Cromwell, Portland Constituents Come Out for New Representative Carpino

Residential property taxes and taxes on small businesses were just a few of the topics discussed this week at Town Hall in Cromwell, where more than a dozen residents came out to meet state Rep. Christie Carpino. She held office hours, inviting folks she represents to share their concerns and ideas about issues tied to state government. A local selectman was among the attendees. Carpino began her first term in the House of Representatives last week. One constituent, a business owner, voiced a complaint that’s common: Connecticut makes life difficult for employers by charging property taxes on the equipment of small businesses. Carpino, an attorney, fielded questions from a college student considering enrollment in law school. A day later, nearly a dozen residents turned out for Carpino’s office hours in Portland. At that session, the Kleen Energy power plant explosion a year ago was the focus of conversation. Residents expressed concerns about safety and the environment.