Day: June 28, 2018

HARTFORD, CT – Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced today that ridership on the new CTrail Hartford Line passenger rail service exceeded 10,719 customers during its first full week of regular operations from Monday, June 18 through Sunday, June 24, during which full-fare tickets were required.

The service launched on Saturday, June 16, and was free for all riders on the first two days of operation.

“We know that it will take some time for this new rail service to grow to full maturity and become part of the everyday lives of Connecticut residents, but there is definitely an excitement about this long-overdue train service,” said Malloy. “At the end of the day, this transit service is about building vibrant communities that attract businesses, grow jobs, and make our state a more attractive place to live, visit, and do business.”

“I’ve spoken with scores of riders who have begun to use the Hartford Line and who are saying their commute has become much easier and less stressful,” CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker said. “With easy access and connections with our CTtransit buses, we are opening up all kinds of options for getting around Connecticut – whether you’re going to work, to school, or simply playing the role of tourist.”

Stations along the line from north to south include New Haven Union Station, New Haven State Street, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks, and Springfield, Massachusetts. Trains run approximately every 45 minutes during the weekday morning and evening peak periods.

The Hartford Line connects commuters to existing rail services in New Haven that allow for easy connections to Boston, New York City, and beyond, including the New Haven Line (Metro-North), Shore Line East, Amtrak Acela and Northeast Regional services. CTtransit local bus service is also available at most stations along the line, and connections to the CTfastrak bus rapid transit system is available in Hartford.

SPRINGFIELD — Comcast today announced the appointment of Daniel Bonelli as vice president of Finance for the company’s Western New England Region, which includes more than 300 communities in Connecticut, New York, Vermont, Western Mass. and Western New Hampshire.

In this role, Bonelli will oversee all financial operations, including finance and accounting; warehouse and materials; information technology; facilities; security; fleet management; and environmental health and safety.

Bonelli began his career with Comcast in the Western New England Region in 2007 as a financial analyst. He quickly progressed to manager and then director before being promoted to Senior Director of Finance in 2014. In 2016, Bonelli relocated to the Philadelphia area where he served as senior director of Finance for one of Comcast’s largest regions that serves Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey and oversaw a team of 60. Over the span of his tenure, his responsibilities included financial oversight and operational support for technical and engineering operations; call centers operations, sales and marketing operations; administrative and personnel administration; and fleet management. 

“Dan has an outstanding background in finance and operations,” said Michael Parker, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Western New England Region. “His expertise in analysis, planning and execution make him the ideal leader to oversee our financial operations and we’re thrilled to welcome him back to Connecticut to join our regional leadership team.”

Bonelli graduated with a bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Central Connecticut State University.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Casting Crowns, an award-winning contemporary Christian Rock band, will perform at The Big E’s xfinity arena Sept. 16.

Made up of seven members, Casting Crowns holds the distinction of Billboard’s top selling act in Christian music with more than 11 million records sold worldwide. With their latest album, The Very Next Thing, Casting Crowns progresses in its journey to bring listeners closer to their faith.

Front man Mark Hall draws inspiration from real-life experiences. The local church is the heartbeat of the band and he maintains his more than 25-year role as the student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.

All Casting Crowns band members remain active in ministry in the Atlanta, Ga., area and tour according to their local church commitments. Members include Megan Garrett, Josh Mix, Juan and Melodee DeVevo, Chris Huffman, and Brian Scoggin.

On June 21, The Horace Smith Fund held its 119^th Corporators’ Meeting and scholarship awards ceremony in the Carriage House at Storrowton Tavern for recipients, their parents and school counselors, and Corporators.

Wayne Webster, Chair of the Board of Trustees, announced that this year there were 30 Walter S. Barr Scholarship awards, with 25 given to graduating high school seniors and five given to recipients already attending college. The William R. Rooney Award was granted to one candidate who has had special needs. There were also six Walter S. Barr Fellowship recipients. Providing that students maintain at least a B average in college, each scholarship provides a total of $10,000 over four years and each fellowship provides $12,000 over three years.  Therefore, The Horace Smith Fund is pleased to have granted a total award of $382,000 to area students this year.

The Horace Smith Fund was established in 1899 by the successful and generous philanthropist Horace Smith.  He and Daniel Wesson were the founders of Smith & Wesson, located in Springfield.  Smith’s will provided that the residual of his estate, after several bequests to relatives and institutions, was to be used for public purposes at the discretion of his executors. They decided that it should be used to help deserving students finance their education.

The Walter S. Barr Scholarships and Fellowships are named for a West Springfield businessman, whose widow left the bulk of the family estate to The Horace Smith Fund in 1950. The William R. Rooney Award is named for a past Executive Director with a desire to assist special needs students.  All recipients must be residents of Hampden County.

The keynote speaker and dance performance artist was Jessica M. Baker of Southwick, a 2016 graduate of Point Park University and past recipient of the Walter S. Barr Scholarship.

Students were selected on a variety of criteria, including their test scores, class rank, extra-curricular activities, and a personal written account of why the student feels deserving of financial assistance.  Applications for next year’s awards will be available Sept. 15 on-line at www.HoraceSmithFund.org or by calling (413) 739-4222.  

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) announced that the roadway construction at Bradley International Airport’s Route 20 entrance is approaching its final stages. During these next phases of construction, access to the airport from the Route 20 connector will not be interrupted, however, new traffic patterns will be put in place to allow for the completion of the construction.

“This is an exciting time at Bradley International Airport,” said CAA Executive Director Kevin A. Dillon, A.A.E. “We’re committed to taking the travel experience at the airport to the next level and that starts with the arrival at the airport. The new roadway will completely change the way travelers enter the airport, most importantly it will make access easier and safer. It will also bring us one step closer to the development of the Ground Transportation Center, which will be another major improvement for our travelers.”

The CAA began the construction of the new roadway system in June 2017. The project involves the realignment of Schoephoester Road along with a portion of the airport’s lower roadway system, as well as the construction of a modern roundabout. Ultimately, when construction is complete, these changes will provide a new entrance to the airport at the Route 20 access point.

The main feature of the new roadway system is the modern roundabout which is an effective tool to reducing vehicle speeds while maintaining high levels of traffic. The new roadway system will also result in the opening of a 19-acres site, which will be used for the future development of the airport’s Ground Transportation Center.

During these next phases of construction, and over the course of the next six months, there will be several changes to the traffic pattern in order to achieve the final roadway configuration. Construction signs and variable message boards will be present along the roadway to alert travelers to these changes. Information about the changes in traffic patterns will be available on the airport’s website, www.bradleyairport.com. Travelers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time when coming to the airport during this time period.

The construction of the new entrance to the airport is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2018. The total cost of the project is approximately $11,000,000.