Michelle L. Cook

There's some big news to share today about Friendly Hands Food Bank - it's on the move! After we secured $2 million in state bond funds late last year, Friendly Hands was able to purchase property at 789 Winsted Avenue and plans a grand opening in early 2025. Read more about it in this e-newsletter.

I continue to hear from frustrated constituents about their electric bills and I share that frustration. Earlier this month, I joined other members of the Moderate Caucus in calling for PURA to re-open the Eversource Rate Case. This would allow for the payments to be spread out over a longer period, rather than the current 10-month situation, and delay the implementation of EV standards. You can see a copy of the letter sent to PURA below.

School is officially back in session in Torrington, and I want to remind all drivers to watch for children as they exit and board the school bus, walk to bus stops, etc. Let's keep our kids safe and return them home each day after school. Below, you'll find some information on bus safety and guidelines for stopping (depending on what kind of roadway it is). Speaking of back to school, I was honored to attend the convocation for Torrington Public Schools, where we also honored the Teacher and Paraprofessional of the Year. 

It's hard to believe it's already Labor Day Weekend - the unofficial end of summer. Labor Day is a federal holiday that honors American workers for their contributions to society. Many people mark the holiday weekend with family barbeques. If your family is doing so, I hope you have a great time surrounded by your loved ones. 

I hope you have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

• Hiking Rates is NOT the Answer
• Friendly Hands is on the Move!
• Back to School in Torrington 
• School Bus Safety
• Torrington's "Over the Rainbow Bridge" Officially Open
• International Overdose Awareness Day is Saturday
• Cub Scout Pack 3 Open House September 6
• Torrington Remembers September 11
• Application Period Now Open for 2025 Legislative Internship Program
• CT Youth Employment Program 
• Upcoming Torrington Library Events
• Upcoming Shows at the Warner Theatre
• And More

I joined members of the Moderate Caucus earlier this month to request that PURA re-open the Eversource (and UI) rate cases. Under state general statutes, PURA can reverse or modify a decision due to a change of conditions, and we believe that "rate shock" would be considered a change of condition. I'll include the letter below for anyone who hasn't had the chance to read it. 

We are working on the appropriate solution, but hiking rates on customers was not the answer and is not the answer!

The 11,800-square-foot building (Friendly Hands is currently working with 1,600 square feet) will provide the much-needed space for the expansion of the food bank and the addition of a grocery store concept, allowing clients to shop for their food items in a more dignified manner. The new location will have an expanded parking lot as well as more programs and services for clients. The grand opening is expected in early 2025.

With a new school year, comes an important reminder to look out for students of all ages who will be walking to and from the bus stop. Some of our little ones may not always be looking both ways before crossing the street. Please SLOW DOWN and give those kids extra room on the roads! Their lives depend on it. We all want our students and schools to have great starts to the school year, and that starts with getting to and from school safely.

• On a standard road (one lane going in each direction) if a school bus is stopped with flashers on and the stop arm is extended, all vehicles in both lanes must stop.
• On a multi-lane road where there is a divider/median, vehicles traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop. Vehicles on the other side of the median traveling in the opposite direction are not required to stop but should be aware and use caution.
• On multi-lane roads where there is not a divider, all vehicles travelling in either direction must stop.
• At an intersection where a school bus has stopped to collect or discharge students, all vehicles must stop until the flashing lights have been turned off and the stop arm is no longer extended.
• No vehicle should ever pass or attempt to go around a stopped school bus that has their flashing lights on and stop sign arm extended.

Kids can be unpredictable and bus stops might not be obvious. Please use caution when driving near school buses. Thank you for doing your part to keep our kids safe! CLICK HERE for more school bus safety tips for drivers, parents, and children.

To watch the news report by Fox61, click HERE. 

Below is a video with several dispatchers sharing their experiences on the job. 

The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is preparing for its annual STAND DOWN event which will be held at five regional locations.

FIVE REGIONAL LOCATIONS

• Bridgeport - University of Bridgeport, Wheeler Recreational Center, 400 University Ave.
• Bristol - St. Gregory CCD Center, 1043 Stafford Ave.
• Danbury - Danbury War Memorial 1 Memorial Drive
• Norwich - Easter Seals Veterans Rally Point, 24 Stott Ave.
• Rocky Hill - CT DVA main campus 287 West Street
• Stamford - UCONN, One University Plaza

The DVA continues our commitment to serving Connecticut’s Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel, and their immediate families by providing this “one-stop” access to a range of programs and services offered by state and federal agencies, Veterans organizations, and community-based non-profits at these regional sites across the State.

A list of confirmed service providers and the transportation schedule will be released soon.

For any additional information: Call: 860-616-3772 or Email: standdown@ct.gov

This session will provide an in-depth look into CT’s new Paid Sick Leave Law coming into effect as of January 1, 2025, and explore what employers can expect in the coming years. This law will significantly expand the state’s current paid sick leave, and it’s important that CT employers are aware of these changes.
 
