Investing in Windham's Future

April 19, 2024


My colleagues and I are working to pass bills during our short legislative session. I will keep you updated on any major developments at the Capitol over the coming weeks.

Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz recently joined my weekly radio show to talk about a couple of investments that will improve our community. Please scroll down to see where you can expect to see some changes.  

Our Commercially Licensed Cooperative Kitchen is receiving nearly $3 million for renovations and new equipment. Keep scrolling to learn how these funds will expand this valuable resource.
 
Here are the sections in today's email:

  • Let's Talk About It: Investments in Windham
  • Major Funding Going to CLiCK
  • Utility Scam Alert
  • Local Firefighter Visits Capitol
 
Let's Talk About It: Investments in Windham
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Windham Democratic Town Committee Chair Bill Sayers joined our weekly public affairs show “Let’s Talk About It” to discuss all the great things happening in Windham.

Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz highlighted a $2 million grant that is going to Father Honan Terrace to upgrade and modernize housing there for low and moderate-income individuals. The funds will include kitchen and bathroom renovations, LED lighting upgrades, heat pump replacement, and much more. This investment is important because we want to ensure that existing housing is modern and energy efficient.
Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz also talked about her recent visit to the Burton Leavitt Theatre, which received nearly $50,000 in grants for new flexible seating and tables. The investment will allow the theatre to host a wide variety of performances and events. Thank you to the dedicated members of the Windham Theatre Guild for their commitment to strengthening the cultural landscape in town.

Windham Democratic Town Committee Chair Bill Sayers thanked Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz for her visit. He is appreciative of her work as well as Sen. Mae Flexer’s continued advocacy to build up our community.

Sayers also dug deeper into the renovations at Town Hall, our amazing downtown lighting during the holidays, and he urged our listeners to donate to Covenant Soup Kitchen. Please click on the video below to listen to the entire show!
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Windham Democratic Town Committee Chair Bill Sayers discuss all the great things happening in Windham.
 
Major Funding Going to CLiCK
The Commercially Licensed Cooperative Kitchen (CLiCK) in Windham is receiving millions in funding to expand upon its locally based, healthy, and sustainable food economy. Nearly $2.8 million is coming from the Community Investment Fund grant to renovate its kitchen, create a processing and cold storage facility, add a second-floor mezzanine space for offices and build out a community training space.

CLiCK will receive another nearly $86,000 in federal dollars to buy new equipment such as a walk-in freezer, walk-in refrigerator, and blast chiller. U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney and U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Basil Gooden visited CLiCK to highlight how this funding will improve public health needs in our and surrounding communities.
I am grateful that our state and federal governments recognize how important CLiCK is to Windham. CLiCK’s shared-use commercial kitchens provide opportunities for farmers and culinary entrepreneurs, including those with low incomes, to incubate food-based businesses, while improving the health and vitality of our local community by teaching gardening, culinary arts, nutrition, and other food-related classes, all informed by a social justice perspective.
 
Utility Scam Alert
The state is warning all of us about a possible scam targeting utility customers whose bills are overdue. No third-party supplier will ever contact customers with billing issues.

Only Eversource or United Illuminating bill folks for both supply and delivery costs. If you receive correspondence from anyone other than those two companies pertaining to your electric bill balance, you should assume it is not legitimate.

These scams are taking place now ahead of scheduled utility service shutoffs for non-payment on May 2.
If you think you have been scammed, reach out to:
  • PURA’s Education Outreach and Enforcement Customer Assistance Unit by emailing pura.information@ct.gov
  • The Office of Consumer Counsel by emailing occ.info@ct.gov or calling 860-827-2900
  • The Office of the Attorney General at 860-808-5318
 
Local Firefighter Visits Capitol
It was a pleasure to see many brave firefighters at the State Capitol this week. They stopped by for a visit on Connecticut Firefighters' Association Day!

I spoke with Windham Center Fire Chief Lloyd Niles, who was recently inducted into the Connecticut Firefighters Association Hall of Fame. He is the first resident from Windham to receive this impressive honor. He has more than 50 years of active experience in Windham. 
 
We commend Chief Niles for his strong character and commitment to public service in Windham.