Aundré Bumgardner

Dear Neighbor,

I am thrilled about the funding approved for much-needed work on the Stonington Town Dock. I am also proud to have worked along with a committed collection of folks who helped see this through. Anyway, I'm sharing the exciting news right at the top of this week's newsletter.

The Access Health CT Enrollment Deadline has been extended. If you're looking for an affordable health and or dental plan, please see the information below for more details.

The $500 million emergency response fund created during last month's special session was really a good thing. Scroll down for a look at some of the fund's benefits that can help blunt some of the federal government's harmful cuts.

Lastly, there's good news below for homeowners who are looking to make energy-saving upgrades. More details are below.

This week's newsletter topics include:

• $500K Confirmed for Stonington Town Dock
• Access Health CT Enrollment Deadline Extended
• Medical Debt Relief for Another 40K
• Maintaining Affordability Act
• Energy Efficiency Help for Homeowners
• Happy Hanukkah
• Veterans Resources & Updates
• Community Events

Do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Aundre.Bumgardner@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267.

Have a great weekend,

Sincerely,

Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative
 

And, finally, our press release:
 

 
State Representative Aundre Bumgardner (D-House District 41) and State Senator Heather Somers (R-Senate District 18) are celebrating the State Bond Commission today, unanimously approving $500,000 in state bond funding to support critical infrastructure improvements at the Stonington Town Dock, advancing efforts to protect Connecticut’s last major commercial fishing fleet and strengthen the resilience of a historic working waterfront.

Governor Ned Lamont is chair of the State Bond Commission.

The funding will help advance repairs to the North Pier, part of a historic working waterfront that has supported Stonington’s commercial fishing operations since the 1830s. The pier supports more than 100 fishermen, two seafood processing companies, and supplies restaurants and markets throughout Southern New England and the tri-state area.

“This investment reflects the state’s commitment to preserving working waterfronts that are central to our economy, our food system, and our maritime heritage,” said State Representative Aundré Bumgardner. “With federal and local funds already in place and construction underway, today’s vote helps keep this project moving forward and ensures we continue protecting the infrastructure our fishing fleet depends on.”

The $500,000 allocation builds on a $900,000 federal HUD Economic Development Initiative grant secured by Congressman Joe Courtney and a $400,000 local contingency approved by the Stonington Board of Finance. Phase 1 of the project is currently underway and includes rehabilitation of 142 feet of the 344-foot North Pier and replacement of 65 structural pilings.
This additional state funding is intended to support reconstruction of the remaining portion of the North Pier, completing the full 344-foot pier, while separate funding will be required to address the adjoining seawall.

Over the past year, Representative Bumgardner and State Senator Heather Somers worked closely with the Governor’s Office to advance the project, made it a priority with legislative leadership, and coordinated with local officials, and stakeholders — including former First Selectman Danielle Chesebrough, the Stonington Harbor Management Commission, the Stonington Waterfront Commission, Southern New England Fishermen & Lobstermen’s Association (SNEFLA), and Joe Gilbert of Empire Fisheries. As part of that effort, state agency partners and House Bonding Subcommittee Chair Ron Napoli were brought to the Town Docks to see firsthand the urgency of reinvesting in this working waterfront.

Stonington First Selectman Bill Middleton welcomed the state’s investment, saying:
“I want to thank Governor Lamont, State Representative Aundré Bumgardner, Senator Heather Somers, the State Bond Commission, and the many partners who have come together to invest in our aging but irreplaceable commercial fishing infrastructure, a cornerstone of Stonington’s maritime heritage and local economy.”

"The investment in Stonington’s town dock is especially important, as this funding will receive a federal match and complements long-standing legislative work alongside the fishermen and maritime community who rely on this infrastructure every day. Strengthening the dock supports safety, economic activity, and the working waterfront that is so vital to the region," State Senator Heather Somers said.
 
Former First Selectman Chesebrough, who helped advance the project through earlier planning, permitting, and federal coordination, was credited for her leadership in laying the groundwork that allowed construction to move forward.
“The Stonington Town Dock has been the heart of our working waterfront for generations, and advancing this project required years of planning, permitting, and coordination in close partnership with our state and federal delegation,” Chesebrough said. “I’m grateful for all the groundwork that was laid to position the town to leverage federal, state, and local resources to protect this vital infrastructure and the fishing fleet that depends on it.”
 
