Legislative & Local Updates - April 26th

April 26, 2024
Warmer weather is on the way and we're less than two weeks away from the end of this legislative session. I'm honored to work for the people of Ellington, East Windsor, and Vernon as your 57th District state representative. 

It's been a busy few weeks, including news I can share on HB 5232 regarding solar. It passed in an amended form on Thursday. My strategy for adopting smarter solar planning is two-part: Support the small-scale that helps local homeowners, businesses, etc., and incentivize rooftop and Brownfields over farmland. HB 5232 promotes rooftop uptake and sets the stage to better tax projects to protect ratepayers and municipal tax rolls. Bills still to come will address zoning concerns and nuisance projects. We also passed a bill recently to crack down on street takeovers, like the one we saw happen in neighboring Tolland last year.

Recently, I asked my fellow legislators to remember Dan "Magic Dan" Sclare on the House Floor with me. Dan passed away earlier this month. He will always be remembered for how he lived his life full of magic, wonder, and joy.

Also in this newsletter, you'll find:

  • Capitol Updates
  • Remembering Magic Dan
  • Welcoming East Windsor First Selectman Jason Bowsza and Melissa Maltese from East Windsor Social Services to the Capitol
  • Earth Day 2024
  • Vernon Welcomes a New Police Chief
  • DEA Take Back Day
  • Ellington Farmers Market Starts May 4
  • Utility Shut-Off Scam Alerts 
  • And More!

I hope you have a great weekend!

Jaime 
 
CAPITOL UPDATES
 
On Monday, I hosted a press conference, along with Representative Carol Hall (R-East Windsor, Enfield) and Senator Anwar (D-Ellington, East Windsor, South Windsor, East Hartford), and attended by local officials and residents, including East Windsor First Selectman Jason Bowsza and Ellington resident Andrea Mascaro. We came together to support an amendment to HB 5232. 

UPDATE: Amended HB 5232 passed in the House on Thursday.

The Town of East Windsor is highly sought after to host solar arrays, due to the large amounts of open space in town. However, these arrays are quite loud and can take a toll on the quality of life of East Windsor residents who live near them. This amendment puts more power in the hands of town leaders and residents when it comes to noisy arrays.

The amendment includes:

  • Any municipality may establish a procedure for the chief elected official to receive complaints from members of the public concerning excessive noise emitted by any solar installation located within the municipality. "Excessive noise" means a sound that exceeds 55 decibels for more than four hours or exceeds 60 decibels at any time.
  • Any chief elected official who receives more than three such complaints shall give written notice to (1) any developer or operator of such solar installation, (2) the zoning commission in each municipality in the state, and (3) the Connecticut Siting Council. On and after the date that a developer or operator receives notice, they shall be barred from constructing or installing any new solar installation in the state, other than solar installations that received final approval from the Connecticut Siting Council or relevant zoning commission before the notice date.
  • Any chief elected official of a municipality may, in addition to receiving complaints from members of the public, file complaints concerning excessive noise emitted by any solar installation located in such municipality directly to the Connecticut Siting Council.

"Issues like this arise when state government steps in and removes the authority of our municipalities to make local decisions because they 'know better,'" Rep. Hall said. "Residents who are now forced to live in proximity to these large-scale solar developments deserve a permanent solution to mitigate the unbearable noises being produced by them. The Connecticut Siting Council needs to take a better look at the types of projects they're approving and the impact they will have on the area, especially those in people's backyards. I'd like to see them defer these decisions back to the local planning and zoning boards for their approval."

"Renewable energy is critical as we try to have a comprehensive approach to reducing the impact on our environment and climate from energy sources," said Senator Anwar. "However, some of these technologies, especially the inverters associated with solar panels and solar farms, as well as the transformers, are associated with some noise and vibrations that can impact the quality of life of citizens. It is important as we assess the benefits and look at the pros and cons of technology that we focus on the neighbors and communities that can be impacted by some of these noises. These disruptions are recognized, and policies need to focus on minimizing their negative impact."

If you'd like to watch the full press conference on CTN, click HERE. To read the article in CT NewsJunkie, click HERE.
 
