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In this email you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.
A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer or scroll through this email to the relevant section.
The topics covered are as follows:
On Legislative Business
On Community Resources
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State Bond Commission Approves Critical Funding for East Hartford & Manchester
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On Thursday, the State Bond Commission approved several Community Investment Fund projects, including a few significant to our communities:
- $2.5 Million to purchase and redevelop the Church Corners Inn and the top of Main Street and Route 44; the property will be converted into 30 housing units and 6,000 sf. of commercial space.
- A portion of $1.5 Million to finance repairs at Rentschler Field
- $2.965 Million to assist with the rehabilitation of East Modernization in East Hartford
- Grant-in-aid to the YMCA of Greater Hartford for renovations of childcare facilities and the study of a potential regional facility at the East Hartford YMCA
- $290,354 to Bennet Academy in Manchester for improvements
- $9,793 to Manchester Community College to support the purchase of body cameras, dash cameras, and video storage devices for the police department
The funding awarded by the State Bond Commission yesterday will support East Hartford in making critically need improvements to support the future of our town. In particular, I've been consistent in advocating for the needed redevelopment of Church Corners Inn. It's potential impact on the future of East Hartford's Main Street cannot be understated – this is a significant step towards connecting visitors to the heart of our community.
And, with rehabilitation of East Modernization, repairs at Rentschler Field, and support the conversion of a childcare facility at the East Hartford YMCA, we are continuing to build out our town to meet future needs. Thank you to the Governor and the State Bond Commission for continuing to prioritize East Hartford.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Governor Lamont Announces Thousands of Low-Level Cannabis Convictions to be Cleared
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On Tuesday, Governor Ned Lamont announced that 44,000 residents will have their cannabis convictions fully or partially erased on January 1.
Convictions of possessing less than four ounces of a non-narcotic, non-hallucinogenic substance between January 1, 2000, and Sept. 30, 2015, will be automatically erased on January 1, 2023. This means people in this category do not need to do anything to have their conviction erased.
People do need to file a petition in Superior Court to have convictions erased for the following:
- Convictions for possession of less than or equal to four ounces of a cannabis-type substance imposed before Jan. 1, 2000, and between Oct. 1, 2015 and June 30, 2021.
- Convictions for possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia for cannabis imposed before July 1, 2021.
- Convictions for manufacturing, selling, possessing with intent to sell, or giving or administering to another person a cannabis-type substance of less than four ounces or six plants grown inside a person’s home for personal use before July 1, 2021.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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House Leadership Announces Committee Chair Assignments
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Ahead of the 2023 legislative session, Speaker of the House Matt Ritter and I have continued announcing committee chair assignments. This week, we announced:
General Law Committee: Rep. Michael D'Agostino
Higher Education Committee: Rep. Greg Haddad
Public Safety and Security Committee: Rep. Pat Boyd
Human Services Committee: Rep. Jillian Gilchrest
Legislative Regulation Review Committee: Rep. Lucy Dathan
Commerce Committee: Rep. Steve Meskers
Planning and Development: Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw
Education Committee: Rep. Jeff Currey
Internship Committee: Rep. Mary Welander
Additional committee announcements will be released over the next week.
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Today in CT History: “The Learned Blacksmith” & Patriotic Pacifist
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Elihu Burritt, a self-educated lecturer who was arguably the most famous pacifist of the 19th century, was born in New Britain, Connecticut today in 1810. As the 10th child of a shoemaker, young Elihu (rhymes with “Tell-a-Few”) was unable to devote much time to schooling; as a teenager, he apprenticed himself to a local blacksmith to help make ends meet for his family. Following the advice of one of his older brothers, Elihu broke up the monotony of his daily manual labor at the forge by focusing on repetitive mental exercises like solving mathematical problems, though he soon found he preferred the study of linguistics. Burritt displayed an uncanny talent for learning and memorization, teaching himself to read nearly 50 different languages while working as a blacksmith in his teens and twenties.
While working as a blacksmith in the greater Boston area, Burritt heard about the extensive collections located at the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, and often walked several miles a day to visit the library and further his study of languages, mathematics, and world history. He became known to area scholars as “The Learned Blacksmith,” and, after developing a reputation as an excellent writer and lecturer, Burritt decided to become a full-time advocate for education, abolition, and world peace — what he preferred to call “universal brotherhood.”
