One community is offering a lifeline to families who are struggling to put food on the table. Please keep reading to learn more about the Summer Free Lunch Program in Hamden.
Road crews will remove trees on Route 15 which will lead to lane closures and slowdowns. I'll dig deeper into when you can expect delays in both directions.
The state is continuing to improve road safety by installing wrong-way detection cameras and signs. Keep scrolling to learn where that technology will be installed near our district.
A local baseball team just brought a state championship home to Woodbridge! Keep scrolling to see pictures of the team and to learn what's next for our All-Stars.
Here are the sections in this week's email:
- Free Summer Meals
- Expect Delays on Route 15 for Tree Removal
- Wrong-Way Tech Coming to Route 8 in Derby
- Baseball State Champions!
- Opportunity for Small Business Owners
- Legislative Conversation with Constituents
- Derby Neck Library Recognized
- New Faces at Derby Police Department
- Derby Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Hamden
- Orange Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
|
|
| Free Summer Meals in Hamden |
|
|
All children and teens are welcome to enjoy free summer meals in Hamden without any hassle. Organizers will not ask for identification, registration, or paperwork. Children are required to eat their breakfast and lunch on site at either Hamden High School or Shepherd Glen School.
One meal is allowed per child during each time slot. Breakfast is available from 8:30 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. and lunch is served from 11:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M., Monday through Friday. Click on the graphic below for more information.
|
|
|
The Summer Free Lunch Program is available in July and August. Summer meals meet federal nutrition guidelines and include fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and milk.
For more information, please call Community Services at (203) 562-5129 ext. 1110.
|
|
| Expect Delays on Route 15 for Tree Removal |
|
|
|
Drivers should expect delays as crews remove dead, diseased, and decaying trees on Route 15 in Orange and Milford. The right lane on Route 15 will be closed in both directions between exit 54 and exit 58 from Monday, July 22 through Friday, August 30. The work and subsequent lane closures will take place from 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.
|
|
Crews will also remove trees and vegetation that has grown in what’s called the “clear zone,” which is the safe space along the side of the highway. CLICK HERE for more information.
|
|
| Wrong-Way Tech Coming to Route 8 in Derby |
|
|
Crews will install wrong-way detection technology in Derby on Route 8 northbound at the Exit 15 off-ramp. It will be closed starting on Tuesday, July 23. Drivers are encouraged to get off at Exit 17 and take Route 8 southbound to Exit 15 from 7:00 P.M – 11:00 P.M.
The Department of Transportation will install a 360-degree camera at the ramp intersection to detect vehicles traveling in the wrong direction. Wrong-way signs with red LED lights, like the picture below, will turn on and flash when this happens.
Crews are conducting similar projects in Southbury and Plainville and are expected to wrap up by Sunday, August 4.
|
|
The installation of this technology comes in response to a spike in wrong-way crashes in recent years. According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), in 2022, there were 13 wrong-way crashes that resulted in 23 deaths. The following year, five wrong-way crashes lead to seven fatalities. Unfortunately, state transportation officials said 11 people have already died in wrong-way crashes on Connecticut roadways this year.
The wrong-way detection system saves lives. Josh Morgan, the communications director for CTDOT, said there have been at least a dozen instances caught by the systems, which led to the driver stopping and turning around. It's up to drivers to pay attention to the signs and drive sober.
|
|
| Opportunity for Small Business Owners |
|
|
|
Small business owners and entrepreneurs are invited about to learn about several Small Business Association certification programs under MySBA. There will be free, virtual webinar on Monday, July 22. Experts will be on hand to discuss:
- 8(a) Business Development Program
- Women-Owned Small Business Programs
- Veteran Contracting Assistance Programs
- HUBZone Program
|
|
They will be sharing details on the following customer experience improvements:
- One log-in
- One common application
- One document repository
- Common terminology
- Common Business Rules for Returns and Processing
- Common decision timeline
- Streamlined, timely review process
- Single portal customer service support
If you have questions, contact Small Business Association at certifications@sba.gov.
|
|
| Baseball State Champions! |
|
|
 |
|
Courtesy: Nell D'Andrea
|
|
|
Congratulations to the Beth-Wood Baseball 12U All-Star Team from Woodbridge for winning the Cal Ripken State Tournament! Our boys were undefeated in the tournament and defeated New Canaan 6-3 in the final.
The team will represent Connecticut in the New England Regional Tournament, which will take place in Massachusetts.
|
|
|
Courtesy: Nell D'Andrea
Manager Mike Francese and the coaching staff, which is comprised of Marc Gherlone, Smith Mowry, and Lou Pierro, will try to lead our boys to glory!
We are all very proud of what you accomplished this season!
|
|
| Legislative Conversation with Constituents |
|
|
|
It was a pleasure to join my colleagues including House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, State Senator Jorge Cabrera, and State Representative Kara Rochelle for a legislative recap at Derby City Hall. We broke down some of the bills we passed into law and what other proposed legislation we still hope to get across the finish line in the near future.
|
|
| Thank you to everyone who attended, asked questions, and provided feedback. There is nothing more important than having real conversations with constituents and understanding your goals. I pledge to continue to serve as your voice at the State Capitol in Hartford. |
|
| Derby Neck Library Recognized |
|
|
| Make sure to check out the new plaque at Derby Neck Library commemorating its 127-year history! Thank you to the Derby Historic Signage Committee and the Valley Community Foundation for highlighting such a great, local resource for our families. |
|
| New Faces at Derby Police Department |
|
|
| Congratulations to Jonathan Canedo on graduating from the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden. He has already begun his field training and will serve the Derby Police Department. Best of luck and thank you for serving our community! |
|
| I would also like to congratulate Derby native Ty Netto on becoming the force's newest recruit officer. His journey at the Police Academy in Meriden began this week. Good luck! |
|
| Check out the events below, and click the button at the bottom of this section to access the community calendar. |
|
| Derby Public Library will host Tai Chi for Older Adults on Monday, July 22nd at 1 P.M. All abilities are welcome. Make sure to bring water and please do not wear flip flops. |
|
| The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will explore the struggles and successes of substance use disorders with a free event featuring a reading by New York Times Bestselling Author Judy Mandel, of Newington, on Wednesday, July 24 at 6 P.M.
Seating is limited and registration is required. CLICK HERE to sign up or contact the Community Health Resource Center at griflib@griffinhealth.org or (203) 732-7399. |
|
| Upcoming Events in Hamden |
|
|
| Take a look at the fliers below to learn more about upcoming events. Make sure to click on the button at the bottom of this section. |
|
| Check out the flier and community calendar in Orange below. |
|
| Do you want to learn how to play pickleball from one of the very best in the world! Stop by the Pickle Spot on Sunday, July 21 from 2:00 - 3:00 P.M. to get a lesson from James Ignatowich. Send an email to Info@picklespot.club to register and to get more information. |
|
| Get your game on with the all-new board game collection at Case Memorial Library! There will be classic, strategy, and card games. Video games are coming soon! This is drop-in event will be held on Tuesday, July 23 from 2 P.M. - 4 P.M. for rising 7th to 12th graders in the new teen space! |
|
| Upcoming Events in Woodbridge |
|
|
| Check out the events below, and access the Woodbridge community calendar by clicking on the button at the bottom. |
|
| Enjoy some live music at the Gazebo on the Green on Tuesday, July 23 from 6 P.M. - 8 P.M. West Rock will put on a great rock show! |
|
| Want to learn how to use the Woodbridge Town Library's e-book resources to read and listen to free books on your laptop, smartphone, or tablet? Stop by for a special informative demo on Friday, July 26 at 10:30 A.M. |
|
|
|
| |
|
