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Dear Neighbor,
I hope this email finds you well. Below, you'll find updates on district resources and news.
Please feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns and be sure to follow my social media accounts for updates on a variety of topics including resources, events, housing updates, and more. |
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The topics covered in this e-newsletter are as follows:
- State Update
- Community Resources
- This Week In Connecticut History
- Manchester Community Events and Information
- East Hartford Community Events and Information
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Replacement of Roadway Illumination System in
East Hartford and Manchester
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CTDOT is announcing that replacement of roadway illumination on the I-84 and I-384 interchange in East Hartford and Manchester will be starting on Monday, July 27, 2026.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that replacement of roadway illumination on the I-84 and I-384 interchange in East Hartford and Manchester will be starting on Monday, July 27, 2026.
This project consists of the replacement of existing roadway lightings system on the I-84 and I-384 interchange in East Hartford and Manchester.
DOT Project No. 0171-0508/0515 was awarded to Superior Electric, LLC at a cost of $8,972,815.00 on January 27, 2026, and is scheduled to be completed January 12, 2028. This project is administered by the Bureau of Engineering and Construction, Office of Construction, District One in Rocky Hill.
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
Motorists can expect lane closures on I-84 and I-384 in East Hartford and Manchester Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., as well as Saturday and Sundays.
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.
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Emergency Blood Shortage
Donors Needed
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Busting Blood Donation Myths
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The American Red Cross needs our help - there is an emergency blood shortage, which means the blood supply is critically low - about a one to two day supply on hand - and could cause hospitals to triage blood products, prioritizing the most critical cases, delaying non-emergency procedures, and causing risks for patients who require timely transfusions, including trauma patients, women giving birth, and patients with chronic blood disorders.
Blood donors, especially those with types O+ & B- blood (the biggest shortages right now), and platelet donors are urgently needed to help ensure lifesaving medical care isn't delayed for patients.
Basic eligibility for whole blood donation:
- Donation frequency: Every 56 days, up to 6 times a year
- You must be in good health and feeling well
- You must be at least 16 years old in most states
- You must weigh at least 110 lbs.
Basic eligibility for platelet donation:
- Donation frequency: Every 7 days, up to 24 times/year
- You must be in good health and feeling well
- You must be at least 17 years old in most states
- You must weigh at least 110 lbs
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East Hartford Police Department
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| The East Hartford Police Department is asking residents to share comments, commendations, or feedback on their compliance with national law enforcement standards through the CALEA Public Comment Portal. |
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Registration is Now Open for Connecticut’s
New Paraeducator Preparation Academy
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This week, Governor Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker announced a new six-week program to provide aspiring paraeducators with exam preparation, mentorship, and a pathway into Connecticut’s special education workforce.
Registration for the Connecticut State Department of Education’s newly launched Paraeducator Preparation Academy is now open.
This is a free, six-week program to prepare aspiring paraeducators for the ParaPathways assessment required for employment in Connecticut. Instruction will be provided by certified bilingual educators, covering the full cost of study materials and the exam, and offering Spanish-language support.
The inaugural pilot session will begin on August 17th and will run through September 23rd. The program will be held at the Leaders for Educational Advocacy and Diversity (LEAD) Center in East Hartford.
Registration is open now through the first day of class (August 17th). Once the session reaches capacity, additional applicants will be placed on a wait list and notified of future academy offerings. Additional sessions across Connecticut are planned to begin this fall.
The academy will connect participants who successfully complete the program and pass the ParaPathways assessment with districts seeking to hire paraeducators. Once employed, participants are paired with experienced mentor paraeducators as they begin their careers.
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As our youth enjoy these summer months away from school, don't forget that nutritious meals are available at no cost to all children in the state!
As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program, any child 18 and under may receive meals at participating locations - no application, proof of income, or identification required.
You can use the U.S. DAG's Summer Meals Site Finder or call 2-1-1 to find participating meal sites throughout the state. Please confirm the location and meal service times before visiting to make sure you don't miss out.
Whether they're in the classroom or enjoying vacation, a healthy meal is critical to a child's physical and mental development. I encourage you and your family to take advantage of this great opportunity. |
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This Week In Connecticut History
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Today in 1879, Abigail “Abby” Hadassah Smith, — who achieved instant national fame at age 76 because of the way she responded to the man who took her cows — passed away at her home in Glastonbury.
