Jaime Foster

What an eventful Monday we had - between the eclipse and the Huskies winning the national championship, it was a GREAT day. The governor has announced a victory parade will take place on Saturday in Hartford. You can find more details about the event in this newsletter.

Also in this newsletter, you'll find:

• CONGRATULATIONS HUSKIES (including Coach Dan Hurley)!
• Eversource Rate Increase: Give PURA Your Feedback (see "Resources')
• Ag Day 2024 at the Capitol
• HBs 5001, 5002, 5003, & 5004 Pass Out of Committee
• Attorney General William Tong Visits Ellington
• CTDOT Updates for Ellington & Vernon
• Chief Kelley Retires from Vernon PD and Heads to Ellington Public Schools
• Ellington's Matt Knowling Hits a Buzzer-Beater, Sending Yale to NCAA Tournament
• East Windsor High School Charity Basketball Game vs. East Windsor PD
• Rockville Public Library to Host Financial Literacy Series in April
• East Windsor Healthy Kids Running Series Starts in April
• Ellington Farmers Market is Back in May - in a New Location!
• Utility Payment Assistance
• Cornerstone's 2024 Prom Boutique
• Vernon Fire Department Seeks Volunteers
• Vernon Police Department is Hiring!
• And more!

I hope you have a great week!

Jaime 

This is a priority bill for the House Democratic Caucus. The purpose of the bill is to ensure that children and families have increased access to all available nutrition programs in the state.

As a registered dietitian, research scientist, and mother of two young children, I care about the health and nutrition of Connecticut families. HB 5003 would allow Connecticut to automatically enroll qualifying children and their families into federal nutrition assistance programs to keep families healthy.

I'm proud to be a champion on this bill.

Proceeds will benefit the Earl E. Exum Memorial Fund, in memory and honor of Representative Tammy Exum's husband, Earl, who passed away unexpectedly in the fall, as well as The Pink Fund, which offers financial assistance in the fight against breast cancer.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the gate or here - https://rb.gy/b1727n
Remember - Dunkin' Park is CASHLESS!

Also, the parking lot directly across from the stadium is no longer accessible, but there is plenty of parking around Dunkin' Park. You can find parking options here - https://www.milb.com/hartford/ballpark/parking-transit.

But make sure you have cash on you for parking.

You may remember the Ag Census data on Connecticut that we included in the last e-newsletter. If not, here's a refresh:

• There were 5,058 farms with an average size of 74 acres (up 7.2%) on 372,000 acres of farmland (down 2.5%).
• Connecticut farms included 139,000 acres of cropland in 2022 with 85% harvested. No-till, reduced (conservation) tillage, and cover crop practices were used on 36% of those acres.
• Connecticut farms produced $704 million in agricultural products, up from $580 million in 2017. With farm production expenses of $648 million, Connecticut farms had a net cash income of $143 million. Average farm net income in Connecticut increased 90% to $28,428 from $14,941 in 2017.
• Connecticut farms with internet access continued to rise from 81% in 2017 to 85.8% in 2022.
• Connecticut ranked 5^th nationally in tobacco production, 12^th in cultivated Christmas trees,18^th in nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod, and 21^st in aquaculture.
• Nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod account for 51% of total agricultural products sold in Connecticut generating $362 million in sales.
• Litchfield County had the most farms (1,005) and most land in farms with 85,205 acres.
• A total of 872 Connecticut farms used renewable energy-producing systems compared to 666 farms in 2017, a 24% increase. Most farms (93%) with renewable energy systems reported using solar panels.
• In 2022, the 1,241 Connecticut farms that sold agricultural products directly to consumers had sales of $49,877. The value of sales increased 6% from 2017.
• Organic farm numbers decreased by 30% from 2017.
• The average age of all Connecticut producers was 58.5, up from 57.1 in 2017.
• Increases in the 44 years and under and 65+ categories, but declining numbers in the 45–64-year-old categories.
• There were 2,797 Connecticut producers (or 32%) with 10 or fewer years of experience, with an average age of 47.7. The number of new and beginning farmers increased 3% since 2017.
• The number of Connecticut producers under age 35 was 956, comprising 10% of all producers. This is slightly ahead of the national average of 9%.
• In 2022, there were 3,854 female producers accounting for 41% of all Connecticut producers.
• Connecticut producers with military service represented 709 compared to 940 producers in 2017.

