Heating Bill Assistance, Investing in CT Rail System, Holiday Bash in Groton Saturday

November 22, 2024

Dear Neighbor,

Cooler temperatures are heading our way. Higher heating bills aren't too far behind. I have included some information that can help with those costs this winter. We are set to improve the railways across the state following millions in funding from the federal government as a result of President Joe Biden's bipartisan infrastructure law. You'll find more details below. I also included a reminder about Small Business Saturday coming up on Saturday, November 30th. As you know, we have a wonderful collection of small businesses in the 41st district. Let's show them some love by making a big impact shopping small. There is a Holiday Bash in Groton on Saturday. You'll find more details in the community events and notices section. I hope you enjoy this week's newsletter. Topics include:

Heating Bill Assistance
Investing in the Connecticut Rail System
Groton’s Community Tree Management Plan Presentation Set
4th Annual Stonington Lobster Trap Tree Lighting This Weekend!
Community Grantmaking Program Webinar on Dec.3
CT Transportation News
Native American Heritage Month
It's Military Family Appreciation Month
Reminder: Small Business Saturday is November 30th
Community Events and Notices

Have a great weekend,
Aundré

Out N' About in the 41ST District

I attended the launch of HeatSmart Groton, a program designed to make energy efficiency accessible and affordable for Groton residents. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, this campaign offers practical ways to reduce energy costs and improve home comfort.
This program is part of an outreach and education campaign led by the Town and City of Groton in partnership with the nonprofit PACE (People’s Action for Clean Energy).
If you’re a customer of Groton Utilities or Eversource, you can save hundreds of dollars by taking advantage of energy service visits and incentives for home weatherization measures.

How Does It Work?

No-Cost or Low-Cost Energy Service
• Groton Utilities customers: Free energy service!
• Eversource customers: $75 (or free for income-eligible households).
Technicians from Lantern Energy will:

Run HVAC safety checks
Seal air leaks and ductwork
Install water-saving measures
Upgrade lighting with LEDs (GU customers only)

Deeper Weatherization
If more insulation is needed, rebates could cover some or even all of the cost.

Electrify Your Heating System
Heat pumps are today’s most efficient heating and cooling systems. If you’re interested, a free energy consultant can guide you through the process.

*To learn more, click HERE or call 877-878-3006 and mention HeatSmart Groton.

I had the privilege of attending a fantastic Community Café on Nutrition hosted by Children First Groton. The event brought together parents and guardians from across the community for an important and engaging conversation about access to fresh food, affordable and nutritious meal ideas, and community resources to support families.

It was inspiring to hear directly from parents about their experiences and ideas, and I’m grateful that community partners were there to listen and learn from their feedback. Events like this truly highlight the power of community connection and collaboration to improve the well-being of our families.

A big thank you to the organizers, participants, and the amazing team from Riverfront Children’s Center who provided childcare so parents could fully engage. The nutritious snack demonstration by Erica Benvenuti from UCONN EFNEP + SNAP was also a hit—practical and delicious!

Heating Bill Assistance

Colder temperatures will soon give way to higher heating bills. November is Heating Assistance Awareness Month in Connecticut, and we are informing residents about several programs available that can help pay or lower their heating bills this winter.

Whether it be state assistance, protection from shutoff service, financial assistance programs, or energy efficiency, there is a plan for everyone.

Here is a closer look at what's available:

State and Other Assistance Programs

You can get up to $530 to help pay your heating bill through the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and get a bigger match from the Matching Payment Program. Apply online here or visit your local Community Action Agency. You can also find your closest agency by calling 211.

Protection from Service Shut-Off

Protect your gas or electric service from shut off, from November 1 through May 1 with Winter Protection, for customers facing financial hardship.
You may also be eligible for Medical Protection if anyone in your home is seriously ill or has a life-threatening situation.

Financial Assistance Programs and Payment Plans

The Matching Payment Program can lower the amount you owe on energy bills. For every dollar you pay, and every dollar you receive from the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), Eversource will subtract a dollar from the amount you owe.
An Electric Discount Rate You may be eligible for a 10% or 50% discount off your electric bill per month based on your household income or receipt of a public assistance benefit if you have a financial hardship status on your account.
Flexible Payment Plans of up to 18 months are available to help all residential customers with active accounts pay off money owed, regardless of their income.
With Budget Billing, pay a fixed amount each month based on your average energy usage to avoid spikes in your bill during heating and cooling seasons.

