Author: SDO Automation

SENATOR FLEXER WELCOMES CONNECTICUT ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST OLD KILLINGLY POND DAM OWNER

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SENATOR FLEXER WELCOMES CONNECTICUT ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST OLD KILLINGLY POND DAM OWNER

KILLINGLY – After months of behind-the-scenes advocacy and negotiations, state Senator Mae Flexer today announced that the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has issued a draft consent order to the owner of the failing dam at Old Killingly Pond.

The order requires that the owner repair the dam and restore water levels because of the pond’s impact on species and habitats if the dam were to permanently remain in a drawdown condition.

Old Killingly Pond is a beloved 138-acre local treasure that’s valued for its beauty, history, and recreation. Last September, the owner of the dam – Wright Investors’ Service Holdings Inc. (WISH) – dropped the water level of the pond about 10 feet after an investigation showed significant seepage from the dam, indicating possible erosion. Old Killingly Pond has an average depth of 11 feet, meaning WISH essentially drained the pond.

Over the past year, Sen. Flexer has attended multiple public and private meetings seeking a resolution to this problem.

“This is a great example of government actually listening to people and holding corporations accountable for their actions. These owners have a responsibility to their neighbors and to the environment to maintain these dams,” Sen. Flexer said today. “This will continue to be a long road to get WISH to do the right thing. I want to thank the scores of Killingly residents, including the members of the Killingly Inland Wetland and Watercourses Commission and all the concerned neighbors, for all their hard work over the past year and for making your voices heard. Your advocacy has made all the difference. I also want to thank DEEP Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino and Governor Lamont and all the folks at DEEP for their dedicated leadership on this issue. This is the beginning of a conversation between the state and the dam owner that will take time, but will hopefully result in the restoration of the Old Killingly Pond, which has long been a beloved treasure for northeastern Connecticut.”

Sen. Flexer attended a meeting this afternoon with town officials, including Killingly Town Council Chair Ed Grandelski and Councilor Tammy Wakefield, and with DEEP Acting Commission Cimino and various DEEP officials.

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN, CLINTON TOWN MANAGER HIGHLIGHT $2 MILLION GRANT FOR PIERSON SCHOOL REDEVELOPMENT

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Senator Needleman, Clinton Town Manager Highlight $2 Million Grant for Pierson School Redevelopment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
September 1, 2026
SENATOR NEEDLEMAN, CLINTON TOWN MANAGER HIGHLIGHT $2 MILLION GRANT FOR PIERSON SCHOOL REDEVELOPMENT
Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) and Clinton Town Manager Michelle Benivegna highlighted an announced $2 million grant supporting the redevelopment of Clinton’s Pierson School into a combination of affordable housing for members of the community, including senior housing, and a new senior center in town.

The grant, part of the State Bond Commission’s September 8 agenda and expected to be approved on that day, will play a significant role in supporting redevelopment of existing town properties for use by the community.

The project, which holds a total cost of $27.6 million and is expected to be completed in 2028, will redevelop the Pierson School into 50 affordable housing units, specifically supporting seniors, as well as a modern senior center that meets ADA requirements. The project seeks to create new housing, enhance services and programming for older adults and provide long-term social and economic benefits to Clinton.

Sen. Needleman worked with Benivegna to request funding for the project from the Bond Commission.

“We know residents in our community face high costs and housing shortages and would benefit from new resources in our town, which makes this project absolutely vital for the future of Clinton,” said Sen. Needleman. “We took action quickly to support this project because we know just how significant these new housing units are, especially to support our senior populations, and how beneficial a new Senior Center will be. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for their support and look forward to seeing this grant’s release.”

“This is an exciting and important step forward for the Abraham Pierson School project and for the Town of Clinton,” said Benivegna. “While the $2 million in state bond funding still requires approval by the full State Bond Commission, having it placed on the September 8 agenda is a significant milestone. I want to personally thank Senator Norm Needleman and his team for working closely with my office and advocating for Clinton to help get us to this point. This project will help create much-needed affordable housing for working members of our community and seniors, provide a senior center and preserve an important part of Clinton’s history. We are grateful for the State’s partnership and hopeful for a positive vote on September 8.”

Caption: Sen. Needleman and Town Manager Benivegna speak in Clinton Town Hall Tuesday.
 

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN, COLCHESTER FIRST SELECTMAN HIGHLIGHT $1.728 MILLION GRANT SUPPORTING NORTON MILL REMEDIATION

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SENATOR NEEDLEMAN, COLCHESTER FIRST SELECTMAN HIGHLIGHT $1.728 MILLION GRANT SUPPORTING NORTON MILL REMEDIATION

September 1, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) and Colchester First Selectman Bernie Dennler highlighted a $1.728 million grant supporting Colchester’s continued redevelopment of the former Norton Paper Mill into Norton Park.

