|
|
|
|
|
Dear Neighbor,
Happy Halloween! Enjoy, and please be safe. I've added some Halloween safe driving tips below. I have included an update on SNAP and food assistance resources available. Election Day is Tuesday! Remember, your voice and your vote matter.
Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour on Sunday - and enjoy the extra hour of sleep!
This week's newsletter topics include:
- Around the 41st District
- Happy Halloween, Halloween Safe Driving Tips
- Important Snap Update
- Access Health CT Open Enrollment
- Your Vote Matters: Election Day is Tuesday
- COVID-19 Vaccines
- Mystic & Noank Library Announces '25–26 Board of Trustees
- Leaf Collection in Groton Reminder
- CT Department of Transportation News
- Veterans Resources & Updates
- Community Events
Do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Aundre.Bumgardner@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267.
Have a great weekend,
Sincerely,
Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative
|
|
With federal SNAP benefits set to expire tomorrow because of the government shutdown, I visited the Groton Food Locker this morning with the Town of Groton’s Human Services Director, Kim Turek, and her dedicated staff to assess what support will be needed in the days ahead.
This is inexcusable. No family in Connecticut — especially those who serve our country and our community — should be forced into crisis because Congress refuses to do its job. I’m committed to working with my House Majority Democratic Caucus to ensure our corner of the state gets the resources we need. I’ve also been in constant communication with the leadership of Connecticut Foodshare and the United Way of Southeastern CT to coordinate emergency response efforts.
Groton has one of the highest concentrations of federal workers in the state — including hundreds of civilian employees at the Submarine Base who are now working without pay. Many of these families will be among the first in CT to feel the immediate financial impact of this shutdown.
And on top of that, SNAP benefits for 360,000 CT residents — including more than 2,700 of our neighbors here in Groton — will expire tomorrow unless federal funding is restored. That means thousands of working families, seniors, and children could lose access to their only reliable source of food assistance overnight. The stakes are real, and the clock is ticking.
The Groton Food Locker provides a seven-day supply of emergency food to anyone in need — no residency or income requirements. If you or someone you know needs support, call 860-441-6760 to speak with a social worker and schedule a pickup. The Food Locker is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, at Groton Human Services.
They already serve more than 1,600 people every year, and demand is expected to rise sharply if federal benefits lapse.
How you can help today:
• Donate non-perishables, toiletries, baby items, or household supplies
• Purchase items through the Amazon wish list and ship directly to the Food Locker
• Make a financial contribution (checks payable to “Groton Food Locker”)
No family serving our community — or our country — should have to worry about putting food on the table because Washington can’t keep the government open. I’m grateful to Kim and her team for being on the front lines during this shutdown.
If you or someone you know is affected, please reach out — my office is here to help connect you with resources. |
|
It was a pleasure to welcome Representative Ron Napoli, Chair of the Bonding Subcommittee, to Stonington last week for a visit to the Stonington Town Dock.
I serve with him on the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee and its Bonding Subcommittee, and I greatly appreciate the time he took to travel down from Waterbury to see firsthand how state bonding support can strengthen the critical infrastructure that sustains Stonington’s commercial fishing fleet, seafood processors, and maritime economy.
State funding for this project is especially important given the $900,000 in federal funds secured by Congressman Joe Courtney and the $400,000 set aside by the Stonington Board of Finance in contingency for local investment. Together, these commitments highlight how every level of government can work in partnership to support our working waterfront and ensure the long-term success of Connecticut’s fishing industry.
Special thanks to First Selectman Danielle Chesebrough and Joe Gilbert of Empire Fisheries for sharing the importance of this project to Connecticut’s last remaining fishing fleet. |
|
It was an honor to join the Mystic River Historical Society and the Mystic River Park Commission in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mystic River Park and to present an official citation on behalf of the Connecticut General Assembly from Senator Heather Somers and me.
This park is one of Mystic’s most cherished community spaces — a place where residents and visitors from across the state, nation, and around the world come together to enjoy our waterfront, community events, and history. Its creation stands as a testament to remarkable foresight and partnership.
