​Aug. 4 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Aug. 4, 2023

Dear Bethel,

With kids returning to school and flu season approaching, the Bethel Health Department has been awarded $47,516 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support routine vaccinations, influenza vaccinations, and Covid 19 vaccinations. If you have questions about immunizations, contact the Bethel Health Department or Google Search “CT DPH Immunizations,” or visit https://portal.ct.gov/immunization.

In the final few days of July, some of our residents who attempted to pay taxes online experienced difficulty due to our vendor’s server issues. The ability to pay taxes online is an important convenience and we apologize for any difficulty residents may have experienced. We are working with the vendor to identify the problem so we do not have a reoccurrence in the future!

The Highway Dept has recently completed storm water drainage repairs on Brookwood Dr. and Blue Spruce Court and is currently repairing the storm water structures in Hoyts Hill Rd between Governors Lane and Rt 58 to prepare for paving. Residents within these projects will receive notification prior to the paving and these projects are expected to be completed by the end of August.

Only a few days left to help students in need of school supplies. Social Services still looking for donations ($$ or gift cards to Target, Walmart, Amazon, Staples) for the back-to-school backpack program. Backpacks stuffed with teacher recommended school supplies will be distributed to kids at all grade levels at a back-to-school party on Aug 17th. There are giving trees set up at Sycamore, Peach Wave, and Jacqueline’s and you can donate at these locations. You can also stop by Social Services in Town Hall or use this address to donate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bethelct. Please make all donations by Wednesday, August 9th.

The next office hours will be on Wednesday, August 16th from 6 pm to 7 pm at Town Hall in the First Selectman office. Office hours is an informal opportunity to stop in an ask questions and express concerns. If you prefer an appointment, please email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov.

Tomorrow, August 5th is the highly anticipated Bethel Beer Fest on the Town Hall lawn. VIP hour from 2 pm to 3 pm and General admission from 3 pm to 6 pm. Live music by “Vintage: Made in America.” Check out www.bethelbeerfestival.com for tickets, food trucks, and breweries. Proceeds support Bethel Education Foundation grants for our schools and Chamber of Commerce community programs.

Unfortunately, tonight’s Food Truck Friday was cancelled due to the weather forecast. The final Food Truck Friday of the summer will be on August 18th. “Boondocks” will be playing and Szabo, Weenie Lynn’s, Fork in the Road, The Coop, Notch 8, and Polar Sweets will be on hand. Don’t forget that downtown restaurants have to go options and please remember to park behind the Town Hall. Thanks to Newtown Savings for your support of the event. Call information line at 203-794-8502 if there is a threat of inclement weather. Weather decisions made by noon.

Bethel’s first Summer Concert Series event is on Sunday, August 6th from 6 pm to 8 pm in front of Town Hall. The Kenn Morr Band will be playing. There are no food trucks attending these events, so this may be a perfect opportunity to support a local restaurant with a to go option. Call information line at 203-794-8502 if there is a threat of inclement weather. Weather decisions made by noon.

Looking to escape the heat? In addition to all the summer reading resources at the Bethel Public Library, there are many opportunities to enjoy a story time with your child. As for adults, the library has events for you too, including the “Monday Night at the Movies” showing of "My Happy Ending” staring Andie MacDowell on Monday, August 7th from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Definitely check out the BPL calendar for all the amazing events!

Don’t forget the Bethel Drum Circle on Saturday, August 12th from 3 pm to 4:30 pm. Bring a persuasion instrument and prepare for a fun afternoon of joy and musical rhythms. There will be a few drums and percussion instruments on hand (first come, first serve), or come up with your own! It’s a free event for all ages, not just musicians, and it is about bringing community together.

Next weekend’s Summer Concert Series features the J&B Band on Sunday, August 13th from 6 pm to 8 pm in front of Town Hall. We are looking for a band to perform on August 20th due to a cancellation. Please email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov or call 203-794-8540.

Have a great weekend!

Dan