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I want to thank the voters of the 57th District for entrusting me to serve for a third term as your state representative in Hartford. It's an honor and a privilege, and I look forward to the start of the legislative session in January. If you have ideas for legislation, please don't hesitate to reach out.
I'm excited to share with you that the first "Moving Beyond" conference was so successful that we're going to do it again! The day-long conference will be held on December 12 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. More details can be found below.
Next week is Thanksgiving. I want to wish you all a happy and healthy holiday with your friends and family. And best wishes to anyone taking part in the Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving morning! |
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| I hope the rest of your week is great and that you have a wonderful weekend!
Jaime |
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In this newsletter, you'll find:
- In the News
- 2nd Annual Moving Beyond Implications: Research into Policy Conference
- November is National Caregivers Month
- Shop Small on November 30 - Small Business Saturday
- Connecticut's Christmas Movie Trail
- Ellington's Winter Farmers Market Opens Saturday
- Snipsic Reservoir Access Road Closes Monday
- Wreaths Across America Coming to the 57th District
- Warehouse Point Library Hosts Holiday Decoration Exchange
- Agricultural Science & Technology - Vernon Regional FFA Holiday Sale
- Vernon and Ellington Hosting Winterfests
- Syme Family Farm Talks Christmas Trees & the Drought
- East Windsor Police Department Welcomes New Officers
- November is Heating Assistance Awareness Month
- And More!
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| This month's article in North Central News focused on the State Bond Commission's approval of nearly $9.4 million in farmland preservation funds. The money will be used to purchase development rights in perpetuity to qualifying farms under the State's Farmland Preservation Program. The funds are expected to finance the acquisition of development rights for approximately 10 farms statewide. To read the full article, click HERE or click the graphic below. |
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| I'm happy to be partnering again with the Scholars Strategy Network and InCHIP for the second annual "Moving Beyond Implications: Research into Policy" conference. The conference will take place on December 12 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Register by December 6 HERE. |
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| On Friday, I took part in the Food and Nutrition in Connecticut: Challenges and Opportunities event hosted by the CT Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity. It was very enlightening. If you do food security and nutrition work, please reply to this survey! |
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| November is National Family Caregivers Month. It is a time to honor and support the caregivers who give so much to our families and communities. I'm sharing local resources to help lighten the load, from mental health support to financial assistance programs. Let’s ensure our caregivers get the care they need, too!
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| Small Business Saturday, which is November 30 this year, shines a spotlight on locally owned businesses. It encourages folks to shop small and support their communities during the busy holiday shopping season.
By participating, you can find unique, personalized gifts while contributing to the local economy by keeping money within your community. Small Business Saturday fosters a sense of connection, strengthening neighborhoods and ensuring that local businesses, which are often the heart of their communities, continue to thrive. |
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| Connecticut knows how to do Christmas!
In fact, Connecticut is brimming with so much Christmas charm, it's become a go-to backdrop for holiday films by Hallmark, Netflix, and Lifetime. Immerse yourself in holiday magic with a journey through the state, exploring the picture-perfect towns where holiday movies come to life.
Check out the nation’s first Christmas Movie Trail, right here in Connecticut HERE. |
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| Ellington Farmers Market indoor market starts at Ellington High School this Saturday! |
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| On November 25, Ellington DPW will close the Snipsic Reservoir access road for the winter season. The closure will take place before 12 p.m. and will remain in effect until the spring opening, tentatively set for March 31. If you have questions or concerns, please contact DPW at 860-870-3140 or pubworkhelp@ellington-ct.gov. You may also reach out to the Connecticut Water Company for inquiries related to the reservoir access road. |
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| Join the more than two million volunteers and supporters who will gather to Remember, Honor and Teach at more than 4,600 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea, and abroad. Wreaths Across America makes its way to the 57th District on Saturday, December 14, at 12 p.m.
Windsorville Cemetery - East Windsor (accepting grave specific). Coffee and donuts will be served inside Windsorville United Methodist Chruch after the ceremony. To sponsor a wreath in East Windsor, click HERE.
Ellington Center Cemetery - Ellington (not accepting grave specific). The deadline to order wreaths is Tuesday, December 3. Join the Ellington Patriotic Committee at this year's Wreaths Across America ceremony, scheduled for noon on December 14. The committee's goal is to place a wreath at every veteran's grave. To sponsor a wreath in Ellington, click HERE.
