Michelle L. Cook

I want to make sure people are aware of the two-phase construction project taking place at the Municipal Parking that surrounds the library. The project started earlier this week and includes refacing the lot. Please be patient and drive slowly if you're in this area of town. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

This newsletter includes:

• Startling Food Insecurity Numbers from Feeding America
• Governor Signs Fallen Officer Bill
• Legislative Session in Review
• Municipal Parking Lot Construction Has Begun
• It's Food Allergy Awareness Week
• Friendly Hands Food Bank Closed May 20 & 27
• Besse Pool Passes on Sale Now
• Sign up for the Torrington Citywide Tag Sale
• Torrington's Last Day of School is Set
• CRPS Virtual Walk is June 15
• And More

The numbers come from Feeding America's "Map the Meal Gap Report." In Connecticut, since the last study in 2021, the number of food-insecure individuals has risen by 23%. The latest numbers reveal:

• 468,150 people in Connecticut are food insecure, a 23% increase or around 90,000 additional people. 
• 1 in 8 Connecticut residents are food insecure, compared to 1 in 10 last year.
• 1 in 6 children in Connecticut are food insecure. 
• 1 in 4 Black persons in Connecticut are food insecure. 
• 1 in 4 Hispanic persons in Connecticut is food insecure. 
• 1 in 11 White non-Hispanic persons in Connecticut is food insecure. 
• In Connecticut, 50% of people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP.
• In Connecticut, the estimated food budget shortfall is $26.44 per week (this is slightly higher than the national average of $24.73 per week). The food budget shortfall reflects the extra money that people who are food insecure report needing to cover their food needs.
• Meal costs vary significantly by county throughout the nation. In Connecticut, the average cost per meal is $4.27.

This is unacceptable, especially in a state like Connecticut. One of my legislative colleagues and a Republican senator proposed a bill, which came with a $10 million ask that would have fully funded CT's Nutrition Assistance Program (CT-NAP). This is a critical, established program funded by the state to help Connecticut Foodshare purchase food from local vendors to support a network of partner programs as they provide meals to thousands of families across the state. CT-NAP plays a crucial role in alleviating hunger and promoting healthier communities. The bill never came up for a hearing. We must do better. 

The Fallen Officer Fund will:

• Provide $100,000 to the surviving family members or beneficiaries of any Connecticut local or state police officer killed in the line of duty or who sustained injuries that were the direct and proximate cause of the officer's death.
• Allow the surviving family members of police officers killed in the line of duty who were covered by that officer’s health insurance at the time of their death to remain on that coverage for up to five years.

The city began refacing the Riverview Municipal Parking Lot located between Litchfield Street, Daycoeton Place, Prospect Street and includes the Torrington Library and the Center for Youth and Families. This project will be completed in two phases. The first phase scheduled to start earlier this week, will have the section shown in the photo below closed off during that time. Phase two with a tentative start date of June 14, will take up most of the parking lot towards the river leaving the first phase available for parking of library patrons and CYF employees and clients. During this reconstruction, Litchfield Street parking in front of the Elks and the adjoining street of Hungerford Street will be available at no cost.

There will be construction signage and during Phase two of construction, Daycoeton Place will be an exit only with entrance into the lot from Prospect Street only. Upon completion of this project, Daycoeton Place will be a one-way entrance only from Litchfield Street leading you into the new parking lot. Please be patient and drive slowly as construction is slated to go through until October and be aware of your surroundings as construction equipment and pedestrians will still be in the area.

Questions or concerns should be directed to the Traffic Division of TPD at 860-489-2018

• Immediately call 911 or your local medical emergency number.
• Ask if the person is carrying an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others) to treat an allergic attack.
• If the person needs to use an autoinjector, ask whether you should help inject the medication. This is usually done by pressing the autoinjector against the person's thigh.
• Have the person lie face up and be still.
• Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Don't give the person anything to drink.
• If there's vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn the person to the side to prevent choking.
• If there are no signs of breathing, coughing, or movement, begin CPR. Do uninterrupted chest presses — about 100 every minute — until paramedics arrive.

Remember - don't wait to see whether symptoms get better. Seek emergency treatment right away. In severe cases, untreated anaphylaxis can lead to death within half an hour!

Passes MUST be picked up and paid for IN PERSON at the Recreation Office. You can fill out a pre-registration form online to save time before coming in to pay.

Please note: Concessions and day passes sold at the pool are CASH ONLY this year.

Please see the flyer for more information. Pricing can be found by scanning the QR code or clicking HERE.

For tickets or sponsorship information, contact Kayle Crowley at kcrowley@warnertheatre.org

This is a free event, but please register online HERE so Parks & Rec knows to expect you.

Although the walk on June 15th is virtual, members of Kelly's Crusaders are meeting at 9:30 a.m. at the Winsted DMV parking lot to walk on the Sue Grossman Greenway. The team was named for Kelly Considine, a Torrington woman who has been battling CRPS for nearly two decades. 

For more information, to sign up, donate, etc., click HERE.