“Every six minutes in the US, someone damages an underground utility line because of digging without calling 8-1-1 first,” said Vice President of Safety Bob Coates. “Striking a single line can cause serious injuries, as well as outages. Accidental dig-ins can happen anywhere utility lines are buried, from a backyard to a major construction site.”

Call Before You Dig (CBYD) governs safe digging practices in Connecticut, and Dig Safe governs safe digging practices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Both offer a one-call system to locate and mark underground facilities that are near proposed excavation areas. By calling 8-1-1, homeowners and contractors are connected with CBYD or Dig Safe, which notify local utilities of any scheduled digging activities. Professionals then visit the property to mark utility-owned underground lines with flags and/or spray paint to indicate areas to be avoided.

For more information about Call Before You Dig, click www.cbyd.com.

Pavers for State Veterans Memorial to Honor Your Veteran

Connecticut’s first statewide veterans’ memorial pays tribute to the state’s past heroes and heroines, honors today’s veterans, and demonstrates the appreciation for their service for generations to come. It is a welcoming place for personal reflection, as well as a gathering place where groups can honor Connecticut veterans for their commitment and sacrifices. The impressive granite memorial is located in Hartford’s Minuteman Park on Capitol Ave. and Broad St., across from the William A. O’Neill State Armory and the Legislative Office Building. The outdoor memorial is open 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week and there is no admission fee.

Hundreds of 6” x 12” granite engraved pavers are important elements of the memorial, offering state residents a meaningful way to honor or memorialize a special veteran, and the funds raised have supported the memorial’s development.  Only 150 of these 6” x 12” walkway pavers remain for engraving and installation.  Each paver costs $200 and can be engraved with the name of a U.S. veteran, with his or her rank, branch of the military, and the specific years of service and conflict, if desired.  For more information on purchasing a paver to honor your veteran, please visit www.CTHonorsVets.org

Contact information for:
State Senator Cathy Osten: 860-240-0579
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

State Representative Robin Green: 860-268-6369
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

What CAN and CANNOT be discarded in medication drop-boxes

YES

• Over-the-counter medications

• Prescription medications

• Medication samples

• Medications for household pets

• Medicated lotions or ointment

NO

• Needles or other “sharps”

• Hazardous waste

• Thermometers

• Personal care products (shampoo, etc.)

• Chip seal provides the opportunity to maintain the roads for very low cost.
• A chip seal is about one fourth to one fifth the cost of a conventional asphalt overlay.
• By extending the time between asphalt overlays, chip seal results in lower costs over the long term.
• By placing a chip seal sooner than asphalt overlay would be placed, the traveling public benefits from roads maintained in better condition.
• Chip seals eliminate the need to crack seal.
• Chip seal enhances safety by providing good skid resistance.
• Chip seal provides an effective moisture barrier for the underlying pavement against water intrusion by sealing cracks in the pavement.
• Chip seal prevents deterioration of the asphalt surface from the effects of aging and oxidation due to water and sun.
• DOT has successfully used chip seal for over 25 years to maintain state routes.
• Chip seal is used only on low traffic routes, less than 2,500 vehicles per day.
• Chip seal virtually eliminates black ice.
• In hot weather chip seal reseals cracks by flowing back together.