Posted on October 12, 2018 by admin

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.

Posted on October 11, 2018 by admin

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.

• 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

Posted on October 2, 2018 by admin

MANUFACTURING & TRADES JOB FAIR: 10/4/18

October 4, 2018
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Double Tree by Hilton
42 Century Drive, Bristol

Admission is Free: Open to the public & students interested in careers in manufacturing & the trades.
Click below to register:

Posted on September 28, 2018 by admin

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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Posted on September 26, 2018 by admin

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.