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.
I always look forward to the opportunity to meet with residents face-to-face and really talk about your concerns and ideas – it’s what helps me to best represent our community. I’ll be hosting Virtual Office Hours. If you’d like to participate, sign up for a time slot by clicking on the link below.
The East Hartford Delegation will be hosting a Legislative Town Hall at the East Hartford Senior Center, 15 Milbrook Drive in East Hartford, on January 30th from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.
Town hall events are opportunities to listen to and talk with people directly about what matters most to them.
I hope to see you there!
Today In History
At approximately 6:30am on December 14, 1807, residents of Fairfield County were startled by the sight of a blazing fireball in the early morning sky, followed by the terrifying sound of three loud explosions that could be heard as far as 40 miles away. After the sun rose, strange rocks could be found on the ground in several towns, from modern-day Monroe southward to Fairfield.
A statue of Benjamin Silliman on the grounds of Yale University. (Yale University)
Within a few days, news of the phenomenon had reached Benjamin Silliman, professor of chemistry and natural science at Yale College in New Haven, and his colleague James Kingsley. The two professors promptly arranged a trip to Fairfield County to interview as many eyewitnesses as possible and to collect whatever samples they could. To their dismay, they found many residents who had collected fragments of the meteorite had smashed them to pieces, thinking they contained gold, silver, or other precious metals. Still, Silliman and Kingsley were able to gather a significant number of small meteorite fragments themselves before returning to Yale. There, they performed the first known scientific analysis of a meteorite in North America, running a series of chemical tests to prove that the meteorites contained iron and were distinctly different in chemical makeup from any known terrestrial rock.
Silliman and Kingsley published an exhaustive report compiling eyewitness accounts of the falling meteorite and their own scientific observations in the December 29th edition of the Connecticut Herald — an article that was reprinted by newspapers throughout the nation. In 1808, Silliman published an even more detailed report on his scientific analyses of the meteorite in the journal of the American Philosophical Society, and has been credited ever since as the father of American meteoritics (the study of meteors and meteorites). Silliman’s personal collection of meteorites, gathered over the course of his lifetime, formed the foundation of the extensive meteorite collection showcased at Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History, where the largest remaining fragment of the Weston Meteorite now sits on display. Another sizable piece can be found at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. A brilliant display in the night sky led to several brilliant advances in the field of natural science, today in Connecticut history.
A piece of the Weston Meteorite on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Please arrive early to be in line for 9:00 am as the truck leaves promptly at 9:30 am. Open to the public--bring a sturdy grocery bag! This program is made possible by Foodshare and Winn Residential - Resident Service Program. For more information call 860-646-1280.
Squire Village, 48 Spencer Street, 06040 (1st parking lot off Imperial Drive #78)
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 | 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Get mobile pantry updates in your area by texting the word Foodshare to 85511.
Overnight parking is not allowed on public streets or municipal parking lots between the hours of 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM from December 1st to April 1st. Parked vehicles are one of the biggest obstacles to effective snow removal. Please support our efforts by parking your vehicle in conformance with the winter parking ban.
Anyone violating this ordinance shall be fined fifteen dollars ($15.00).
The Chief of Police may also declare a parking ban if a significant snow event is forecast or in progress. Residents are asked to remove vehicles from the street when a snowstorm is occurring.
Trails Enhancements and Connectivity Survey
On October 4, 2022, the Board of Directors authorized the establishment of a Temporary Committee on Trail Enhancements and Connectivity to develop a plan for Manchester’s trail network. The charge of the committee is as follows:
i. Allocate $300,000 of federal American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA) funds “for the purpose of acquiring parcels of land that improve or enhance the connection of accessibility of recreational trails,”
ii. Allocate $200,000 of federal American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA) funds to “maintain, upgrade, or otherwise enhance existing trails.
We want to hear from you! Please take a moment to take the survey and share your preferences and priorities on the proposed allocations.
As November rolls along the State’s attention turns to Downtown Manchester, home to the one-of-a-kind Manchester Road Race. Manchester is proud to host this wonderful annual event and welcome tens of thousands of runners, walkers, and supporters to our special Main Street. While the Road Race has Thanksgiving covered, the Town of Manchester continues exciting plans to make Downtown an even better place all year-round.