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Born into a prominent activist Glastonbury family, Smith and her four sisters were educated from birth to fight for what they believed in. While pursuing individual accomplishments ranging from blacksmithing to painting to Biblical translation, the Smith sisters, who never married, collectively dedicated their young lives to the cause of abolishing slavery. That goal took many decades and a Civil War. By then, the Smith sisters were no longer young, nor five in number. Still, undaunted by advancing years, the remaining Smith sisters, Abby and her sister Julia, joined the cause of securing women the right to vote. At ages 79 and 72 respectively, Abby and Julia attended Isabella Beecher Hooker’s 1869 conference in Hartford and helped form the Connecticut Woman Suffrage Association. But it wasn’t until four years later that, thanks to Glastonbury’s tax collector, Abby achieved nearly instantaneous national fame as an advocate for women’s rights. In November 1873, Glastonbury’s assessor increased the taxes on Kimberly Mansion, the family home the sisters had inherited. He also increased the taxes on the property of two other town women who were widows. No home owned by a man, however, saw a similar increase. Abby and Julia were incensed. “It increased our tax but little,” Abby wrote, “but what is unjust in least is unjust in much.” Abby put her indignation in writing, composing a speech she delivered to the next town meeting,
“The motto of our government,”she declared,”is ‘proclaim liberty to all the inhabitants of the land,’ and here, where liberty is so highly extolled and glorified by every man in it, one half of the inhabitants are not under the law, but are ruled by the other half, who can . . . take all they possess. How is Liberty pleased with such worship. . . ? All we ask of the town ,” she concluded.”is . . . to be on an equality with them.”
Abby and Julia refused to pay their taxes. That’s when the tax collector made Abby famous. Rather than offering to postpone payment by charging interest, as was the normal procedure, he seized seven of Abby’s prized Alderney cows to auction off to cover the tax bill. The cows, which had been raised almost as pets, were led away quite unwillingly, and thereafter, refused to be milked unless one of the sisters was standing nearby. On a cold January 8, 1874, the seven cows were led by the tax collector, accompanied by four men and a drum, through the streets of Glastonbury to the auction block. Behind them came some 40 local residents ready to bid, and behind them, bonneted-heads held high, the two Smith sisters. Prim but insistent bidders, the women used their funds to reclaim four of the beloved cows.
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| Up the river from Glastonbury, the editor of the Springfield, Massachusetts Republican heard of Abby’s tax protest and the auction. He recognized a good story when he saw one, and ran a sympathetic, patriotic account of Abby’s skirmish with the tax collector, reprinting her entire speech in full. “Abby Smith and her sister as truly stand for the American principle as did the citizens who ripped open the tea chests in Boston Harbor, or the farmers who leveled their muskets at Concord,” he wrote. He started a defense fund for the sisters (the first GoFundMe account?) urging readers to contribute. The story spread like wildfire. Papers and magazines across the nation ran the account, and overnight, Abby Smith and her cows became national celebrities and icons of feminine patriotism. Money and encouragement poured in. GlastonburySmithSistersBroadside-e1339619034788This new-found fame was further advanced the following June, when the tax collector seized 15 acres of the sisters’ land and sold it immediately and surreptitiously, preventing them from reclaiming it. Abby and Julia sued to get the land back, and the whole country followed the courtroom saga of “Abby and Her Cows” for the next two years. When, in November, 1876, the final verdict came down in Abby and her sister’s favor, fans across the nation rejoiced in their victory. Invitations to national suffrage conventions, a Senate hearing, and a meeting with the President accompanied the sisters’ instant celebrity, and in 1877, Julia gathered Abby’s speeches and letters into a volume simply titled Abby Smith and Her Cows. When Abby Smith died – today in 1878 at age 82, Isabella Beecher Hooker said, “Abby Smith and her cows are marching on like John Brown’s soul.” A taxing encounter with local authorities had truly been milked for all it was worth. |
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Manchester Police Department
National Night Out
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25th Cruisin' on Main Street 2026
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CRUISIN' ON MAIN STREET IS BACK FOR ITS 25TH YEAR!
The Manchester Cruisin’ Committee, in partnership with the Town of Manchester, is excited to announce that this year's annual Cruisin' on Main Car Show will be held on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain dates: August 9th & August 16th - depending on weather).
Larry Ash, who leads the Cruisin' Committee, along with the dedicated committee members and Calvin Harris, Senior Recreation Supervisor, have been organizing and finalizing plans for another successful event.
The success of the show is always due in part by its sponsors and their charitable donations. Mark your calendar for August 2nd and attend one of the largest one-day car shows in all of New England. Whether you are showing a car or just attending to check out the cars, listen to great music, and/or enjoying a meal downtown, you can’t miss this great annual event.
Cost for the event is free to spectators and a $10 car show registration fee for those wishing to showcase their car. Sponsor’s Choice Trophies will be awarded, and dash plaques will be given to the first 700 cars.
