Home Care In New Hartford, CT

Purchase Marks First-Ever Acquisition of Municipally-Owned Wastewater System by Private Water Company in Connecticut

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. , Oct. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aquarion Water Company today announced that the company has closed on the purchase of the Town of New Hartford's municipal water and wastewater treatment systems. The purchase marks the first full privatization of a municipal wastewater system in Connecticut. The $8 million transaction will also result in an immediate reduction of both water and wastewater rates.

Continue Reading

"We are excited to welcome New Hartford residents to the Aquarion family," said Aquarion President Donald Morrissey. "We are looking forward to providing our newest customers with the industry-leading service and high-quality drinking water and wastewater services that families and businesses across New England have counted on for more than 165 years."

Aquarion was selected to purchase the town's systems through a competitive RFP process held in December 2017 and approved by voters in a March 2021 townwide referendum.

"Our residents and businesses rely on safe, clean water and the efficient management of wastewater," said New Hartford's First Selectman Dan Jerram. "In Aquarion we have a partner with the expertise, financial resources, and in-depth understanding of our town's infrastructure to provide residents with the reliable, cost-effective service they deserve."

With the proceeds from the purchase, New Hartford will repay debt associated with the wastewater plant, fund the expansion of the wastewater system into the Pine Meadow section of town, and provide a long-term subsidy of wastewater rates.

"Expanding the sewer system will not only protect drinking water sources, it will help to stabilize rates by serving a larger customer base," said Jerram. "Additionally, water customers will see their bills reduced by about 15% and sewer customers' bills will decrease by about 10%. It's a real win-win for the town and its residents."

"We are honored to be able to serve the community of New Hartford and appreciate the trust that town leaders and residents have placed in us," added Morrissey.

Photo caption: Donald Morrissey and Daniel Jerram congratulate each other on the completion of the New Hartford water and wastewater systems acquisition.

Pictured left to right:Thomas Bouchard, Aquarion Class III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator - New Hartford; Adam Simonsen, Aquarion Director of Business Development; Donald Morrissey, Aquarion Water Company President, Daniel Jerram, New Hartford First Selectman; William Embelton, Aquarion Class IV Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator - New Hartford; Denton "Bud" Butler, New Hartford WPCA Chairman

About Aquarion Water Company:Aquarion Water Company is the public water supply company for more than 750,000 people in 72 cities and towns in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It is the largest investor-owned water utility in New England and among the seven largest in the U.S. Based in Bridgeport, CT, Aquarion has been in the public water supply business since 1857. Across its operations, Aquarion strives to act as a responsible steward of the environment and to assist the communities it serves in promoting sustainable practices. Aquarion Water Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eversource.

For more information on Aquarion Water Company, please visit www.aquarionwater.com or www.facebook.com/aquarionwater.

Media Contact: Peter FazekasDirector – Corporate CommunicationsAquarion Water CompanyPhone: (203) 336-7651pfazekas@aquarionwater.com

SOURCE Aquarion Water Company

HARTFORD — Move over steamed cheeseburgers, Jamaican patties, and tortas — the Uzbek samsa is ready for its close-up. This golf-ball-size snack featured at the new City Kebab House deserves to take its place among savory local favorites with its blend of rich pastry and spiced beef filling.

“Everybody loves this … it’s made with the pastry, inside is the beef, and the onions,” said City Kebab House owner Aziza Djalmamedova. “It’s very famous in Uzbekistan.”

Djalmamedova is now bringing the samsa to Hartford. She welcomed dozens of VIPs to her new restaurant at 207 Main St. on Tuesday to celebrate a ribbon-cutting and official debut. The Hartford eatery is the first to offer Uzbek cuisine in the state and one of only a handful nationwide, according to the owners.

“Thank you for helping me turn my dream rooted in my love for cooking and samsa pastry into the reality,” Djalmamedova told guests before cutting the ribbon.

“We love the love that is coming out of here, but also the rich diversity that you guys reflect,” said Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam. “Over so many generations, whether they were Irish or Italian or Turkish or Uzbek or from the West Indies or wherever you come from, everybody brings their own little flavor to the city.”

Thanks to a $137,500 grant under the city’s Hart Lift program, City Kebab House was able to transform the former Hook & Ladder restaurant into an elegant dining room and bar. The decor features mosaic glass lanterns, colorful ceramics, and framed photos of Uzbekistan.