Fox61 did a story on Ag Day at the Capitol. Click HERE to watch the video. 

This proposal is a priority of the House, and I am thrilled it is progressing through the legislative process. 

Issues impacting seniors are often ignored. Our elderly residents need support and access to resources that will provide them with the best quality of life possible. HB 5001 does this by: 

• Requiring additional training of home care workers 
• Creating a more efficient process for accessing Medicaid
• Expanding the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Click here to read an article that explores additional details of the bill. 

Our aging population faces a growing list of challenges that are not isolated incidents. As our society gets older, these issues will only become more pronounced. HB 5001 not only acknowledges these complexities but also paves the way for crucial improvements. This legislation will ensure that our seniors will age gracefully. Next stop, the House Floor!

As both a mother of two young children and as a legislator, I am proud to support this proposal, as childcare plays a crucial role in nurturing the growth and well-being of our children while also strengthening the economy by supporting parents and guardians. By improving accessibility and affordability, we are investing in our community's future and providing relief to individuals striving to balance work and family life. 

Together, we can ensure that this legislation reflects the needs and priorities of the families it aims to serve. 

1) Updating the Global Warming Solutions Act to make Connecticut's greenhouse gas emissions targets more in line with other states in the region;
2) Creating incentives for businesses that engage in clean economy sectors or employ environmentally sustainable practices;
3) Developing plans for transitioning to a clean economy, including workforce training and long-term policy implementation;
4) Supporting nature-based solutions, such as preserving marshlands and forests.

With this bill, we're saying that sustainability is not only the right thing to do but also the smart, economically competitive thing to do.

CTDOT has announced the implementation of alternating traffic on Route 140 and the detour of Newell Hill Road beginning April 15, weather permitting.

The purpose of the project is to increase the sight distances on Route 140 (Crystal Lake Road) for the Burbank Road intersection.

LANE CLOSURE INFO

Route 140 (Crystal Lake Road)

Temporary signals will be installed on Route 140 (Crystal Lake Road) in the vicinity of Newell Hill Road and Burbank Road to implement alternating one-way traffic starting April 15.

DETOUR INFO

Newell Hill Road

The southeast section of Newell Hill Road at the intersection with Route 140 (Crystal Lake Road) will be closed. Traffic seeking access to Newell Hill Road from Route 140 will detour to Ludwig Road and then right onto Newell Road. Traffic seeking access to Route 140 from Newell Road will detour left onto Ludwig Road leading to Route 140. This detour will be in place starting April 15.

Milling will be performed from Sunday, April 21 to Monday, April 22. The resurfacing segment is anticipated to begin on Tuesday, April 23 to Thursday, April 25.

LANE CLOSURE AND DETOUR INFO
Motorists can expect lane closures on Route 74 in Vernon, from the Ellington and Vernon Town Line to Route 83. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone.

The night work schedule for this project is Sunday, April 21 to Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday – Thursday.

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.

The Vernon Police Department and the Town of Vernon recently honored retiring Police Chief John Kelley. Chief Kelley retired after 28 years with the department.

It's a Kelley family tradition, serving the Town of Vernon. Chief Kelley's father, Robert Kelley, was a long-time and highly respected chief of the Vernon Fire Department, and Chief Kelley's sister, Diane, serves as the VFD's secretary and as the Toys for Tykes Coordinator for the department.

The weekend of March 23 was the first time in 59 years - since 1965 - that a Kelley was not available to respond to an emergency call in Vernon. 

Kelley is shifting his talents to Ellington, where he'll be part of the Ellington Public Schools security team. He started his new role in Ellington on March 25. To read the Patch article about Chief Kelley's next journey, click HERE. 

The acting chief in Vernon will be Captain Lucas Gallant, born and raised in Vernon, and started his journey with the Vernon Police Explorers. A national search for a new chief is underway.

