What's Blue?
Avon Dems Newsletter Issue 21
April 2025
TAKE A BREATH, THEN GET BACK TO THE FIGHT
Dear Friends,
Happy Spring! The days are getting longer and the sun feels warmer and after the cold winter we are beginning to see green and flowers again. What a relief! Take a moment to enjoy nature. In these times of real upheaval, exhaustion, and overwhelm, nature helps ground us. We have to stay grounded to fight the fight(s) we have on our hands. March was a crazy month. But Avon turned out en force for protests and rallies, made calls to our elected officials, testified at the Capitol, and so much more. Stand Up! Speak Out! had over 200 people. I’m hearing from so many new folks wanting to be involved. I am so grateful for that. We can only fight fascism together. We are witnesses to the lies, the money grabbing, the disappearing of people. Being with our community helps us remember that those things are REAL, because they will tell us we’re crazy. This is a full newsletter and there are so many ways to jump in. Please remember we have municipal elections this year. If you have ever thought of running for office or even just want to know what it looks like to do so, please reach out! We are actively looking for candidates and future appointees. Interested in helping with the campaign? We want to hear from you too!
Keep fighting the good fight, Eliza Avon DTC Chair
STAND UP, SPEAK OUT
SIGN PAINTING
April Events
Hartford is fighting back!
We're taking to the streets with a clear message: Hands off! Come rally with us at our State Capitol. Bring your signs, your voices and your friends.
When: April 5, 3 to 6 p.m.
Where: Connecticut State Capitol, 210 Capitol Ave., Hartford
Sign up at: https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/event/764548/
TRAININGS AND EVENTS
OPEN TO ALL DEMOCRATS IN CONNECTICUT
How to Run for Office
Virtual training event hosted by Train Democrats
Thursday, April 3, 1 p.m.
Link: So You Want to Run for Office
Party Building and Campaign Recruitment Training
Join campaign experts from around the state to discuss organizing and recruiting year-round. (this is the one Eliza is presenting)
Hosted by CT Dems Vice Chair Jimmy Tickey
Saturday, April 5, 9 a.m.
Mobilize: https://www.mobilize.us/ctdems/event/762623/
Shortlink to Zoom registration: ctdems.org/april5
Path to Power Political Candidate Training
In person event hosted by IBEW Local 90
Saturday, April 12, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
2 North Plains Industrial Rd, Wallingford, CT
To register, participants must complete application at bit.ly/P2Power by April 7
National Messaging
Virtual training event hosted by Train Democrats
Saturday, April 12, at 11 a.m.
Link: National Messaging Bootcamp
Avon Town Happenings
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Budget season
Each year, March marks the month in which the Town Council recommends a budget to the Board of Finance to be presented to the public in April. Additional adjustments to the Town Manager’s FY 25/26 budget were discussed in our March meeting, and the majority of members felt additional reductions (highest impact considerations were funding for a patrol officer, reducing library hours, and reducing funding for the senior’s meal programs) would be against the long-term interests of the town. The recommended budget next goes to a public hearing and three-way discussion between the Board of Finance, Board of Education, and Town Council prior to officially setting the recommended budget for referendum. The public hearing is a great time to learn more about the budget and will occur on April 7 at 7 p.m. at the library. At this point we are looking at a tax increase of around 3.7% (i.e., a 3.7% increase in the mill rate).
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A few other highlights
Other notes out of the March meeting include discussion of Avon’s “America 250” celebration and activities (https://www.avonct.gov/avon250), a review of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s efforts towards modernization of our zoning regulations, and celebrating Ann Clark’s nearly 20-year service to the town as our elected Registrar of Voters. Thank you, Ann!
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Board of Ed's budget avoids layoffs
I’m pleased to share that the Board of Education voted for a lower budget request with a 4.29% increase on March 25. Having more time to project our class sizes for next school year allowed Dr. Carnemolla and her team to move positions around to meet the needs of our students without losing many staff; only one position was eliminated. We have worked hard to find ways to bring forward an accurate, honest and responsible budget request that only reflects what we truly need. We stand behind the work of the Superintendent and her team. We passed this updated request with a bipartisan vote of 8 in favor, 0 opposed and 1 abstention. We hope the community will support the budget at referendum.
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Portrait of the Graduate
In addition, the Board is continuing our work on devising and incorporating our vision for the Portrait of the Graduate from pre-K on through to our graduating seniors.
From The State Capitol
State Sen. Paul Honig, and State Reps. Eleni Kavros-DeGraw and Tammy Exum are working overtime this legislative session on a wide variety of bills to help the people of Connecticut, and to insulate us from some of the chaos in Washington.
Here is just some of what they were working on in March:
- Demonstrated at the State Capitol in support of Medicaid, opposing possible cuts to vital state programs as part of a nationwide day of action to warn of the consequences of GOP-proposed cuts.
- Pushed for energy affordability and utility accountability and voted Senate Bill 4 out of committee. The bill aims to reduce costs and improve service for CT consumers.
- They are fighting for House Bill 5003, regarding the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund, to expedite funding for families, attract and retain childcare educators, and to enhance childcare facilities.
- Passed the State Plan of Conservation and Development, which is critically important to CT as we manage natural resources and reimagine land use and public investment.
- Promoted the new Student Loan Reimbursement Program across the state, to teach students how they may be able to get some of their loans reimbursed.
April At A Glance
| 4/1/2025 | Inland Wetlands Commission |
| 4/3/2025 | Town Council |
| 4/7/2025 | Annual budget public hearing |
| 4/9/2025 | Board of Finance budget workshop |
| 4/10/2025 | AWPCA meeting |
| 4/16/2025 | Avon Clean Energy Commission |
| 4/17/2025 | Zoning Board of Appeals |
| 4/18/2025 | Holiday observance, Town Hall closed |
| 4/22/2025 | Board of Education |
| 4/22/2025 | Avon Library Board of Directors |
| 4/22/2025 | Planning and Zoning Commission |
| 4/25/2025 | Friends of the Library luncheon |
| 4/28/2025 | Board of Finance |
Attending any of these meetings is a great way to stay in the loop on town happenings. If you miss a meeting and want to catch up, click on one of the links at the bottom of this email. The links take you directly to the individual board or commission's agendas, minutes, and often recordings.
Next Avon DTC Monthly Meeting
Virtual/In-Person (Avon Town Hall)
ALL WELCOME
Virtual Link To Come At A Later Date
2025 DTC meeting dates
- May 12
- June 9
- July 14
- August 11
- September 8
- October 6
- November 10
Get Caught Up
Use the links below to explore the agendas, minutes and recordings from previous meetings on the town website.
Paid for and approved by the Avon Democratic Town Committee, Claudine Fasano, Treasurer.