Read More
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Manchester Now Summer Program
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East Hartford is proud to announce its participation in the annual National Night Out event!
WHERE: Alumni Park (East Hartford Town Green) at 1047 Main Street
WHEN: Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 5:00-8:00 P.M.
This nationwide initiative aims to strengthen community bonds, enhance neighborhood unity, and promote positive interactions between law enforcement agencies and residents.
"National Night Out gives our residents a chance to connect with each other and with the officers who serve them," said Mayor Connor Martin. "Events like this build the kind of trust that makes East Hartford stronger."
National Night Out is an evening, dedicated to community spirit and building strong relationships between local law enforcement and the communities they serve. By joining forces against crime, East Hartford residents demonstrate their commitment to creating a safer, more secure environment for all.
This year's event will feature a wide range of activities for participants of all ages, including a full display of specialized police equipment and units.
Highlights of East Hartford's National Night Out include:
1. SWAT Team Display: Residents can view SWAT equipment and vehicles and speak with team members about their role in the department.
2. K-9 Demonstrations: East Hartford Police K-9 units will conduct live demonstrations.
3. Motorcycle and Marine Units: The department's motorcycle unit and marine unit will be on site with their equipment.
4. Children's Activities: Face painting and other kid-friendly activities will be available throughout the evening.
5. Food: Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served to attendees.
6. Safety Demonstrations and Informational Sessions: Officers and local partner organizations will offer information on crime prevention, emergency preparedness, and neighborhood watch programs.
7. Meet-and-Greet with Law Enforcement: Residents will have the opportunity to meet and interact with officers in a relaxed, informal setting.
"This is one of our favorite nights of the year" Chief Mack Hawkins said. "It's a chance for our officers to meet neighbors outside of a call for service, and for families to get an up-close look at the equipment and units that protect our community."
All residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.
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East Hartford Farmers Market
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The 2026 East Hartford Farmers' Market will occur every Tuesday (except August 4, 2026) through October 27, 2026 from 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM at the Town Green (1047 Main Street)!
Our farmers, Killam & Bassette Farmstead and Handel Family Farm, are authorized to accept SNAP, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers.
We are Accepting Applications for Market Vendors!
Our market is interested in adding more vendors to serve the community. The application can be completed online or vendors can fill out a paper copy to hand in or mail to the Health Department (740 Main St.). Market organizers will review completed applications and notify vendors whether your application is accepted. Vendors are advised to review the East Hartford market guidelines. Click the links below for the application and further information:
BENEFITS PROGRAMS (2026 season)
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP):
If you receive SNAP benefits, bring your EBT card to the table with the sign that says "SNAP/EBT accepted here" at participating farmers' markets and farm stands. The Market Master will swipe your card for the amount that you want and give you Market Tokens that can be used at all the stands at that market. Residents enrolled in SNAP will be able to double their benefits to purchase fresh produce through the End Hunger CT! SNAP Match program.
WIC FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM (FMNP):
WIC clients will be receiving an email inviting you to setup your farmers' market benefits account in the SoliMarket system. This app can be downloaded to your smartphone and will be used to access your farmers' market benefits for fresh produce purchases. WIC FMNP benefits can be used to purchase fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs. The benefit amount for 2026 is $65 per eligible family member who was active as of 4/28/26. If you have questions about your WIC FMNP benefits, or your eligibility for this program, residents can contact the WIC office at (860) 291-7190.
SoliMarket for WIC FMNP:
If you have questions, the Soli HelpLine is also a resource for farmers and WIC and Senior participants. You can call the HelpLine, available daily 9am – 9pm through November 30 at 214-256-3083 with questions regarding:
1. Problems processing transactions
2. Questions regarding payments
3. Questions regarding reporting
4. Problems receiving emails when attempting to finish setting up their account
5. PIN number issues
- Participants should call the WIC local office or Senior distribution site:
- To ask about program eligibility and eligibility for FMNP benefits
- To schedule WIC appointments with their local agency
- Understand when they will receive their FMNP or other benefits
- To find out when benefits will be received (app or card)
- Adding new participants and/or family members
SENIOR FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM (SFMNP):
The SFMNP is an electronic benefit card (EBT). This is a supplemental food program, in which eligible participants receive an EBT card annually to purchase eligible products at authorized farmers' markets throughout Connecticut. SFMNP benefits can be used to purchase fruits, vegetables, honey, and fresh herbs. For 2026, eligible recipients will receive $40.00 on their SFMNP EBT card.
Eligible if:
- You are 60 years of age or older and have a maximum household income not more than the 185% of the annual poverty income guidelines. See the income eligibility guidelines here.
