Month: May 2024

Senator Miller Celebrates More than $6.7 Million in State Grants for Stamford School HVAC Upgrades

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Miller Celebrates More than $6.7 Million in State Grants for Stamford School HVAC Upgrades

Stamford, CT – Senator Patricia Billie Miller, D-Stamford, applauded Monday the release of more than $6.7 million in state grants aimed at upgrading HVAC systems to improve the air quality at two Stamford schools.

“Productive learning environments require clean air and well-regulated temperatures,” Senator Miller said. “These grants will enhance the air quality at Newfield Elementary and Rippowam Middle School, creating an atmosphere where students can focus and excel. By improving these conditions, we are investing in the academic success of Stamford’s children and ensuring they have healthy spaces to learn and grow.”

The grants announced by the Department of Administrative Services include:

  • $4,288,708 for the replacement of supply air fans and air handler units at Newfield Elementary School. This grant covers 60% of the project costs.

  • $2,504,556 for mechanical system upgrades at Rippowam Middle School, also covering 60% of the project costs.

The state HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grant program was established in 2022 to assist Connecticut school districts with repairs and upgrades to ventilation and indoor air quality systems to support healthy learning environments.
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Senator Gaston Celebrates Nearly $1 Million in State Grants for Stratford School HVAC Upgrades

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Gaston Celebrates Nearly $1 Million in State Grants for Stratford School HVAC Upgrades

Senator Herron Keyon Gaston, D-Bridgeport, welcomed Monday the release of nearly $1 million in state grants dedicated to HVAC upgrades at Chapel Street Elementary and Wilcoxson Elementary School in Stratford.

“For our students to thrive academically and stay healthy, they need clean air and comfortable classrooms,” Senator Gaston said. “These grants will improve learning environments for students at Chapel Street Elementary and Wilcoxson Elementary and by covering more than 60% of these projects, the state has significantly eased the burden on our local taxpayers.”

The grants announced by the Department of Administrative Services include:

  • $366,587 for the replacement of boilers at Chapel Street Elementary in Stratford. This grant will cover 61% of the project.

  • $632,957 for the replacement of boilers and installation of HVAC units at Wilcoxson Elementary School in Stratford. This grant will also cover 61% of the project.

The state HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grant program was established in 2022 to assist Connecticut school districts with repairs and upgrades to ventilation and indoor air quality systems to support healthy learning environments.

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Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov | 860-634-4651

SEN. OSTEN ANNOUNCES MAJOR STATE INVESTMENT IN CLEAN AIR FOR MONTVILLE, COLUMBIA & LEDYARD SCHOOLS

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, May 20, 2024

SEN. OSTEN ANNOUNCES MAJOR STATE INVESTMENT IN CLEAN AIR FOR MONTVILLE, COLUMBIA & LEDYARD SCHOOLS

EASTERN CONNECTICUT – State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) announced today that the state Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has unveiled its 2024 list of Indoor Air Quality grants for public schools in Connecticut, and that Montville, Columbia and Ledyard will receive a combined total of $20 million to help pay for a variety of school projects, including the replacement of HVAC systems, the installation of air conditioning and ventilation units, upgraded electrical service, new boilers and heat pumps, new rooftop units, and the installation of mini-split air conditioners.

The state grants cover between 52.14% and 72.5% of the projects’ total cost; the Montville, Columbia and Ledyard projects total approx. $29,727,059, and the state grants will pay approx. $20,076,070 of that cost.

“I’m happy to see that eastern Connecticut towns are taking advantage of a state program designed to make schools healthier and more productive for students and staff. These are budgeted funds that serve a need, and obviously there’s a need in Montville, Columbia and Ledyard,” Sen. Osten said. “These are the kinds of state investments I’d like to see more of in eastern Connecticut.”

The grants are being awarded through the HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program for Public Schools, a state program that is administered by DAS. It was created as part of the budget adjustment bill signed into law in 2022 (Public Act 22-118). In fiscal year 2023, DAS committed $56 million to projects across the state to address indoor air quality in school buildings.

