Senator Rahman Welcomes Nearly $2.7 Million in State Grants to Upgrade HVAC Systems in Bolton, Glastonbury, and Manchester Schools

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Devin James

Senator Rahman Welcomes Nearly $2.7 Million in State Grants to Upgrade HVAC Systems in Bolton, Glastonbury, and Manchester Schools

Senator MD Rahman applauded Monday the release of state grants totaling nearly $2.7 million, to offset the costs of modernizing HVAC systems at schools in Bolton, Glastonbury, and Manchester.

“Equipping our schools with modern HVAC systems helps to ensure classroom environments that promote student well-being and academic performance,” Senator Rahman, D-Manchester, said. “These state grants, which cover a significant share of the projects, will foster healthy learning environments while alleviating the financial burden on local taxpayers.”

The individual grants provided by the Department of Administrative Services include:

$2,225,808 to replace rooftop units at Illing Middle School in Manchester. This grant covers 67.86% of the total project cost.

$81,814 to replace the building management system at Bolton Center School in Bolton. This grant covers around 49% of the project’s total cost.

$39,000 to replace rooftop units and install insulated ductwork at Buttonball Lane School in Glastonbury. This grant covers 32.5% of the total project cost.

$204,750 to replace rooftop units and install insulated ductwork at Glastonbury High School. This grant covers 32.5% of the total project cost.

$39,000 to replace rooftop units and install insulated ductwork at Hebron Avenue School in Glastonbury. This grant covers 32.5% of the total project cost.

$39,000 to replace rooftop units and install insulated ductwork at Hopewell School in Glastonbury. This grant covers 32.5% of the total project cost.

$65,000 to replace rooftop units and install insulated ductwork at Naubuc School in Glastonbury. This grant covers 32.5% of the total project cost.

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.

SENS. KUSHNER AND MAHER, REP. BERGER-GIRVALO ANNOUNCE MAJOR CLEAN AIR INVESTMENT IN RIDGEFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Posted on May 20, 2024May 21, 2024 by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, May 20, 2024

SENS. KUSHNER AND MAHER, REP. BERGER-GIRVALO ANNOUNCE MAJOR CLEAN AIR INVESTMENT IN RIDGEFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Sen. Kushner, Rep. Girvalo, First Selectperson Marconi, Supt. Da Silva and students outside of the Ridgefield Public School offices

RIDGEFIELD – State Senators Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) and Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) and state Representative Aimee Berger-Girvalo (D-Ridgefield) today joined Ridgefield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Susie Da Silva and Ridgefield First Selectperson Rudy Marconi to announce 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 eight Ridgefield schools will receive a total of $191,454 to help pay for a variety of projects, including the installation of

ventilators, mini-split air conditioners, roof exhaust fans, upgraded heating and cooling, air exchange and heat recovery, heat pumps, and other air quality-related work.

The state grants cover 23.57% of the projects’ total cost; the projects total $812,278, and after the grant reimbursement of $191,454, Ridgefield will pay $620,824.

“Back in 2022 I founded the School Indoor Air Quality Working Group and was appointed co-chair. Since then, we’ve worked very hard to meet, listen to the experts, and make

recommendations about improving school air quality, which can really affect the ways that students learn and teachers teach,” Sen. Kushner said. “I’m very thankful that the General Assembly and Governor Lamont have partnered to fund this program and that schools all across Connecticut, including right here in Ridgefield, are taking advantage of the opportunity

to address classroom temperatures that are too hot or too cold, mold, pest infestations, hazardous odors, or even the spread of infectious diseases. It’s going to be a game-changer for our students and teachers.”

“During COVID we came to understand the importance of ensuring circulating clean air in our classrooms. The continued investment in improving school air quality statewide will also benefit Ridgefield’s school community and support educational growth across eight local schools, improving the air for everyone from first graders to high schoolers,” said Sen. Maher. “It’s wonderful for our state to have such strong support and I’m grateful to Governor Lamont for his foresight and dedication to our schools.”

“Ridgefield is consistently rated among the top school districts in the country, but academics are only part of that story,” said Rep. Berger-Girvalo. “The health and safety of our children are as important as their intellectual development, and the quality of the air they breathe is a critical factor. Unsurprisingly, Superintendent DaSilva and our Board of Education have advocated strongly for a healthy environment for our children, and I’m grateful for the work done by the Education Committee, the Indoor Air-Quality Working Group, and the governor for their commitment to this endeavor.”

“This grant will undoubtedly have an impact, not only in terms of immediate improvements to our existing HVAC systems, but also in fostering greater sustainability, energy efficiency, and comfort within the designated facilities,” Superintendent Da Silva said. “When these grant opportunities were announced, the Ridgefield Public Schools facilities team identified work that was already in the queue and which fit the description of the grant; in other words, we did not elect to make these HVAC improvements because of a possible grant award — these improvements had to occur to keep our systems running, and we sought grant support as a subsidy to minimize the end cost to the town.”

