Jan. 19 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Jan. 19, 2024

Dear Bethel,

We have received multiple calls regarding storm water, groundwater, and especially water in basements. Models that measure water concentration in the top layers of soil are showing 100% saturation in our area. That isn’t much help when you are dealing with excessive water, but we know the issues are directly related to the excessive rainfall we have received over the last year. With that said, our folks in the Highway Department are doing their best to handle any drainage issues as they come up.

Arguably one of Bethel’s most impactful departments is Parks and Recreation and we have had significant growth in our programs over the last few years. As a result, we have a shortfall of $319,000 in our current 2023-2024 budget. We also have increased revenue to offset the shortfall. Per the process in our charter, the Parks and Recreation Commission made a request to the Board of Selectmen who approved and forwarded the request to the Board of Finance who also approved the request for the additional funds to come from our increased revenue. There will now be a special town meeting which is tentatively scheduled for Monday, January 29th at 7 pm in Town Hall. More next week.

In December, USDOT announced that the Western Connecticut Council of Governments was awarded a “Safe Streets and Roads for All” grant of $3,959,346 in federal funds which will be used to implement vehicular and pedestrian safety improvements at 93 locations in our region, including Bethel. Our funding will go towards safety improvements on Greenwood Ave and Route 6 in Stony Hill. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes will be visiting town hall on Wednesday, January 24th at 10 am in Town Hall meeting room A to celebrate the award.

From the Bethel Health Department: The amount of respiratory illness (fever plus cough or sore throat) causing people to seek healthcare is elevated or increasing across most areas of the country. The Respiratory Illness Level in Connecticut is currently “Moderate.” If you would like to learn more, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/snapshot.html

Also from the Health Department, BrightFarms has issued a voluntary recall of spinach products due to potential of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products have been distributed to several states, including stores that serve Bethel residents. To date, there have been no reports of illness. Check out https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/brightfarms-recalls-spinach-and-salad-kits-because-possible-health-risk-result-supplier-element for more info.

If you have a child that will be 5 on or before September 1st, 2024, registration for kindergarten is now open. Visit https://www.bethel.k12.ct.us/ and click on the Registration link under the banner photo.

Are you spending money on audio books? You might want to consider the Bethel Public Library. Your library card gives you access lots of free e-books and audiobooks. Visit the library or look online at www.bethellibrary.org, click on the Virtual Resources link and then the Books and Audio Books link.

Don’t miss the St. Thomas’ Chicken/Eggplant Parm Dinner tomorrow, January 20th. Reservations close today, so visit https://www.stthomasbethel.org/Dinner right away if you are hungry!

The next office hours will be on Wednesday. January 24th from 6 pm to 7 pm at Town Hall in the First Selectman office. Note that this is a correction of the date in last week’s update.

The Western Connecticut Council of Governments is seeking public input on their upcoming Climate Action Plan. Join a meeting and/or take the survey to get involved. Meetings are hosted virtually on Jan 29th and Feb 7th at 6:00 PM. The Zoom Meeting Link and Survey can be found on their website: www.swctclimate.com.

Bethel Arts and Greenwood Features present “A Journey” on Sunday, February 4th at 4pm at Greenwood Features in Bethel. “A Journey” is a moving one-woman performance of song and dance performed by Kimberly Wilson in celebration of Black History Month. Additional sponsors are the Bethel Grapevine and Connecticut Office of the Arts. Check out www.greenwoodfeatures.com.

The Bethel Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual Legislative Breakfast on Tuesday. February 6th, 2024 from 8 am to 10 am at La Zingara. Check out https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bethel-chamber-of-commerce-legislative-breakfast-tickets-794969584427?aff=oddtdtcreator for info and tickets

Congrats to Jorge Escalera from BHS for your winning essay in Senator Chris Murphy’s annual “Martin Luther King J. Essay Challenge!” There were only three winners per congressional district!

Congrats to the BHS Boys Basketball team’s re-match win over Barlow this week! And a big shoutout to the BHS students, teachers, and staff who participated in the Project Purple Game to bring awareness to the dangers of substance abuse and encourage positive decision making to navigate life’s challenges.

Great job IceCats who continue to rack up the hockey wins this week!

Have a great weekend!

Dan