State Funding for Hamden

October 8, 2025



 

View this email in your browser

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are having a great week. Please read below for updates in our community!
 

On Tuesday, the Community Investment Fund (CIF) board approved funding for two Hamden based projects. The Town of Hamden will receive $8 million for the Newhall Foundation fund, and Eli’s Garden, a nonprofit based in Hamden, will receive $250,000 for the planning of a healing garden at DeNicola Park.

Nearly 300 homes in the Newhall neighborhood were built on industrial and municipal waste material, including significant amounts from the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Clean fill, which was used to remediate this pollution, has caused structural problems and drainage issues affecting many homes.
 
Eli’s Garden of Healing was founded in memory of Elijah Gomez, who was tragically shot and killed walking home from school. The organization hopes to create a healing garden to honor his life, as well as all others who have lost their life to gun violence. Eli’s Garden will use this funding to help with planning and logistics of creating the healing garden. The proposed location was formerly a firearm testing facility for the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, who also owned a factory complex in the Newhall neighborhood of New Haven.
 
I am so grateful for the partnership with the Hamden Newhall Neighborhood Association, Eli’s Garden of Healing, CONECT, the town of Hamden, and the State of Connecticut for the good of our community. I look forward to the continued dialogue that centers our residents. Special thanks to Governor Lamont, Speaker Ritter, Senator Looney, members of the CIF Board and the Hamden delegation. When we stay connected and problem-solve together, we win.

Click here or the image below to watch a quick video about the funding. 
 

I'm proud to announce that I had a perfect voting record for the 2025 legislative session.

I am honored by this accomplishment because it means Hamden's voice was heard on every bill that was brought to the House floor.

As your state legislator, it is my job to consider and vote on various bills.  I will continue to serve our community and advocate for you in Hartford.

I am also proud to announce that I received an A on the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) legislative report card. CEA releases a report card annually that grades legislators based on their voting history and support of the organization's priorities. 

Education is one of my legislative priorities, and I will continue to fight on  behalf of our students and educators.
 

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has begun a milling and resurfacing project on Route 15 (Merritt Parkway) southbound in Hamden. This project will be completed by Wednesday, October 15. Drivers can expect lane closures from the Exit 61 on-ramp to the entrance to the Heroes Tunnel in Hamden. The work schedule for this project is from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., Sunday night to Friday morning.
 
Click here to learn more. 
 

Optimum’s 18th Annual Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest is now accepting entries. Interested applicants must write an essay about their connection to Hispanic culture in 500 words or less. The contest is open to middle and high school students.
 
Essays must be submitted by October 31. Click here to learn more. 
 

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and New York City officially announced the formation of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. This voluntary regional partnership aims to strengthen public health coordination, share expertise, and improve preparedness across state lines.

The Collaborative’s shared purpose is to work together in new ways – optimizing the use of shared resources, innovating and reimagining core services – to ensure trust in public health, respond to public health threats, advance community health and strengthen confidence in vaccines and science-based medicine.
 

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) recently shared a newsletter that includes helpful tips about identifying potential scams. If you have any additional questions, please visit the CT DCP website. 
 

Six Lakes Park is asking members of the community to take a 10-minute survey about their vision for the area and how it can best serve the community. You can learn more about Six Lakes Park and get involved by visiting their website or by sending an email: SixLakes@savethesound.org
 

Sincerely,

Laurie Sweet
State Representative

Website
Website

Email
Email

Facebook
Facebook

Forward to a friend | Unsubscribe from this list | Update subscription preferences