“As First Selectperson of Ridgefield, I can say that we are always appreciative of any funds from the State of Connecticut to help defray infrastructure costs to the taxpayers of Ridgefield,” said First Selectperson Marconi. “The quality of air that our children and teachers breathe daily is as important as the quality of education our children receive. Thank you to Senator Kushner, Senator Maher and Representative Berger-Girvalo for their efforts in securing these funds for Ridgefield.”

The DAS grants will help pay for the following upgrades:

Ridgefield High School

Replace 2 heat pump and cooling units

Replace 4 air exchange energy heat recovery assemblies

Replace a 5-Ton split cooling system

Alternative High School

Update and replace main HVAC system (Heat Pump)

Update and replace dual zone heat pump system

East Ridge Middle School

Replace Trane rooftop unit (RTU)

Install new ductless mini-split unit

Barlow Mountain Elementary School

Install vertical unit ventilator for classroom

Replace self-contained unit ventilator

Replace upper and lower roof exhaust fan units

Branchville Elementary School

Replace 11 roof-mounted exhaust fans

Installed ductless mini-split AC unit for ventilation

Farmingville Elementary School

Install Split AC/Heat Pump 2-ton unit

Replace 11 roof-mounted exhaust fans

Installed ductless mini-split AC unit for ventilation

Ridgebury Elementary School

Replace the failed Rooftop Unit (RTU)

Replace 2 Trane RTUs

Replace heat only unit with heat pump option for heating and cooling

Add heat pump condenser for cooling to main gym air handler unit (AHU)

Scotland Elementary School

Install 2 Split AC/Heat Pump 2-ton units

Replace 2 exhaust hoods

Replace 16 roof-mounted exhaust fans

Installed ductless mini-split AC unit for ventilation

###

Senator Hochadel Applauds $12 Million in State Funding for Air Quality Improvements for Schools in Cheshire, Meriden, Middletown and Middlefield

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Devin James

Senator Hochadel Applauds $12 Million in State Funding for Air Quality Improvements for Schools in Cheshire, Meriden, Middletown and Middlefield

Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, celebrated Monday the release of more than $12 million in state grants for school HVAC upgrades, ensuring that students in Cheshire, Meriden, Middletown and Middlefield receive instruction in healthy classroom environments conducive to learning.

“Clean air and temperature-controlled classrooms are essential to a healthy learning environment. These grants will ensure that students in Cheshire, Meriden, Middletown, and Middlefield have the necessary support to thrive academically,” Senator Hochadel said. “State funding will cover between 50% and 75% of these projects, minimizing the impact of these vital upgrades on local taxpayers.”

The grants announced Monday by the Department of Administrative Services include:

-$48,375 to review and replace rooftop units and a Direct Digital Control (DDC) system at Dodd Middle School in Cheshire. This grant will pay for roughly 50% of the project.

-$240,933 to fund the replacement of boilers, hot water recirculators, and combustion air systems at Doolittle Elementary School in Cheshire. This grant will pay for roughly 50% of the project, which also includes upgrading the school’s DDC.

-$161,448 to replace the boilers and hot water holding tanks at Highland Elementary School in Cheshire. This grant will pay for roughly 50% of the project.

-$310,754 for air conditioning at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in Meriden. This grant funds more than 75% of the project.

-424,183 for air conditioning at John Barry Elementary School in Meriden. This grant funds more than 75% of the project.

-$554,951 for air conditioning at Lincoln Middle School in Meriden. This grant funds more than 75% of the project.

-$274,409 for air conditioning at Nathan Hale Elementary School in Meriden. This grant funds more than 75% of the project.

-$292,127 for air conditioning at Roger Sherman Elementary School in Meriden. This grant funds more than 75% of the project.

-$2,167,096 to install cooling systems in Bielefield Elementary School in Middletown. This grant funds roughly 66% of the project.

-$2,167,096 to install cooling systems in Farm Hill Elementary School in Middletown. This grant funds roughly 66% of the project.

-$2,167,096 to install cooling systems in Moody Elementary School in Middletown. This grant funds roughly 66% of the project.

-$2,167,096 to install cooling systems in Snow Elementary School in Middletown. This grant funds roughly 66% of the project.

-$1,239,030 to replace ventilators and upgrade building management system controls at Regional School District 13’s Middlefield Memorial School. This grant funds roughly 51% of the project.

###

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

Posted on May 20, 2024 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.

Forward

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

Posted on May 20, 2024 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.

###

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 May 20, 2024May 21, 2024 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

###

Senator Herron Keyon Gaston Statement on Success Village

Posted on May 18, 2024May 20, 2024 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.”

###

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

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN ISSUES STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO EVERSOURCE SUPPLY RATE FILING

Posted on May 17, 2024May 20, 2024 by Devin James

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.”

Forward

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

Posted on May 17, 2024 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.”

Forward

Sen. Cohen Releases Statement on Hartford CTfastrak Ranked No. 1 in Nation

Posted on May 16, 2024May 22, 2024 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.

###

Forward