July 12 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

July 12, 2024

Dear Bethel,

Paving on Ridge Rd. and Vail Rd. is complete, and slightly under budget. Crews will be back at the end of next week to work on driveway aprons. Look out for crews around town working on catch basins and potholes next week. Also, the water main break on Midway Dr. has been repaired. Note that a more permanent fix to the road will be completed later in the summer.

Bethel High School HVAC improvements are under way. Our Charter allows two additional appointments to our Public Site and Building Commission to represent the “user’s interest” in the project. The commission meets on second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7 pm in Town Hall, with remote participation is available. The project is expected to finish in December of 2025, but could be extended. If you are a parent of a Bethel student and have some HVAC or construction experience, and are interested in learning more, please email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov or call 203-794-8540.

The Bethel Public Utilities Commission approved an Outdoor Irrigation Policy for Bethel Water Customers. Following the drought of 2016, a schedule of twice weekly irrigation proved to save water for essential services, such as health and fire protection, while maintaining the health of lawns and landscapes. Bethel customers with an address that ends with an even number or 0 are asked to use sprinklers on Sundays and Wednesdays. Customers with addresses ending with odd numbers or a property without an address should sprinkle on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Please do not water between 9 am and 6 pm to avoid evaporation loss. For more information on water conservation, visit https://bethel-ct.gov/water-conservation

Question 5 of 5: Last March a small group of citizens from across the community gathered for a workshop with the goal to help Town leadership to define our priorities. The group explored 5 questions. The fifth question was “What else should Bethel consider?” Participants identified the #1 need as a community center with activities for all ages, a pool/exercise center, pickle ball, teen center, theater, and a rain garden. Also at the top of the list was affordable senior housing, purchasing Blue Jay Orchard, sustainability initiatives, improving our parks, a new tax structure, uses for the Old PD, more handicapped parking, welcoming new residents, and linguistic diversity. What else do you think Bethel should consider? Email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov. Stay tuned next week for the feedback we have received from the 5 questions.

Unfortunately, the Bethel Winter Guard’s Annual Car Wash and Bake Sale scheduled for tomorrow, July 13th has been cancelled due to the weather. Fortunately, you can still help this amazing organization with a contribution. Chick HERE to contribute or learn more at https://bethelwinterguardct.com/about-us

Check out the events this weekend at https://events.bethel-ct.gov/

The Town Hall will close at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, July 16th for maintenance on our internet. We will use the afternoon for employee training. Emergency services will not be affected by the outage.

Don’t forget about the Footloose the Musical next Friday, July 19th at 7 pm and Saturday July 20th at 2 pm and 7 pm at Bethel High School. From what we have heard during their rehearsals in Town Hall, it’s going to be a great show! For tickets, visit https://ticketpeak.co/bethelparkandrec/events.

Our next Food Truck Friday is Friday, July 19th from 5 pm to 8 pm. Back by popular demand, Grooved Pavement will be playing. Trucks on deck: The Artisan Food Trailer, Weenie Lynn’s, Brazilian BBQ Boys, Punchy’s Island Grill, Szabo’s Seafood, Smash Bros and Jesse’s Ice Cream Truck! Please remember to go options from our local restaurants and utilize the lot behind the town hall. Thank you Newtown Savings Bank and ELC Energy Solutions for sponsoring!

Enjoy our downtown at this year's Summer Shop & Stroll on Saturday, July 20th from 11 am to 4 pm, sponsored by the Bethel Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy a day filled with shopping, live music, and family-friendly activities. Check out the line up of vendors at https://bethelchamberofcommerce.com/shop-stroll.

Happily Furever After Rescue is hosting Pet CPR and First Aid class Saturday, July 20th at 10 am at the Bethel Volunteer Fire Department. The cost is $60.00 and includes a detailed handbook, certificate of completion and emergency muzzle. Register online at https://www.pawsnclaws911.com/register-online.

Stand up for Kindness. Michael’s Tap Room is hosting Ben’s Bells for a Cornhole Tournament and fundraiser on Sunday, July 21st from 12 pm to 4 pm. Prizes available for the top teams. For info and registration, visit https://bensbells.org/cornhole/

Participation in town government is really important. One way to get involved is through the Town political committees, and what better opportunity than their annual picnics! The Bethel Republican Town Committee is having their annual Lobsterfest on Saturday, July 27th from 3 pm to 7 pm at Bennett Park and the Bethel Democrat Town Committee is having their annual picnic on Sunday, July 28th from 12 pm to 4 pm at Bennett Park. For information and tickets visit https://events.bethel-ct.gov/events/bethel-rtc-lobsterfest-2024 and https://events.bethel-ct.gov/events/bethel-democratic-town-committee-picnic

A shout out to the SCOTTY Fund. Over the past 28 years, the SCOTTY Fund has raised over $2.5 million to provide financial and family support to children in the local area with life-threatening and critical illnesses. The fund helps with medical expenses, transportation, ancillary costs associated with the illness, and a host of other support services. Remember to save the date for the SCOTTY Fund Winter's Eve Gala on Saturday, December 7th. If you are new to town, check out https://www.scottyfund.org/

Congratulations to Bethel Baseball Association’s 11U team who won 2nd place in the state tournament! Good luck in the New England regionals this weekend in Oxford!

Have a great weekend!
Dan