The Downtown Manchester Improvements Project (also known as the “Downtown Streetscape Project” or “Downtown for All”) is the next phase in the Town’s recent efforts to make Downtown and its adjacent neighborhoods more vibrant.
Leveraging a $7.5 million grant from the State of Connecticut that was awarded in March 2023, this project will represent a significant investment in Downtown that will benefit the entire community, complete necessary upgrades of the Main Street corridor, and address multiple community needs previously identified in various engagement efforts spanning the past decade.
The Downtown Manchester Improvements Project is in the planning stages, and over the next several months, the Town will be soliciting feedback and input from residents, business owners, and other stakeholders before finalizing the design. The current concept is based on years of public engagement and feedback efforts where the Town has gleaned crucial public input on opportunities and strategies for further improving Downtown. These efforts have included conducting a Town-wide survey collecting feedback on recent improvements, facilitating a strategic workshop to identify priorities, engaging with the Downtown Special Services District and the Manchester Road Race leadership, and gathering public input on Manchester NEXT (the update of the Town's 10-year Plan of Conservation & Development).
This project will put the Town’s “Complete Streets” policy into action, transforming the Main Street corridor between Center Street and Hartford Road into an accessible, vibrant, and equitable space through a comprehensive design that includes traffic and pedestrian/bicycle safety improvements, additional public spaces, and an enhanced streetscape complemented with strategic public and private development. The project aims to reduce the instances of serious vehicular crashes, slow vehicular speeds, increase foot traffic to local businesses, and increase the amount of accessible public space.
Moreover, Downtown needs improvements to its existing infrastructure and this plan will drive activity, private investment, visitors, residents, and new businesses to Main Street. Downtown is the heart of the Manchester community, and the Town is determined to help the district, its businesses and residents, thrive well into the future.
For more information about the plan concept, please visit : yvmmct.comto review project details, ask questions directly to the project team, review FAQs, and subscribe for project updates.
The next step for the project team is to collect more feedback and input that would further the design of this concept. The project team has already begun engagement with groups like the Downtown Special Services District, Manchester Youth Commission, Manchester Road Race Committee, Sustainability Commission, and others. There will be a number of additional opportunities coming soon. Please reach out to the project team via Your Voice Matters if you or your organization is interested in hearing more.
Contact: Emma Petersen, Principal Comprehensive Planner
This event takes place through Saturday, December 23.
Enjoy an enchanted visit with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the elves in the beautiful log cabin nestled at the highest point in the park!
This is a traditional, family friendly event. There are no sponsorships or commercialization of the event and it is free for everyone!
Stop at the elf desk to see if you’re on the naughty or nice list then head over to tell Santa how good you’ve been and what you want for Christmas. Don’t forget to visit Mrs. Claus to have some hot cocoa and a cookie!
Bring a non-perishable food item for the local food pantries. All donated in the name of the friends of Wickham Park.
Manchester Bicentennial
Manchester has launched planning efforts for its 2023 Bicentennial Celebration. This year long celebration will consist of a variety of opportunities to remember the past, celebrate the present, and dream about the future. Festivities will include historical and educational programs, special events, and commemorative projects.
East Hartford Parks and Recreation continues to offer adult programming beginning in early January 2023.
Adult Aqua Zumba
Aqua Zumba will be held on Mondays and Thursday evenings from 5:30pm – 6:30pm at the East Hartford Middle School pool. The winter session will include 16 classes and is $64 for residents and non-residents. Classes will begin on Monday, January 8, 2024. Registration is required online at www.ehparks.org, and registration is open now for residents and non-residents. Class instructors are from Eliza’s Energy Source.
Adult Zumba and Yogalates
Adult Zumba and Yogalates will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Sunset Ridge Middle School Gymnasium. Zumba will be from 6pm – 7pm and Yogalates will be from 7:15pm – 8pm. The winter session will include 20 classes and is $80 for residents and non-residents. Classes will begin on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Registration is required online at www.ehparks.org, and registration is open now for residents and non-residents. Class instructors are from Eliza’s Energy Source.
East Hartford Parks and Recreation is offering two fun programs: Open Gym for East Hartford residents in Grades 7 through 12 and Adult Drop-In Basketball.
