Bits and pieces

Posted By: David Fortier June 29, 2022

City announces July 4 closings

City Hall and the Bristol Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. 

There will be no curbside collections (rubbish, recycle, yard waste) on Monday, July 4. All curbside collections will be completed one day later in the week, with Friday routes being completed on Saturday, July 9. 

The Bristol Transfer Station will be open and operating under regular hours (7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) this Saturday, July 2, and next Saturday, July 9. 

New England Social Tennis League registration opens

U.S. Tennis Association of New England is holding online registration for its Social Tennis League (ages 21-50) Wednesday nights from 6 to 9 p.m., July 13 to Aug. 24 at Page Park. The league currently has more than 1,500 players throughout New England. Click here to register.

Bristol is home to one of the league’s newest sites open to players of all abilities. Players register individually and are placed on co-ed teams to compete in singles and doubles matches. The New England Social Tennis League is in its eighth year.

USTA New England, one of 17 regional sections across the country that comprise the United States Tennis Association (USTA), is a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting and developing the growth of tennis and increasing participation in the sport in New England. For more information, visit usta.com/newengland.

Ch. 8 report on ‘street takeover’

WTNH New 8 reported on an alleged “street takeover” incident in Bristol on June 17. According to the article, Bristol police said several cars were spinning their tires and doing “donuts” and “drifting.” Bristol police are asking people with information or video of the incident to contact them at (860)584-3011.

Kosta Diamantis update

CT Mirror reported that the state is seeking to dismiss the Kosta Diamantis grievance against Gov. Ned Lamont. The grievance, filed by Konstantinos Diamantis, the former deputy secretary of the Office of Policy and Management still at the center of a federal investigation, alleges mistreatment of his former boss Melissa McCaw by members of Lamont administration.

Diamantis was fired from his OPM position in October 2021 after administration officials learned that his daughter, Anastasia, had gotten a job with Chief State’s Attorney Richard Colangelo’s office while Colangelo was pressing Diamantis to help secure raises for his staff.

Local candidates receiving state campaign funding

The State Elections Enforcement Commission at its June 15 regular meeting approved public grant payments under the Citizens’ Election Program (“CEP”) for state representative candidate Jen Van Gorder (R – 79th District) and state senate candidate Henri Martin (R – 31 District).

The CEP is a voluntary program that allows qualifying candidates for General Assembly and
statewide offices to receive full public financing for their campaigns. To qualify for public campaign
financing, candidates must demonstrate the following:

  • Candidates for state representative accomplish this by raising $5,800 in contributions from
    individuals, with at least 150 coming from individuals residing in municipalities in their districts.
  • Candidates for state senate accomplish this by raising $17,300, with at least 300 coming from
    individuals residing in municipalities in their districts.

Participating candidates may only accept small dollar contributions from certain individuals—the maximum contribution is $290—and no contributions from state contractors or PACs. General election grant amounts are up to $33,175 for state representative candidates and up to $112,795 for state senate candidates.

COVID updates for the past 7 days

Number of cases by Connecticut town for the past 7 days. All data are preliminary and subject to change. Data from previous dates are routinely updated. Map: Ver 6.22.22  Source: Connecticut Department of Public Health  Get the data  Created with Datawrapper.

In Hartford County the community level is Low, but Bristol is still in the red with 15 or more cases per 100,000 people.

The CDC recommends that people at high risk for severe illness, talk to their healthcare provider about whether to need to wear a mask and take other precautions. In addition, the CDC reminds people to take the following measures:

  • Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
  • Get tested if you have symptoms
  • People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
  • People who are immunocompromised, can learn more about how to protect themselves here.