Michelle L. Cook

I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July. Don't forget - Torrington's celebration is tonight, including a carnival and fireworks at Torrington Middle School. Important information regarding parking and traffic flow can be found in this e-newsletter. NOTE: From the Parks and Recreation Department, as of right now, the fireworks and carnival are a GO for tonight. There is a small passing shower this afternoon and then clearing out for this evening.

I had the privilege of presenting Armando Zarazu, a teacher of 38 years, with a state citation from the Connecticut General Assembly as he retires from Torrington Public Schools. Thank you for your service, Mr. Zarazu!

I also have an update for you on the Summer EBT delay, which shouldn't be as long as previously expected. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

• July 4th Festivities
• Remembering Those Who Lost Their Lives Maintaining CT's Roadways
• Honoring Mr. Zarazu
• Update on S-EBT Delay
• Great Turnout for the PAL Car Show
• American Mural Project Event
• Torrington's Downtown Cultural District
• Welcoming New TPD Officers
• First Responders Night with the Hartford Yard Goats 
• Torrington Library Starts New Summer Hours
• Updates from Friendly Hands Food Bank
• Updates from Northwest CT Chamber of Commerce
• AARP Livable Communities Grant Program
• Torrington Parks & Rec Summer Concert Series
• And More!

The Torrington area fireworks are scheduled for Friday at the Torrington Middle School. Needless to say, expect delays and congestion in the area of Torringford St., East Pearl Rd., Harris Rd., Middle School Dr. (near the Middle School), and upper East Main St., starting at around 4 p.m. Parking WILL NOT BE ALLOWED on Torringford St (Rt 183) on either side of the roadway or within 500 feet of Torringford St. on Harrison Rd., West Pearl Rd., Country Club Rd., or Ginger Lane during the event.

One-way traffic will begin on East Pearl Rd. Proceed to the driveway of the Torrington Middle School, and then proceed to Middle School Dr. Parking on either side of Middle School Dr. is limited to the first 258 vehicles. Other parking areas will include Bishop Donnelly (57 Vehicles), a portion of the Midget Football field (100 Vehicles), and the South baseball/softball fields. The Torrington Middle School parking lot is RESERVED FOR HANDICAP ONLY PARKING (Please have your passes clearly displayed)

• CASH ONLY It is $10 per car (be responsible with the number of people in the vehicle), or $2 per walk-up. If you are dropping walk-ups off, your best bet is to drop them off on Harris Rd., at East Pearl Rd., and have them walk to the main entrance of Middle School Dr. It will allow those dropping individuals off to avoid the logjam of vehicles parking in the Middle School lots.
• NO DOGS or any other animals are permitted on the grounds during this event.
• Alcohol, fireworks, or coolers are NOT ALLOWED anywhere in the event area or properties at any time.

As we spend time with family and friends this July 4th weekend, let’s slow down and pull over as these workers will not get to spend time with their families.

Honoring 38 years of teaching, I was privileged to present Armando Zarazu with a state citation from the Connecticut General Assembly upon his retirement from Torrington Public Schools. Mr. Zarazu is commended for his devotion to the education of Torrington's youth. For 24 years in the Torrington School District, his passion for teaching has been reflected in his students. He formed Torrington High School's Multicultural Club in 2001 and continues to serve as its adviser. The City of Torrington and its students are grateful for all Mr. Zarazu has done and wish him the best of luck in his retirement.

DSS has shared they have been working with the vendor who administers the program to see if payments may be expedited. The latest update is that they started technical testing on July 2 with their vendor and by July 8, they hope to have an updated schedule for the release of benefits, which will hopefully be sooner than the estimated time of early August.

S-EBT helps to lower food insecurity and increases access to healthy food. Each child who qualifies will get a one-time S-EBT benefit of $120. 

For more information on the S-EBT program in Connecticut, click HERE. 

Below, you can find resources available in Torrington to help bridge the gap until the funding is released. 

WHO: All children 18 and under, special needs up to age 21
WHAT: Weekly pack of seven breakfast & seven lunch meals for each child!

WHEN & WHERE:  Every Wednesday at the times listed below:
Vogel Wetmore School 68 Church St. Torrington 9 - 9:30 a.m. & 4 - 5 p.m.
Northside Terrace 4 Terrace Dr. Torrington 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.
Friendly Hands Food Bank 50 King St. Torrington 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Woodland Hills 330 Highland Ave. Torrington 1:45 - 2:15 p.m.
Berry & Cherry St. Corner Cherry & Berry Torrington 2:30 - 3 p.m.
Torrington Library 12 Daycoeton Pl. Torrington 3:15 - 3:45 p.m.

For more information, click HERE. 

What does it mean to be designated a cultural district? Each district is an area a municipality identifies because it contains several nonprofit and for-profit cultural facilities, activities, and/or assets. Cultural districts are walkable, compact areas that are easy for visitors to recognize. Because each community is unique, each cultural district looks different.

Want to learn more about becoming a cultural district? Click HERE for more information. 

Please note that the public access computers shut down 30 minutes before the library, and the Children's Room closes 15 minutes before.

There is also a Tuesday market starting July 9 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Both markets are located in the same location: St. Paul’s Church parking lot: 837 Charles St, Torrington.

AARP Connecticut invites nonprofit organizations and municipalities across the state to apply for the 2024 Livable Communities Grant Program. Now in its seventh year, the grant program dedicated to funding “quick-action” projects in Connecticut communities, aims to help the state’s neighborhoods, towns and cities be great places to live for people of all ages. The application deadline is Friday, August 16, at 5 p.m.

The AARP Connecticut Livable Communities Grant Program is open to incorporated organizations that are 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) nonprofits and Connecticut municipalities who seek to make improvements in their neighborhood or community in Connecticut.

Grants can range from small, short-term activities to larger, permanent solutions, but the maximum amount of any single grant will be $5,000. All applications should be for a project of $5,000 or less. AARP Connecticut has funded 38 projects since the inception of the Livable Communities Grant Program in 2018.

Grant applications should be for projects in Connecticut that are focused on improving the lives of those 50+ and make a positive impact within one of the following 8 Domains of Livability:

• Outdoor spaces and buildings
• Transportation
• Housing
• Social Participation
• Respect and Social Inclusion
• Work and Civic Engagement
• Communication and Information
• Community and Health Services

Comprehensive details about the program and applications can be found on www.aarp.org/ct. All proposals must be submitted to CTLivable@aarp.org by 5 p.m. ET, August 16, 2024, and all projects must be completed within 12 months from the day grant funding is received. 

Please email questions to CTLivable@aarp.org.

Krystal The Connecticut Mermaid will be here on July 10th for a Children's program where she'll read some of her favorite ocean books, make some mermaid jewelry, and pose for photos!

This is sure to be a fun event! Spots are filling quickly, reserve yours HERE. 

The cost of $45 per 1 adult and 1 child includes: assorted drinks, snacks, make-your-own-sundaes, freeze dance, crafts to take home, and more!

Additional adults or children attending are $22.50 per person.

Advanced reservations required. For more information, click HERE.