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Dear Neighbor,
I hope this email finds you well. Below, you'll find updates on district resources and news.
Please feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns and be sure to follow my social media accounts for updates on a variety of topics including resources, events, housing updates, and more. |
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The topics covered in this e-newsletter are as follows:
- State Update
- Community Resources
- This Week In Connecticut History
- Manchester Community Events and Information
- East Hartford Community Events and Information
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Time is running out to sign up for Access Health CT's health insurance plan with Temporary Premium Assistance!
The Temporary Premium Assistance program was created to help customers who lost all financial assistance when the federal enhanced Premium Tax Credits expired late last year.
The program has provided over $1.6 million in savings for 10,580 Connecticut residents so far.
The Special Enrollment Period for the event will end Tuesday, June 30, and I hope you'll consider applying!
Customers who qualify for this Special Enrollment Period include:
- Households with an annual income between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), who are not already enrolled in the Covered CT Program. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 100% of the expired federal enhanced Premium Tax Credit amounts.
- Households with an annual income over 400% and up to 500% of the FPL. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 50% of the expired federal enhanced Premium Tax Credit amounts.
Please read below for information on how to receive help online, in person, and over the phone:
Customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com and click the “Get Help” button on the homepage to find the option that works best for them—including scheduling an appointment, finding a nearby Navigator site or working with a Certified Broker in their area.
AHCT expanded its Navigator program to include six locations around the state and introduced a new Mobile Enrollment Team that supports community events and assists with in-person enrollment, available in English and Spanish.
To get help over the phone, customers can call 1-855-805-4325, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Help is available in over 100 languages.
Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use the TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call 1-855-805-4325 with a relay operator.
For free help online, customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com. They can also chat live with a customer service representative by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website. Live chat is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
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Reimagine and Revitalize Community Reinvestment Program
The Social Equity Council’s Reimagine and Revitalize (R2) Community Reinvestment Program is a three-year, statewide investment strategy designed to ensure that communities disproportionately harmed by cannabis criminalization see real, measurable, and lasting opportunity.
Through approximately $12 million annually, the R2 Program will support community-driven initiatives rooted in:
Economic Development
(including infrastructure and workforce pathways)
Youth Initiatives
Re-Entry Initiatives
All funding is directed to organizations serving or located within Connecticut’s Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIAs). This model reflects the Council’s commitment to reinvestment that is structured, accountable, and aligned with long-term community transformation.
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut has been selected as the Grant Manager for the Hartford/East Hartford region. Each Grant Manager will administer funding within its designated region and work in close collaboration with the Council to ensure consistency, transparency, and strong compliance controls.
Who Should Apply?
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is accepting applications from organizations that are actively delivering programs within Hartford and/or East Hartford. Organizations should have a clear track record of serving their community and the capacity to implement the proposed work.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a nonprofit organization registered to conduct business in the state of Connecticut
- Have at least three (3) years of experience providing relevant programs or services in the R2 region
- Be located in and actively serving Hartford and/or East Hartford
- Review the NOFO for full eligibility requirements.
Timeline
Deadline: July 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM
Contact
For questions, please contact United Way staff at
SEC-Grants@unitedwayinc.org
Steps to Apply:
- Confirm eligibility based on program requirements
- Identify the program priority that best aligns with the proposed work
- Create a profile on United Way’s e-CImpact grant platform
- Prepare all required application materials and supporting documentation
- Complete all required forms and upload all required documents on e-CImpact.
- Submit the completed application by July 15, 2026 at 5:00 pm.
Applicants are encouraged to review all requirements carefully and attend an information session, if available, prior to submission.
Agencies that do not serve Hartford and/or East Hartford should visit the Social Equity Council R2 website to find the Grant Manager for their region.
For more information, click here
Apply Here
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This Week In Connecticut History
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| Today in 1948, Connecticut’s first television station WNHC-TV, Channel 6 (now WTNH Channel 8) began broadcasting in New Haven. The introduction of this new media to Connecticut was the brainchild of Aldo DeDomenicis, an Italian pasta-wholesaler who had previously found success buying radio time on Italian programs and selling that time as radio ads to grocers along with his pasta. |
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| Intrigued by the potential of television, DeDomenicis partnered with New Haven’s postmaster Patrick J. Goode and engineer Garo Ray to apply for a broadcasting license. He convinced the Dumont Network – a television network pioneer that was also in the business of manufacturing and selling television sets – to virtually give them the equipment to start a station, on the promise that DeDomenicis would generate strong sales for Dumont television sets. |
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WTNH became the first station in the country to use videotape for local broadcasts and was one of the first American stations to broadcast in color. It also was one of the first stations to have women report the weather. WTNH-produced programs, such as the children’s show “The Friends of Mr, Goober” starring Mike Warren, drew huge audiences and remain Connecticut television legends, while the footage of field photographer Jack Young – who covered stories ranging from celebrity interviews,to the Great Flood of 1955, to the execution of the killer Joseph “Mad Dog” Taburski in 1960 – are important primary sources of Connecticut’s 20th century history.