After moving to the U.S. from the city of Samarkand in southern Uzbekistan in 2012, Djalmamedova resolved to showcase the central Asian country’s food in her first restaurant. She chose Hartford for her debut location but plans to expand soon to other Connecticut locales.

“I hope we're going to continue to open the restaurants,” Djalmamedova said.

A blend of Silk Road influences from the Middle East and Central Asia, Uzbek cuisine offers a range of rice dishes, meat skewers, and noodles, along with desserts that center on honey and almonds, Djalmamedova said. Other Uzbek specialities on offer at City Kebab are shurpa soup featuring beef, chickpeas, and dill, and manti dumplings served with kefir cheese.

City Kebab House chef Hasan Korkmaz also offers a full menu of Turkish and Middle Eastern food reflecting his own heritage, including flatbreads, falafel, kebab skewers, and a dozen desserts like baklava and kunefe.

A block from downtown in the South Green neighborhood, the new restaurant joins other ethnic eateries in an increasingly vibrant area, Arulampalam said. “To have anchor institutions around here to bring back our restaurants and business and commercial corridors along Main Street and Park Street — it’s just such an important component of rebuilding the city, getting people out in neighborhoods like this,” he said.

New Hartford, CT May 22, 2023 - “Welcome to Puddletown, re-established in 2023” will be a sign people will soon see as they drive up Rt 44 into New Hartford, Connecticut. Puddletown was an actual town in the exact area where people will also see signs for “Puddletown Adventures'', a mini-compound of businesses which includes a building housing Arrow Dodge (a sport new to CT), Main Stream Canoe & Kayak, and Root to Rise Yoga.

Puddletown will continue operations previously offered by Main Stream Canoe & Kayak. However, Puddletown will also offer some new opportunities for people who like all things water, being outdoors and looking for exciting adventures.

Arrow Dodge is a new, fun team-based sport that people can look forward to playing this year.

Combining the skill and dexterity of archery, along with the rules of a dodgeball game, Arrow Dodge utilizes foam-tipped arrows and full-sized bows for an immersive, athletic, fun and competitive experience. They will be offering open play as well as leagues.

The man behind it all is Robert Goldberg, co-owner of Arrow Dodge, who has been a leader in the CT entertainment scene for over 20 years. He is the owner of Bar Rated Entertainment, a trivia company which brings trivia to over 60 CT restaurant and bar locations each week and has been doing so since 2013. He’s looking forward to branching out his entertainment offerings to include this new game in CT. As a fairly new New Hartford resident himself, he wants to bring this game, and the revitalization of this patch of land formerly known as “Puddletown”, to people living in town, throughout CT, and beyond. Myra Emrick has also joined the endeavor as partner and CFO.

In addition to the birth of Arrow Dodge on this site in New Hartford, the new owners have also purchased Main Stream Canoe & Kayak, a business in town that has been renting canoes, kayaks, and, more recently, paddle boards for use on the Farmington River and other local water landmarks for almost 50 years. They are planning to continue to offer these services, with an eye to adding such offerings as guided river excursions around CT, moonlight tours and more.

The offerings at “Puddletown Adventures” don't end with Main Stream Canoe & Kayak or the Arrow Dodge game. Root to Rise Yoga, with classes facilitated by CT yoga instructor Sarah Wadsworth and other local teachers, will also be operating on site with indoor classes and seasonal outdoor offerings along the river and on the sprawling lawn next to the main building as well as Paddleboard Yoga on local lakes. There is also the possibility of other group classes, including but not limited to karate and pilates. Another key activity will be charity events on site - to raise money for various causes related to New Hartford and non-profit animal adoption organizations.

Mr. Goldberg is looking forward to a soft opening, followed by a grand opening celebration in the coming months: “As we move forward in our post-covid world, as we are safe together in small groups, people are looking to try new things. Arrow Dodge is poised to capture attention of people aged 14+ for individual, group, or league play in the New Hartford area. We look to promote physical activity and positive group dynamics with this energetic team-based game. Come to Puddletown and check it out!”

For more information about Puddletown Adventures, please check out www.puddletownadventures.com.

Hartford’s mayor-elect, Arunan Arulampalam, introduced four new members of his staff who will officially begin working in January.

Emphasizing the importance of trust, Arulampalam expressed confidence in his team and said they care deeply about Hartford.

“Let me just say for all three of the folks here behind me, who I think are incredible rising stars, superstars, this is what the future of leadership looks like in Hartford,” Arulampalam said Tuesday. “I'm bringing in a city hall that looks like our future, that's invested in our future.”