- If you are a disabled individual under the age of 60, you must live in a housing facility where congregate nutrition services are provided, and have a maximum household income not more than the 185% of the annual poverty income guidelines
EAST HARTFORD SENIOR SERVICES FARMERS' MARKET VOUCHER:
East Hartford seniors that apply and meet eligibility requirements for the East Hartford Senior Services Farmers’ Market Voucher Program will receive a one-time $40 voucher to purchase fruits, vegetables, eggs, jams, and herbs. The voucher program is open to residents who meet these criteria: 55 and older who meet these criteria:
- must be 55 years old or older
- must be a resident of East Hartford (individuals or families), with proof of residency via a utility bill
- must have an income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (see below), with proof of income provided
Annual Income Household of 1- $39,900, 2 - $54,100, 3 - $68,300 4 - $82,500, 5 - $96,700, 6 - $110,900
This voucher can only be used at the East Hartford Farmers’ Market. Residents who wish to apply may contact East Hartford Senior Services by calling 860-291-7491 or visiting the East Hartford Senior Center at 15 Milbrook Drive. Residents may also call Youth & Social Services at 860-291-7248 or visit the YSS office located at 50 Chapman Place.
BECOME AN EH FARMERS' MARKET PARTNER!
The East Hartford Farmers’ Market is asking for residents and organizations to help fight hunger and food insecurity experienced by residents of our community. As a 2024 East Hartford Market Partner, your donation will help residents that rely on food pantry assistance to buy fresh produce at our market. Available funds will also be used to provide additional support for SNAP, WIC and senior market nutrition program recipients.
Sponsors will be recognized at the market and through the Town's communication channels. Show your shared commitment to health programs that support East Hartford quality of life. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
How to make your donation to become an EH Farmers' Market Partner:
1. Donate through the Social Services Donation Program by choosing the "Farmers' market partner program" option.
2. Cash donation dropped off to the East Hartford Youth & Social Services Division located at 50 Chapman Place.
3. Check donation dropped off or mailed to the Town of East Hartford, Youth & Social Services Division, 50 Chapman Place, East Hartford, CT 06108. Please make the check payable to "Town of East Hartford Youth & Social Services Division" with "Farmers' Market" noted in the bottom left.
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Pools Open for the 2026 Season
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Summer is Here and the East Hartford Pools Are Open!
Admission is free for East Hartford residents, with proof of residency required for all adults and children ages 7 and up. Acceptable forms of ID include CT Driver’s License, a state issued ID card, 2025-2026 East Hartford Public Schools ID, or a Parks and Recreation ID card, which is available for children ages 7-15 at the Parks and Recreation office located at 50 Chapman Place. The fee for an ID card is $10.00 and it is valid for three years. Anyone age 7 and older who does not have proof of residency will be charged the non-resident daily rate, which is $15.00 per person.
We offer a variety of programming at the pools, including group, semi-private and private swim lessons, adult lap swim, senior swim, Aqua Zumba® and more. Please see our Summer Program Guide for more information on our swim lessons and programs. Registration is accepted online for most programs at www.ehparks.org. Birthday parties are available at Goldstar and Lord pools on Saturdays throughout the summer, and may be reserved online at www.ehparks.org.
Important to note for Summer 2026, the pool at Martin Park will not be operating this year. After extensive evaluation, the Town has determined that the facility cannot safely operate. The pool’s aging infrastructure requires repairs that are more extensive than routine maintenance and cannot be completed in time for summer operations.
For generations, Martin Park pool (built in 1938) has been a cornerstone of the neighborhood and a place where children, families, and neighbors gather throughout the summer. We understand that its closure creates real challenges, particularly for families who rely on it as an affordable and accessible place to stay active, stay cool, and connect with their community.
While this decision was not made lightly, safety must remain our top priority. At the same time, we are committed to working with residents and community partners to identity alternatives for this summer and to evaluation long-term options for the future of the facility.
The Parks and Recreation team are actively exploring aquatics solutions for the neighborhood and wider community, and will provide updates as they become available.
Drennan Pool will offer extended hours on Saturday and Sunday for the 2026 Season: 11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. with additional evening public swim hours during the weeks of June 22–26, 2026 (Monday–Friday) and August 10–14, 2026 (Monday–Friday) extended to 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
All other pools will operate as usual, and more information regarding hours can be found at www.easthartfordct.gov/parks-recreation/pages/aquatics-facilities-schedules.
A number of events and activities are planned for the summer, including two splash parties scheduled for July 11 and August 1 at Goldstar Pool, and Lord Pool, respectively. Information regarding events and activities can be found at easthartfordt.gov/parks-recreation.
