July 14 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

July 14, 2023

Dear Bethel,

This week the Town and Bethel signed a new agreement with the Bethel Police Union (Fraternal Order of Police). The previous agreement had expired in June 2022 and the current agreement will expire in June of 2025. Thank you to all the men and women of the Bethel PD who are there to serve our community.

The sidewalk on the north side of Fleetwood Ave for an undetermined length of time. We had bridge inspectors come out and take a look at the Fleetwood Ave Bridge after our Highway Department staff noticed some cracking on one of three decks that support the roadway. Only the sidewalk on one side be closed and a thin sliver of the roadway will be roped off to keep vehicles off this deck. Thanks to the Highway Department for staying on top of our bridges!

I met with members Bethel Community Cares Coalition this week to learn more about the good work they do promoting a safe and healthy community. Vaping, tobacco, alcohol, and prescription drugs are just a few of the challenges facing our community today. If you would like to learn more about how you can help our community, please email Dawn at dawnfaw@aol.com or visit www.wctcoalition.org and select Local Prevention Councils.

Affordable housing, the property assessments and the new food scrap program at the transfer station were the topics at office hours this week. There will more information will be coming soon on how to participate in the food scrap program, including a public meeting. The next office hours will be on Tuesday, July 25th from 7 am to 8 am in the First Selectman office at Town Hall.

The next Food Truck Friday is on July 21st from 5pm to 8pm in front of Town Hall. “On the Road Again” will make the music and Szabo, Weenie Lynn’s, Fork in the Road, The Chamo, Notch 8, Polar Sweets, Sugar Blooms, and The Scotty Fund will satisfy all our food cravings. You can also support downtown restaurants with their to go options and please remember to park behind the Town Hall. Thanks again to Newtown Savings for your support of the event! If there is a question regarding weather, contact our new Information line at 203-794-8502.

The Bethel Police are hosting their annual cornhole tournament on Saturday, Jul 22nd to benefit the Connecticut Special Olympics. The double elimination tournament will be held at the Putnam House, located at 12 Depot Place, beginning at noon. Only 36 teams of two can compete, and the cost is $50 per team. Participants must be at least 21. Donations are also welcome. https://give.soct.org/bethelcornhole

The Bethel Beer Fest is back! The Bethel Education Foundation (BEF) and the Bethel chamber of Commerce are teaming up this year to bring food, live music, and some of the best brew our Connecticut breweries have to offer on August 5th, from 2:00-6:00pm on the Town Hall lawn. Tickets are available at www.bethelbeerfestival.com. Proceeds support BEF grants for our schools and Chamber of Commerce community programs.

Sorry kids, back-to-school is on the horizon! Bethel Social Services is requesting donations ($$ or gift cards to Target, Walmart, Amazon, Staples) for back-to-school backpack program. Backpacks stuffed with teacher recommended school supplies and will be distributed to kids at all grade levels at a back-to-school party on Aug 17th. There will also be giving trees set up at Sycamore, Peach Wave, and Jacqueline’s and you can donate at these locations. You can also stop by Social Services in Town Hall or use this address to donate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bethelct. Please make all donations by Wednesday, August 9th.

A few events this weekend: The 4th – 8th graders in the Parks and Rec Summer Theater perform Willy Wonka at the Bethel High School tonight, July 14th at 7pm and Saturday, July 15th at 2pm and 7pm. Tag sale treasure still available at the St. Thomas Church’s annual Giant Tag Sale at 95 Greenwood Ave. from 9 am to 2 pm Tomorrow, Saturday, July 15th. Finally, the Bethel Chamber of Commerce hosts the Summer Shop & Stroll downtown tomorrow, Saturday, July 15th from 11 am to 4 pm. Enjoy sidewalk Sales, music, and connect with local community groups as people stroll along Greenwood Avenue.

A shout out to Thomas Galliford, our own Emergency Management Director for graduating from the FEMA National Emergency Management Advanced Academy this week. Thomas joins 1200 other graduates who have completed 160 hours of coursework over a 6-month period and a research paper. He and his cohort worked on multiple case studies that can be applied here at home and make Bethel more prepared. Congratulations and we are so lucky to have you!

A belated shout out and thank you to Ingersoll Auto for supplying a Jeep for the parade last week honoring Special Olympic Gold and Bronze Medalist Kelly Schneider for her accomplishments in the World Games. We really appreciate all you do for Bethel.

A shout out to the kids in Teen Camp at Town Hall for letting town employees judge their “Cookie Challenge.” The kids learned measurements, how to work as a team, and improved their public speaking skills! Thank you to the presenters: Jermiah, Guiliana, Zack, Josie, and Mikayla. And a big congrats to the winning team: Ben, Juliana, Guiliana, Nicki, Jacob, Nolan, Gabriella, and Sean for their “Chocolate and Butterscotch Haystack!”

Have a great weekend!

Dan