Arulampalam introduced Yahaira Escribano as the new chief of staff. She is currently an elected member of the Hartford Board of Education and a finance and programs officer at the Hartford Land Bank.

“As a child of Myrtle Street growing up there, I saw the trauma I experienced. Now being here at 28 years old at one of the highest levels. It is surreal,” Escribano said. “And I want our community, my community, to know it is possible for our people, for our young people to be here. Myrtle Street is still inside of me. And it is an honor to be here to serve my city at this level.”

Jonathan Harding, the new corporation counsel, was unable to attend the press conference, but in a read statement said, “It’s an honor to be part of the transition team, and I look forward to working with the city council and the mayor elect.”

Cristian Corza, the deputy chief of staff, was praised by Arampulam as a rising star and dedicated campaign manager during the election.

Sincere Lawson, is taking the executive assistant role, She is a graduate from Eastern Connecticut State University and brings a background in psychology and criminology to the role.

Arulampalam, who is current CEO of the Hartford Land bank, addressed housing affordability in Hartford, which he had received criticism for during his campaign.

“I've been working on creating a pipeline for Hartford residents, who could take that housing instead who can redevelop housing, both small scale and eventually large-scale housing. but, you know, we've got to build the infrastructure for that development to come from our city from the residents of our city.”

The role of new CEO for the Hartford Land Bank once Arulampalam takes office remains to be filled.

Arulampalam announced upcoming meetings to gather community feedback. The first session is Monday, Dec. 11, in the North End of Hartford at American Legion at 6:30 p.m. Another session is planned for Monday, Dec. 18, at the Hartford Public Library Park Street branch at 6:30 p.m.

Note: Arunan Arulampalam's father-in-law is Gregory B. Butler, who is a member of the Board of Trustees of Connecticut Public.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Leaders are hailing the planned development of two new downtown restaurants set to open their doors in the city.

A new Huskies Tavern location at 103 Pratt St., and a new restaurant and bar, at 900 Main St., are both coming to the capital city, Mayor Luke Bronin announced Friday. The announcement came on the last working day of Bronin’s tenure as mayor. Mayor-elect Arunan Arulampalam will be sworn in as the city’s 68th mayor Monday.

“There are still a couple vacant and prominent spaces in our downtown, and today we’re gathered to announce two really significant restaurants coming to Hartford,” Bronin said. “They are coming to activate two of the most prominent locations in Hartford’s downtown.”

Bronin said that both restaurants took advantage of the city’s popular Hart Lift program, which helps give funds to new businesses to occupy vacant or abandoned storefronts in the city. Through the program, more than 60 new businesses are in the process of opening in Hartford, according to the city.

“These are two of the missing pieces of the puzzle here in downtown and in and around the Pratt Street neighborhood,” Bronin said. “They are now planting the flag in downtown Hartford because they feel and see the momentum that is building here.”

Huskies Tavern, with its other location on the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs, has been a beloved hangout spot for college students for decades. The original location has been open since 1993. The new location, at the corner of Trumbull and Pratt Streets, will be within walking distance of UConn’s Hartford campus.

“It really adds to the expanding presence of UConn in the downtown,” Bronin said. “We know UConn has made a really significant expansion and investment in the XL Center and their downtown campus. To me this is a really exciting way to build on that growing partnership between our state capital and our flagship public university. Huskies is going to be an amazing addition to Pratt Street.”

The projects are partnerships with NAI Lexington Commercial Group, which owns and operates the two sites. Al Lazowski of LAZ Parking and members of the Huskies and Charles Drake teams were involved in the planning.

The new restaurant and bar, which has not been formally named, will open inside the site of the former Dish Bar & Grill, which closed during the pandemic. The restaurant, which will be operated by the Charles Drake Hospitality Group, will be the second offering by the group. The group’s other restaurant, The Charles in Wethersfield, is owned by Bryce Hardy and has won multiple awards, including Connecticut Magazine Best of Connecticut 2023 Readers’ Choice Award.

“Bryce Hardy and his wife Kerri are great friends of mine. They also happen to own what is arguably the best restaurant in the state of Connecticut,” said Kevin Kennie, president of the Lexington Group. “You don’t believe me? Just look at their website of the laundry list of awards they have won in the last three years since opening.”

The new bar plans on opening its doors next year. Huskies is planned for a 2025 opening.

Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected]