April 26 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

April 26, 2024

Dear Bethel,

The annual budget and the two referendum questions passed this week. While the town and the school budgets passed, it is worth noting that both advisory questions indicated a concern that the budgets were still too high. This will certainly be a consideration when we look at the next annual budget. Thank you to all who voted!

The Fire Commission has begun looking for a truck and may have an option to discuss at a special meeting next week. Stay tuned to the Bethel Meeting Calendar. https://bethel-ct.gov/meeting-calendar.

The Board of Selectmen has authorized the negotiation for purchase of the Wells Fargo property. Should an agreement be reached and the town acquires the property, we can expect a public process to discuss ideas for short and long term uses for the property. The driving force for bringing the opportunity before the voters has been the chance to acquire land adjacent to town owned property that we can preserve for future town needs or eventually develop it in a way that works for the town, which might include preserving the existing parking, green space, and/or affordable housing.

Leaders from around the state attended the CCM Emergency Management Symposium this week. Highlights for attendees from Bethel include a session on responding to multifamily disasters and how to handle response, donations, and reunification.

If you are new to town or have not signed up for emergency notifications, please sign up for our Emergency Alert Program which will provide you with critical information in situations such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, evacuations and local/state Emergencies. https://member.everbridge.net/1332612387832221/login

Town staff met this week to discuss how we can make our Food Scrap pilot program permanent. Those who have signed up for the program have been impressed with their savings and we have received lots of feedback on how easy it is. Learn more at https://hrra.org/organics-food-scraps-bethel

We have had a lot of interest on the sudden appearance, and thanks to the Highway Department, the quick repair of the “sink hole’ on Hoyts Hill. A metal pipe that carries storm water rotted and allowed water to wash out the area around the leak, causing the hole.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Eversource customers with financial hardship or a serious illness have been protected from electric service shut off. Eversource will resume shut offs on May 2, 2024. If you are having difficulty paying your bill, please visit https://www.eversource.com/content/residential/account-billing/payment-assistance

There are only 5 more days for WorkspaceCT’s April discount on summer theatre programs! Codes and registration links are here: https://bit.ly/workspacecttheatre.

Visit Notch 8 on Monday, April 29th and mention “Post Prom.” A donation will be made to the annual alcohol and drug free event held to keep our kids and community safe on prom night. So, let’s make sure Tony has to write a big, fat check!

The Bethel Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual Summer Kickoff Networking event at the Putnam House on Wednesday, May 1st from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Meet and mingle with Bethel's most innovative and forward-thinking business professionals! Register at https://bethelchamberofcommerce.com/events/2024/summer-kickoff-special-networking-event

Support our student musicians – The Bethel High School Orchestra performs on Monday, April 29th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the BHS Auditorium. The Bethel High School Band performs on Thursday, May 2nd from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at the BHS Auditorium.

Interested in fostering a child? Don’t forget the foster care presentation on Thursday, May 2nd from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Town Hall in meeting room A. Visit https://events.bethel-ct.gov/events/annie-c-courtney-foundation-ct-dcf-foster-presentation

Attention parents, students, and recent BHS Grads, May 6th begins Teacher Appreciation Week. If you have a favorite teacher or mentor, you have until Friday, May 3rd to send them a personalized thank you note and $10 gift card to Famous Pizza! You will also be supporting the Bethel Education Foundation. Visit https://www.betheledfoundation.org/honor-a-teacher.html

A big shoutout to the Bethel High School Staff and Educators, Board of Education, Board of Finance, Town Departments, and everyone who supports Bethel High School for achieving a ranking of 33 in the state! https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/connecticut/districts/bethel-school-district/bethel-high-school-4413

Congrats to the Bethel winners of the HRRA Billboard contest ““Keep It Loose” Don’t Bag or Bundle Your Recycling!” Winners: Anvitha Gautham (3rd Place, Kindergarten), Hope McGovern (2nd Place, Ninth Grade), and Preethika Shenoy (2nd Place, Tenth Grade)

Thank you, Fran Peters, your wonderful Community Partnership students, Mr. Marasco, and your amazing Ambassador Students at Bethel High School for your collaboration to plant flowers for the Senior Center. They are beautiful and bring such joy to our Seniors!

Shoutouts to Bethel baseball, boys lacrosse, girls tennis, and both boys and girls track who all had big wins this week!

Have a great weekend!

Dan