The grant was announced in the State Bond Commission’s September 8 agenda, with a vote to approve expected on that day.

The $1.728 million grant will support the completion of the conversion of the former Norton Paper Mill brownfield site into a passive recreation park, supporting visitors seeking to utilize the nearby Air Line Trail or visit Colchester’s agricultural hub. The park project needs this support after environmental remediation was more extensive than first thought.

The project is slated for completion in autumn of 2027. The park will be located within close proximity to a number of local landmarks including the Air Line Trail, Salmon River State Forest, Day Pond State Park and local multi-family housing developments.

Additionally, the completion of the project’s remediation will help ensure the safety of those housing developments’ drinking water, removing known contaminants from the ground at the park’s site.

“This project represents a significant step for Colchester, taking an unused property and turning it into a beautiful park that will draw residents locally and from afar,” said Sen. Needleman. “I am excited to see the park’s completion and its new status as a draw for local recreation, benefitting our community. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for their support of Colchester.”

“I am so grateful to Governor Lamont and Senator Needleman for their support of the Norton Park project,” said First Selectman Dennler. “Previously, their support helped us clean up a contaminated site to protect this critical watershed. Now, it will help us transform that site into a beautiful park that will benefit residents, visitors, and businesses in the Westchester area of Colchester.”

State Senator Norm Needleman

MEDIA ADVISORY – 11AM, CLINTON: SENATOR NEEDLEMAN, CLINTON LEADERS TO HIGHLIGHT BOND FUNDING FOR CLINTON REDEVELOPMENT

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MEDIA ADVISORY – 11AM, CLINTON: SENATOR NEEDLEMAN, CLINTON LEADERS TO HIGHLIGHT BOND FUNDING FOR CLINTON REDEVELOPMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

When: Tuesday, September 1, 11 a.m.
Where: Clinton Town Hall, Indoor Lobby
Who: State Senator Norm Needleman, Town Manager Michelle Benivegna, representatives from project developers

This morning, State Senator Norm Needleman, Clinton Town Manager Michelle Benivegna and project developers will gather at Clinton Town Hall to highlight an expected $2 million supporting Clinton’s redevelopment of the Pierson School into affordable housing for local residents, including seniors, and a new senior center in town. The project’s State Bond Commission funding is scheduled for approval on Tuesday, September 8.

State Senator Norm Needleman

MEDIA ADVISORY – TUESDAY, 11AM, CLINTON: SENATOR NEEDLEMAN, CLINTON LEADERS TO HIGHLIGHT BOND FUNDING FOR CLINTON REDEVELOPMENT

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Media Advisory – Tuesday, 11AM, Clinton: Senator Needleman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
MEDIA ADVISORY – TUESDAY, 11AM, CLINTON: SENATOR NEEDLEMAN, CLINTON LEADERS TO HIGHLIGHT BOND FUNDING FOR CLINTON REDEVELOPMENT

When: Tuesday, September 1, 11 a.m.
Where: Clinton Town Hall, Indoor Lobby
Who: State Senator Norm Needleman, Town Manager Michelle Benivegna, representatives from project developers

On Tuesday morning, State Senator Norm Needleman, Clinton Town Manager Michelle Benivegna and project developers will gather at Clinton Town Hall to highlight an expected $2 million supporting Clinton’s redevelopment of the Pierson School into affordable housing for local residents, including seniors, and a new senior center in town. The project’s State Bond Commission funding is scheduled for approval on Tuesday, September 8.

Senator Norm Needleman
860-240-0428 or Toll-free 1-800-842-1420
www.senatedems.ct.gov/Needleman

Stay connected with Senator Norm Needleman

CT Senate Democrats’ Statement on recent ICE actions in Connecticut

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Statement on recent ICE actions in Connecticut from Senate President Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, and state Senators Gary Winfield, Julie Kushner, Herron Gaston, Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, and Ceci Maher

“As the vast majority of Connecticut residents recoil in horror at the images of ICE agents kidnapping people with no criminal records off of our streets, Connecticut Republicans remain silent, if not gleeful.

“But that should come as no surprise. It was Connecticut Republicans who voted 100% against our law this year to rein in ICE activities on our streets by banning face masks, requiring IDs, limiting where arrests can be made, and protecting bystanders. It was Connecticut Republicans who voted 100% against our TRUST Act law to hold ICE accountable for violations of civil rights. It was Connecticut Republicans who voted 100% against restrictions on Flock cameras, which more Connecticut towns are now taking down. Nearly half of Republicans voted against an emergency funding bill where we set aside $5 million to provide legal assistance to Haitians and Syrians in Connecticut who have had their Temporary Protected Status stripped by the Trump administration, and who are now subject to deportation.

