The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Department of Consumer Protection have recently released a notice urging homeowners to ‘make an assessment of risky dead trees’ while they still have leaves.

DEEP and DCP advise homeowners to look for the following:

Signs you have a risky dead tree

Most healthy hardwood trees would have retained their leaves until the end of September, while unhealthy or dead trees would have already shed or may have never produced leaves this growing season.  The lack of greenery during the growing season is clear indication a tree is dead and should be removed if it is a threat to property.

What you should do before hiring a contractor

• Shop around: Get multiple quotes to ensure you are hiring the best person to work on your property.
• Verify a contractor has the proper credential: Anyone making changes to your property, including removing trees, must have a home improvement contractor registration. If someone is doing more detailed work such as correctively pruning a tree, or doing other work associated with prolonging a tree’s life, they must have an Arborist’s license from DEEP.
• Have a contract: Home improvement contractors are required to have a written contract with you before work may begin.

** It will be helpful to know how long the work is anticipated to take, the costs, the final outcome and what responsibilities you may have in the process**

• Ask for references: Ask your potential contractor for references from homeowners who have had that contractor do tree removal work on their property.
• Be aware of scams: Avoid contractors who display signs of being a scammer.

**If you have a complaint regarding a home improvement contractor that you haven’t been able to resolve by contacting that individual or business, you are encouraged to file a complaint with DCP by emailing dcp.complaints@ct.gov**

According to DEEP and DCP, starting in 2015, Connecticut experienced three consecutive years of expanding Gypsy moth caterpillar defoliation caused by dry springs.  This drought inhibited a moisture dependent soil fungus that solely impacts gypsy moth caterpillar from emerging. In addition, the statewide establishment of Emerald ash borer is causing extensive ash mortality.

Connecticut has been long recognized as having the highest WUI indices in the United States. WUI otherwise known as the Wildland-Urban Interface, is a term that recognizes the proximity of peoples’ homes to forests, wetlands and grasslands. A common term used in fire prone areas of the US, many are surprised at Connecticut’s WUI ranking which is caused by a high percentage of tree canopy cover over a densely populated area. WUI helps explain why so many Connecticut residents are impacted by forest pest outbreaks and severe storms.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase breast cancer awareness and education, while also promoting research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Please consider supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month, whether it be through a donation, or simply by purchasing the “pink” version of your favorite everyday products.

As Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Public Health Committee, I proudly supported legislation which was signed into law (PA 18-159) and became effective October 1, which advocates for women’s health by expanding insurance coverage for mammograms, including tomosynthesis, a three dimensional mammogram which enables the radiologist to better determine if small cancers are present in the breast tissue. The test has been shown to reduce by 40 percent, patient callbacks for an additional test due to the uncertainty of images.

I am committed to helping spread the word about the importance of this cause, which is meaningful to so many families in our community.

Please be aware of the following facts about breast cancer:

• Breast cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in women
• Besides being female, age is the most notable risk factor for breast cancer
• Potentially modifiable risk factors for the disease include weight gain and obesity, use of menopausal hormone therapy, physical inactivity, having high breast tissue density and alcohol consumption
• Mammography can often detect breast cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more effective and a cure is more likely
• In 2018, it’s estimated that among U.S. women and men there will be*: 266,120 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 40,920 breast cancer deaths among women. Also, there will be 2,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 480 breast cancer deaths among men

Plymouth – The public is invited to a Coffee Hour event with Plymouth legislators on Friday, October 19 at Eagle’s Nest (163 Main Street, Terryville).   

The “Coffee With Your Legislators” event will run from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 

It will be hosted by Sen. Henri Martin and Rep. Whit Betts. 

Residents will have the opportunity to meet their legislators in a relaxed setting and hear the latest updates from the State Capitol. Residents may discuss any state or legislative issues or local concerns.

All residents are encouraged to attend. Coffee will be provided.

Those who are unable to attend may contact Betts at 800 842-1423 and Martin at 860-240-0022 to share their concerns.
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Bristol – State Reps. Whit Betts (R-78) and Cara Pavalock D’Amato (R-77), and State Sen. Henri Martin (R-31) invite Bristol residents to join them for their monthly Coffee Hour event on Friday, October 5 at Rodd’s Restaurant (854 Farmington Ave., Bristol).

The public is invited for coffee and conversation from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. to meet with their legislators in a relaxed setting and hear the latest updates from the State Capitol.

All residents are encouraged to attend and discuss any legislative or local concerns. Coffee will be provided.

Those unable to attend the event but would like to discuss any concerns may contact Betts and Pavalock-D’Amato at 800-842-1423 and Martin at 860-240-0022.

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Save the Date: Autism Speaks

On Thursday, October 4 from 10am – 1pm the annual Autism Speaks community advocacy event will take place at the Legislative Office Building (300 Captiol Ave., Hartford).

A panel discussion will include access to resources and transition services. The event is free and open to the public.

RSVP information and event details below.

On Friday, September 21st, the Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs will be hosting the 2018 Stand Down event at the Rocky Hill Veterans’ Home from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Connecticut’s veterans deserve the services that they have earned.

Many community providers will have booths set up at the event with specialists to help veterans receive and learn about their earned service benefits, employment opportunities, medical screenings, and legal services.

Additional details below:

• Gates open at 8:00 a.m. Please arrive no later than 12:00 p.m.
• No pre-registration required! Attendees are encouraged to bring documentation verifying military service
• Recovery Based Services
• Medical Screenings, Dental Services, Eye Care
• Veteran Benefit Information (State and Federal)
• Legal and Motor Vehicle Assistance
• Employment and Educational Assistance
• Housing Resources and Information
• Free Bus Transportation provided at designated areas
• Go to www.portal.ct.gov/DVA and click on “Stand Down 2018” or call 860-616-3803 for general information and the transportation schedule