And big applause for Coach Dan Hurley, who was named the 2024 Naismith Men's College Coach of the Year!

The UConn Women's Basketball Team, which played with eight healthy players much of the season, made it to the Final Four against Iowa and Caitlin Clark. The game ended in heartbreak, as the Huskies lost by just two points. I'm so proud of this team - no one expected them to make it this far in the tournament this year, and they made it to the Final Four! 

Governor Lamont has announced a parade for the national champs. The State of Connecticut, the City of Hartford, and the Hartford Business Improvement District will host a victory parade and rally in downtown Hartford on Saturday to congratulate the UConn men’s basketball team for winning the 2024 NCAA National Championship.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and steps off at the State Capitol building at the intersection of Trinity Street and Elm Street. From there, it will proceed north on Trinity Street, go through the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, turn right (east) onto Jewell Street, turn left (north) onto Trumbull Street, and end at the intersection of Asylum Street and Trumbull Street.

The rally will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m. and will be held outside of the main entrance of the XL Center on Trumbull Street, where the players, coaches, and other guests will be invited to give speeches.

Parade and rally organizers rely on private donations and business sponsorships to finance the event. No state or city funding is used.

The program is open to adults and children to encourage residents to explore the amazing diversity of Connecticut's public libraries. So be sure to check out these three libraries - Hall Memorial Library in Ellington, Rockville Public Library in Rockville, and Warehouse Point Library in East Windsor - and get three stamps on your passport!

Ellington and Somers Youth & Human Services have teamed up to organize the first Healthy Neighborhoods Walk to celebrate National Public Health Week on Sunday, April 14.

The walk will occur at the Windermere Trail, parking at the Pinney Street Fields in Ellington. Participants completing a scavenger hunt will be eligible to enter the free raffle. Check-in runs from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Admission: FREE with a donation of a non-perishable food item for the town food bank of your residence.

How to sign up: Designate one person per family to register and indicate the number of participants in your group. Click HERE to register. 

Here's where the competitive twist comes into play - Which town has the better spirit? Who has more support? Will there be more Somers fans in red & white or Ellington fans in purple & gold? Creativity will be rewarded with additional entries to the raffle! Which town will contribute the most non-perishable food items?

More details (including what to bring with you, what to do if the trail is too wet or muddy, etc) can be found HERE. 

Donations will be accepted for The Cornerstone Foundation Soup Kitchen and Shelter in Rockville. 

Speaking of Ellington Farmers Market, congratulations are in order! 

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture announced the 2024 Agricultural Enhancement Grant Program (previously known as the Farm Viability Grant) has awarded more than $531,000 to fund 21 projects received from Connecticut municipalities, groups of municipalities, regional councils of governments, and/or agricultural non-profit organizations for projects that directly impact or foster agricultural viability.

Ellington Farmers Market received a $5,000 grant in the farmers market promotion category, to design and create physical signage, conduct social and digital marketing, and hire a subcontractor to film markets for the creation of media content for marketing. 

If approved by PURA, the increase would go into effect July 1 and would cost the average residential customer an additional $38 a month.

Let PURA know you're not willing to accept this increase. Provide your feedback by emailing PURA with Docket No. 24-01-03.

Email PURA.ExecutiveSecretary@ct.gov and reference the docket number.

Those with financial hardships or medical issues due to a serious illness have not been eligible for termination due to nonpayment since March 2020, which stems from the COVID-19 pandemic, and a longstanding statutory moratorium that annually safeguards Connecticut residents from winter shut-offs November 1 to May 1.

If you get one of these notices, my office can work with you to help contact utility companies directly to set up a payment plan to avoid service disruption. These plans charge no interest, and all customers qualify at least once for one or more of the plans. Please see the graphics below for contact information for the utility companies and the available payment plan options for eligible customers.

After connecting with utility companies, customers may additionally contact PURA’s customer affairs unit for specific questions regarding payment arrangements. As a reminder, utility companies will never call threatening to shut off power and demanding immediate payment. You can reach PURA's customer affairs unit HERE.