Television – the medium that transforms American life and culture in ever-evolving ways, first signed on in the Nutmeg State, Today in Connecticut History |
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2026 Manchester Lions Club Duck Race
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Duck Race Sponsored by The Manchester Lions Club
Cash Prize:
1st - $1000
2nd - $500
3rd - $250
4th - $150
5th - $100
Tickets: $5 per Duck
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Place: Charter Oak Park
Race Time: 2:00PM
Tickets available at the following locations:
DuBaldo Security Systems, 164 East Center St
Highland Park Market, 317 Highland St
DuBaldo Music Center, 881 Main St.
"Art in The Park", Center Park, Main St (June 14, 2026)
or Contact David: 860-250-1500, 860-645-6500 or david@dubaldo.com |
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James "Dutch" Fogarty Independence Day
Celebration 2026
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The Town of Manchester is proud to announce the return of the annual James “Dutch” Fogarty Memorial Fireworks Event on July 11, 2026, starting at 4:00 PM (rain date July 12th).
Manchester's James "Dutch" Fogarty Independence Day Celebration, one of the most anticipated and attended East of the River events, is now less than three months away. Miss this happening and you'll regret it for a long time! For starters the very young and energetic band, FEEDBACK, winner of the Battle of the Bands at Toads Place in 2025, kicks off the celebration playing 4:30pm - 6:30pm. NIGHTSHIFT, one of Connecticut's favorite 60's, 70's, 80's cover bands takes the stage at 7:00pm - 9:15pm.
Fourteen (14) food trucks will be available offering a vast variety of tasty food options for your dining satisfaction. The Kid's Zone activities area has been dramatically enhanced to include free facepainting for children and youth, roaming magicians, jugglers, balloon artists and stilt walkers. Our fireworks shooter has designed a breathtaking aerial program that will rattle your world (and teeth) giving you a serious case of happy goosebumps to go home with. Join family, friends and fellow townies for a fantastic afternoon and night of foot-stomping music, deliciously prepared food options and fantastically spectacular fireworks display lighting up Manchester's night-time sky.
For the 41st time this event will be held at CT State Community College - Manchester at 60 Bidwell Street. Everything officially begins at 4:00pm and ends at 10:00pm. More information on this event will come your way over the next several weeks.
Event Details
Artisan Market 4pm-8pm
Kids Zone 4pm-8pm
Food Trucks 5pm-9pm
Fireworks Display at Dusk
Rain Date July 12th |
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25th Cruisin' on Main Street 2026
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CRUISIN' ON MAIN STREET IS BACK FOR ITS 25TH YEAR!
The Manchester Cruisin’ Committee, in partnership with the Town of Manchester, is excited to announce that this year's annual Cruisin' on Main Car Show will be held on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain dates: August 9th & August 16th - depending on weather).
Larry Ash, who leads the Cruisin' Committee, along with the dedicated committee members and Calvin Harris, Senior Recreation Supervisor, have been organizing and finalizing plans for another successful event.
The success of the show is always due in part by its sponsors and their charitable donations. Mark your calendar for August 2nd and attend one of the largest one-day car shows in all of New England. Whether you are showing a car or just attending to check out the cars, listen to great music, and/or enjoying a meal downtown, you can’t miss this great annual event.
Cost for the event is free to spectators and a $10 car show registration fee for those wishing to showcase their car. Sponsor’s Choice Trophies will be awarded, and dash plaques will be given to the first 700 cars.
Read More
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Celebrate Juneteenth across both sides of the river at Great River Park in East Hartford and Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in Hartford!
This free event is hosted in collaboration with the City of Hartford, Town of East Hartford, and Music Is Life curating the Hartford mainstage entertainment. This daylong event will include incredible live music, DJs, food trucks, a mental health wellness village, and tons family-friendly fun.
The event will kick off at 10:00AM with attendees and members from the City and the Town processing across the Founders Bridge pedestrian walkway to meet in the middle for a beautiful celebration and ceremony. Come join us!
