Jan. 16 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Jan. 16, 2025

Dear Bethel,

Transfer Station Closed Tomorrow

The Transfer Station will be closed tomorrow, January 17th, for the anticipated snow. We are expecting light to moderate snow around 4 am to 5 am, with an additional wave of snow in the afternoon. While we are concerned about slippery roads in the morning, our Transfer Station employees are needed to help us for plowing and putting materials on the roads.

Parking Ban

In addition to the snow tomorrow, we are expecting some snow on Sunday as well. Please do not park on the roads between 2 am and 6 am due to the parking ban that is in effect until April 15th. Contrary to what you may hear on social media, the Bethel PD has ticked vehicles and towed vehicles that would obstruct snow plows. To recover a vehicle, call the Bethel Police Department on the non-emergency phone number: (203) 744-7900.

Senior Center Closure

We learned this week that the only thing holding some of the pipes together under what we call the “north wing” of Town Hall was insulation and rust! Unfortunately, the Senior Center will be closed through next Friday, January 23rd for repairs on a pipe that supplies water for heating the building. We have temporary heating setup for the building, so we expect other town offices to be open.

Vessel Technologies Settlement

The 8-30g development by Vessel Technologies on Nashville Rd. that was denied by P&Z will be going forward due to a settlement between the Town Planning & Zoning Commission and Vessel Technologies that was approved by a court this week. The structure will be 4 stories tall and have 72 residential units, 69 one-bedroom units and 3 two-bedroom. The developer will also provide the town $300,000 for future sidewalks.

Superintendent Search

From the last Update, we are looking for the next Bethel Superintendent and are looking for community input. Please let us know your perspective on the qualities, characteristics and experience of the next Superintendent! This is your chance to be part of the process! Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BethelSuptSearch.

CT Revenue Forecast

Have you ever wondered how much revenue the State of Connecticut takes in? The January 2026 consensus revenue forecast was jointly issued this week by the Office of Policy and Management and the Office of Fiscal Analysis and is available HERE.

Kind Works After School Program

The Kind Works afterschool program for 4th–5th graders (3:30 pm – 4:30 pm) and 6th–8th graders (4:45 pm – 5:45 pm) starts Tuesday, January 20th and continues thru February 12th. Thanks to grant funding, it’s free for families and registration is first come, first served. Learn more and register at https://www.kind-works.org/kind-art-class-2.

Bethel Arts Sculpture Exhibition

Bethel Arts is accepting submissions from qualified regional sculptors to participate in the 2026 – 2027 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. You have seen previous exhibitions in downtown Bethel on pre-installed concrete pads on the lawn of the Municipal Center and the Bethel Public Library. Be part of the festive Bethel salute to the 250-year story of the development of the USA! Learn more and apply at https://www.bethelartsct.org. For more info, contact: info@bethelartsct@gmail.com.

Youth Cannabis Education

A Youth Cannabis Education series being is being offered by the New Milford Youth Agency this February. This free, virtual, 4-week education series is designed for teens, young adults, and community members who want clear information about cannabis to support informed decision-making. Learn about the effect of Cannabis on the teen brain and body, community and environmental influences, info on industry marketing tactics and targeted advertising, and more. This series is educational in nature and focuses on facts, context, and practical understanding - not judgement or discipline. Registration is required and can be completed online here: https://bit.ly/canedfeb2026.

BIA Food Drive

Don’t forget the Brotherhood in Action is having a Food Drive tomorrow, January 17th from 10 am to 12 pm. That should be between snow squalls, so Drive into the lot behind the United Methodist Church at 139 Greenwood Ave from the driveway on Greenwood Ave. Volunteers will take your non-perishable food donations out of the car. Donations are welcome that BIA will use to purchase perishable foods just before the next delivery.

Frozen Jr. The Musical

Bethel Parks and Rec and ERA Productions have tickets available for Frozen Jr the Musical on tomorrow, January 17th at 2 pm and 7 pm at Bethel Highschool Auditorium. These kids did an amazing job in practice at Town Hall! For tickets, visit https://www.ticketpeak.co/Bethelparkandrec/events.

Shoutouts

A shoutout to the Bethel Middle School and Bethel High School Dance Teams who competed in the Woodland Regional High School Dance Competition titled Dancin’ in the Woods! Coach D and Amanda did dis a great job and the team was fantastic!

Congrats to the BHS Debate team who did amazing at the tournament at Fairfield Warde High School! Jack Woleck and Ayaan Kasam came in 4th overall in a field of 47 varsity teams! Radha Sinha and Trisha Sharma placed 12th, Peter Gardella and Avni Shah were 14th, and Toshan Bhattachyra and Joe Corrigliano placed 19th. A special shoutout to Jack Woleck – the tournament’s first place speaker! Peter was 16th speaker and Toshan was 18th. Way to go Wildcats!

Wildcat Basketball is ON FIRE! The Lady Wildcats who are 8-2 and Wildcat Boys are 8-1 after wins over Immaculate this week! A special shoutout to Victor Oloke with 22.5 pts and 4 assists per game and Hayden Chrzescijanek with a career high of 24 points against Immaculate, making them our Athletes of the Week!

Great job Wildcat Wrestling who are 3-1 in the league and 6-4 overall after a win over Stratford! Cassius Hunter is 10-0 and John Munroe Ritter is 8-0. They are hosting Fairfield Ludlow, Maloney (Meriden), Westhill, and Weston tomorrow starting at 8:30 am. Check out their bake sale and support the team!

Town Hall is closed Monday, January 19th in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

Have a great weekend!

Dan