April 19 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

April 19, 2024

Dear Bethel,

Bethel Public Utilities is conducting manhole and sewer main inspections in a portion of our sewer system through Friday May 3. As part of the inspection, air is blown through the sewer lines. Normally there are no issues with this practice. However, occasionally a few homes may have an issue with vents or traps in the plumbing system resulting in the air escaping through a toilet. If you live near downtown between Rt 53 and the train tracks or in the area of between Oven Rock Rd and Cherry Ln, it would be a really, really great idea to keep your toilet lids closed for the next three weeks. See the map here.

Each town is required to take steps to keep stormwater clean that enters our water bodies and Bethel submits a report to the state every year to document our efforts in the previous year to comply with the requirements of our permit to discharge stormwater. The draft of the 2023 MS4 Annual Report for Bethel is on our website and we are seeking public comment until May 19th. Please visit https://bethel-ct.gov/stormwater-docs to view the report and learn more about Stormwater Management. Please send comments to publicworks@bethel-ct.gov.

The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association held their annual Public Safety Expo this week. Thank you to the Chief and officers of the Bethel PD for the opportunity to learn more about opportunities to ensure our residents are safe!

Attention Bethel Veterans, our Municipal Veterans Representative is John Sarver and he works in Town Hall. Call 203-794-8594 or email sarverj@bethel-ct.gov for support. If you are a Veteran in crisis, please dial 988 and choose option 1.

We are still looking for sponsors for Food Truck Fridays on first and third Fridays in June July and August and the summer concert series on Sundays in August. Email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov.

Check out upcoming public hearings at https://bethel-ct.gov/2024-public-hearing.
Public Hearing: Planning & Zoning Commission re: 8 Trowbridge Dr, Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 at 7:00 pm

The Annual Bethel Community Earth Day Event kicks-off with “Trashapaloza,” the town wide cleanup, tomorrow, April 20th at 10 am and runs to 12 pm. Berardinelli Services is providing a dumpster behind Town Hall. After the dropping off trash, celebrate at the Earth Day Fair on the Town Hall lawn 11 am to 2 pm. There will be engaging games, vendors and a free raffle.

The Master Gardeners from the UConn Fairfield County Extension Center will be on hand at the Earth Day Fair to answer questions on gardening and composting. They will also have some remaining seeds to hand out from their partnership with Ocean State Job Lot where they distributed free vegetable and flower seeds to area non-profit organizations including the Bethel Library and Berry School.

Summer Day Camp will begin on Monday, April 22nd at 9 am. You can go online and register with your account, call, or visit the Park & Rec office to register with in person. A minimum $100 deposit must be made per child for the summer. For families with multiple children, a $50 discount will be credited to your account after you have completed registration. https://bethelct.myrec.com/info/default.aspx

The annual budget, the purchase of the ladder truck, and the purchase of the Wells Fargo property are questions on the machine vote referendum next Tuesday, April 23rd. Polls open at 6 am and close at 8 pm. Review the budget at https://bethel-ct.gov/depts-comptroller.

April is Citizen Science Month! Stop by Bethel High School on April 24th between 6 pm and 8 pm and check out the K-5 STEAM Expo where Bethel students showcase their projects in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics! Learn more at https://sites.google.com/bethel.k12.ct.us/k5stem/home

Don’t miss a fun night out with the Bethel High School Orchestra concert on Monday, April 29th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the BHS Auditorium.

May is National Foster Care Month. The Annie C. Courtney Foundation, Inc. (Annie C) has partnered with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to hold a presentation at Town Hall in meeting room A on Thursday May 2nd in hopes of finding more Bethel area families for children in foster care. You will hear DCF staff and a local foster parent about supports available to guide you on your journey to being a sense of comfort and guidance for a child/ren going through a very difficult time.

Congrats to the girls tennis team for back to back victories over New Milford and New Fairfield this week. Way to go!

A big shoutout to Bethel drivers who do not honk at our cross-country runners running around town. Thank you!

Good luck Wildcats tomorrow! It will be a great day to catch a game! Home at BHS Fields: Varsity boys and girls track at 9 am, varsity boys lacrosse at 11 am, JV baseball at 11 am, and JV boys lacrosse at 1 pm. Varsity and JV girls lacrosse away.

Have a great weekend!
Dan