Apr. 28 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

**News Release Submitted by Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter**

Apr. 28, 2023

Dear Bethel,

This week began with a focus on everything “Earth Day.” Thanks to those who turned out for Trashapalooza, our town-wide clean up, and our Earth Day Fair on the Town Hall green. We had some great vendors and participants. The momentum continued on Monday when the town met with the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection to work on a pilot program for the food scrap collection program at the Bethel Transfer Station. We are making progress, so stay tuned for more details and a future public event on the program.

I also attended a webinar with Sustainable Connecticut and UCONN on Renewable and Efficient Energy Infrastructure and Operations. We have opportunities to lower our building energy usage and costs through the right decisions and investments. Thanks to the members of Sustainable Bethel who joined in on the event!

The CT Emergency Management Symposium took place in Prospect, CT this week. The symposium is an annual statewide event that offers a full day of workshops and discussions to hundreds of local public safety officials and town leaders who are responsible for responding to mass emergencies. While my shout outs usually go to our Bethel family, I was so impressed with the support Bethel has from state and federal agencies, including the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Army National Guard.
Congrats to the Bethel winners of the 16th annual Regional Recycling Billboard Contest. There were 1611 entries this year from K to 12 and 51 regional winners made the cut. A big shout out to Elliott Asa Guido (1st Grade), Drew Jernstrom (5th Grade), Hope McGovern (8th Grade), and Preethika Shenoy (9th Grade) who were our Bethel winners! You can see their artwork at: https://hrra.org/billboard-contest-2023/ I also want to give a shout out to our previous First Selectman, Matt Knickerbocker, who remains the Chair of HRRA and whose leadership makes such a big difference in solving our area’s solid waste problems.

The highlight of this week’s Office Hours was a resident who came by to give the Public Works and Highway Departments a simple thank you. In a brief conversation we identified other resources that the town has to help residents. The message: please do not hesitate to reach out or stop by an Office Hours. We may not be able to solve every problem, but our town employees are really engaged, knowledgeable, and willing to do their best. My next Office Hours is May 11th from 6 pm to 7 pm at the Town Hall in meeting room A.

The Bethel Police have an opportunity for youth 13 to 20 years old who are interested in a career in law enforcement. The Bethel PD, Brookfield PD, and Newtown PD are running a Police Cadet program under the Northeast Regional Law Enforcement Educational Association. The Newtown PD will host the program on Thursdays from 6 pm to 8 pm. If you or someone you know is interested and has no arrests and a zero-tolerance approach to drugs and alcohol, please contact policecadets@newtown-ct.gov for more information.

Do you have fond memories of summer camp? There are many local kids who don’t have the opportunity for camp, but you can help. If you are interested in helping a local child attend summer camp this year, please reach out to Bethel’s Social Services director at (203) 794-8537. She can give you info on all the options available.

Face Painters WANTED! Food Truck Friday’s won’t be complete without face painting. Please reach out to Emma (fehre@bethel-ct.gov) at town hall if you are interested.

I don’t have the complete list of students, but a huge shout out to the Bethel High School students and the Chamber of Commerce who set up the “Best of Bethel Meet and Greet” this week. It was an amazing networking opportunity for students to network with local businesses and town departments. If you are a local business and are looking for opportunities to connect with the Best of Bethel, reach out to the Bethel Chamber of Commerce.

Folks at the Francis J Clarke industrial park are having a blast. Literally. There will be some blasting over the next few weeks so don’t be alarmed.

Finally, a shout out to Frances Brown in Bethel Health Care who turned 100 this week! Yes, Frances, you are still sharp as ever!

Have a great weekend!

Dan