Energy Efficiency

Eversource has energy efficiency programs, incentives, and money-saving tips to help you reduce your overall energy use during the colder months.

To learn more about the programs, and which one may be right for you, please call 1-800-286-2828 or visit eversource.com/billhelp. You can get a jump on lowering your heating bill and keeping your home this winter today.

Investing in the Connecticut Rail System

After receiving approximately $291 million from the federal government, Connecticut is ready to improve its railways. The money comes from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Additionally, the Connecticut Department of Transportation will provide $120 million, and Amtrak will contribute $11.7 million to many rail projects across the state.

This game-changing investment will modernize our transportation system, making it more reliable while creating jobs and supporting economic growth. Track and rail improvements will give commuters more options to move around the state, shorten travel times, and reduce traffic and pollution statewide. For a closer look at the specifics of the rail projects, please click HERE.

Groton’s Community Tree Management Plan Presentation Set

The Community Tree Management Plan will be presented to the Town Council at the Town Annex on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. This is your opportunity to learn more about the plan and show your support for enhancing the well-being of our community trees. By investing in our urban canopy, residents can ensure the environmental vitality of Groton for generations to come. You can review the plan by clicking on the image below.

4th Annual Stonington Lobster Trap Tree Lighting This Weekend!

The 4th Annual Stonington Lobster Trap Tree Lighting is here! It will be open beginning tomorrow, November 23rd through January 5th, 2025. Admission is free. This one-of-a-kind tree is adorned with over 150 hand-painted buoys created by professional artists and 40 local families, along with thousands of vibrant lights. Step inside the tree to capture incredible photos and enjoy a unique perspective on this beloved community landmark. You won't want to miss this enchanting holiday tradition in Stonington. I hope to see you there!

Community Grantmaking Program Webinar on Dec. 3

An informational webinar, exploring opportunities through the EPA's Thriving Communities Environmental Justice Grantmaking Program, will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd, at 4 p.m. This initiative aims to strengthen environmental justice efforts by providing funding and support to local communities. To register for the hourlong virtual event, please click HERE.

CT Transportation News

A virtual public information meeting concerning the replacement of the bridge carrying Groton Long Point Road over Palmer Cove in Groton on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

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 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: https://portal.ct.gov/DOTGroton58-344

“This project will replace the existing bridge with a new single-span structure, which will have higher clearance over Palmer Cove, improving access to Groton Long Point and improving safety for motorists,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Project Manager Marc Byrnes “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 are associated with the proposed improvements. Construction easements and slope easements will be required on both sides of Groton Long Point Road to construct the replacement bridge.

Construction is anticipated to begin winter 2026. The estimated construction cost is approximately $15 million, with 80% federal funds and 20% state funds.

Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (877) 853-5257 and enter Meeting ID 891 6764 0470. 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 Michelle.Rame@ct.gov or (860) 594-3319.

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.

This meeting will also be lives-treamed on the CTDOT YouTube channel; no registration is required. Non-English language closed captioning will be available on Zoom and YouTube. The recording will also be posted immediately following the meeting in the list of CTDOT virtual public meetings 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, December 17 to DOT-FLBP@ct.gov and (860) 594-2020, Michelle.Rame@ct.gov, or (860) 594-3319. Please reference Project No. 0058-0344 in the email or voicemail.

A tree removal operation will be performed on I-95, north and southbound, in Groton and Stonington. This project is scheduled to occur on Sunday evening, November 3, and be completed on Friday morning, December 6, 2024. Work will end at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27, and will resume on Monday evening, December 2, 2024, due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

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 vehicle leaving the roadway.

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
Motorists can expect left lane and shoulder closures on I-95, north and southbound, in Groton and Stonington from Sunday evening, November 3 to Friday morning, December 6, 2024, during the hours of 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. (Sunday evening – Friday morning). Traffic control signing patterns, crash attenuator vehicles, and one (1) State Trooper will guide motorists through the work zone.

Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area. No work will be performed around any scheduled holidays.

Native American Heritage Month

The Pequot War, which began primarily due to escalating tensions over control of the fur trade in the Connecticut River Valley, forever changed the political and social landscape of southern New England.

The brutal war also influenced colonial and U.S. policies toward Native Americans for centuries. You can find a detailed breakdown HERE.

It's Military Family Appreciation Month

Did you know Connecticut is a proud member of the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3)? The Compact helps ease many academic challenges military children face during transitions, including school enrollment, eligibility, placement, and graduation. Learn more about educational opportunities for military families HERE.