July 26 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

July 26, 2024

Dear Bethel,

The Town of Bethel has two positions open. We are looking for a full time Associate Director of Environmental Health Services and a part time Benefits Coordinator/HR Assistant. For information and an application visit https://bethel-ct.gov/employment.

Bethel Office of Economic Development and the Board of Selectmen have commissioned the creation of a marketing plan for the town. The town had a kickoff meeting this week to identify deliverables and a timeline. The information from the World Café workshop in March, along with feedback from residents, will be provided to the firm and the firm will also be reaching out to folks around town and surveying residents. Stay tuned for more info at the end of August.

There have been questions this week about changes to the car tax. In October our Tax Assessor will begin using vehicle MSRP, subject to depreciation, instead of JD Power to value motor vehicles. The depreciation schedule starts at 85% of the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for a car up to a year old and decreases by 5% each year until 14 years. From 15 to 19 years old, the value is 15% of MSRP. At 20 years the minimum tax is $500. Once the value is determined, the assessed value is 70% of the value. To calculate the property tax, multiply the assessment of the vehicle by our mill rate, currently 29.17, and divide by 1,000.

Town representatives and representatives from CT Department of Economic and Community Development toured the Duracell building in Bethel this week. While many Duracell jobs will stay in Connecticut, the company is looking to sell or lease the building and combine their research and development functions with manufacturing. If you know someone in the market for 80,000 SF to 300,000 SF, reach out to the Bethel Office of Economic Development.

From the Tax Collector: The last day to pay taxes without interest is Thursday, August 1st. Interest is 1.5% per month from the due date or $2.00, whichever is greater, plus any other collection costs. Learn more at https://bethel-ct.gov/depts-tax-collector.

A reminder that the Primary Election on August 13th is only a Republican Primary for the US Senate. Only Registered Republicans can vote. 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.

Lookout for bicycle riders participating in the CT Challenge Ride tomorrow, July 27th. The 50 mile and 100 mile courses come through Bethel, so watch out for riders on Dittmar Rd., Chestnut Ridge Rd., Chestnut St., Maple Ave., Plumtrees Rd., and Old Hawleyville Rd. Learn more at https://bike.ctchallenge.org/

Don’t miss Food Truck Friday on Friday, August 2nd from 5 pm to 8 pm. Mental Health will be entertaining us and our food options are provided by: 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!

The First Congregational Church of Bethel is hosting their Summer Children's Festival on Saturday, August 3rd from 11 am to 2 pm. Enjoy crafts, food, amazing story telling, games, a fantastic balloon artist, and an ice cream truck! For more information call 203-743-1877.

The Bethel Beer Fest is back! Support the Bethel Education Foundation and join the fun on Saturday, August 3rd from 3 pm to 6 pm on the lawn in front of Town Hall. VIPs welcome at 2 pm! CT Breweries, Food Trucks, and Live Music with by The Dirt Road Pickers. No entry for under 21. Please park behind Town Hall. For info and tickets visit https://www.bethelctbeerfest.com/

The Town of Bethel Summer Concert Series Kicks off on Sunday, August 4th with Joe Neuman & The Big Beat! Join music fans on the Town Hall lawn between 6 pm and 8 pm on Sundays in August. There are no food trucks on hand, so plan accordingly. In the event of inclement weather, call 203-794-8502 for cancellations.

Kids, teens, and adults: the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge is underway at the Bethel Public Library! Don’t’ forget to log your reading through August 31st and earn raffle tickets for great prizes, including gift certificates to local businesses for the adults! Visit https://www.bethellibrary.org/summerreading/.

A shoutout to all those who stopped by Town Hall to find Waldo! Have a great time at the party tomorrow! Don’t forget there are goodie bags for the first 50 Waldo Hunters. Celebration starts at 4pm at Byrd’s Books. https://www.byrdsbooks.com/

Thank you to all our Korean Veterans, including our own Bernie Rotunda, who will be honored at a ceremony at Rogers Park in Danbury tomorrow, July 27th at 10:00 am. Bernie has been a regular at Town Hall and was involved in our Hall of Veterans. He may even be one of the last surviving Korean Veterans in this area. Thank you for your service, Bernie.

Have a great weekend!

Dan