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It was wonderful to join the community in celebrating Juneteenth. The weather was absolutely perfect, and it was great to see so many people come together to recognize this important day of reflection, celebration, and unity.
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It was especially great to hear the student jazz band perform. They did an incredible job and added so much to the celebration. Thank you as well to all of the community organizations that participated and helped make the event such a success.
A special thank you to United Plainville and the Queen Ann Nzinga Center for organizing such a special celebration. And an especially big thank you to Dayna Snell for all of the hard work, dedication, and leadership that made this event possible.
I’m grateful to everyone who came out and helped make it such a memorable day for our community.
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In this week's eblast, you can read about Aquarion's public hearing on the proposed rate increase, summertime food assistance, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
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Thank you to everyone who attended our information session on Aquarion’s proposed water rate increase. We had a great turnout and an important discussion about the proposed increase, the rate review process, and how residents can make their voices heard.
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As many of you know, Aquarion has asked the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to approve an average 42% increase in water rates.
Aquarion and its corporate parent, Eversource, argue that the proposed increase is needed to cover rising operating costs, infrastructure improvements, and other regulatory requirements. At the same time, Eversource reported:
- $1.69 billion in profits last year
- A 23% increase in shareholder returns
- Approximately $15 million in compensation for its CEO, nearly a 20% increase from the previous year
Many residents have shared concerns not only about the proposed rate increase, but also about ongoing water quality issues, including discoloration, sediment, mineral buildup, damage to appliances, bottled water purchases, and the need for filtration systems.
I have joined my colleagues in urging PURA to carefully scrutinize every aspect of this request and to reject any portion of the increase that is not fully justified. I also urged PURA to hold public hearings that are accessible to customers so residents have a meaningful opportunity to participate.
PURA will make the final decision on whether to approve, modify, or reject the proposed rate increase. That is why it is so important for residents to participate in the public hearing on Wednesday, July 15 at noon. Your testimony becomes part of the official record that PURA considers before making its decision.
There are several ways to participate - please read below for your options:
Join Us at the Plainville Public Library
We’ll be hosting a community watch party at the Plainville Public Library and will have a laptop available for anyone who would like to testify.
If you don’t want to participate alone, come join your neighbors and participate together!
Submit Written Testimony By Email
Submit Written Testimony By Mail
Executive Secretary
Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
10 Franklin Square
New Britain, CT 06051
Additional Ways to Make Your Voice Heard
Participating in the PURA public hearing is one of the most important ways to ensure your concerns become part of the official record. However, it is not the only way to report issues.
Below, you can find a Plainville Water Quality Complaint Resources guide with contact information for Aquarion, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) so residents can file complaints directly with the appropriate agencies.
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If you are experiencing water discoloration, sediment, mineral buildup, unusual taste or odor, appliance damage, billing concerns, or other water-related issues, I encourage you to report them through these channels as well.
If you submit your complaint by email, please copy my office at Rebecca.Martinez@cga.ct.gov. This helps my office track concerns across our community, identify patterns, and continue advocating on behalf of Plainville residents.
The public hearing and direct complaints each serve a different purpose. Participating in both ensures your concerns are heard and documented through every available avenue.
The most important thing is making sure your experience becomes part of the official record before PURA makes its decision.
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A reminder that Access Health CT announced that eligible customers can enroll in a health insurance plan with Temporary Premium Assistance through a Special Enrollment Period that will end on June 30th.
The Temporary Premium Assistance has provided over $1.6 million in savings for 10,580 Connecticut residents to date. At the end of 2025, Governor Lamont announced the Temporary Premium Assistance to help customers who lost financial assistance when the federal enhanced Premium Tax Credits expired. The Special Enrollment Period for Temporary Premium Assistance opened on February 1st, and customers can continue to enroll through June 30th.
Customers who qualify for this Special Enrollment Period include:
- Households with an annual income between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) who are not already enrolled in the Covered CT Program. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 100% of the expired federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts.
- Households with an annual income over 400% and up to 500% FPL. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 50% of the expired federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts.
To enroll, customers can call 1-855-805-4325, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, with help available in over 100 languages. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use the TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call 1-855-805-4325 with a relay operator.
For free help online, customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com. They can also chat live with a customer service representative by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website. Live chat is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
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Congratulations to the Plainville High School Class of 2026!
It was an honor to join students, families, educators, and community members to celebrate this important milestone. Graduation is a moment to reflect on years of hard work, perseverance, and growth, while also looking ahead to the exciting opportunities that await.
To the graduates: be proud of all you have accomplished. Whether your next step is college, a career, military service, or another path, know that your community is cheering you on every step of the way.
Wishing each of you success, happiness, and the confidence to pursue your dreams. Congratulations, Class of 2026 you’ve made Plainville proud!
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It was so great to recently recognize Plainville High School's Girls Flag Football Team for winning the CIAC Class M State Championship during their inaugural season!
I was proud to present them a state proclamation for this amazing achievement.
