Heating bill help
is still available
Residents in need are reminded that those who need help paying last winter’s home heating bills can still apply to the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). An extended application deadline of Monday, June 1, gives eligible families and individuals – including those impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency – more time to apply for this vital assistance.
Locally: the ACCESS Agency, Inc. — Willimantic area: 860-450-7400; or Danielson area: 860-412-1600.
Connecticut residents are welcome to apply, regardless of whether their home is heated through electricity, natural gas, or a deliverable fuel. If the household’s primary heat source is electricity or natural gas, the basis benefit award is sent directly to the utility company. If a household’s primary heat source is a deliverable fuel (oil, kerosene, propane or coal), a retroactive payment or credit to their fuel vendor for deliveries made between November 13, 2019, and April 30, 2020, may be possible up to the amount of their basic benefit award.
Home heating benefits are available for households with incomes up to 60 percent of the state median income (currently $36,171 for a single person and $69,559 for a household of four). A liquid asset eligibility check also applies. Payments are issued directly to fuel vendors and utility companies on behalf of eligible households.
Emergency funding is also available to repair or replace unsafe or inoperable heating systems for single-family, owner-occupied homes with incomes up to 60 percent of the state median income. A heating system must be deemed as unsafe or inoperable by a licensed heating vendor to be considered.

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Municipal

Clockwise from top left:

LLB Architects rendering

Town Engineer/Planner Elaine Sistare (and now town administrator), left, talks with Mayor Barney Seney at the groundbreaking.

Loam was moved off and screened

Concession building at site coming down (back right).

Library rendering

Owen Tarr was honored

 

The American Legion District #4, which encompasses Tolland and Windham counties, announced its two scholarship recipients for 2020.  Each scholarship is $1,000. The 2020 scholarship awards are being presented to seniors Emily Guerrero of Rockville High and Justin St. Martin of Putnam High.
District #4 Commander Ronald P. Coderre said “Both of these young people demonstrated wholesome American qualities.  Their applications indicated strength in the area of American citizenship.”
Justin St. Martin is a member of the Putnam High School National Honor Society and the Student Council.  He participated in soccer, golf, baseball and basketball and was honored as a Connecticut Association of Schools Scholar-Athlete.  He’s active in Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.  He’s also a member of the Putnam Leo Club, a division of the Putnam Lions Club, and volunteers in a number of non-profit organization programs. St. Martin is the son of Michael and Amy Beth St. Martin of Putnam.  He’ll attend Landmark College in Putney, Vt., where he’ll study computer science.
Guerrero served as vice president of her class, participated in track and cross country and was recognized as a STEM scholar.  She was also honored by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education with awards in Student Leadership and Excellence in Computer Science and Business Education.  She is active in the Youth Peer Advocate program, serves on the Youth Advisory Board of her community and is a team captain for the Relay for Life. She will attend Seton Hall University in New Jersey, majoring in nursing. She wants to be a Doctor of Nursing Practice, specializing in neonatal nursing.
According to scholarship committee Chairman Albert Cormier of Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13, the arrangements for the presentations are pending because of COVID-19.
The American Legion’s mission is based on four pillars, Coderre said: – Care and Rehabilitation of Veterans; Defense of our country; Americanism; and Service to Youth. “These awards are part of our service to the youth of our area and our commitment to promoting Americanism in our young people.  We’re honored and proud to support these worthy individuals.”

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