Last Thursday, I asked the House Chamber to observe a moment of silence in memory of Dan Sclare, known to many in Ellington as "Magic Dan." Dan passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his Ellington home on April 3. He was 78 years old. While his family and friends mourn his loss, they will always remember how he lived his life full of magic, wonder, and joy.

My condolences go out to his family, including his wife Patricia Sclare, his children and their spouses - Rachel (Joey), Eric (Sophie), David (Mary), Kristin (Steven) and Brian (Kelly), his five grandchildren, his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and his nieces and nephews.

Dan taught for 33 years in the South Windsor school system, including teaching biology at SWHS and TEMS, before becoming the library media specialist at TEMS.

Ever since childhood, Dan loved magic. He pursued his interest into adulthood, becoming a performing magician. Generations of children experienced the magic of "Magic Dan" at birthday parties, local libraries, and schools. He loved teaching children's magic classes at Hall Memorial Library. He loved performing magic for good causes, including at the Shriner's Hospital, the Veterans Home and Hospital, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dan can be made to: Friends of the Hall Memorial Library, PO Box 280, Ellington, CT 06029. Note Dan Sclare in the memo line. Donations can also be made to the CJD Foundation - https://cjdfoundation.org/
 
 
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, street takeovers have become a national issue, including here in Connecticut. This cannot become the new normal. These takeovers by the illegal use of all-terrain and other types of vehicles, pose a significant threat to public safety, endangering participants, innocent bystanders, and law enforcement officials.
 
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives took bipartisan and unanimous action to help cities and towns regain control of their streets as we voted 148-0 to pass HB 5413 to control takeovers, which have proven to be a concern for many of our residents.
HB 5413 seeks to provide more tools to municipalities in order to combat street takeovers, including:
  • Allowing cities and towns to destroy ATVs, dirt bikes, and motorcycles seized and forfeited for violating a municipal ordinance
  • Authorizing municipalities to adopt ordinances that penalize street takeovers and impose fines as well as the seizure of vehicles
  • Changing and tightening penalties for violating state law on street takeovers, including permanent driver's license revocation for a third violation of the statute 

I am glad my bipartisan vote provides additional tools and increased penalties to cities and towns to help deter street takeovers.

The bill now moves to the Senate for its consideration.
 
We were in session two days last week and three days this week. If you missed what we've been working on, here's a recap:

HB 5168 - An Act Concerning Solar Installation in Condominiums and Cooperatives
HB 5224 - An Act Concerning Shark Finning
HB 5225 - An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Invasive Plants Council
HB 5457 - An Act Concerning Nursing Home Waiting Lists
HB-5058 - An Act Adopting the Nurse Licensure Compact
HB 5190 - An Act Concerning the Historic Homes Rehabilitation Tax Credit
HB 5197 - An Act Concerning Social Workers
HB 5229 - An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Eelgrass Working Group
HB 5262 - An Act Concerning a Sexual Abuse and Assault Survey
HB 5382 - An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Office of the Child Advocate
HB 5409 - An Act Designating Various Days, Weeks, and Months
 
HB 5146 – Updates financial records laws
HB 5149 – A pro-small business and craft-maker change to our beer and liquor sales
HB 5237 – Gives students a louder voice
HB 5257 – Revises our dog bite statutes
HB 5288 – Modernizes our service animal laws
HB 5308 – Easing the path to voting for nursing home residents
HB 5317 – An important study on the funding for and effectiveness of the Community Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Program
HB 5343 – CT will study pre-paying college tuition
HB 5379 – Modernizing insurance requirements for state marshals
HB 5381 – A bipartisan vote to update guidelines on police body-cams
HB 5466 – Revises laws on election crimes
HB 5261 - Protects children’s health by creating a working group on the effects of energy drinks on children
HB 5232 - Expands solar energy projects
HB 5153 - Increases workforce housing
HB 5318 - Supports new parents by establishing a license for board-certified lactation consultants 
 
Bill chats in the Chamber with Representative Christine Palm. We both will be bringing priority bills out on the House Floor before session ends.
 