Congratulations to the players, coaches, and parents who all helped this team succeed! |
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Connecticut has seen a rise in EBT card PIN theft and benefit fraud. We encourage all EBT cardholders to take precautions to protect their accounts and benefits when using their cards.
The Department of Social Services offers several tools and resources to help recipients safeguard their benefits from fraudulent transactions. Follow the link below to learn more about available security features and steps you can take to protect your account.
Click here to learn more about protecting your EBT card benefits. |
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Families across Connecticut are receiving extra help putting food on the table this summer through the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program.
The Connecticut Department of Social Services, in partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education, is providing a one-time $120 food benefit for each eligible child to help offset meal costs while school is out of session. More than 350,000 children are expected to get support from the program.
This investment helps families with children pay for food during the summer months while school is not in session. More than $42 million in S-EBT funding is expected to be provided to Connecticut families this summer. |
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Who is eligible?
Children may qualify if their family:
- Participates in SNAP, Temporary Family Assistance Program (TFA), or Husky A with an income below 185% of the federal poverty level or
- Was approved for free or reduced-price school meals during the 2025-26 school year.
Most eligible families automatically received their benefits electronically last weekend. They are being loaded onto existing SNAP or EBT cards, including previously issued Summer EBT cards. Families new to the program will receive an EBT card by mail.
Families who are not automatically enrolled can apply for Summer EBT through August 31, 2026.
Click here to learn more.
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Please see below for the "Roadwork Corner" section of the eblasts, which will include information on current and upcoming roadwork to stay aware of. Please make sure to check in weekly for the latest updates!
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There will be lane shifts on Route 72 in Plainville/New Britain. The project 0171-0501 consists of rehabilitation measures for four (4) bridges that includes, but are not limited to deck rehabilitation, superstructure rehabilitation or replacement and substructure rehabilitation.
Other major project elements include paving, roadway drainage, guiderail replacement, highway design and construction, traffic engineering and work zone traffic control, illumination and Incident Management Systems (IMS) replacement or preservation, and utility coordination, as well as related design and construction requirements detailed throughout the Technical and General Provisions including Appendices and referenced authoritative sources.
Manafort Brothers Incorporated will implement traffic shifts on various Route 72 structures in Plainville/New Britain beginning on or around June 15 and continuing through early December 2026. Traffic will remain open during construction. Motorists should expect shifted travel lanes, reduced shoulder widths, temporary pavement markings, construction signage, and changing traffic patterns throughout the work zone.
Traffic control devices and signing will be installed to help guide drivers safely through the temporary roadway configuration. Motorists are advised to use caution, reduce speeds, and remain alert for construction vehicles, roadway workers, and temporary lane changes in the area.
Please note that the schedule may be modified or extended due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Additional traffic shifts will occur as needed in the project area into December 2026.
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a Joint and Crack Sealing project will be performed on various state routes within the Greater Hartford region (CTDOT District 1). This project is scheduled to occur on Monday, June 1, 2026, and be completed on Friday, November 6, 2026. Project DOT01703229CN consists of pavement joint and crack sealing.
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
There will be various lane closures on various state routes (see list below) from Monday, June 1, 2026, to Friday November 6, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone.
Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area. The following routes are included in this project:
Andover:
Route 316 between Route 6 and Hebron town line
Berlin:
Route 71 between Route 372 (Farmington Avenue) and SR 571
Bristol:
Route 72 East of Blakeslee Street to Main Street No. 1
East Windsor:
SR 510 between Route 5 by Wagner Lane and Route 5 by King Street
Route 140 between Route191 to Route 286
Manchester:
Route 83 between US 6 & 44 (Center Street) to Route 30
Mansfield:
Route 32 between Route 275 and Route 44
Route 44 between the Coventry town line and Route 195
Route 320 between Route 195 and Route 320
Plainville:
SR 536 between Route 372 (East Main Street) to White Oak Avenue
Wolcott:
Route 322 between Woodtick Road and SR 844
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a tree removal operation will be performed on I-84 east and west bound from Exit 26 in Cheshire to Exit 34 in Plainville. This project is scheduled to occur on Monday, June 22 and be completed on Friday, August 14, 2026. No work will be carried out around any scheduled holidays.
To ensure the safety of the public, CTDOT is removing dead, diseased, and decaying trees. Additionally, trees and vegetation that have grown into the clear zone, which is the safety space along the side of the roadway, are also being removed. This work helps save lives in the event of a crash or vehicle leaving the roadway. This work is being performed by J&J Brothers LLC.
LANE CLOSURE INFO
There will be ramp and lane closures on I-84 east and west bound from Exit 26 in Cheshire to Exit 34 in Plainville starting Monday, June 22 to Friday, August 14, 2026, during the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., Monday – Thursday. Traffic will be detoured. Traffic control personnel signing patterns and trailer mounted attenuators will guide motorists through the work zone.
Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area. No work will be performed around any scheduled holidays.
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You can use the following links for access to town meeting schedules for the three towns in our district:
Plainville Town Meeting Schedule
Farmington Town Meeting Schedule
Southington Town Meeting Schedule
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Sincerely,
Rebecca Martinez
State Representative |
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