The one-week event eliminates Connecticut’s 6 percent sales tax on all clothing and footwear costing less than $300 per item from the third Sunday in August through the following Saturday. The increased exemption replaces the standard $50 exemption for clothing and footwear.

Since sales tax is calculated after the use of any coupons or discounts, if the final price is less than $300, the sale is exempt from taxes. Clothing or footwear under $300 either rented or put on layaway is also tax-free.  Purchases totaling more than $300 will have sales tax calculated on the full cost.

For more information, visit the Department of Revenue Services website at www.ct.gov/drs.

Sergeant Smith was killed in the line of duty while directing traffic at the intersection of Route 110 and Indian Well Road during a fireworks display.  Sergeant Smith was standing near a marked police cruiser with emergency lights flashing when he was struck by a vehicle, driven by an alleged drunk driver that veered onto the shoulder of the road. 

Residents of the Birchbank area, who live at the bottom of Indian Well Road, suggested that Perillo and Debicella introduce legislation to name a section of Route 110 the “Sgt. Orville Smith Memorial Highway” in Officer Smith’s memory.

“Sergeant Smith displayed the very definitions of character, service and dedication during his 39 years as a Shelton Police Officer, his service to our country as a U.S. Marine and his work as a volunteer firefighter,” Rep. Perillo said.  “Placing a sign in his honor is a fitting tribute to a man that gave so much for the betterment of our community.”

Senator Debicella added “I’m proud to be a part of this. It’s the least we can do to honor Sgt. Smith for his years of service to Shelton and our nation.”

 According to Perillo, renaming a section of a road requires that a law be passed by the Connecticut General Assembly.  Perillo plans to draft a bill and bring it before the Transportation Committee for review in January, which is the next opportunity for new legislation to be introduced.  If the bill passes out of committee it would be introduced during the next legislative session that starts in January. Then, the bill would be called for a vote by the full House, followed by the Senate and ultimately sent to the Governor to be signed into law.

Sergeant Smith, a Vietnam Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, was on the Shelton Police Department for 39 years and was a volunteer firefighter with the Shelton Fire Department White Hills Co. No. 5.

 “The loss of Sgt. Orville Smith has deeply affected the entire Shelton Police Department,” Shelton Police Chief Joel Hurliman said. “Sgt. Smith was a dedicated officer and his loss will affect the entire city.”

State Representatives Jason Perillo (Shelton) and Larry Miller (Stratford, Shelton) hosted a talk by Connecticut Homeland Security Commissioner Peter Boynton regarding Connecticut’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management and recent terrorist activity.  Commissioner Boynton stressed personal responsibility and situational awareness in order to assist local, state and Federal law enforcement agencies in

This free event is open to the public and will be held Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Shelton Intermediate School.

“In light of recent news events I asked Connecticut Homeland Security Commissioner Boynton to come to Shelton to talk about our state’s security and emergency management plan,” Rep. Perillo said. “It’s important for the community to get the facts regarding the measures the state has been taking to protect it’s citizens and Commissioner Boynton is the best source for that information.”

This free event is open to the public and will be held Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Shelton Intermediate School, 675 Constitution Boulevard North, in Shelton.

To see a video of this debate click here.

Rep. Jason Perillo (R-113), center, talks with Bert Belden, right, widow of the late Rep. Richard Belden, and her brother-in-law John Belden during the Connecticut Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs annual “Rep. Richard Belden Legislative Breakfast” Wednesday morning at the State Capitol.

The breakfast is named after former State Representative Richard Belden, who actively advocated for the advancement of young people and was admired by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle during his service in the General Assembly.  Deputy House Minority Leader-at-Large Richard O. Belden of Shelton was first elected to the House of Representatives from the 113th Assembly District in 1974. He was re-elected every two years and was the longest continuously serving member of the House of Representatives in the history of the House (Dean of the House) until his death in 2007.

Casey Cisero, of Sunnyside Middle School, reads his winning essay as State Rep. Larry Miller, R-122, left, Shelton alderman Eric McPherson, R-2nd ward, center, and State Rep. Jason Perillo, R-113, listen during an awards ceremony at the Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton Wednesday night. The contest theme, “If I Were An Elected Official- How Would I Make My Community A better Place To Live?” featured answers that ranged from tax cuts for volunteerism to better services for teens and the elderly.

