Aug. 2 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Aug. 1, 2024

Dear Bethel,

Correction from last week: In October our Tax Assessor will begin using the vehicle Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) with a depreciation schedule to value vehicles. After 20 years the minimum ASSESSMENT of a vehicle is $500, not the minimum tax. Note that the legislature left a minimum value of $500 in the depreciation schedule, causing some confusion. Our current interpretation is that a minimum assessment of $500 would be $14.58 in taxes based on our current mill rate.

Leaders and Emergency Management Officials met for the annual Connecticut Hurricane Season Briefing this week. A La Nina pattern is forecast for this summer which pushes the jet stream more north of New England, resulting in warmer water off the coast and less high-altitude wind, which could mean a more active hurricane season. Only 3 major hurricanes have ever made landfall in Connecticut since 1851 and the last one was Gloria in 1985. Whether you think we are due or not, it is a good idea to signup for Bethel’s emergency alert system at the Emergency Alerts link at www.bethel-ct.gov.

Attention Bethel Public Schools Parents, the PowerSchool Parent Portal is available! Visit https://www.bethel.k12.ct.us/ and look for the PowerSchool Parent Portal under “Quicklinks.”

Bethel graduates, the Bethel Alumni Association needs your help. The average age of the current board members is 80 years old, so they need some younger members to get involved. There is so much that can be done, including continuing the current scholarships for Bethel students. Please email rgodfrey1@prodigy.net for info or to join.

#LoCoolGov Youth Scholarships are up for grabs! The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities is the state’s largest, nonpartisan organization of municipal leaders, representing 168 town and cities in the state. CCM works to improve all our lives and if you are in grades 6 to 12, CCM wants to hear your voice. Use an essay, poem, photo, video, painting, multimedia project, or any other medium you find appropriate to answer “What is cool about Local government?” and win a $1000 scholarship. visit https://www.ccm-ct.org/Resources/-LoCoolGov-Youth-Scholarship-2024

The next office Hours will be on Wednesday, August 7th from 7:30 am to 8:30 am at the Town hall in the First Selectman office. If you have concerns or questions and would like to meet, please stop by or feel free to make an appointment.

On Tuesday, August 13th at 7:00 pm at Town Hall in Conference Room D, the Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing for 268 Greenwood Ave. (Special permit to conduct a dog grooming business) The commission will also continue public hearings for 22 Stony Hill Rd. (construct new gas station/convenience store) and 165 Grassy Plain St. (an addition to the existing manufacturing warehouse.) Learn more at https://bethel-ct.gov/2024-public-hearing and https://bethel-ct.gov/2024-zoning

On Wednesday, August 14th at 7:00 pm at Town Hall in the General Purpose Room, the Charter Revision Commission will hold a public hearing to hear comments regarding changes to the Bethel Town Charter. Our charter establishes our government's structure and the rules that govern elected and appointed officials, so this is an excellent opportunity to lean more and influence local government.

Stony Hill residents: The Representative Policy Board of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority is holding public hearings on their acquisition of Aquarion Water Company. The hearings are Thursday, August 22nd at 7 pm and Tuesday, August 27th at 10 am and 6:30 pm. Residents can attend the hearings in person at Hotel Marcel in New Haven or via remote access. For information on the application and attending the meeting remote, visit http://tinyurl.com/yyxk7xcs

Support the Bethel Education Foundation and tomorrow, August 3rd from 3 pm to 6 pm, rain or shine, on the lawn in front of Town Hall. VIPs welcome at 2 pm! CT Breweries, Food Trucks, and Live Music with by The Dirt Road Pickers. No entry for under 21. Please park behind Town Hall. For info and tickets visit https://www.bethelctbeerfest.com/

Unfortunately, the Ben’s Bells location in Bethel will be closing. Join Ben's Bells for a Vendor Fair Sunday Aug 4th from 11 am to 3 pm at the Bethel Studio at 32 Stony Hill Rd. They are grateful for the spirit of kindness in Bethel! Let’s show them how grateful we are and stop by on Sunday.

The Town of Bethel Summer Concert Series Kicks off on Sunday, August 4th with Joe Neuman & The Big Beat! Join music fans on the Town Hall lawn between 6 pm and 8 pm on Sundays in August. There are no food trucks on hand, so plan accordingly. In the event of inclement weather, call 203-794-8502 for cancellations.

Shoutout to all the Bethel residents who use the Food Scraps Program. Through the end of June, Bethel residents have diverted 11.32 TONS of food waste! Way to go!

Thanks to the Bethel American Legion Post 100 for hoisting the Red Cross blood drive today!

Have a great weekend!

Dan