CT Department of Labor’s Legal Director, Heidi Lane, will lead a discussion on CT’s new Paid Sick Leave Law, as well as answer questions throughout the presentation. 
 
Topics include:

• Who is a covered employer on January 1, 2025, and who will be a covered employer in the coming years?
• Are any employers exempt?
• What employees are covered and are there any exempt employees?
• Which employees are considered “seasonal”?
• What are the reasons for which paid sick leave may be taken? 
• Who is a family member?
• How is sick leave accrued?
• How much paid sick leave may be accrued in a year?
• What are the notice requirements for both the employer and the employee?
• What documentation may the employer require?

To register, click HERE or click the graphic below. 

Ignite Grant applications will be accepted through September 24.

The application period for Child Care Start-Up and Expansion Grants closes on September 9. Other Child Care Business Opportunity Fund Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

More information on Ignite, including upcoming informational sessions, can be found HERE. 

Additional information on Child Care Business Opportunity Fund Grants, including upcoming informational sessions, can be found HERE. 

Ignite Grants are designed to help women-owned businesses grow! Grants between $2,500 and $10,000 will be awarded for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth & profitability.

WBDC Child Care Business Opportunity Fund Grants are designed to help licensed and aspiring childcare businesses. These grants of up to $25,000 are offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood & available to childcare programs at different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand.

Here are some of the requirements:

• 18 years of age or older by program start
• Enrolled in a Connecticut college or university
• Registered for a campus-based course to receive credit for the internship
• Minimum 20 credits completed by program start
• Minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA

The deadline is November 1!

The Connecticut Youth Employment Program is an initiative designed to help young people ages 14 to 24 explore careers by providing opportunities to work alongside professionals who assist them in building career networks and receive on-the-job training while also covering participant salaries and other job-related expenses, such as uniforms and transportation to and from work.

The Connecticut Youth Employment Program runs year-round. Youths who want to enroll can contact their region's Workforce Development Board by clicking HERE. More information can be found on the Connecticut Youth Employment Program webpage HERE.

Torrington Library will be CLOSED on Saturday and Monday for the Labor Day holiday. The outdoor return boxes are always open, and if you truly miss us that much you can browse our online catalog to place holds or check out any of our online databases for e-reads, films, and more!

On September 5, Torrington Library will join M&T Bank as they present "Banking Basics."

Learn how to create and manage accounts, use online banking, and more. Learning the basics will empower you to make smart financial decisions and avoid common pitfalls. Start today for a brighter financial future!

Register to attend HERE.

WITH THAT BEING STATED

• FHFB commends the TPD for their continued support & quick response to the traffic backup that ensued via the thousands of people who came out
• We apologize to anyone turned away due to traffic issues which were out of our control
• We thank the amazing people in this photo who gave selflessly of their time in the pouring rain to service 3500 people from CT
• Next year, we will be in a larger location with ample parking, and look forward to serving your needs
• FHFB will continue to offer programs to ALL of CT as a means to assist with food insecurity and whatever else we can

Every week since the beginning of June Friendly Hands offered free food to NWCT residents on Tuesdays and Fridays as a way to help ease the burden of sky-high prices at the grocery store and the children out of school for the summer

This event provided bread, fruit, canned goods, desserts, chips and other staple items - which were all donated

Splitting staff between the food bank and the school was no easy feat and our staff and volunteers (many from the community) should be commended for their double duty putting food insecurity first to feed everyone

FHFB will ALWAYS put the community first and will continue to help the over 11,000 clients the food bank feeds monthly.

Thank you to the Forbes School custodians who welcomed the food bank, set up and cleaned up every week Hats off to the Forbes School principal and secretary who welcomed the food bank weekly with open arms in a collaborative effort to fight food insecurity.

Thank you to the Torrington superintendent and assistant superintendent along with the TBOE chairs Susan DePretis and Edward Corey for their continued support of these efforts

And thank you to our attendees who waited patiently in long lines, heat and rain to avail themselves of the bounty we had to share!

RSVP HERE and scroll to the leadership events for September 11 and 12 to register.

Fans of The Princess Bride are in for a treat as Cary Elwes, who famously portrayed Westley, brings his beloved event, "An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes," to the Warner Theatre’s Oneglia Auditorium on September 21, at 7:30 pm.

Don’t miss out on a night filled with laughter, memories, and a chance to relive the magic of The Princess Bride. Limited tickets remain for An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes on September 21. Reserve your seats before they’re gone! Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased HERE or call 860-489-7180 x 1.

Registration is required. For more information and registration links, click HERE. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Buffett’s Margaritaville at the Warner Theatre on October 17 is moving to January 23 at 7 p.m.

All previously purchased tickets will be honored on the new date.

For those unable to attend, refunds will be made available until September 26. Please contact the Box Office by phone: (860) 489-7180 x 1 or by email: boxoffice@warnertheatre.org if you would like a refund.