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation played a vital role in making this park possible, providing a generous $1.5 million loan to help purchase the land that once housed the Cottrell Lumber Company for 168 years. Their leadership ensured that this land would be preserved as open space for public enjoyment and as a lasting connection between Mystic’s maritime heritage and the Tribe’s enduring stewardship of this region.
I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the Mystic River Park Commission, and the Mystic River Historical Society for their vision and continued dedication to preserving this special place for generations to come. |
|
This past weekend, I attended the christening of the PCU Utah (SSN 801) at General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard. The Virginia-class assembly building was filled with pride as shipbuilders, Navy personnel, and officials gathered to celebrate this milestone for our nation’s undersea fleet.
Co-sponsors Mrs. Sharon Lee and Mrs. Mary Kaye Huntsman broke a bottle of sparkling cyser — a honey and apple cider wine from Utah — across the ship’s hull to officially christen the vessel, continuing a time-honored naval tradition.
The USS Utah is the 28th Virginia-class submarine, designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as well as anti-submarine and surface warfare. It carries forward the name of the original USS Utah, a battleship lost at Pearl Harbor in 1941, and represents the next generation of naval innovation and capability.
It was great to catch up with our Lt. Governor, Senator Blumenthal, Congressman Courtney, former Captain of the Submarine Base Rear Admiral Carl Lahti, and EWIB President Michael Angelo during the ceremony and at the reception that followed.
For Groton and southeastern Connecticut, this event underscored our region’s essential role in building and maintaining the most advanced submarines on the planet. As the Submarine Capital of the World, Groton remains at the heart of America’s national defense and the future of our maritime workforce. |
|
It was truly moving to attend the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Dinner and witness the next generation of leaders from Groton, Stonington, and across Southeastern Connecticut share their stories.
Each student’s words reminded us why investing in our youth matters — their courage, compassion, and dreams are the foundation of a better tomorrow.
I’m proud to continue supporting this program through funding that helps ensure students from our region have every opportunity to thrive. To the 8th graders in the audience — keep believing in your potential. The future is yours to shape. |
|
| I'm wishing you all a happy and safe Halloween! I've also included some safety driving tips for you to check out. |
|
As the federal government shutdown reaches the one-month mark, there are real concerns about programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps keep children and families, the elderly, and many veterans fed.
The situation before us is very fluid, so I'm sharing with you what we know at this time.
Late last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it won't use its $6 billion contingency fund to support SNAP during the shutdown, nor will it reimburse states if they cover the costs themselves.
This means that effective Saturday, November 1, no new SNAP benefits will be distributed without federal action, impacting roughly 42 million low-income Americans, including 360,000 Connecticut residents. Unused funds on EBT cards are accessible through November.
Nationwide, many rely on these funds, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million individuals with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. These are our neighbors - they are not "Illegals." These are people we know. People who will be struggling to find food and to feed their families.
On Monday, Governor Lamont announced at CT Foodshare in Wallingford that the state would provide $3 million in emergency funding to help residents who are expected to lose access to SNAP benefits during the shutdown. The emergency funding will support Connecticut Foodshare’s participating partners and programs to provide food assistance to families and individuals facing food insecurity.
While the governor acknowledged $3 million would not fill the entire gap left by the loss of federal funds, he noted it represents the state’s commitment to supporting others during this crisis.
Connecticut Foodshare CEO Jason Jakubowski said the funding will help the nonprofit organization to buy additional food to distribute to agency partners and mobile pantries across the state over the next two weeks. With Foodshare's food-buying power, every dollar equals about 2 meals, equaling 6 million meals over the course of two weeks.
The governor, the CT Department of Social Services (DSS), which distributes the SNAP program, and other state agencies continue to monitor the impact of the shutdown and are exploring additional measures to support Connecticut residents.
CT DSS has reported that cash benefits like TFA and SAGA will still be issued normally.
For information on how to obtain food assistance from Connecticut Foodshare, as well as information on how to donate to this organization, visit www.ctfoodshare.org. |
|
The United Way of Connecticut has published a list of resources to help here.
You can find a pantry or mobile pantry at Connecticut Foodshare’s website here.
If you are able, please consider donating to your local pantry or to Connecticut Foodshare. |
|
|
Open Enrollment for Access Health CT (AHCT) health and dental insurance remains on track to begin on Saturday, and end on Monday, December 15, for plans effective at the start of next year. Residents can enroll until Thursday, Jan. 15, for plans beginning in February.
