By Norm Needleman, State Senator.
I hope you enjoyed the weekend. I’m pleased to share that new state investment was approved for several projects in our area including $132,000 for the Deep River Elementary School’s roof replacement project. Take a couple minutes to read below about this new funding to support the needs of our students and communities.
New State Funding for Deep River, Haddam, and East Hampton
I’m happy to report that state funding has been approved to advance projects in Deep River, Haddam, and East Hampton that will improve important town resources. First, Deep River Elementary School’s roof replacement project will receive $132,000. This funding will support ongoing work on the building’s roof to repair several leaks, with the end goal of fully replacing it for long-term use.
Also, the Brainerd Memorial Library in Haddam will receive $759,375 to continue its renovation project. The project includes the creation of a new parking lot with disabled-accessible parking spaces, a new lower-level entry plaza and public entrance, refurbishment and repositioning of public restrooms, a lower level lobby and new exterior lights.
The commission’s approval of these bonds will allow our towns to offset taxpayer costs to make much-needed repairs and renovations to both properties, which provide vital services to our children and their families.
In addition, $60,000 was approved for a dam design for Hurd State Park in East Hampton. I’m pleased to see continued investment in the park, which supports the recreational and community needs of town residents and visitors.
Governor’s Summer STEM Challenge
A new statewide initiative encourages students from elementary to high school to take on challenging hands-on design projects to engage with learning. Developed out of a partnership between the Governor’s administration, the Office of Workforce Strategy and the Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, web-based STEM challenges for students from grades 3-12 will be available online at https://www.ct.gov/SummerSTEMChallenge.
Each week will bring a new challenge incorporating the four tenets of STEM, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and each challenge will include virtual instruction with Yale student organizations and building projects with everyday materials. Challenges will be released on Mondays and be due the following Friday; a panel of judges will choose weekly winners based on creativity and design. Each challenge winner will receive a prize and at the end of six weeks, all winners will be eligible for a grand prize.