“Democracy and the protection of human and Constitutional rights are priorities for Connecticut Democrats. While adherence to our new ICE law isn’t perfect, we are seeing fewer ICE face masks during arrests. People generally aren’t being arrested in sensitive areas as described in Senate Bill 397. Bystanders are generally being allowed to record these arrests without being assaulted and arrested.

“Unfortunately, there have been some violations of our new law, and we hope that a quick resolution of the Trump Justice Department’s challenge to the bill that we Democrats passed will allow Connecticut to move forward with firm guidance to local police departments and the chief state’s attorney’s office on how to arrest federal ICE agents who violate our state laws.

“More than 95% of the people ICE arrests in America have no violent criminal convictions. The real crime being committed in America is by Donald Trump – whose name is mentioned more than 5,000 times in the Epstein files, who has been convicted of 34 felonies for falsifying business records, who was found liable for the sexual abuse of E. Jean Carroll, and whose billionaire cronies are making obscene profits every week off the backs of everyday working Americans.

“Connecticut will survive this latest ICE onslaught, and when Donald Trump and ICE are gone, the public will long remember who stood and fought on the side of justice, and who stood on the sidelines smirking.”

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | 203-710-0193 | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov

CT Senate Democrats’ Statement on recent ICE actions in Connecticut

Posted on by SDO Automation

Newsletter Header

Statement on recent ICE actions in Connecticut from Senate President Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, and state Senators Gary Winfield, Julie Kushner, Herron Gaston, Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, and Ceci Maher

“As the vast majority of Connecticut residents recoil in horror at the images of ICE agents kidnapping people with no criminal records off of our streets, Connecticut Republicans remain silent, if not gleeful.”

“But that should come as no surprise. It was Connecticut Republicans who voted 100% against our law this year to rein in ICE activities on our streets by banning face masks, requiring IDs, limiting where arrests can be made, and protecting bystanders. It was Connecticut Republicans who voted 100% against our TRUST Act law to hold ICE accountable for violations of civil rights. It was Connecticut Republicans who voted 100% against restrictions on Flock cameras, which more Connecticut towns are now taking down. Nearly half of Republicans voted against an emergency funding bill where we set aside $5 million to provide legal assistance to Haitians and Syrians in Connecticut who have had their Temporary Protected Status stripped by the Trump administration, and who are now subject to deportation.”

“Democracy and the protection of human and Constitutional rights are priorities for Connecticut Democrats. While adherence to our new ICE law isn’t perfect, we are seeing fewer ICE face masks during arrests. People generally aren’t being arrested in sensitive areas as described in Senate Bill 397. Bystanders are generally being allowed to record these arrests without being assaulted and arrested.”

“Unfortunately, there have been some violations of our new law, and we hope that a quick resolution of the Trump Justice Department’s challenge to the bill that we Democrats passed will allow Connecticut to move forward with firm guidance to local police departments and the chief state’s attorney’s office on how to arrest federal ICE agents who violate our state laws.”

“More than 95% of the people ICE arrests in America have no violent criminal convictions. The real crime being committed in America is by Donald Trump – whose name is mentioned more than 5,000 times in the Epstein files, who has been convicted of 34 felonies for falsifying business records, who was found liable for the sexual abuse of E. Jean Carroll, and whose billionaire cronies are making obscene profits every week off the backs of everyday working Americans.”

“Connecticut will survive this latest ICE onslaught, and when Donald Trump and ICE are gone, the public will long remember who stood and fought on the side of justice, and who stood on the sidelines smirking.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | 203-710-0193 | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov

SEN. NEEDLEMAN JOINS ‘PAULIE’S PUSH’ THROUGH EAST HAMPTON AND PORTLAND HONORING 9/11 VICTIMS

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SEN. NEEDLEMAN JOINS ‘PAULIE’S PUSH’ THROUGH EAST HAMPTON AND PORTLAND HONORING 9/11 VICTIMS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

August 28, 2025

SEN. NEEDLEMAN JOINS ‘PAULIE’S PUSH’ THROUGH EAST HAMPTON AND PORTLAND HONORING 9/11 VICTIMS

On Friday, August 28, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) joined the East Hampton and Portland communities welcoming “Paulie’s Push,” an effort from retired United Airlines flight attendant Paul Veneto to push an airline beverage cart along routes symbolizing the September 11, 2001 attacks in honors of the flight crews, and all victims, who died in the attacks.