Date Jun 20 2026
Time 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Location
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Great River Park
301 East River Drive, East Hartford, CT, USA
Location 2
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Mortensen Riverfront Plaza
300 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT, USA
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Public Information Session on Housing Trends
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The Town of East Hartford, in collaboration with Goman + York, is hosting a public information session on housing trends in the State of Connecticut. The presentation is part of the Planning and Zoning meeting.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 24 at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Town Council Chambers (740 Main Street).
The information session is open to the public.
Led by Goman + York Principal Mike Goman, the presentation will focus on housing trends, market conditions, development feasibility and the relationship between housing and economic growth.There will be an opportunity for a Q&A session, following the presentation.
Goman + York is a real estate firm based in East Hartford, providing municipalities, organizations and educational institutions with research-driven guidance on enhancing their real estate development opportunities. |
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License Your Dog in June!
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The Town of East Hartford reminds dog owners to license their dogs in the month of June. By state statute, all dogs in the State of Connecticut six (6) months or older must be licensed each year during the month of June in the town where they reside.
The license will be valid from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. The fee for the license is $8 for a dog that is neutered/spayed, or $19 for dogs that are not neutered/spayed. A current rabies certificate is required for all dogs and a certificate of neuter/spay is required for dogs that will be licensed for the first time, or if recently neutered/spayed and therefore not yet on file with the Town Clerk’s office.
Dog licenses may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s Office, located in the East Hartford Town Hall at 740 Main Street. To fill out a dog license application form, click here. To renew a dog license, visit this page.
Dog owners are encouraged to license their dog by submitting a filled-out application form by mail or simply dropping it off in our mailbox in the parking lot, and the Town Clerk’s office will promptly process the application and mail the license and dog tag(s). An in-person option is also available. When submitting the application by mail or drop box, please include a check for the proper fee, made payable to East Hartford Town Clerk, as well as all certificates (rabies, neuter/spay) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The mailing address is: East Hartford Town Hall, Town Clerk’s Office, 740 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108. All certificates will be returned with the new license and tag(s).
Dogs that are not licensed in the month of June will be charged a penalty of $1 per month thereafter. For example, if licensing a dog in August, the fee would be the $8 or $19 licensing fee + a $2 late fee.
Any dog over the age of six (6) months must be licensed. Any unlicensed dogs and/or roaming dogs will be subject to a $75 fine.
Please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 860- 291-7230 with any questions or concerns.
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Each spring and fall, the MDC conducts a regional household hazardous waste collection program at a series of local sites in member and non-member towns. The program offers a number of benefits to residents and municipalities:
- Residents have the opportunity to participate in a collection day in their respective towns as well as in other collections throughout the year.
- Participating municipalities enjoy financial savings from the effect of pooling under a single contract the services of a licensed hazardous waste management firm.
- The contractor assumes full responsibility for the collection, transportation and proper disposal of hazardous waste items.
Hazardous waste cannot be simply thrown out with the trash, flushed, or poured down the drain because it passes the problem along to the environment, polluting the air and the water. So the MDC sponsors a HazWaste Program to collect the waste and dispose of it through safe, environmentally responsible practices.
The MDC urges you to participate in a Household Hazardous Waste Collection in your town. Protect the health of your kids, your spouse, your pets, and the environment. You may participate in MDC’s household hazardous waste collection program if you are a member of any participating town; and you may participate on any MDC sponsored collection day.
Residents of any of the following participating towns can participate in ANY MDC sponsored collection day: Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks.
HOUSEHOLD HAZWASTE INFORMATION PACKET
The Household HazWaste Info Packet contains the complete schedule of MDC sponsored HHW collections for the current calendar year. The Info Packet also summarizes items accepted by the program and items the MDC cannot accept. If an item cannot be accepted at an MDC sponsored collection potential alternative disposal locations are listed. The Info Packet also provides some general information on how to reduce the amount of household hazardous waste you generate.
2026 HazWaste Information Packet
HazWaste info packet for small businesses, non-profits and municipalities
Moving? Please click here for further information!
2026 HOUSEHOLD HAZWASTE COLLECTION SCHEDULE COMING SOON
2026 HazWaste Schedule PDF
All collections are held on Saturdays from 8AM to 1PM unless noted.
