Celebrating Three Kings Day

January 16, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are having a great week.

Please read below for updates in our community!

Last Monday, I attended Hamden's Three Kings Day celebration. It was great to see so many members of the community on a special day.

Great news! The Town of Hamden has partnered with with Columbus House to open an overnight winter warming center for those experiencing homelessness in our community. The warming center will be open seven days a week, from 7 PM - 7:00 AM through March 29. It will be stationed at the Keefe Community Center Gym, located at 11 Pine Street in Hamden. Please enter through the George Street parking lot, located at 19 George Street.

Click here for more information.

Due to high demand, AccessHealthCT has extended its enrollment deadline to January 31. Finding the right health insurance coverage can often be difficult to navigate, but AccessHealthCT has staff dedicated to walking you through the process. Visit their website, call the help center ( 1-855-805-4325), or attend an enrollment event to have your questions answered.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will hold a hybrid public information meeting concerning the Heroes Tunnel Project tonight, January 12 at 5:00 p.m.

The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the proposed improvements to the Heroes Tunnel, offer comments, or ask questions. The in-person meeting will follow an open-house format from 5-8:00 p.m.; allowing attendees to review materials and speak one-on-one with the project team.

The in-person option will be held at the New Haven Fire Academy, at 230 Ella T. Grasso Blvd. in New Haven. The virtual option will be held on Zoom. Registration is required to attend online - click here for more information.

On January 1st, the Connecticut minimum wage increased to $16.94/hour: a response to the state’s increased cost of living. This wage increase will directly benefit more than 160,000 workers.

While RFK Jr. and the CDC put children’s lives on the line, CT’s vaccine policies continue to be governed by science. Talk to your child’s doctor about vaccine safety and efficacy.

As a result of federal legislation, requirements and rules for SNAP benefits have changed. Click here to see if the changes will impact you.

ICYMI

If you are looking for a career in manufacturing, I'd encourage you to apply for Skill Up for Manufacturing 2026.

Participants in this program will learn fundamentals in as little as 5 weeks, connect with employers, and start earning competitive wages. The class offers free training, hands-on experience, and industry-recognized credentials.

There are two upcoming sessions:

January 20 – March 13, 2026 | Middlesex/Vinal Technical H.S., Middletown
February 23 – March 27, 2026 | Gateway CC, New Haven

Click here for more information and to apply now. Take the first step toward a rewarding career in manufacturing!

Starting February 1st, 2026, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin charging a $45 fee for air travelers who arrive at airport security without a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification, such as a valid passport or trusted traveler card. Travelers will be charged this fee to use TSA's ConfirmID identification verification system. The verification is valid for a 10-day period, so it may cover a return trip within that window.

To avoid unnecessary costs and potential security delays, travelers without a Real ID are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment at their local DMV to update their ID as soon as possible.

Click here to make an appointment with the CT DMV.

The Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program, administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), is designed to support diverse students who graduate from public high schools in priority school districts and enroll in teacher preparation programs. The program offers up to $10,000 annually for tuition, with the application deadline set for February 6, 2026. This initiative is part of the state's broader efforts to diversify the educator workforce and address the teacher shortage.

Click here to apply.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Sustainable CT Fellowship Program.

The Sustainable CT Fellowship Program is a paid, full-time summer position for students who are currently enrolled in a post-secondary degree program or who will graduate during the 2025–2026 academic year. Fellows gain hands-on experience supporting municipalities in implementing Sustainable CT actions, tracking progress toward certification, and fostering community engagement in sustainability initiatives.

All applications must be submitted by Monday, February 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Click here to learn more.