Funding for State Parks, Last Call to Vote Early, and More!

November 1, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday! I hope you had a good week. 

Please read below for information on funding for state parks, information on early voting, and more! 
$30 Million to Improve State Parks & Forests

Governor Lamont has announced $30 million in state bonding will go toward improving our state parks and forests. The funding will support much-needed infrastructure repairs and renovations across Connecticut’s 110 state parks and 32 state forests, ensuring a better experience for everyone who wants to spend time in the great outdoors.

$3 million of that investment will fund urgent repairs at state parks that were damaged in historic floods in August. The storm caused significant damage to:

This funding supports the Restore CT State Parks initiative, which is an historic effort by the Lamont administration and the state legislature to address the backlog of needed repairs. Since 2022, the state has committed more than $70 million of American Rescue Plan Act and state bond funds to support investment in outdoor recreation.

Improving our parks and forests will benefit everyone in the state. Access to parks promotes physical fitness by providing opportunities for hiking, biking, jogging, and so much more. The outdoors also helps to improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. Additionally, parks provide recreational spaces where families can come together. Ultimately, this investment will increase the quality of life while preserving Connecticut’s natural beauty.
Election Day and Early Voting 

Reminder - Election Day will be on Tuesday, November 5.  Connecticut residents will have the option to vote early through through Sunday, November 3. The polling locations will be open from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. The polls will be open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. on Election Day. 

Norwalk's early voting location is City Hall -  125 East Ave. Click here to learn more.  Westport's early voting location will be held in the Town Hall auditorium. Click here to learn more. 

If you need to check your voting status, get information on how to register for the first time, or find your polling location, please visit the the Secretary of the State's Voter Fact Sheet. 
CHET Dream Big! Deadline Approaches 

Attention K-12 students - the deadline to apply for the CHET Dream Big! competition is fast approaching.

To apply, interested students answer a question in the form of an essay, video, or a piece of artwork. Submissions from younger students will focus on what they want do when they grow older, and older students are asked to describe a lesson they’ve learned or a person who has impacted their lives.

Click here to learn more and enter. The application is due Monday, November 4. 
Wrong Way Detection Installation on I-95 
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing a wrong way detection installation will take place on I-95 northbound at Exit 46 and Exit 50 in New Haven and Exit 55 in Branford and Route 15 northbound and southbound at Exit 40 in Norwalk. This project is scheduled to occur on Monday, November 11 and be completed on Friday, November 15.
 
The Wrong Way Detection System uses video cameras to detect vehicles that are traveling in the wrong direction. If a vehicle is detected, wrong way signs outlined with multiple sets of red lights are activated and begin flashing to alert the driver they are traveling in the wrong direction. Additionally, the system alerts the CTDOT Highway Operations Center and local State Police Troop barracks in real-time, allowing staff to monitor the activities of the wrong way driver on the ramp.

For more information on CTDOT’s commitment to stopping wrong way drivers, visit https://portal.ct.gov/wrongwaydriving

 
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
Motorists can expect the following closures:

  • I-95 northbound at Exit 46 in New Haven
    • Detour: I-95 Exit 47 north in New Haven for Exit 46
  • I-95 northbound at Exit 50 in New Haven
    • Detour: I95 Exit 51 Northbound in East Haven for Exit 50
  • I-95 northbound Exit 55 in Branford
    • Detour: I-95 Exit 56 northbound in Branford for Exit 55
  • Route 15 southbound at Exit 40B in Norwalk
    • Detour: Route 15 Exit 40A southbound in Norwalk for Exit 40B
  • Route 15 northbound at Exit 40A in Norwalk
    • Detour: Route 15 Exit 40B northbound for Exit 40A
  • Route 15 northbound at Exit 40B in Norwalk
    • Detour: Route 15 Exit 40A northbound for Exit 40B

Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone. The work schedule for this project is from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., Monday to Friday.
 
Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area.
ICYMI
CTSBDC Webinar 

The Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) will hold a series of free webinars for small business owners. "Managing Money in Your Business" will be held every Tuesday through November 18, from 6:00- 7:30 PM. Scan the QR code below to register. 
Upcoming Norwalk Board of Education Town Halls 
The Norwalk Board of Education will hold two Town Halls next month. On Wednesday, November 6, the Board will host a virtual Town Hall via Zoom from 5:30- 6:45 p.m. This virtual Town Hall will be organized similar to the in-person Town Hall held earlier this month with an introduction to the budget process then participants breaking out into small group discussions.

Please see the Zoom meeting details below:
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91639588310?pwd=imbfkaqaC4quw3Vbgo7c2Yrwl2G1BP.1
 
Meeting ID: 916 3958 8310
Passcode: 856703
 
On Wednesday, November 20, the Board will host an in-person Town Hall from 6:30 - 8 p.m. in Jefferson Marine Science Elementary School's cafeteria. This meeting will continue the discussions from the first two Town Hall meetings.
 
Please see the flyer below for more information. 
 
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions and concerns you may have - I can be reached at Dominique.Johnson@cga.ct.gov, or through my office phone - 860-240-8585.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dominique Johnson
State Representative
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