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In the 1840s, Burritt began traveling around New England, lecturing against war, and promoting the idea of “compensated emancipation,” which he considered the most peaceful way to bring about the end of slavery in the United States. He took up other popular moralist causes of the mid-19th century, including temperance and promoting the dignity of the working man. In 1846, Burritt traveled to England, where, while traveling extensively, he founded the League of Universal Brotherhood, an association of peace activists. Horrified at the deplorable conditions in Ireland following the potato famine, Burritt authored a pamphlet that was widely distributed in the United States and did much to raise American awareness of the crisis and increase relief efforts for the Irish. He was also instrumental in organizing international peace conferences in Europe in 1848 and 1849, when most of the continent was wracked by revolutions and internal strife.
Burritt returned to the United States to find it on the brink of civil war due to the increasingly polarizing issue of slavery. During the 1850s, Burritt traveled over 10,000 miles throughout the nation, tirelessly promoting his idea of compensated emancipation as a peaceful way to end American slavery. When war finally broke out in 1861, Burritt’s staunch pacifism led some northerners to accuse him of being a southern sympathizer — but President Abraham Lincoln never doubted Burritt’s patriotism and appointed him ambassador to England during the later years of the war.
After the war ended, Burritt continued writing and lecturing about peace and universal brotherhood until his health caused him to retire to his hometown of New Britain. There, after a lifetime of writing and advocating for the betterment of all mankind, Elihu Burritt passed away in 1879 at the age of 69 and is buried in the city’s Fairview Cemetery.
If you'd like to learn more about Elihu Burritt and other interesting CT historical figures, click here.
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Mayor Mike Walsh Releases East Hartford 2022 Annual Report
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This week, East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh released the 2022 Annual Report to share the progress the town has made in the last year. The report is part of the mayor's efforts to increase transparency and build local government on his "3 C's," customer service, communication, and collaboration.
The report gives insights into how town departments are operating, updates on upcoming development projects, a look at the town's budget, and more. The report can be found here. Residents will be able to pick up hard copies of the report at any East Hartford town department in the coming weeks.
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Waiting List for the 2023 Spruce Street Community Garden Now Open!
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Exciting news! The waiting list for the 2023 Spruce Street Community Garden growing season is now officially open.
The application for the waiting list can be found here - completion of the waiting list application will add you to the pre-registration waiting list and will ensure you are included on pre-season garden communications. Placement on the waiting list is first come, first served and open for Manchester residents only.
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Note that the above application is for the garden waiting list only - not a garden bed. Bed registration will open at the Garden Registration Day Event on Thursday, March 23 from 6PM-7:30PM at the Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center (153 Spruce Street). More on that event can be found here.
If you have any questions or require additional information, contact Neighborhoods & Families Coordinator James Costa at jcosta@manchesterct.gov.
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East Hartford Leaf Collection: Completed!
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The East Hartford Public Works Departments announced this week that they've reached the finish line of the annual leaf collection program. Due to budgetary reasons, the Town is unable to offer a second round. However, Public Works crews will loop back to some streets that were hit very early in the program and still have leaves out – that second lap began on Monday.
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Residents still have access to two additional leaf disposal options:
- Curbside Brown Bag Collection: Town crews will pick up leaves placed in biodegradable brown paper bags through December 17, weather permitting. No grass clippings, branches or other waste items can be placed in the paper bags, nor will the Town collect leaves in plastic bags.
- Free Disposal at the Transfer Station on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and every first and third Saturday of the month. A valid proof of residency will be required when entering the Transfer Station with leaves only.
For more information, click here.
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Manchester Announces Solar Installations at Seven Municipal Buildings
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This week, the Town of Manchester announced the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at seven municipal buildings, including six schools. The solar systems are projected to save the Town more than $100,000 annually in energy costs and more than $2.1 million over the term of the power purchase agreements (PPA). These solar projects are made possible in part thanks to the Connecticut Green Bank’s Solar Municipal Assistance Program (MAP), which simplifies every step of the solar process so towns can realize all the cost-saving benefits of renewable energy with fewer challenges. Solar developer Greenskies Clean Focus was responsible for the installation of the systems.
In total, more than 5,200 solar panels have been installed at Verplanck Elementary School, Highland Park School, Manchester Regional Academy, Martin Elementary School, Waddell Elementary School, Manchester High School, and the Water & Sewer Building. Five of the seven systems will be energized by the end of the year, with the last two expected to go online in early 2023.
Learn more about the solar panels here.
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Book an Appointment Today: Mobile Mammography Van Stopping in East Hartford
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The East Hartford Public Library will be hosting the Hartford Health Care Institute Mobile Mammography van on Saturday, January 14. Appointments are required and spots are limited – so schedule now! (Last day to schedule an appointment is December 31).
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Appointments can be made by calling (860) 972-9974, individuals will be asked to provide their phone number and date of birth to schedule. Insurance is not required. For more information regarding patient eligibility or to download the intake form, click here.
