festival at Washington Park

AND SAVE THE DATES FOR THESE UPCOMING NOVEMBER CLASSES

Team PUZZLE Challenge!
Friday, November 8th. Start time is 6:30 pm at the City Municipal Building.
Each team gets the same 300 piece puzzle to complete within 2 hours. Can you team finish first?
Your team will keep the custom Eastern Point Beach Puzzle! Prize for the fastest team. (Teams are 4 people max)

CPR AED for Youth ages 13-18
Saturday, November 9th, 10 am - 12:30 pm at the Municipal Bldg.

Make Chai Tea Workshop
Monday, November 11th from 3-4 at the Zbierski House

Melt & Pour Soap Making Workshop
Friday, November 15th, 6-8 pm at the Municipal Bldg.

Karate for Youth ages 5-12
Starts on Tuesday, November 19th at Thames River Magnet School

Register Online

HERE.

REMINDER: CHET DREAM BIG! COMPETITION IS ON

What an amazing opportunity for students in grades K-12 to enter and win up to $20,000 toward their future education!

To enter, students answer a question through artwork, an essay, or a video. Younger students focus on what they want to do when they grow up, and older students are asked to describe a lesson they’ve learned or a person who has impacted their lives.

The competition is open to all Connecticut K-12 students, and every child has the chance to participate. Please take a moment to visit the website to learn more, and then encourage your child to take part. More than 250 students will receive monetary prizes to be deposited into a CHET account. For more details, please click

HERE.

HAVE INPUT ON UPDATING CTDOT AMERICANS WITH
DISABILITIES

ACT SECTION 504 TRANSITION PLAN

The ADA was signed into law in 1990 to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in everyday activities. The ADA Transition Plan provides a roadmap for removing physical barriers to accessibility in transportation systems and facilities.

The CTDOT will be conducting public outreach both in-person and virtually. These events will offer opportunities for the public to provide input on the ADA Transition Plan. Meeting materials and any updates to outreach locations/dates/times will be updated on the CTDOT ADA Transition Plan website. The CTDOT will be holding in-person and virtual events. For more details, please click HERE.

RECOGNIZING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Legislation has the power to save lives.

In Connecticut, employers with 3 or more employees must allow workers experiencing family violence to take up to 12 days off in a calendar year for certain issues resulting from the violence, such as the victim needing to seek medical care or attend a related court hearing.

As of October 1, 2024, the Safe Leave Act now covers victims of sexual assault.

Need to connect to an advocate?
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CTSafeConnect.org | (888) 774-2900