Jaime Foster

This time of year marks endings and new beginnings. The school year has come to a close; some for the summer, or in the case of our high school seniors, moving on to college, the military, the trades, or the workforce. I wish the best to all of the 57th District's graduating seniors. Do great things - I know you will! Below, you'll find a special message to the Class of 2024. 

• Celebrating State Bond Funds for East Windsor & Ellington
• Great Turnout for Veteran Resource Discussion in Ellington 
• Governor Signs HB 5507, Reforming the CT Siting Council
• Celebrating Pride Month
• Memorial Day 2024
• CT Water Rate Case Update
• Ribbon Cutting at New East Windsor Playground
• Celebrating the Grand Opening of Oakridge Dairy's New Milk Processing Facility
• June is Dog Licensing Month
• Rockville Public Library Welcomes "The Amazing Diverman"
• Vernon Community Pool & Newhoca Beach Open Monday
• Grand Opening of Ellington Human Services' Garden Stand
• East Windsor Forms a CERT Team & Seeking Volunteers
• Help Vernon Plan a Celebration for America's 250th Anniversary
• Sandy Beach is Open Daily
• Rockville High School Band Booster Club Hosts Bottle & Can Drive
• Hall Memorial Library Hosts "Escape from Albania" on June 28
• And More!

I hope everyone navigated the spring heatwave as comfortably as possible. 

Jaime 

Earlier this month, the State Bond Commission approved funding allocations including $8 million for the North Central CT Police and Public Safety Infrastructure project, which will provide better communication resources for East Windsor, Ellington, and Windsor First Responders. The project will see the expansion of a radio site and channels for Windsor, East Windsor, and Ellington towns and public safety agencies, bolstering connectivity and interoperability between agencies in each town. The work also includes improving a police radio dead zone at Ellington High School and will overall improve interoperability in the majority of North Central Connecticut.

This was a Herculean effort and I’m proud of the team for its collaborative effort to submit the state bond proposal, and special thanks to Chief Carl for his leadership and collaboration. East Windsor and Ellington are about to get major public safety upgrades, including an overhaul of East Windsor’s entire public safety communication infrastructure, linking into the state system, and bolstering the network all our state police use in the region. The bond funding also includes improvements to Ellington High School’s police radio system by adding a repeater to allow the police radios to work within and beyond the walls of EHS. I’m proud to have played a significant role in making this funding come to fruition.

"The funding secured by Representative Foster and approved by the Bond Commission is a tremendous step forward for public safety in East Windsor, Windsor, and Ellington," said First Selectman Bowsza. "Not only will it significantly enhance emergency communications technology for each of those three towns, but it will also provide an enhanced infrastructure for public safety in all of north central Connecticut. This milestone funding intended to protect our first responders would not have been possible without the advocacy and collaboration of Representative Foster."

"The approval of state bond commission funding for the replacement and improvement of public safety communications in East Windsor, Windsor, and Ellington is a tremendous step forward," said Chief Carl. "This investment ensures that our first responders have the reliable, modern tools they need to protect and serve our communities more effectively and efficiently."

"Our local first responders make sacrifices every day and the work they do is vital in supporting our communities," said Sen. Anwar. "This funding will bolster their communication abilities, which will help them respond to emergencies faster and provide them with better information that can improve their already high-quality work. I'm grateful to the State Bond Commission and Governor Lamont for their support."

"I am thrilled to see East Windsor's grant-in-aid request for radio communications has been approved by the State Bonding Committee," said Rep. Hall. "I would like to thank the governor's office for recognizing how important good communication is for our public safety responders in our region. These funds will ensure the future needs for radio hardware, along with the communication tower, will bring our public safety into the 21st century. I would also like to thank our Chief Matthew Carl and East Windsor officials for bringing this very important project to our attention."

"The Town of Ellington prioritizes the safety and welfare of our schools’ students, faculty, and staff," said Administrator Reed. "Funding that aids in enhancing the security posture of our schools is always welcomed. The equipment funded by this grant is expected to improve the ability of our first responders to communicate effectively while inside the school building where the penetration of radio signals is generally poor."