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Manchester Fire Department Distributing Masks
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Manchester Fire Rescue EMS will providing a public supply of masks for contactless, self-serve pickup at Town Offices, the Senior Center, and all fire stations. If you are in need of larger quantities for you community or service group, email rturkington@manchesterct.gov.
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COVID-19 Updates & Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
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The Town of East Hartford, with Griffin Hospital, will host pop-up a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics on the following dates:
- Tuesday, December 13, 3PM-6PM: Raymond Library (840 Main Street)
- Thursday, December 15, 10AM-3PM: Senior Center (15 Milbrook Drive)
- Tuesday, December 20, 3PM-6PM: Raymond Library
Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J will be available for eligible residents 6 months +. No appointment, ID, or insurance required. There is no cost to getting the COVID-19 vaccination. The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of immigration or health insurance status.
For questions regarding pediatric COVID-19 vaccines, booster dose eligibility, or to schedule an appointment at an upcoming clinic, contact the East Hartford Health Department at (860) 291-7324. If transportation is needed to get to and from a clinic site, please contact the Health Department for assistance.
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The best defense against COVID-19 continues to be a good offense. It's so important that we continue the precautions that have worked: observe social distancing, wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible or indoors, wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, get tested if you were in contact with anyone who's tested positive, etc. But, most importantly – please consider getting vaccinated if you haven't already or getting a booster if it's been six months since you're last COVID vaccine.
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A reminder for those that don't want to carry around their paper CDC cards or who lost them, CT residents can now utilize "SMART Health Cards" to securely show proof of being vaccinated. The digital card can be obtained via a QR code that you can find here. To get more info on SMART Health Cards, or how to access them and download to your smartphone device, click here.
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For more information on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or to locate an appointment near you, click here or locate a DPH Mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic by clicking here. Those without access to the internet can call the Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line, available seven days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM, at (877) 918-2224.
For East Hartford-based COVID-19 updates and resources, click here. And, for Manchester-based COVID-19 updates and resources, click here.
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The Manchester Police Department will host a Blue Angels Foundation Stuff-a-Cruiser Gift Drive on tomorrow, December 10 from 12PM-4PM at the Shoppes at Buckland Hills by JC Penny. Your donations of unwrapped toys, books, games, and arts & crafts will help Blue Angels provide holiday gifts and cheer to more than 200 Manchester families.
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Have you checked out Manchester Adult and Continuing Education’s Business Academy? Classes are open to the public and beginning soon! These courses are designed to address and prepare students with the educational and workforce competencies to succeed in today’s employment sector. Courses include:
- Culinary Arts - Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:15PM-5:45PM (December 12, 2022 - March 8, 2023)
- Keyboarding - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6PM-7:30PM (December 12, 2022 - March 7, 2023)
- Google Sheets and Docs - Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:15PM-5:45PM (December 12, 2022 - March 8, 2023)
- ServSafe - Mondays and Wednesdays, 6PM-7:30PM (December 12, 2022 - March 8, 2023)
For more information, click here.
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The Manchester Public Library will host Historian and Musician Richard Franklin Donohue for “Cantica Nativitatis: Six Centuries of Christmas Music” on Thursday, December 15 at 6:30PM to explore an extraordinary repertoire from the 14th through 19th centuries. Hear carols sung in their original languages of German, Latin, Middle English, French, and Modern English, accompanied on harpsichord and portative organ.
No registration is required for this free program with live music. For more information on this event, please call (860) 645-0821 or click here.
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Drop by the East Hartford Public Library Makerspace on Tuesday, December 13 at 3:30PM to make a hanging bird friend! Best suited for kids in grades in 3-8, this DIY craft will bring some warmth and cheer as the days get colder and darker. No registration required.
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Looking for fun family activities for the upcoming winter break? Look no further! The East Hartford Public Library has a fun lineup planned for all ages, with programs offered in person at the Raymond Library (840 Main St.) and the newly renovated Wickham Library (656 Burnside Ave.), as well as virtually, where noted.
Library programs are free and open to residents of all towns. See individual program listings for registration information here.
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The Town of East Hartford has announced the 30th running of the Annual Officer Brian A. Aselton Memorial Snow Dash 5K Road Race, sponsored by the East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department and the East Hartford Police Department will be held on Sunday, January 8 at 1:30PM. Proceeds benefit the East Hartford Police Department Child Safety and Crime Prevention Programs and the Officer Brian Aselton Scholarship Fund.
Registration is open now - click here to sign up. Day of registration must be completed using the online RunSignUp, no paper registration forms. For more information, please contact Recreation Supervisor, Jonathan Cooper at (860) 291-7164.
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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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