July 19 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

July 19, 2024

Dear Bethel,

The CrowdStrike outage did not affect Town of Bethel services. The Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications is advising there are no critical impacts to statewide 911, land mobile radio, or CT ALERT. All systems are fully operational. However, the event has prompted us to look more closely at our cloud storage and what our back-up plan would be if a similar outage had affected Bethel Town Hall.

The Wooster sidewalk project is about 80% complete. Durant next. Also, thank you Highway Crews for disposing of the huge stump blocking the sidewalk on High Street.

Thank you for all the responses to the questions over the last 5 weeks regarding the workshop on town priorities! The responses are excellent and we are integrating them into a presentation to share with the town. We will also try to reply to as many as possible over the next few weeks!

Connecticut's Home Rule Act allows the Town of Bethel to write and amend our own charter, which serves as our local constitution. It establishes our government's structure and the rules that govern elected and appointed officials. Our newly appointed Charter Revision Commission met for an organizational meeting this week to begin updating our charter. Before they start any work, they must hold a public hearing, which is scheduled for August 14th at 7 pm in the Town Hall General Purpose room. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more info in the coming weeks.

Sustainable Bethel would like to know your thoughts and interests on sustainability! Check out their survey at https://forms.gle/wxQ7rBy847yG6QPM9

Attention Bethel High School students and families: Fall 2024 Sports Registration is now open. Visit www.FamilyID.com to register.

On Tuesday, July 23rd at 7:00 pm at Town Hall in Conference Room D, the Planning & Zoning Commission will continue public hearings for 22 Stony Hill Rd. (construct new gas station/convenience store) and 165 Grassy Plain St. (an addition to the existing manufacturing warehouse.) Learn more at https://bethel-ct.gov/2024-zoning.

The next Office Hours is Wednesday, July 24th from 6 pm to 7 pm at Town Hall in the First Selectmen office. If office hours are not convenient, please call the office at 203-794-8540 or email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov and make an appointment.

Big news from the Bethel Public Library. The library is open now on Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm! Be curious, be enlightened, and be inspired! Learn more at https://www.bethellibrary.org.

Don’t forget about the Footloose the Musical tonight, July 19th at 7 pm and tomorrow, July 20th at 2 pm and 7 pm at Bethel High School. For tickets, visit https://ticketpeak.co/bethelparkandrec/events.

Come out for the Summer Shop & Stroll tomorrow, 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 lineup of vendors at https://bethelchamberofcommerce.com/shop-stroll.

Greenwood Features and Danbury Weather’s Jake Drake are hosting a special showing of Twisters with an amazing panel discussion including Storm Chasers! Join us tomorrow, July 20th. Doors open at 6 pm, panel at 6:30 pm, movie at 7 pm. Visit https://www.greenwoodfeatures.com/twisters-with-meteorologist-jack-drake/

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/

Where’s Waldo? He is hiding in 25 businesses around Bethel! Drop by Byrd’s Books or visit their website for your passport to fun and prizes. Find Waldo and stamp your passport at 20 of the 25 businesses and enter the grand prize drawing at the Where’s waldo party on Saturday, July 27th! Visit Byrd’s books for more information and school summer reading lists: https://www.byrdsbooks.com/

The Bethel Summer Concert Series kicks off on Sunday, August 4th with Joe Neuman & The Big Beat! Join us on the lawn in front of Town Hall every Sunday in August from 6 pm to 8 pm. For cancelations due to weather, call 203-794-8502 or check out the Town’s social media.

There will be a Republican Primary for US Senate on August 13th. There will not be a primary for any other offices or parties. New and unaffiliated voters can affiliate as a Republican through August 12 at noon. Early voting begins August 5th and ends August 11th. If you want to vote by absentee ballot, visit www.myvote.ct.gov/getmyab for info and an online application or contact the Town Clerk.

Shoutout to the winning teams of the Parks & Rec Camp Annual Cookie Challenge! Team Cheesecake Truffle won for the adults and the for the campers, Team Salted Chocolate Caramel Pretzel came in first!

Shoutout to everyone who asked for good weather tonight! Food Truck Friday is off to a great start!

Have a great weekend!
Dan