MONTVILLE

· Dr. Charles E. Murphy Elementary School, $1,784,156, Replacement roof top units and upgrade electrical service

· Leonard J. Tyl Middle School, $4,334,089, Replacement of rooftop units and boilers. Installation of new pumps and hot water system

· Mohegan Elementary School, $1,813,177, Replacement roof top units and upgrade electrical service

· Montville High School, $4,731,687, Replacement of rooftop units

· Oakdale Elementary School, $2,144,723, Replacement roof top units and upgrade electrical service

· Palmer Building (Palmer Memorial/Palmer Academy), $724,451, Installation of mini splits, and rooftop condensing units, and upgrade electrical service

COLUMBIA

· Horace W. Porter School, $3,169,181, Replacement of HVAC system

LEDYARD

· Juliet Long School, $1,374,605, Installation of air conditioning and ventilation

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Senator Herron Keyon Gaston Statement on Success Village

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Herron Keyon Gaston Statement on Success Village

Senator Herron Keyon Gaston, D-Bridgeport and Stratford, released the following statement Saturday regarding an ongoing hot water disruption at Success Village:

“I stand in full solidarity and support of the residents of Success Village. Since learning of the unique challenges facing the residents of Success, I have been working around the clock with stakeholders at the local, state, and federal level to bring hot water back online as expeditiously as possible.

“The issues facing Success are multifaceted, and we are working diligently to address each issue with all deliberate speed. I am grateful for the partnership between the city of Bridgeport, the town of Stratford, and my office in that we have been in lockstep together to try to bring resolve to this very important matter. I have been assured that hot water is being restored and contractors will remain on site until the job is complete.”

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Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov | 860-634-4651

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN ISSUES STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO EVERSOURCE SUPPLY RATE FILING

Posted on by Devin James
State Senator Norm Needleman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
May 17, 2024

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN ISSUES STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO EVERSOURCE SUPPLY RATE FILING

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), Senate Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, released a statement in response to Eversource’s announcement today of filing a new supply price with state regulators. The new price of 8.99 cents per kilowatt hour is lower than expected, but combined with an increase approved for Eversource earlier this year raising other services – roughly three-quarters of that increase a result of the 2018 Millstone nuclear power plant bipartisan agreement – ratepayers will see their average bills increase by 4%.

“For standard service pricing to drop is a great thing for the ratepayers of Connecticut, who will see a decrease in their bills compared to what they were expected to see a month ago. Above all else, it is meaningful and relieving to know the people of Connecticut will experience less of a cost burden than expected. Our policies look to the future, but you can never build major market shocks like pandemics or wars into them, and those impacts on the world still influence our markets today.

This rate adjustment comes after Eversource received a significant rate increase earlier this spring, much of the cost related to the Millstone agreement of 2018 and 2019, which was bipartisan legislation that preserved state jobs and zero-carbon energy. Pandemic-related shutoff prevention programs only represent about a quarter of those increases, and our state has done what it should to protect residents in need and mitigate the impacts of changing weather systems.

While this news is relieving, it comes with concerns after Eversource’s recent public declarations not to invest in Connecticut’s power grid. That reduction of investments, if it leads to the quality of service falling in the event of severe storms, will not go over well with the ratepayers the company expects to pay current rates.”
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SENATOR MARONEY RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER NEW YORK TIMES REPORT ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY ‘STEALING’ ACTORS’ VOICES

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
May 17, 2024

SENATOR MARONEY RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER NEW YORK TIMES REPORT ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY ‘STEALING’ ACTORS’ VOICES

Today, State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) released a statement following reporting from The New York Times that a firm specializing in artificial intelligence utilized voice acting samples recorded by two voice actors to create AI-generated versions of their voices, the technology in question then sold to other customers to make content, profiting off the actors’ voices without informing them or paying them:

“This is yet another example of the ‘Wild West’ of AI technology leading to unintended and negative consequences. The article posits that the company in question, the firm Lovo, paid less than $1,500 to voice actors for sound clips, then used AI-generated versions of those actors’ voices to support a fundraising pitch earning them more than $7 million. This is exploitative and wrong, the exact kind of malfeasance that occurs when there are no protections in place for the use of AI. While Senate Bill 2 didn’t become law this year in Connecticut, stories like these only reaffirm our need to pass legislation that approaches this technology with seriousness and thoroughness to protect against exploitation.”
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Sen. Cohen Releases Statement on Hartford CTfastrak Ranked No. 1 in Nation

Posted on by Devin James
For Immediate Release
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin – Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov – 860-304-2319

Sen. Cohen Releases Statement on Hartford CTfastrak Ranked No. 1 in Nation
 Today, State Senator Christine Cohen, Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee, welcomed news that Hartford’s CTfastrak bus system has been ranked number one in the nation, according to the international group, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy.

“It is incredibly exciting to see Connecticut receiving international recognition for something many residents already know very well – CTfastrak is the best bus system in the country!” Said State Senator Christine Cohen. “Ensuring that our transit systems are fast, clean, comfortable and efficient grows public support and grows ridership, leading to increased connectivity in our state and decreasing our reliance on single occupancy vehicles. I am so proud of the work of Commissioner Eucalitto and the Connecticut Department of Transportation and I am eager to build upon these successes!”

The institute, which is an international nonprofit promoting sustainable transportation worldwide, runs an ongoing ranking for bus rapid transit (BRT) systems globally. Read more here.

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Sen. Winfield Releases Statement on Gov. Greg Abbott’s Pardon of Daniel Perry

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Winfield Releases Statement on Gov. Greg Abbott’s Pardon of Daniel Perry

Today, Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), co-Chair of the Judiciary Committee, released the following statement in response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s pardon of Daniel S. Perry who was convicted of killing Garrett Foster, a protester during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Austin, Texas.

“Governor Gregg Abbott, who has seen fit to ignore countless calls for pardons in the past, in an unusual maneuver pardoned Daniel Perry. He absolved a man whose own words suggest that he had intention to kill Muslims and Black people. This action is dangerous, suggests the justice system does not apply to those with certain ideologies, emboldens those who would silence dissent through violence, and dismisses the pain of Garrett Foster’s family. Make no mistake, this pardon will encourage more violence against peaceful protesters.”
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SENATOR MAHER JOINS WILTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, WILTON GO GREEN TO WELCOME STATE FUNDING FOR ECO-FRIENDLY NEW DISHWASHER AND UTENSILS

Posted on by Devin James
May 15, 2024

SENATOR MAHER JOINS WILTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, WILTON GO GREEN TO WELCOME STATE FUNDING FOR ECO-FRIENDLY NEW DISHWASHER AND UTENSILS
Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) joined Wilton Go Green President Tammy Thornton, Wilton Superintendent Kevin Smith, Wilton High School Principal Robert O’Donnell and Wilton High School student Daniel Babashak to welcome the state’s allotment of $20,000 for the installation of a commercial dishwasher at the school and purchase of new dining utensils at the school. This project originated with Wilton junior Daniel Babashak, who reached out to Sen. Maher in March seeking funding for the project.

By replacing plastic utensils at the school, which are not recycled and contribute to significant waste, with stainless steel utensils for students’ use, the Wilton High community will reduce waste by recycling acceptable material and save significant sums in the long-term by removing the need to purchase plastic materials each year.

Thornton and Babashak collaborated on the project, which will see $11,000 spent on a high-temperature dishwasher, $3,600 to purchase 1,200 forks, spoons and knives for student use and $5,000 for installation and plumbing costs, dishwasher racks and cutlery bins.

This funding passed through a piece of legislation assigning the use of American Rescue Plan Act funding that would have otherwise expired if not used, part of hundreds of millions of dollars aiding local projects supporting communities statewide.