You may have received a letter in the mail warning of healthcare premium price increases starting Jan. 1 due to legislation passed in the U.S. Congress this year. Currently, the federal government is shut down as those price increases are debated and negotiated.
As it stands, state officials in Connecticut are encouraging residents to hold off on enrolling in the AHCT plan while the debate over those price increases continues. If you can, please wait to enroll until the issue is fully resolved.
For those looking to enroll, please have the following information and documents prepared for you and anyone else in your household, even if they don't need coverage:
- Dates of Birth
- Social Security Numbers
- Visa, green card, or immigration documents
- Most recent W2 and/or Form 1040, 1099
- Pay-stubs, Profit & Loss Statements or other employment information
- Current insurance coverage (policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of your household)
You can click here to view the enrollment checklist.
Access Health CT's staff remains a valuable resource to guide you through this process and to tell you what to expect during open enrollment. To get in contact, you can :
- Visit AccessHealthCT.com and click “Get Help” for a list of places to get free, in-person help.
- If you do not have a broker, find one on the Access Health CT website. Visit AccessHealthCT.com and click “Get Help” and “Find Certified Broker.” Brokers are free to work with, and they are trained
and certified to help you find a plan that works best for you and your family.
- Call at 1-855-805-4325 - help is available in over 100 languages. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call a relay operator. Hours of Operation are Monday-Friday 8 am-4 pm (Holiday hours may vary, check website for details)
- Live Chat available at AccessHealthCT.com
- Visit one of their Enrollment Locations
To learn more about the enrollment process and to find the plan that is right for you, visit Access Health CT's website.
|
|
|
The Mystic & Noank Library Board of Trustees co-presidents Caitlin McEachern Wroblewski and Mary Tullis Engvall announced the 2025–26 Board at their meeting on October 28, 2025.
Paul “Finn” Finnegan will serve as Treasurer, and Sharon Barrett as Secretary. Newly elected members include David Cruthers, Mary Fitzgerald, and Katie Korpi, joining returning trustees Kathleen Gioffre, Eric Janney, Judy Leonard, Judy Munro, David Pattek, Mike Scarpa, Bill Smith, and David Snediker. Sara Lathrop continues as Trustee Emeritus.
Earlier this year, the Library received $250,000 through the Connecticut State Library Construction Grant Program to enhance Library Park—creating vibrant outdoor classrooms, gathering spaces, ADA-accessible walkways, and native plant landscaping in the heart of Mystic. This project reflects the strong collaboration and partnerships happening across Groton and Stonington.
I was proud to advocate for the advancement of this funding and am deeply grateful to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for delivering this critical investment in our district. I also want to commend Executive Director Chris Bradley and the Board of Trustees, including former President Judy Munro and David Snediker, for their leadership and dedication to keeping the Library responsive to our community’s evolving needs.
Since its founding in 1893, the Mystic & Noank Library has relied on dedicated volunteers to guide it through generations of change. From its beginnings—with community space on the first floor and 4,000 books on the second—to today’s 15,420-square-foot facility housing over 40,000 items, the Library remains a cornerstone of lifelong learning and civic engagement. As a non-municipal nonprofit, the Library receives limited public funding—about 27% from Groton, Stonington, and the State of Connecticut—making community support essential to sustaining programs and facility improvements.
Congratulations to all the new and returning members of the Board of Trustees, and thank you for your continued service to one of Mystic’s most treasured community institutions.
Community members can contact the Library during operating hours at 860-536-7721, or visit mysticnoanklibrary.org to explore the catalog and upcoming programs.
|
|
|
The City of Groton's leaf collection dates are now available. Please see below.
- Wednesday, November 5, 2025
- Wednesday, November 12, 2025
- Wednesday, November 19, 2025
- Wednesday, November 26, 2025 – NO LEAF COLLECTION
- Wednesday, December 3, 2025 (Final Leaf Collection for Fall)
Of note:
- Place leaves only in biodegradable paper bags, trash cans, or cardboard boxes not larger than thirty-five (35) gallons.
- Do not use plastic bags - leaves will not be collected.
- Grass clippings will not be collected. Compost or mulch on your lawn. Do not blow into the street.
