Chamber's After-Work Business Social is Tonight

Tonight at 5 p.m., the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly Business After Work series at Pro Physical Therapy/Orthopedic Associates of Middletown. Thanks to Kathleen Kane and her staff for stepping up to the plate to host this event.

Big thanks to Middletown’s Common Council and Mayor Giuliano for making some great decisions last week by passing several ordinances that will benefit the entire Middletown community. On the agenda last Tuesday night was the motion for the city to merge with the Mattabassett District for the its water and sewer treatment needs.

The council unanimously voted in favor of this merger and this was the right move because it not only saves the region money but it is also a win, environmentally for the city and region. It will save Middletown money in the long run that would be spent for a new facility. It will also allow the city to open up excellent land for future economic development.

Congratulations, also, for passing the motion to construct a parking lot behind Eli Cannon’s and the new Community Health Center building.  This area is a gateway to Middletown and it is absolutely necessary that there be accessible parking in this area for future economic developments.

I would also give kudos to the Council for its passing of a $14.1 million bond approval for road improvements within the city. This issue, by passing through the council, will be put to the public for a vote on Nov. 8. Improvements of this caliber are vital to the city because they improve our infrastructure and help to ensure that our city is navigable. 

Moreover, projects like these road improvements economically stimulate our local contractors, who are able to put people to work. This type of situation is a win-win for Middletown.

The fall season will be here in over a week’s time and with this season comes the many Chamber activities. There are over 30 different meetings on the Chamber’s schedule this month.

I am excited that, of these meetings, two of them are Chamber breakfast meetings. U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney will speak to our Chamber on Sept. 19 and Coach Jim Calhoun will address the Chamber at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell on Oct. 3.

On a very serious note, the county lost an absolute gem of a human being last week in the passing away of Sari A. Rosenbaum of Middletown. Sari received the Chamber’s Distinguished Citizen award along with her husband, Dr. Howard Rosenbaum in 2010.

Sari was a major part of this community and was on various boards and councils throughout her life. She was active in Congregation Adath Israel, serving on its Board of Directors and led its Library Committee as chairwoman. Sari was the synagogue volunteer librarian for over 40 years.  

She is a former president of the Middletown chapter of Hadassah and served as fund raising chairwoman. She also chaired the chapter’s Craft Fair Committee for over 15 years and remained active in the Chapter, and was its treasurer for the past 12 years.

My condolences to the entire Rosenbaum family for this loss.

For information, contact Matt Fraulino at (860) 347-6924 or mfraulino@middlesexchamber.com.