Since 2021, Veneto has pushed a cart along routes including from Boston to Ground Zero, Washington-Dulles Airport to the Pentagon and Newark, New Jersey to the Flight 93 Memorial to educate the public, raise awareness and honor those lost in the 9/11 attacks. As the 25th anniversary of that tragic day nears, Veneto is again pushing a cart from Boston to Ground Zero ending on September 11, following a path carving through Connecticut.

Sen. Needleman joined East Hampton and Portland leaders including State Representative Christie Carpino (R-Cromwell, Portland) and Portland police and firefighters, among other community leaders, to welcome Veneto, who also stopped by local schools to talk to students.

“As we approach the 25th anniversary of September 11, a day still seared into American memories, efforts like ‘Paulie’s Push’ remind us why we can never forget,” said Sen. Needleman. “Paul’s efforts remind us of the tireless, meaningful work and sacrifices made by so many in our darkest hours to support and protect our communities. I’m grateful for his efforts and look forward to see him complete his journey to Ground Zero honoring our nation.”

“Paulie’s Push” will continue through Connecticut and New York through September 11. Future events include pushes in Middletown and Durham the weekend of the 28th, New Haven and West Haven on September 1 and Milford on September 2. For more information, visit www.pauliespush.com.

Caption: From left, State Representative Christie Carpino, Paul Veneto and State Senator Norm Needleman stand together Friday during Paulie’s Push.

Statement from the Stamford Democratic State Delegation Regarding ICE Activity

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Statement from the Stamford Democratic State Delegation Regarding ICE Activity

STAMFORD, CT – “Stamford is the proud home to a diverse community, and our diversity represents what this city is. A place for anyone to build a community, grow their family, and call home. At a time when families should be preparing to go back to school, they must also consider stress and disruption in their neighborhood.

The increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across Stamford is creating fear and disruption in neighborhoods and for families. The uncertainty and fear caused by ICE enforcement is impacting the lives of residents by creating public safety concerns when out in our community, whether going to work, school, the grocery store, or anywhere ICE enforcement may be.

Immigrants represent a third of Stamford’s population, and many are just like us, hard-working individuals, raising a family, paying taxes, shopping in our businesses, and contributing to our community. They are our neighbors, and they are a valuable part of the Stamford community.

Connecticut’s Trust Act creates clear guidelines for state and local participation in federal immigration enforcement. We are working with local officials and partners to ensure Stamford residents are protected. Our priority is protecting constitutional rights, ensuring due process, and treating residents with human dignity regardless of immigration status.

Stamford is a vibrant, diverse, and strong community. Our immigrant residents represent an important part of our city and deserve dignity, safety, and support. We must continue to come together, look out for one another, and stand with our community.”

State Senator Ceci Maher
State Senator Pat Billie Miller
State Representative Hubert Delany
State Representative Eilish Collins Main
State Representative Matt Blumenthal
State Representative Corey Paris
State Representative Johnathon Jacobson

Statement from the Stamford Democratic State Delegation Regarding ICE Activity

Posted on by SDO Automation

Statement from the Stamford Democratic State Delegation Regarding ICE Activity

STAMFORD, CT – “Stamford is the proud home to a diverse community, and our diversity represents what this city is. A place for anyone to build a community, grow their family, and call home. At a time when families should be preparing to go back to school, they must also consider stress and disruption in their neighborhood.

The increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across Stamford is creating fear and disruption in neighborhoods and for families. The uncertainty and fear caused by ICE enforcement is impacting the lives of residents by creating public safety concerns when out in our community, whether going to work, school, the grocery store, or anywhere ICE enforcement may be.

Immigrants represent a third of Stamford’s population, and many are just like us, hard-working individuals, raising a family, paying taxes, shopping in our businesses, and contributing to our community. They are our neighbors, and they are a valuable part of the Stamford community.

Connecticut’s Trust Act creates clear guidelines for state and local participation in federal immigration enforcement. We are working with local officials and partners to ensure Stamford residents are protected. Our priority is protecting constitutional rights, ensuring due process, and treating residents with human dignity regardless of immigration status.

Stamford is a vibrant, diverse, and strong community. Our immigrant residents represent an important part of our city and deserve dignity, safety, and support. We must continue to come together, look out for one another, and stand with our community.”

State Senator Ceci Maher
State Senator Pat Billie Miller
State Representative Hubert Delany
State Representative Eilish Collins Main
State Representative Matt Blumenthal
State Representative Corey Paris
State Representative Johnathon Jacobson