Grove Hill Cemetery - Vernon (not accepting grave specific). Ceremony and wreath laying at Grove Hill Cemetery (wreath laying immediately following the ceremony). If you'd like to sponsor a wreath in Vernon, click HERE. |
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| As you start to clean out those holiday decoration storage bins, boxes, and cabinets, bring your unwanted holiday items to the Warehouse Point Library swap event and get something new to you! Decorations, ornaments, candles, outdoor lighting, inflatables, linens, etc. are all great options to trade, but please make sure your treasures are in good enough shape to swap. Drop off your treasures anytime the library is open. The exchange is anticipated to begin December 2. No donation is necessary to take something home. |
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| Warehouse Point Library is also holding a toy drive until December 11. Toys will be given to East Windsor Social Services for holiday distribution. Unwrapped donations are being accepted at the library for babies to age 13. |
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| The Agricultural Science and Technology - Vernon Regional Holiday Sale is quickly approaching on December 5. Please scan the QR code below or click this LINK to preorder your wreath, centerpiece, poinsettias and porch pots. We will have more crafts and stocking stuffers available in our Craft Market this evening as well. Friendly reminder, we accept cash or checks only - all funds raised go to support Rockville FFA! |
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| The Friends of Rockville Library will hold its Holiday Cookie Sale on December 14 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Two-pound trays of cookies will sell for $16 and can be ordered by calling the library at 860-875-5892. |
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| It's time for the Cornerstone Christmas party! Sign up on the website www.cornerstone-cares.org/events or at the Clothing Bank. The annual free party is for 100 children between the ages of 2-and-10 years old residing in Rockville-Vernon. |
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| Syme Family Farm has been receiving phone calls and messages wondering about how the current drought situation in Connecticut will affect the Christmas trees.
A few things:
- We had ample precipitation up until September which we are grateful for. These past few months certainly have been very dry.
- The sellable-sized trees have massive and deep root systems so they have access to deeper soil moisture. It’s the younger trees with more shallow root systems that are being affected more.
- As always, the most important thing that you can do is WATER YOUR TREE DAILY AND DO NOT LET THE WATER RESERVOIR DRY OUT after you bring your tree home.
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| Congratulations to East Windsor Police Department’s newest officers, Hunter Poliquin and Dylan Gargiulo, after graduating from the police academy after 28 weeks of hard work and dedication! |
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Colder temperatures will soon give way to higher heating bills. November is Heating Assistance Awareness Month in Connecticut, and we are informing residents about several programs available that can help pay or lower their heating bills this winter.
Whether it be state assistance, protection from shutoff service, financial assistance programs, or energy efficiency, there is a plan for everyone.
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Here is a closer look at what's available:
State and Other Assistance Programs
- You can get up to $530 to help pay your heating bill through the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and get a bigger match from the Matching Payment Program. Apply online here or visit your local Community Action Agency. You can also find your closest agency by calling 211.
Protection from Service Shut-Off
- Protect your gas or electric service from shut off, from November 1 through May 1 with Winter Protection, for customers facing financial hardship.
- You may also be eligible for Medical Protection if anyone in your home is seriously ill or has a life-threatening situation.
Financial Assistance Programs and Payment Plans
- The Matching Payment Program can lower the amount you owe on energy bills. For every dollar you pay, and every dollar you receive from the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), Eversource will subtract a dollar from the amount you owe.
- An Electric Discount Rate You may be eligible for a 10% or 50% discount off your electric bill per month based on your household income or receipt of a public assistance benefit if you have a financial hardship status on your account.
- Flexible Payment Plans of up to 18 months are available to help all residential customers with active accounts pay off money owed, regardless of their income.
- With Budget Billing, pay a fixed amount each month based on your average energy usage to avoid spikes in your bill during heating and cooling seasons.
Energy Efficiency
- Eversource has energy efficiency programs, incentives, and money-saving tips to help you reduce your overall energy use during the colder months.
To learn more about the programs, and which one may be right for you, please call 1-800-286-2828 or visit eversource.com/billhelp. You can get a jump on lowering your heating bill and keeping your home this winter today. |
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Teenage students and high schools in Connecticut can win up to $26,000 in prizes by entering a submission into Connecticut’s 16th annual Teen Safe Driving Video Contest hosted by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Travelers.
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens in the United States. In 2022, there were 2,514 people killed in crashes across the country involving teenage drivers between the ages of 15 and 18.
The Teen Safe Drive Video Contest is open to all public, private, and home-schooled high school students in Connecticut between the ages of 14 and 18. Contest entrants are required to create a unique and effective video public service announcement no longer than 45 seconds, highlighting interactions between drivers and other teens while illustrating ways to practice safer driving habits and obey Connecticut’s teen driving laws.
The videos must also address at least one specific Connecticut teen driving law. Click HERE to read the full contest rules and instructions on submitting a video. The deadline for submissions is February 3. To watch winning videos from previous years, click HERE.
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