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2026 Sounds of Summer Concert Series
at Great River Park
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The annual Sounds of Summer Concert Series returns for 2026! These free summer concert series will take place on Thursdays through July 30, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Great River Park Amphitheater, located at 301 East River Drive. Join us for beautiful music in a scenic setting all summer long!
This year's lineup features a diverse range of musical genres to entertain all members of the community:
- July 23: The Score (Classic Party Rock)
- July 30: Soul Sound Revue (7-piece Modern Music)
In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will be moved indoors to the East Hartford Community Culture Center at 50 Chapman Place. Updates will be posted on the Town's social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.
A special thank you is extended to the generous sponsors who make this series possible: Pratt & Whitney, The Metropolitan District, the Commission on Culture and Fine Arts, Restaurant Paradise, and Uncle Crumbles.
Located at 301 East River Drive, Great River Park is a beautiful and much loved stretch of the East Hartford’s riverside. Stretching along the bend of the Connecticut River adjacent to East River Drive, Great River Park is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and enjoy the outdoors. Enjoy picturesque vistas of the riverside and the city along nearly two miles of paved and lighted Riverwalk. Facilities include a boat launch, picnic tables, fishing access, a 350-seat amphitheater and a unique collection of sculpture art. Pedestrians can easily travel back and forth to Hartford via the Founders Bridge Promenade or the Charter Oak Bridge just steps from the park.
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Each spring and fall, the MDC conducts a regional household hazardous waste collection program at a series of local sites in member and non-member towns. The program offers a number of benefits to residents and municipalities:
- Residents have the opportunity to participate in a collection day in their respective towns as well as in other collections throughout the year.
- Participating municipalities enjoy financial savings from the effect of pooling under a single contract the services of a licensed hazardous waste management firm.
- The contractor assumes full responsibility for the collection, transportation and proper disposal of hazardous waste items.
Hazardous waste cannot be simply thrown out with the trash, flushed, or poured down the drain because it passes the problem along to the environment, polluting the air and the water. So the MDC sponsors a HazWaste Program to collect the waste and dispose of it through safe, environmentally responsible practices.
The MDC urges you to participate in a Household Hazardous Waste Collection in your town. Protect the health of your kids, your spouse, your pets, and the environment. You may participate in MDC’s household hazardous waste collection program if you are a member of any participating town; and you may participate on any MDC sponsored collection day.
Residents of any of the following participating towns can participate in ANY MDC sponsored collection day: Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks.
HOUSEHOLD HAZWASTE INFORMATION PACKET
The Household HazWaste Info Packet contains the complete schedule of MDC sponsored HHW collections for the current calendar year. The Info Packet also summarizes items accepted by the program and items the MDC cannot accept. If an item cannot be accepted at an MDC sponsored collection potential alternative disposal locations are listed. The Info Packet also provides some general information on how to reduce the amount of household hazardous waste you generate.
2026 HazWaste Information Packet
HazWaste info packet for small businesses, non-profits and municipalities
Moving? Please click here for further information!
2026 HOUSEHOLD HAZWASTE COLLECTION SCHEDULE COMING SOON
2026 HazWaste Schedule PDF
All collections are held on Saturdays from 8AM to 1PM unless noted.
Date Town Location
September 12 Bloomfield Public Works Building, 21 Southwood Drive
September 19 Rocky Hill Elm Ridge Park, 376 Elm Street
September 26 West Hartford Public Works Garage, 17 Brixton Street
October 17 Windsor Locks/East Granby Public Works Garage, 6 Stanton Road, Windsor Locks
October 24 Hartford MDC Operations Facility, 125 Maxim Road
(WPCF = Water Pollution Control Facility)
* One collection date is held on a Sunday
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Community Grants Available from the
East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts
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Bring your artistic vision to life in East Hartford!
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The East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts (CCFA) seeks applicants for their community grants program, newly expanded with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
All interested applicants should start by filling out a basic online application; eligible entities will next be invited to fill out a second-round application specific to ARPA funding.
Grant applications will be considered on a rolling basis through August 31, 2026, after which the CCFA will revert to their typical quarterly review cycle.
Successful proposals will have a strong East Hartford connection and directly relate to fine arts and/or culture. Programs or projects may include concerts, performances, program series, festivals, workshops, exhibits, readings, after-school programs, or public art.
For complete eligibility requirements and to access the application, visit the CCFA web page.
Administrative support for the CCFA community grants is provided by the East Hartford Public Library. Funding decisions will be made by the CCFA at their regularly scheduled public meetings, typically held the second Thursday of the month in Meeting Room 1 on the lower level of the Raymond Library.
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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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