"This addresses a moderate communication issue for the state police which supports our school resource (police) and armed security officers at Ellington High School," said Dr. Nicol.

"As the President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #311 representing the Ellington Police Union, I fully support the State Bonding Commission Funding for Ellington and East Windsor," said Bridge. "The improvements included in the project will help law enforcement officers communicate throughout the high school, improve overall communications in the area, and provide interoperability with our neighbors in East Windsor. Ultimately, a better-coordinated response by law enforcement results in a safer community for everyone."

I'm proud to have helped pass this bill with State Representatives Matt Blumenthal, Steve Stafstrom, Jonathan Steinberg, Jennifer Leeper, and others. Thanks to the Governor's office, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority for their work in negotiating and helping craft this legislation.

Some specific reforms in this legislation include:

• Ensuring the independence of Council members from utilities
• Improving public notice to affected municipalities and property owners
• Requiring DEEP, DECD, and DOAG to submit information on potential solar siting projects as part of the IRP (Integrated Resource Plan) including farmland
• Ensuring affected municipalities have automatic intervenor status to give their input
• Requiring more the utilities to submit robust, detailed, and transparent financial and engineering analyses for proposed projects and reasonable alternatives
• Requiring the Council to perform cost-benefit analyses for projects and reasonable alternatives, as well as evaluate their cost-benefit related to ratepayer costs and long-term CT plans of development
• Allowing municipalities to recoup their legal fees if they win certain appeals
• Increased powers to ensure utilities comply with Council orders and decisions

Too many communities have learned the hard way that an unaccountable, inaccessible, under-resourced Siting Council can have disastrous results. This legislation will help ensure that the situation does not recur.

PA 24-31 (HB 5232) expands and studies solar facility deployment in the state. The study requirements include PURA examining whether the existing tariff program should be extended and for the DEEP commissioner to study the feasibility and potential cost-related impacts of establishing a uniform capacity tax for solar facilities in the state. 

Remembering is not just for Memorial Day. It's for every day. If we don't know and understand the sacrifice, it takes for us to enjoy our weekend of picnics and leisure, we won't have the knowledge and the power that knowledge imbues to keep it.

This was the social media post from Cornerstone Friday morning:

At 3:16 a.m., a small electrical fire broke out at New Hope House Homeless Shelter. Thanks to the quick response from our team and local emergency services, all 18 adults and 8 children were safely evacuated to Cornerstone's Lodge.

A HUGE thank you to:

• Vernon Police & Fire Departments for their swift action.
• Assistant Fire Chief Rob Babcock for coordinating Red Cross assistance.
• Diandra, our Shelter Monitor, for ensuring everyone’s safety.
• Josh Virkler of LuAnn's Bakery for his incredible support and breakfast drop-off.
• Kevin Gottier for quickly addressing our electrical issues.

We are incredibly grateful for the community's support during this challenging time. Stay tuned for updates on repairs and the return of our families to New Hope House.

You can also click HERE for more information from Cornerstone or click the graphic below. 

Background/Docket No. 23-08-32 - CT Water Company filed this Letter of Intent to File a General Rate Case with PURA on 08/31/2023, and on 10/03/2023 the Authority received the Company's Application, which proposed an increase of $21,755,828 in its currently authorized revenues of $118,245,047 for a total revenue of $140,000,875.  The proposal included a 10.50% return on equity (ROE) an increase from the currently allowed 9.00% return on equity.
 
CT Water Draft Decision - PURA issued the Draft Decision, or Proposed Final Decision (PFD), on 5/29, which if adopted, approves an annual revenue requirement of $120,987,856 for the rate year, July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025 (Rate Year). The Company may recover an additional $1,115,803 in executive compensation provided the Company achieves certain performance targets.  In its Proposed Final Decision, the Authority also specified an allowed return on equity (ROE) of 9.20%.
 
Public Comment- Please refer to pages 3-4 of the Proposed Final Decision (PFD), which highlights what came of the public comment hearings in this case. If you wish to go on the record with comments of your own, please follow these directions to make a filing in a PURA proceeding. 
 
