July 21 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

July 21, 2023

Dear Bethel,

There has been a vision for an improved Danbury Rail Line for many years and costs have remained a significant barrier to realizing that vision. This week Bethel joined other municipalities in the area in a two-year study to look at the economic & fiscal benefits of improving service on the Danbury Line. The goal is to identify funding opportunities for the long-awaited upgrades.

We have had many inquiries about the fate of property where the old Police Station once stood. The first question: is it in a swamp. No, but the rear portion of the property where most of the old building sat is an area identified as an area with a 1% per year risk of flooding. However, the expected water level of such a flood is slightly below the current elevation of the old building. In short, it is possible to build on the property in a way that mitigates flood risk. As for the future, the Bethel Housing Authority will be investigating the possibility building senior housing on the property. We have long waiting lists for senior housing, so that use could be ideal.

At the Board of Selectmen meeting this week, we discussed how we use technology for our meetings in town. Boards and Commissions usually either stream meetings or have hybrid meeting where the public can comment. Options may be to stream meetings and allow comments in person or by correspondence, which would encourage in person participation, or we could have hybrid meetings which may be more convenient for residents. Stay tuned for a public hearing on the subject in the fall. If you have general comments, please email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov.
For victims of interpersonal violence, The Center for Empowerment and Education in Danbury provides support services for Bethel residents in the form of counseling and advocacy, crisis intervention, and emergency shelter. They are there to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 203-731-5206

I had the privilege of being interviewed on Community Forum which airs on Wednesday July 26th at 9pm and Thursday, July 27th at 12:00 pm on Comcast Channel 23.

The Bethel Police are hosting their annual cornhole tournament tomorrow, Saturday, Jul 22nd to benefit the Connecticut Special Olympics at the Putnam House, located at 12 Depot Place. Participants must be at least 21. Donations are also welcome. https://give.soct.org/bethelcornhole

The next office hours will be on Tuesday, July 25th from 7 am to 8 am in the First Selectman office at Town Hall. Feel free to stop by.

Don’t miss the 8th – 12th graders performing “Mean Girls.” At the Bethel High School on July 28th at 7 pm and July 29th at 2 pm and 7 pm. After seeing the 4th – 8th grader’s outstanding performance of Willy Wonka, you can bet “Mean Girls” will be fantastic. For tickets: https://ticketpeak.co/bethelparkandrec/events

The Summer Concert Series is starting soon: Sundays in August from 6:00pm - 8:00pm on the Municipal Center lawn. If weather is a concern, call cancellation line at 203-794-8502. We are still looking for sponsors.

The Bethel Police will be celebrating National Night Out on Aug 1st on the front lawn of Town Hall. Expect food trucks and fun!

A note on typos. I write each of these updates every Friday. Like people write on the email disclaimer on their phones, typos are my own!

Congrats to the Bethel 10 U team who made it to the semifinals of the 10U New England Cal Ripken Regional Tournament. Not only was Bethel chosen to host the tournament, the team was only two wins short of the World Series. Amazing! Well done players, coaches, and families!

A huge shout out to Bethel’s own Savanah Pipkin. She is a 2015 Bethel High Grad where she was a leader in sports and the Navy Junior ROTC program. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a biomedical engineer degree and a commission in the US Navy. She has just finished flight school and now wears the wings as a Navy Aviator! She is off to fly the EA-18G Growler. Way to go Savanah!

Have a great weekend!

Dan