Date Town Location
June 27 Wethersfield Webb Elementary School, 51 Willow Street
September 12 Bloomfield Public Works Building, 21 Southwood Drive
September 19 Rocky Hill Elm Ridge Park, 376 Elm Street
September 26 West Hartford Public Works Garage, 17 Brixton Street
October 17 Windsor Locks/East Granby Public Works Garage, 6 Stanton Road, Windsor Locks
October 24 Hartford MDC Operations Facility, 125 Maxim Road
(WPCF = Water Pollution Control Facility)
* One collection date is held on a Sunday
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East Hartford Commission on Aging Presents:
Senior Survey Seminars
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The East Hartford Commission on Aging invites all seniors (55+) for a series of seminars and conversations with Town departments. These seminars are part of a new initiative called “Senior Survey Seminars,” in response to results from town-wide senior survey conducted by the Commission on Aging in 2023.
The seminars are intended to educate local seniors on a variety of topics, such as public safety, programming, tax assistance, senior services and more.
The four-part series will run through July 29, as follows:
“All about taxes”
- Wednesday, June 24, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
“Public Programming with Libraries and Parks and Recreation”
- Wednesday, July 29, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
“Health and Human Services”
All workshops will be held at the Senior Center, located at 15 Millbrook Drive.
These seminars are open to all East Hartford seniors age 55+, senior center membership not required.
To register, call the East Hartford Senior Center at (860) 291-7460 ext. 0.
Light refreshments will be provided by the Commission on Aging.
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East Hartford Summer Camp Registration is Now Open!
Summer is fast approaching and East Hartford Parks and Recreation will be offering summer camp programs for the 2026 summer season.
East Hartford Parks and Recreation Summer Camps will open on Monday, June 22nd, 2026 and will run for 7 consecutive weeks, ending on Friday, August 7th. Camps are open to East Hartford residents only and serve children and teens entering grades 1 – 9 and participants with special needs ages 6 -21. Enrichment programming continues to be a stimulating part of the programming thanks to our collaboration with East Hartford Public Library and East Hartford Social Services.
▶ Little Rec’ers Camp for children entering grades 1- 2 will be located at Goodwin Park/ Goldstar Pool*Goodwin School Gymnasium during inclement weather days.
▶ Fun Days Camp for children entering grades 3 – 4 will be located at Gorman Park / Lord Pool, *O’Connell School Gymnasium during inclement weather days.
▶ Explorers Camp for children entering grades 5 – 6 will be located at McAuliffe Park / Drennan Pool, * Norris School Gym during inclement weather days.
▶Teen Camp for teens entering grades 7 – 9 will be located at Hockanum Park/ Terry Pool, * ECLC Gym during inclement weather days.
▶ Camp Sunburst for participants with special needs ages 6 - 21 will be located at McAuliffe Park, Drennan Pool, * Norris School during inclement weather days.
Campers will participate in a variety of activities, arts & crafts, sports, special events and more. Campers will also visit the pools, where they will have free swim and receive swim instruction from our American Red Cross Certified Lifeguards.
All campers will be registered for the East Hartford Public Library summer reading program through Readsquared and will receive prizes at camp to recognize and celebrate the time they spend reading! Campers will also participate in weekly enrichment activities sponsored by the Library, including STEM, Makerspace, puppetry, performing arts, drumming and more. For some enrichment activities campers will be bused to the Library.
Breakfast and lunch are provided for all campers through the Summer Meals Program!
In partnership with Social Services camp will be supported by Social Workers.
Registration for camps is now open. Register online at www.ehparks.org or at the parks and recreation office at the East Hartford Community Center, located at 50 Chapman Place.
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Community Grants Available from the
East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts
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Bring your artistic vision to life in East Hartford!
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The East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts (CCFA) seeks applicants for their community grants program, newly expanded with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
All interested applicants should start by filling out a basic online application; eligible entities will next be invited to fill out a second-round application specific to ARPA funding.
Grant applications will be considered on a rolling basis through August 31, 2026, after which the CCFA will revert to their typical quarterly review cycle.
Successful proposals will have a strong East Hartford connection and directly relate to fine arts and/or culture. Programs or projects may include concerts, performances, program series, festivals, workshops, exhibits, readings, after-school programs, or public art.
For complete eligibility requirements and to access the application, visit the CCFA web page.
Administrative support for the CCFA community grants is provided by the East Hartford Public Library. Funding decisions will be made by the CCFA at their regularly scheduled public meetings, typically held the second Thursday of the month in Meeting Room 1 on the lower level of the Raymond Library.
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My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8541.
Sincerely,
Jason Rojas |
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