It was great to run into Ellington resident Tressa Giordano at the Capitol this week while she was visiting the Capitol Complex with the state's Youth Service Bureaus. 
 
On Tuesday before the session started, I hopped on Facebook Live to check in on major in-district issues, as the session is at its height. You can click the graphic below to watch the Facebook Live or click HERE. 
 
What a treat! Tuesday, we had penguins from Mystic Aquarium visit the Capitol!

Some facts about Mystic Aquarium's education & conservation impact in 2023:

  • Mystic Aquarium's educational programs engaged more than 150,000 individuals across the nation.
  • 19,000 Connecticut youth visited the aquarium as part of a school or youth group, coming from 270 schools & community organizations.
  • 10,000 students from 200 Connecticut schools & organizations participated in the aquarium's educational programming.
  • Nearly 5,000 students from 40 schools & organizations associated with under-resourced communities across Connecticut were served through funding secured by Mystic Aquarium.
  • 3,850 youth engaged in workforce & STEM career development opportunities through the aquarium. 45 youth associated with the aquarium's partner schools & organizations received 2,500 hours of mentorship & workforce experience.
  • Over 60,500 community members were engaged in conservation education & action to protect coastal ecosystems. The collective impact of these stewards was the removal of 1,200 pounds of trash from the Connecticut coastline, restoration of 7 acres of marsh & grassland habitat, & the creation of 3 pollinator gardens.
 
On Thursday, I welcomed East Windsor First Selectman Jason Bowsza and Melissa Maltese from East Windsor Social Services and the school backpack program to the Capitol. They attended the 2nd Annual Food Insecurity Day. Food insecurity is an official term from the USDA. It’s when people don’t have enough to eat and don’t know where their next meal will come from. Food insecurity may be long-term or temporary. It impacts all people and all populations differently, from health outcomes to productivity at work or school.
 
COMMUNITY UPDATES
 
I had a blast at Ellington High School's Safe Grad party last weekend at Ellington Ridge Country Club.
 
It started out a little cold and rainy, but we had fun at the Ellington Earth Day celebrations on April 20. My kiddos had fun, too. 
 
The Town of Vernon welcomed its new police chief, Marc Petruzzi, who was sworn in Monday morning in the council chambers at Vernon Town Hall.

Chief Petruzzi comes to Vernon after serving as deputy chief in Wethersfield and before that, 22 years with the state police.

Reps Tammy Nuccio, Jill Barry, and I presented the new chief with a proclamation honoring his career with the state police and as Vernon's new police chief.
 
VCMS’s drama production is tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person, CASH only - tickets are sold at the door.
 
Saturday is the DEA National Rx Take Back Day. Vernon Police Department will host a drug take back day at Walgreens on Union Street in Vernon. East Windsor Police Department will be collecting in the PD's lobby. To find other locations, visit dea.gov/takebackday. 
 
Mark your calendars! Ellington Farmers Market's opening day is May 4! The market is at a new location - 72 Maple Street (the location is between Ellington Cemetery and Ellington High School). See the map for more info!

And don't forget - Ellington Historical Society will hold its Vintage and Antique Market on May 4 at the Nellie McKnight Museum from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
Join the Ellington Women's Club on the Ellington Town Green! Enjoy the talents and creativity of local crafters, kids' crafts at the Ellington Women's Club table, delicious food trucks, local entertainment, and more! Just in time for Mother's Day! Pick out that special gift or just spend the day with mom!
 
 
RESOURCES
 
As utility service shutoffs for non-payment will start again on May 2, the state’s Consumer Counsel is warning residents about a possible scam targeting utility customers whose bills are overdue.

No third-party supplier will ever contact customers with billing issues. Both supply and delivery costs are billed exclusively by the electric distribution company – only Eversource or United Illuminating. If you receive correspondence from anyone other than Eversource or UI pertaining to your electric bill balance, you should assume that it is not legitimate.

If you think you have been scammed, reach out to:

  • PURA’s Education Outreach and Enforcement Customer Assistance Unit by emailing pura.information@ct.gov
  • Office of Consumer Counsel by emailing occ.info@ct.gov or calling 860-827-2900
  • The Office of the Attorney General at 860-808-5318