FREE-PLAY BASKETBALL
For Middle and High School students in grades 7 – 12
East Hartford residents or students attending East Hartford Middle or High School can participate in Basketball Open Gym on Mondays and Fridays. The program starts runs through Friday, March 8th from 6:30 – 8:45pm at East Hartford Middle School. Grade 7 and 8 will be in the Lower Gym and Grades 9 – 12 will be in the Upper Gym. The program is FREE, but all participants must be registered at www.ehparks.org and have a Town ID or EHHS/EHMS ID at the program. There will be no program if there is no school or school is let out early due to inclement weather.
ADULT OPEN BASKETBALL
For adults ages 18 & up
East Hartford Parks and Recreation is offering Adult Open Basketball at Goodwin Elementary School. All participants must complete a registration form the first evening they attend or register at www.ehparks.org for a season membership. The program is Monday and Thursday nights and will run through Thursday, March 7th. Residents can purchase a season pass for $20 or $2 an evening. Non-residents can purchase a Season Pass for $40 or $4 an evening. The program time is 6:30 to 9:30pm. Basketball sneakers are mandatory. There will be no program if there is no school or school is let out early due to inclement weather.
For more information, please call the Parks and Recreation office at 860-291-7160.
Officer Brian A. Aselton Memorial Snow Dash
WHAT: Officer Brian A. Aselton Memorial Snow Dash 5k Road Race
WHERE: Langford School, 61 Alps Drive
WHEN: Sunday, January 7, 2024
WHO: Town of East Hartford Parks & Recreation & East Hartford Police Department
East Hartford, CT - The Town of East Hartford is pleased to offer, the 31st 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 7, 2024 at 1:30 PM. The race will start and finish at Langford School located at 61 Alps Drive. Over 200 runners are expected to participate in the race that is run in tribute to Officer Brian A. Aselton. Proceeds benefit the East Hartford Police Department Child Safety and Crime Prevention Programs and the Officer Brian Aselton Scholarship Fund. Commemorative award plaques will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each division for men and women. Divisions include 17 & under, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80 & up. Discount Trophy generously provides the awards. Official race apparel is available race day.
On January 23, 1999, Police Officer Brian A. Aselton gave his life in the line of duty protecting the citizens of East Hartford. The tragic loss of Officer Aselton devastated the community. Officer Aselton was only 26 years old when his brilliant life was extinguished; yet, his spirit lives on in those who remember him. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Officer Brian A. Aselton Memorial Scholarship Fund and East Hartford Police Child Safety and Crime Prevention Programs. Since the inception of Brian’s scholarship fund 314 scholarships have been awarded.
Originally, the race was developed in 1993 to benefit the East Hartford Police Department’s Community Outreach Division. The Community Outreach Division operated youth programs throughout town in areas such as Veterans Terrace, Hockanum Park, Mayberry Village and East Hartford Estates. The race was renamed for Officer Aselton in 2000. In 2001, the Quality of Life Division took over these responsibilities. In 2005, Child Safety and Crime Prevention Programs became the race’s beneficiary. Hundreds of East Hartford children and teens annually participate in these programs.
To register for the race online, follow this link:
WHO: Anyone who is 55 or older and resides in the Town of East Hartford & their guests
WHAT: Senior Prom Dinner Dance
WHEN: Thursday January 25th at 5:30 pm
WHERE: 15 Milbrook Drive, East Hartford
East Hartford, CT—The East Hartford Senior Center invites you to a Senior Prom Dinner Dance. Dress to Impress for a Raffle Ticket to be named King & Queen of the Prom and receive a prize.
Menu: Chicken Cordon Bleu, Baked Potato & Green Bean Amandine. With a chocolate éclair for dessert. Coffee, tea and water will be available.
Musical Performance by JCDC Band. A great band that has music that is fun, performed by veteran musicians with lots of versatility. This band has strong lead and background vocals as well as various instruments that deliver to fill the dance floor! Come dance the night away featuring favorites from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
Registration for this event will begin on Tuesday December 26th. You must register at the Senior Center. Cost is $12.00 for members and $15.00 for non-members.Seating is limited.
My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email atJason.Rojas@cga.ct.govor by phone at 860-240-8541.
