Seymour Public Library mystery book club to discuss crime novel Feb. 12

New Year, New Book Club!
Join our Mystery Book Club!

Seymour Public Library is at 46 Church St.

Klarides-Ditria lists new laws in effect as of today, Jan. 1

Friends and neighbors, Several new laws will take effect January 1 that could have an impact on you, your business, or our community.  I have highlighted some of them below. An expanded list of those that will take effect on January 1, along with summaries, can be accessed here. The new year also brings the start of a new legislative session - the second year of the biennium which is known colloquially as the "short session" - which begins on February 7, 2024.  Due to the truncated timeline of the short session, only bills that come directly from one of the legislative committees will make it to the full General Assembly. However, individual legislators are still able to introduce concepts, and I welcome your ideas and input on any state issue. A summary of some new laws include: TAX CUTS The state budget, adopted in June, cuts the bottom two marginal income tax rates for all filers from 3% to 2% and from 5% to 4.5%. Income taxes on the first $50,000 in taxable income will be lowered for single filers and married people filing separately, $100,000 for joint filers, and $80,000 for heads of household. January 1 is also the start of easing the cliff on income tax exemptions for retirement income. The new budget adds a tax deduction schedule for retirement income above the full exemption threshold. BOTTLE BILL The deposit cost for certain beverage containers will increase from $.05 to $.10 on January 1. Initially passed during the 2022 session with a phased roll out, the cost of deposits on (generally) hard cider, plant water or plant infused drink, juice or juice drink, tea, coffee, kombucha, sports or energy drinks, and any beverages identified as one of these products with letters, words, or symbols on their labels will increase. SUPPORTS FOR THE I/DD COMMUNITY Several provisions of a comprehensive bill concerning resources and support services for residents with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) take effect in the new calendar year. More businesses could be eligible for credits for hiring the disabled. The Connecticut JOBSCT Tax Rebate Program will lower the threshold for businesses who hire 25 new full-time employees, down to 15 to retain eligibility for 50-percent income tax rebates for the new employees, if one employee has an intellectual disability. The new law also requires annual reports from the Department of Social Services on the size of the waiting list for the Medicaid waiver program for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Public Act 23-137 also requires the state to create and acquire sensory kits for emergency services workers to give to autistic children and adults to help them during emergency encounters. ONLINE DATING SAFETY We passed a bill last session to bring some safety measure to online dating. Under the new law, online dating companies will be required to have safety centers and reporting procedures to respond to unwanted behaviors, links to report sexual harassment, and safety advice for online dating, including alerts to romance scams. Other major acts include: An Act Concerning Maternal Health An Act Concerning Adoption of the Recommendations of the Task Force to Study Cancer Relief Benefits for Firefighters An Act Ensuring Timely Scheduling of Temporary Financial Support Hearings in Divorce and Custody Proceedings Please feel free to share this information with anyone who may benefit from it.

Sincerely,

Ansonia First United Methodist Church to host gratitude journaling session

Start the New Year off right by learning how to and why it's so important to be grateful, while enjoying a light lunch.

The community is invited to the session at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 7 at the church, 47 Franklin St., Ansonia. 

Free journal and pen will be provided.

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Derby Neck Library pauses youth programming until Jan. 2

Happy Holidays, everyone! 

Youth programming at Derby Neck Library will be on pause while we prepare for the upcoming year. Hope to see you then!

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

First United Methodist Church in Ansonia to host gratitude journaling session

ANSONIA - Start the New Year off right at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 7 at First United Methodist Church by learning how to and why it's so important to be grateful, while enjoying a light lunch.

The church is at 47 Franklin St. 

FREE Journal and pen will be provided.

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Enjoy New Year's hike at Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center

ANSONIA - Bring a healthy start to your new year with a hike from 1-2 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Ansonia Nature Center. 

Our Ranger will conduct this brisk walk while you learn a little natural history along the way. 

The Nature Center is at 10 Deerfield Lane.

Inclement weather cancels.

Please register for this FREE program below. 

Register

Happy Three Kings' Day today, the 12th Day of Christmas

Sharing from Derby Neck Library's Facebook page:

"¡Feliz Día de los Tres Reyes Magos!

"We wish everyone a happy Three Kings Day with much luck and prosperity in the New Year!"

Derby Public Library posts holiday closings

 

Seymour Public Library posts New Year's closing schedule

 

Griffin in Derby welcomes first baby of 2020 four minutes after midnight

Congratulations to the Venice family of Woodbridge!

Contributed photo

Celebrating Arabella’s birth in the family room of the Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital. 

Back row from left, Arabella’s great-grandparents Debra and Larry Woodcock and grandmother Diana Venice. Front row from left, mother Taylor, father Dave, and sister Emerie, 1.

 DERBY - The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital celebrated the start of a new decade by welcoming Arabella Venice, of Woodbridge, into the world at 12:04 a.m. on New Year’s Day. 

Arabella is the first baby born in New Haven County in 2020.
Arabella is the daughter of Taylor and Dave Venice, and the 8 pound, 6 ounce girl has a brother, Jaxon, 3, and a sister, Emerie, 1. 
All three Venice children were delivered at Griffin as was their father. 

Arabella’s grandmother, Diana Venice, works in the hospital’s Environmental Services Department and her aunt Jackie Laneuville is a nurse at Griffin.
“There are a lot of us who were born here and work here, so you can tell that we love Griffin,” Taylor Venice said.

Griffin Hospital offers family-centered maternity care in an environment designed to best meet individual and family needs. The Center features private, family-friendly rooms, expert staff for maternal and newborn care, and lactation consultants. 
The Childbirth Center received the Baby-Friendly designation from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund, an international honor is given to hospitals that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and that help parents make informed choices about feeding and caring for their babies. 
For more information about The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital, call 203-732-7252 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbc.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Derby City Hall posts 2020 holiday schedule

'Turnback Tuesday' features New Year's Eve traditions

Turnback Tuesday this week rings in the New Year. 
Celebrations started about 4000 years ago, but were done on March 1. 
At that time, the calendar had only 10 months, going from March to December. 
January and February were added by the second King of Rome, circa 700 B.C. 
In many countries, the New Year's celebrations begin on Dec. 31, each with their own traditions: families and friends enjoying meals and snacks to bestow good luck, rice pudding with an almond hidden inside, eating pork for prosperity and, of course, the Times Square ball drop in New York City. 
"Szczesliwego Nowego Roku!", "Feliz ano Nuevo!"; "Sun nien fail ok!", "Felice Anno Nuovo" and Happy New Year.

Update: Forgot to thank Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting history each week!