“This community project is evidence that we can find solutions benefitting our communities every day, and that everyone can make a difference. Small steps, when taken together, have important consequences,” said Sen. Maher. “I’m proud to work with Daniel and support Wilton Go Green’s efforts to continue improving our eco-consciousness locally.”

“Wilton Go Green’s Zero Waste Schools Committee has been working with Wilton Public Schools since 2018 to partner on waste reduction initiatives throughout our schools,” said Thornton. “Guiding our schools back to using reusable utensils and dishware has been a long-standing goal.  We are honored to work with Daniel and support this step toward reaching that goal.”

“Last year, my English teacher Dr. Harvey asked us each to create a “pay-it-forward” plan which would leave a mark on the community,” Babashak said. “I thought, why not get rid of plastic that ends up in the garbage every school day? For me, the assignment turned into an exciting lesson on public policy, with cost analyses, student interest surveys, and WHS Executive Board presentations.”

Caption: From left, Thornton, Sen. Maher, Babashak, Smith and O’Donnell gathered Wednesday at Westport High.
Contact: Joe O’Leary | 508-479-4969 | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Lesser, Middletown Delegation Secure $5.7M for City

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin | Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Lesser, Middletown Delegation Secure $5.7M for City

State Senators Matt Lesser and Jan Hochadel, State Representatives Brandon Chaffee and Kai Belton, and Mayor Ben Florsheim welcomed $5.7 million for Middletown in the last week of the 2024 Legislative Session.

  • $3.5 million for Middletown High School
  • $900,000 for Advanced Behavioral Health
  • $667,856 for the Department of Children and Families Office
  • $375,000 for the Middletown Fire Training Facility
  • $300,000 for Middletown Park Pavilions

$2.24 million in funding comes from in soon-to-expire American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, secured by Sen. Lesser and voted on by the state legislature at large. The legislation passed the House with a 103-48 vote, and the Senate by 26-10. The $3.5 million for the Middletown High School was secured in a bonding bill, which passed the House by 134-9 and the Senate by 35-1.

“At a time when Middletown residents are concerned about the local budget, this state support comes at a critical time. It was important for me to champion a $3.5 million fix to bring in additional state funding for the long-ago completed Middletown High School project on behalf of Middletown taxpayers. I also prioritized saving the Middletown DCF office, which had been slated for closure. Funding for behavioral health care, sanitation pavilions at the Snow School ball fields and at Butternut Park and a new fire training facility are also significant wins. And we’ll be announcing more projects in Middletown soon!” Senator Lesser said.

“With investments in city parks, enhanced fire training, and support for the mental health services offered by Advanced Behavioral Health, these funds will go a long way toward improving the lives of residents throughout Middletown,” Senator Hochadel said. “I was proud to vote in favor of dedicating these dollars to support these critical projects to build a safer and healthier Middletown.”

“I am happy to see these funds being allocated to areas and departments that will certainly benefit Middletown residents.,” Rep. Chafee said. 
“The new Fire Training Facility will help to increase Middletown’s fire rating and lower resident and business insurance premiums in the long term. Our town will also receive $3.5 million to close out state reimbursement for the construction of Middletown high school.”

“This funding strengthens institutions in our city that protect us and will lead to improved facilities in our parks.  Thank you to all who worked to secure these funds – I can’t wait to see the benefit of this investment in Middletown,” said Rep. Belton.

“We are incredibly excited to receive this funding thanks to the efforts made by Senator Lesser. The investment in our parks and fire service will result in improved public spaces, public safety, and public services in the City of Middletown—exactly what we should be investing in, following the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Middletown residents will benefit from these important projects for generations to come, and I am grateful for the partnership and for money well spent by our state and federal representatives,” said Mayor Ben Florsheim.

“This funding is a tremendous opportunity for the Middletown Fire Department. We have been without a dedicated training facility for close to 10 years now. This will be great for our department and we will be able to open up the facility to other local fire departments to use as a training facility, strengthening public safety in our area. I want to thank Senator Lesser and local leadership for securing these funds,” said Middletown Acting Fire Chief Dave Albert.
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