Watch a video

State Representatives Larry Miller (R-Stratford, Shelton) and Jason Perillo (R-Shelton) joined representatives from Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan Wednesday night in congratulating middle school students from Shelton for an essay contest with the theme of improving their community.  State Senator Dan Debicella was also involved in the contest but was unable to attend the ceremony.

The contest, “If You Were an Elected Official- How Would You Make Your Community a Better Place to Live?” was created with the idea of getting local students to think about issues from a larger perspective.  The ideas ranged from tax breaks for volunteerism and using hybrid vehicles, improving roads, reducing litter and recycling to building dog parks, creating kid friendly activity centers and providing senior citizens with better housing.

“The winning essays were incredibly detailed and loaded with good ideas,” Rep. Perillo said.  “The thought and commitment these kids put into their essays shows they care about the issues and policies our government crafts on both the local and state level.  I’m impressed with how thoughtful the suggestions were”

Representative Miller agreed.  “Some of their ideas, like tax breaks for people that volunteer a percentage of time in the community, demonstrate their commitment to being responsible citizens of the community,” Rep. Miller said.  “It’s important to have our school kids engaged in local issues and I believe this contest provided a different perspective for them to be engaged.”

Contest sponsor Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan provided savings bonds to the winners and runners-up. The winners each received a $100 savings bond and the runners-up were each awarded a $50 savings bond.

“Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan is a community bank with 10 branches, including 3 in the lower Naugatuck Valley, and we use our resources and try to give back to the community,” said Senior Vice President William C. Nimons.  “We give to the community in the form of contributions, lending and services.  We’re always happy to help, that’s what community banks do.”

More than 30 parents, friends, teachers and family crowded into the community room of Shelton’s Plumb Memorial Library for the ceremony.  There were two winners each from three schools.

Sunnyside Middle School

Alexis Zhitomi, Runner-Up

Casey Cisero, winner

St. Joseph Middle School

Nicole Todd, Runner-Up

Jake Cartiglia, winner

St. Lawrence Middle School

Dominika Tomczyk, Runner-Up

Kaeli DeCesare, Winner

Representatives Jason Perillo (R-Shelton) and Lawrence Miller (R-Shelton, Stratford)  braved the cold temperatures this morning and stood outside of the Shelton Wal-Mart to raise money for the Salvation Army.

“Despite the cold weather it was great to be able to raise money for such a worthy organization,” Rep. Miller said.  “The Salvation Army does a lot to help people in need and I’m pleased I was able to help them with their mission.”

During the hour of bell-ringing Representatives Miller and Perillo were able to add $103.58 to the famous red kettle. Wal-Mart has agreed to match that amount with a dollar-for-dollar contribution to the Salvation Army bringing the total for the hour to $207.16.

“Volunteering with the Salvation Army was a wonderful experience,” Rep. Perillo said. “Knowing the money we raised is going to help those who need it most is exactly what this season is about.”

To watch a video of this event click here.

West Hartford Police Chief James Strillaci presented the honor to Perillo in recognition of his close work with the law enforcement community, including his work with new recruit training, fingerprinting laws, and missing persons reporting.

“I have always had a tremendous working relationship with the Shelton Police Department whether it be with Chief Hurliman, the detective bureau, or new officers on patrol,” Rep. Perillo said.  “I try to understand the difficulties and risks facing our local police officers every day and I work to craft legislation that makes it easier for local law enforcement to overcome them.”

Shelton Police Chief Hurliman also commended Perillo for his work on public safety. “Locally he’s been active with crime prevention and other public safety initiatives such as road resurfacing,” adding that Perillo’s work on fingerprinting laws make it faster to identify suspects accurately.

“We live in challenging times that truly elevate the importance of our police department here in Shelton and all departments across the state,” Rep. Perillo said. “Now, more than ever, our officers need to be exceptionally trained and our departments need to be fully-staffed. I hope that in some small way I have made a difference.”

The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association is an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of the residents of the State of Connecticut; to aiding other government bodies within and external to the State of Connecticut in the administration of justice, ensuring that all are treated equally before the law. To strive always to provide service to the public of the highest attainable quality by constantly searching for those methods that will keep Connecticut law enforcement in the forefront of public safety issues.