Melissa Osborne

It's getting chillier outside and cold temperatures will soon return to Connecticut. I'll break down how those in need in Simsbury can get home heating help before winter.

The November election is just a few weeks away, and you have an opportunity to vote early. Check out the Early Voting section below to see when you can cast a ballot in October and November.

I helped secure $640,000 from the federal government to rehabilitate a couple of facilities run by the Simsbury Housing Authority. I'll take a closer look into how that money will improve the lives of our seniors and disabled low income residents.

The shelves at the Simsbury Food Pantry look a little bare this week. Keep scrolling to see what items you can donate to help those in need in our community.

Here are the sections in this week's email:

• Heating Help Available
• Early Voting Guide
• Critical Funding to Improve Senior Housing
• Police Warn of Phone/E-Mail Scam
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• Faster Internet Coming to Simsbury
• Opportunity to Help Those in Need
• Two Libraries in Town Turn 150!
• What Bears Are Up to in October
• Apply for the Legislative Internship Program!
• Community Events

As the weather starts to turn cooler, it's important to know that financial assistance for heating is available, particularly for those in need. The Town of Simsbury is currently scheduling appointments for those who rely on deliverable fuels, such as oil or propane, to heat their homes. If you or someone you know needs help covering heating costs this winter, now is a great time to ask for and secure the help needed to stay warm and safe throughout the colder months.

There are different income guidelines, and you can see them below.

Simsbury Community and Social Services will begin taking appointments for Eversource and CNG customers in November. The facility is located at 754 Hopmeadow Street.

It's crucial to ensure that everyone stays warm and safe during the colder months, so please take advantage of this resource and spread the word to others who may benefit.

The state is gearing up for early in-person voting, which is taking place from Monday, October 21 through Sunday, November 3. It's the first time this option is available for a Presidential election.

Any registered voter may cast their ballot during the early voting period.

Registered voters can cast a ballot in the Tariffville Room of the Simsbury Public Library (725 Hopmeadow Street) on:

• Monday, October 21 - Sunday, November 3 from 10 A.M. - 6 P.M.
• Tuesday, October 29 & Thursday, October 31 from 8 A.M. - 8 P.M.

You may also vote on Election Day, which is Tuesday, November 5, at your polling station. If you are not sure whether you are registered to vote, please visit: https://portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx.

The Latimer Lane Elementary School construction project is nearing completion, and voters who live in that polling district will return to Latimer in November for voting. If you live in the Latimer Lane polling district you should be receiving information in the mail from the Registrars of Voters confirming your voting location this week.

Please reach out to the Registrars of Voters via email at ssalina@simsbury-ct.gov (R) and kcortes@simsbury-ct.gov (D) if you have any questions.

Talk to your friends and family about registering to vote and ask them what their voting plan is for October and November. Discuss transportation, time off work, or any assistance they might need to cast a ballot. If you chat about those important items and remind them of the importance of their vote, they are more likely to take part in the upcoming election.

If you receive such a call or email:

• Contact Simsbury Police immediately at (860) 658-3100
• End the call immediately
• Do not provide personal information
• Do not buy gift cards as a form of payment
• Do not send cash through the mail

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we honor the strength of survivors, support those currently fighting, and remember those we have lost. My thoughts are with all the families in our community who are and have been affected by breast cancer.

As a breast cancer survivor and your representative, I’m committed to advocating for access to early detection, treatment, research funding, and community support for those fighting breast cancer. We will never stop working to find cures, address the needs of patients and their families, and make treatments affordable.

Doctors urge women 40 and older to schedule a mammogram. Doctors use them to look for early signs of breast cancer. Women with a family history of the disease are at higher risk. Thankfully, advanced technology has improved our doctors' ability to detect cancer. If a doctor identifies cancer early, the survival rate increases dramatically.

CLICK HERE if you need assistance obtaining a mammogram or finding a screen center near you. I encourage you to call (860) 509-7804 for more information.

Expanding broadband access is critical for:

• Enhancing educational opportunities
• Fostering economic growth
• Improving healthcare access through telehealth
• Connecting more communities and keeping them informed

To learn more about the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Office of Telecommunications and Broadband and its broadband deployment efforts, visit portal.ct.gov/deep/energy/broadband-deployment.

Our community is accustomed to seeing our food pantry filled to capacity, thanks to the incredible generosity of Simsbury residents. However, right now, the shelves are looking unusually bare, and the need in our community is greater than ever. Families are facing increased financial hardships, and the demand for basic necessities, from non-perishable food items to household supplies, continues to rise.

If you're able, please consider making a donation. Even the smallest contribution can go a long way in helping those in need. The Simsbury Food Pantry has provided a list of items below.

You can drop off smaller donations Eno Memorial Hall (754 Hopmeadow Street). Please call the food pantry at (860) 658-3283 before your arrival so that organizers can arrange to meet you.

For large food donations, please call in advance to schedule a drop-off time. This will help to ensure that staff is available to assist you. Please remember that flexibility may be needed to accommodate deliveries.

The Simsbury Food Bank has always been a reflection of the kindness and compassion of our town, and together, we can ensure that no one goes without the essentials. Let’s continue to support one another and keep our shelves full for those who need it most.

In October, bears are spending up to 20 hours per day awake and searching for food. This process will continue until there is no food available, in which case bears den-up.

Keep in mind that October is known to have a spike in collisions with animals, including bears. Shorter days make it harder to see, and bears are not shy about crossing the street to forage for their next meal.

Here are some of the requirements:

• 18 years of age or older by start of program
• Enrolled in a Connecticut college or university
• Registered for a campus-based course to receive credit for the internship
• Minimum 20 credits completed by program start
• Minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA

The application deadline is Friday, November 1. CLICK HERE to learn more about the internship program.

Come and hike up Talcott Mountain and enjoy the spectacular autumn foliage at the Tower Toot on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 from 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. Participants will be able to buy food and drinks while listening to festive music on both days.

All proceeds support the enhancement of the Heublein Tower and its grounds.

Simsbury is hosting a Household Hazardous Waste Collection on Saturday, October 19 from 8 A.M. – 1 P.M at the Simsbury Department of Public Works facility at 66 Town Forest Road. Organizers are collecting items that cannot go into the regular trash, keeping hazardous materials from being deposited into landfills.

Anyone who lives in Simsbury, Avon, Canton, Farmington, Granby, and Suffield are allowed to take part. Please bring proof of residency and approach Town Forest Road from the Stratton Brook Road side, to keep the line orderly. CLICK HERE for more information including a list of items that will be accepted.

Stop by the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center on Sunday, October 27 from 12 - 5 P.M. for Brewstock Boos & Tunes! You will get to sample local brews, enjoy a costume contest, Halloween games, food trucks, and live music!

General Admission SAMPLING tickets will include a set number of sample tickets, which can be exchanged at any brewery for FREE samples. Those who do not wish to sample beer may purchase the general admission ticket.

Security will check ID for general admission sampling ticket holders upon entry. Please bring your own lawn chairs or blankets for the day.

CLICK HERE for more information including a list of participating breweries and food vendors.