"The Fishermen's Dock and fishing fleet are the backbone of our working waterfront," said Joe Gilbert, owner and operator of Empire Fisheries. Our boats need safe, functional infrastructure to keep fishing, keep crews working, and keep fresh, responsibly harvested seafood moving from the water to people’s tables. This dock supports real jobs, real hardworking families, and a fishing industry that has been part of this town for generations. We are proud to be based in a community like Stonington, and we appreciate the investment that helps keep this working waterfront strong and resilient for the future.”
 
State and local leaders emphasized the broader public-safety and resilience importance of the Town Dock, which serves not only as the backbone of Stonington’s commercial fishing fleet but also as a designated evacuation point for Fishers Island residents in the event of an emergency at the Millstone Power Station. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continuing work with the Governor’s Office, state agencies, and the State Bond Commission to complete the project and ensure the long-term viability of Stonington’s harbor and commercial fishing fleet.

Engineering assessments indicate that the remaining portion of the pier and the entire 344-foot seawall still require restoration.
With sea levels projected to rise by approximately one foot by 2050, continued investment will be essential to protecting the harbor from stronger storms, erosion, and long-term climate impacts.

Due to a system outage that may have prevented many customers from enrolling in health and dental coverage by the December 15, 2025, deadline for coverage effective January 1, 2026, Access Health CT is extending the enrollment deadline. Customers now have until Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. to enroll in coverage beginning January 1, 2026.

To receive coverage effective January 1, 2026, enrollment must be completed by contacting the Access Health CT Call Center. Applications completed on the website will result in coverage beginning February 1, 2026.

Call: 1-855-805-4325 or TTY: 1-855-789-2428

• Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Customers should expect longer-than-normal hold times and are encouraged to call before 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 20, to ensure enrollment is completed. Assistance is available in more than 100 languages.

If you work with a Certified Broker, don't hesitate to contact your broker for assistance with enrollment by Saturday, December 20.

Open Enrollment ends January 15, 2026. You may continue to enroll online at AccessHealthCT.com, but coverage will begin February 1, 2026.

We passed a $500 million emergency response fund during November's special session to support residents facing harmful federal cutbacks from the Trump administration. Now, Governor Ned Lamont is putting a plan in motion to put that fund to use. His proposal calls for committing:

• Tens of millions to offset cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies
• $24.5 million to support community food banks and pantries
• Nearly $7 million to combat homelessness
• $4.7 million for 2-1-1 to increase call volume and Community Action Agencies to support outreach and assistance for SNAP recipients

Click on the image below to read the entire proposal, which is still awaiting approval from legislative leaders.

Here’s how the funding breaks down:

• $12 million will help developers upgrade existing multifamily affordable housing with energy-efficient retrofits.
• $6 million will help lower-income homeowners remove health and safety barriers so their homes can qualify for weatherization and efficiency programs.

This matters because too many families — especially those with lower incomes — spend a large share of their paychecks on energy bills. Fixing these barriers opens the door to real, long-term savings and more comfortable homes.

This program was authorized by the legislature earlier this year, and it builds on successful DEEP programs that have already helped dozens of households, but ran out of funding due to high demand. DEEP is now working on setting up the program to launch loans and grants by the end of 2026.

This investment also fits into broader efforts to bring down energy costs statewide, including new laws that will save ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars and ongoing energy efficiency programs that return more savings than they cost.

Bottom line: this is about making housing more affordable, cutting energy bills, and making sure more Connecticut residents can benefit from energy efficiency — no matter their income or where they live.

• Your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is critical for accessing VA benefits. Here’s how to obtain a copy:
• Check with your Town Clerk – Many veterans file their DD 214 with their local town clerk.
• Contact CT Veterans Affairs – They have an archive of 130,000 DD 214s. Email oaa.dva@ct.gov for assistance.
• Submit a Request to the National Archives – The fastest way is online: Request Here
• If Needed for Burial or Military Honors – Funeral directors have priority retrieval access.

• Groton – 2nd & 4th Friday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
• Groton Public Library – 52 Newtown Road
• Mystic – 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
• Mystic Congregational Church – 43 East Main Street
• Pawcatuck – 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
• Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center – 27 Chase Street

For more locations and information, contact:
Gina King, Director, Senior Volunteer Services
gking@tvcca.org |  860-425-6617

If you have any issues, concerns, or ideas related to veteran services, military families, or legislative priorities, please feel free to reach out to my office. Your service and sacrifices deserve to be honored with the best support possible.