Next Steps - Here is the schedule for this proceeding.  The statutory deadline is 6/29, and the procedural next steps in this case include: 

1. Oral Arguments from 6/13/2024 can be viewed on PURA’s YouTube channel.
2. Final Decision to be voted on at PURA's Regular Meeting at 10 a.m. on 6/28, which can also be viewed on PURA’s YouTube channel.

Additionally, you may also be interested in reviewing the Rate Case Information webpage, which offers several YouTube videos highlighting the specifics of a rate case.
 

Note: During the summer months (June, July, and August) there is no gate fee for in-town residents, but there is a nominal fee for out-of-town residents (regardless of amenities used). The exception to the out-of-town fee is Thursday evenings, for the summer concerts.

From the Town of Ellington: In-person and mail-in licensing options are available; please contact the Town Clerk's Office at 860-870-3105 with any questions! Click HERE for more information. 

Proof of current rabies vaccination must be shown at the time of licensing. If your dog has been spayed or neutered, a veterinarian certificate must be shown to get the lower license rate.

• The license fee for a Spayed/Neutered Dog is $8.00
• Fee for an Unaltered Dog is $19.00.
• There is a late penalty fee of $1.00 per month starting July 1st of each year.

All dogs must wear a collar or harness which the license and rabies tag must be attached to. A dog without tags by State Law is considered unlicensed and unvaccinated - fines may be issued. 

• There is a fine of $75.00 for Failure to License a Dog.
• The fine for Failure to Vaccinate a Dog or Cat for Rabies is $136.00 per animal.

From the Town of Vernon: Licensing takes place at the Town Clerk's office at Town Hall, 14 Park Place. All dogs 6 months and older must be licensed. The fee is $8 for a neutered or spayed dog, and $19 for an unaltered. There is a late fee of $1 per month after June. If you move to Vernon from another town, you can transfer your dog license for $1.

When you go to Town Hall to register you dog, be sure to bring a copy of your dog's current rabies certificate and spay or neuter certificate. For more information, call the Town Clerk at 860-870-3662.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Daily fees are $3 for people 12 and younger and $5 for people 13 and older.

Season passes are available for purchase by Vernon residents only. State-issued photo ID is required at the time of purchase. Season passes can be purchased at the Parks and Recreation office in Henry Park or at one of the aquatic facilities.

The fees are $30 for people 12 and younger and $50 for people 13 and older.

Horowitz Pool at Henry Park, 120 South St., is under construction.

More information can be found by visiting the Parks and Recreation Department's website HERE.

 Volunteer Today!

• Free Training and Equipment: Everything you need to get started will be provided.
• Monthly Meetings:  After initial training, join CERT monthly for sessions on emergency response, searches, hazard identification, communication, and more. (Venues may vary.)
• Become a vital part of East Windsor's safety network. Your involvement can make a real impact. Let's work together to keep East Windsor safe and prepared!

Click HERE to sign up. For more information, please contact Deputy Chief Murphy at 860-292-8240 or MurphyB@eastwindsorpd.com.

Registration is encouraged, but not required. If you wish to register, please visit the HML website or call 860-870-3160.

In addition to the earlier start date (it started June 1 rather than July 1), participants will also receive increased funds. Eligible participants include all enrolled individuals in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Child (WIC) through the Department of Public Health, as well as seniors over the age of 60 and disabled individuals who meet income and housing guidelines. Each eligible WIC participant will receive $60, and seniors will receive $50 per person. You can read more HERE or click on the graphic below. 

More information and income guidelines for seniors can be found HERE and HERE. 

As you are likely aware, this EBT skimming scam is a nationwide issue. It is also a technology-driven crime committed, at times, by organized rings in which the criminals steal Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card information by installing electronic devices on ATMs or store point-of-sale (POS) terminals to capture card information, which is commonly referred to as skimming. 

Connecticut, through DSS, was one of the first states in the nation to implement a replacement benefit plan, having done so in June 2023. Here are some tips for recipients to keep your benefits safe.