November 26th Newsletter

November 26, 2024


 
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Dear Friends, 

Thanksgiving is Thursday, and the holiday kicks off with more than 11,000 runners competing at the 88th Manchester Road Race at 10 a.m.!

The race starts and ends on Main Street in Manchester. If you're interested in running, you can still register online at manchesterroadrace.com until tonight at 11:59 p.m.

Main Street closes at 5:30 a.m. on Thursday and remains closed until approximately 11:30 a.m. All roads intersecting the course will be closed at 9 a.m. with no entrance or exit from the interior of the course during the race. Exit ramps from I-384 East and West, adjacent to the course, will be closed from 9-11:30 a.m. Normal traffic should resume sometime after 11:30 a.m.

The Manchester Road Race is a Thanksgiving tradition. Thank you to everyone from the runners to the spectators and to the hundreds of volunteers that make it a special day!
I also want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for our community, the joy of shared moments and the support that surrounds us.
The 13th District is strong thanks to our residents and everyone working together to make Manchester and Glastonbury great places to live.   

May the love of family and the company of good friends fill your day as we count our blessings. Let's also extend our thoughts to those facing difficulties and think of the importance of compassion and generosity. 

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Reappointment as Banking Committee Chair
Just wanted to share some news with you, so please read below!
The 2025 legislative session starts on January 8, and I am honored and ready to continue leading the efforts of the Banking Committee for the next two years.
 
Breaking Ground

Thanks to Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Sen. Richard Blumenthal for coming to Manchester recently as we get ready to break ground on the new library on Main Street. I am excited to see this project move forward and proud to help obtain state funding from the Community Investment Fund. The next step in this journey should be to take advantage of the additional funding awarded through the CIF for the Main Street streetscape improvements and move forward with that project as well.
 
Heating Bill Assistance

November is Heating Assistance Awareness Month in Connecticut, and I want to inform you about several available programs that can help pay or lower your 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.
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 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 subtracts 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 (800) 286-2828 or visit eversource.com/billhelp. You can get a jump on lowering your heating bill today.
 
Time to Own Program Reopens

Great news for low and moderate-income homebuyers in Connecticut!

The State Bond Commission approved $40 million in funding last month that will be used to reopen the popular Time To Own program to a new round of applicants.

Time To Own has helped thousands of people buy their first homes since launching in 2022. The program provides forgivable loans for down payments and closing costs and has enabled individuals and families to achieve the dream of homeownership, fostering long-term financial stability and contributing to stronger communities.
To date, Time To Own has helped more than 4,800 homebuyers in 149 towns buy their first homes, more than half of whom are people of color. With the new funding allocation, Connecticut has invested $195 million in the program.

For more information on eligibility, additional considerations, and how to apply, visit chfa.org/TimeToOwn.
 
DSS Manchester Resource Center Temporarily Closed
Due to renovations, the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) Manchester Resource Center office will be temporarily closed. DSS is working on setting up a temporary location in Manchester that hopefully will be up and running soon.  In the meantime, residents needing DSS services should call 855-626-6632, go to connect.ct.gov or visit the service center in Windsor.
 
As always, please feel free to email me at Jason.Doucette@cga.ct.gov or call my office at 860-240-8584.
Sincerely,

Jason Doucette
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