Dec. 29 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Dec. 29, 2023

Dear Bethel,

Being the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, Town Hall has been remarkably quiet. Although, it has been busy behind the scenes preparing for the New Year and the next budget!
The biggest issue of the week – trash. Our highway crews work really hard to keep our roads clean and they do a great job. And our Parks and Rec staff keep our town properties looking good. Of course, they can’t be everywhere at once and we still have some folks out there that dump their garbage along the road or on secluded parts of the town, including our parks and cemeteries. If you spot an area that needs attention, please call the Public Works Department.

Speaking of trash, if you have already donated clothing to charities and have some unwearable clothing to discard, please remember that clean, dry clothing can be recycled at the Bethel Transfer Station. Currently, only 15% of used clothing and textiles are being recycled and the other 85% goes straight to our landfills and incinerators. Check out www.hrra.org/textiles for more info and get your FREE transfer station permit at www.bethel-ct.gov/transfer-station-application.

We have received questions at Town Hall about how smoke shops and vape shops are regulated. The Bethel Police and the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) teamed up to visit 17 establishments this week that sell tobacco products or e-cigarettes as part of the DMHAS Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program. One business had a sale to an individual under 21 years old, which resulted in a $300 fine for the employee who sold the product. The business was also referred to the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services for possible actions.

Do you have a favorite teacher who has inspired a love of learning in you or your child? Consider honoring them with a nomination to become the Teacher of the Year. Learn more at https://sites.google.com/bethel.k12.ct.us/teacher-of-the-year/home. Look for the Nomination link at the top of the page.

Starting January 1, 2024, the bottle deposit amount will go from 5 to 10 cents. Consumers will pay 10 cents when they buy certain drinks and get the money back when returning them.

Our Bethel High School Naval JROTC cadets will be picking up Christmas Trees on Saturday, January 6th (Snow date Sunday, January, 7th). The suggested donation is $10 and your donations support educational programs for the cadets. No tree, no problem! You can still support them at https://www.rotc.bright-moments.com. Remember to fill in the box at the top of the contribution page with submit your address and the number of trees to be picked up. If you would like to pay by check, email bethelnjrotcboosters@gmail.com.

Workspace CT in Bethel is hosting a production of “Heathers The Musical” on Saturday, January 6th at 7:00 pm and Sunday, January 7th at 9:00 pm. Learn more about what Workspace CT does for students, educators, and residents in Bethel at www.workspacect.org. Select the “Events & Classes” link for show tickets.

Office hours are held in the First Selectman Office in Town Hall every two weeks and alternate between mornings and afternoons. The next office hours will be on Monday January 8th from 7 am to 9 am. Feel free to come by with any questions or concerns.

The Bethel Public Library has normal hours tomorrow, December 30th. But they will be closed on Sunday, December 31st and Monday, January 1st in observance of the New Year Holiday. They will reopen on Tuesday, January 2 at 10:00 AM. Town Hall is also closed on Monday.

Good luck to the Girls and Boys Varsity Basketball teams and our IceCats Hockey team who are playing today!

A big shout out to Noah Fuller for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout! Noah, all you do for so many groups who support our Bethel community is appreciated. Congratulations!

As we put another year behind us, all of us working for you in Town Hall, and every other town department, wish you a very Happy New Year!

Have a great weekend,

Dan