- Do not sweep leaves into the street. Leaves accumulate in the catch basins and clog them up creating drainage problems.
- Place tree twigs or hedge trimmings in with regular trash.
|
|
|
Temporary Signalization on Route 215 in Groton
A temporary signal was implemented on Route 215 in Groton on Monday, June 9th. It will be de-energized in November 2025. Project No. 0058-0338 consists of replacing the culvert headwalls and relining the existing culvert pipe under Route 215 at Anderson Marsh and Beebe Cove.
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
There will be continuous single-lane closure on Route 215 from June 9 to November 2025. Traffic control signing, temporary pavement markings, and the temporary signal will guide motorists through the work zone in an alternating one-way manner.
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.
|
|
|
Culvert Replacement on Route 215 in Groton
A culvert replacement at Anderson Marsh and Beebe Cove will be performed on Route 215 in Groton. Minor construction and utility work have already commenced.
This project is scheduled to typically occur on Mondays through Fridays with anticipated completion on November 22, 2025.
The project will address the deterioration of the existing headwalls and the separation of the culvert sections spanning Anderson Marsh and Beebe Cove on Route 215 in Groton, Connecticut. The project is scheduled to be completed on November 22, 2025.
|
|
| This project is to be completed on Friday, August 22, 2026. At applicable locations, pedestrian control features, such as countdown pedestrian indications, accessible pushbuttons, and sidewalk ramps, will be upgraded to improve accessibility and pedestrian safety. |
|
As the State Representative for Groton, Mystic, and Stonington, home to a strong military community and the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, I am committed to ensuring Veterans, active-duty service members, and military families have access to the latest updates, resources, and opportunities.
Below are important events, legislative updates, and benefit programs that may be of interest to our district’s Veterans. |
|
Upcoming Events for VeteransWreaths Across America – Start Sponsoring Now!Every year, we strive to place a wreath on all requested graves at the Connecticut Veterans Cemetery and Col. Gates Cemetery. You can sponsor early to help us reach our goal. Sponsor HereLegislative & Policy Updates
2025 Connecticut General Assembly Session Opened January 8Veterans can track bills related to military benefits, tax relief, and more using the General Assembly’s Bill Tracking Tool: Track Bills HereHow to Get a Copy of Your DD 214
- Your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is critical for accessing VA benefits. Here’s how to obtain a copy:
- Check with your Town Clerk – Many Veterans file their DD 214 with their local town clerk.
- Contact CT Veterans Affairs – They have an archive of 130,000 DD 214s. Email oaa.dva@ct.gov for assistance.
- Submit a Request to the National Archives – The fastest way is online: Request Here
- If Needed for Burial or Military Honors – Funeral directors have priority retrieval access.
Applying for a Discharge UpgradeVeterans with less than honorable discharges due to PTSD, TBI, Military Sexual Trauma (MST), or sexual orientation (Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell) may be eligible for an upgrade. Learn more and apply online: Discharge Upgrade InstructionsMunicipal Veterans Representative ProgramEach town must appoint a Veterans Representative to help Veterans access services. Find your local VetRep here: Locate Your Rep2025 Veterans Benefits Guide Available for DownloadThe latest edition of the VA’s "Veterans Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors, and Caregivers" is now available: Download Here
Stay Connected & Get Involved
I encourage all Veterans, military families, and community members to stay informed and engaged. You can sign up for the Connecticut DVA Newsletter to receive future updates: Subscribe Here.For those looking to connect with fellow Veterans, share stories, and access important resources, consider attending a Veterans Coffeehouse near you. These gatherings provide a welcoming space for Veterans to socialize and receive information about benefits and services:
|
|
- Groton – 2nd & 4th Friday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
- Groton Public Library – 52 Newtown Road
- Mystic – 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
- Mystic Congregational Church – 43 East Main Street
- Pawcatuck – 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
- Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center – 27 Chase Street
For more locations and information, contact:
Gina King, Director, Senior Volunteer Services
gking@tvcca.org | 860-425-6617
If you have any issues, concerns, or ideas related to Veteran services, military families, or legislative priorities, please feel free to reach out to my office. Your service and sacrifices deserve to be honored with the best support possible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
