July 28 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

July 28, 2023

Dear Bethel,

Governor Lamont made a visit to Town Hall this week. He was very interested in what was on the minds of our residents. We primarily spoke about property taxes, development in Bethel, affordable housing, and the need to help our seniors. He also had a chance to meet the kids from our Parks and Rec Teen Camp.

We have had inquiries about the small green signs with a bicycle on them around town. The U.S. Bicycle Route System establishes over 18,000 miles of preferred routes through cities and states. U.S Bicycle Route 7, AKA the Western New England Greenway (WNEG), is part of the link between NYC and Montreal and passes through Bethel. The route begins in Norwalk and extends north along the reservoirs in Redding, enters Bethel on Rt 53, extends up Nashville Rd. and Plumbtrees Rd. to Walnut Hill, onto Benedict Rd., crosses Rt 6 to Vail Rd. and onto Hawleyville Rd., and finally exits Bethel on Old Hawleyville Rd. The route eventually connects with Rt 7 and follows the Housatonic River. Learn more at https://wnegreenway.org/

Speeding on Greenwood Ave. is still a topic at office hours. Highway will be replacing the pedestrian signs at the crosswalks on Greenwood Ave. soon. There will be a public hearing regarding traffic and parking downtown in the fall, so stay tuned. The next office hours are on Wednesday, August 16th from 6 pm to 7 pm at Town Hall in the First Selectman office.
Escape the heat at a performance “Mean Girls” by the 8th – 12th graders in the Parks and Rec summer Theater program. Performances at Bethel High School tonight, Friday July 28th at 7 pm, and tomorrow, Saturday, July 29th at 2 pm and 7 pm. For tickets: https://ticketpeak.co/bethelparkandrec/events

Next week is a big week for events on the Town Green! The Bethel Police will be celebrating National Night Out on Tuesday Aug 1st on the front lawn of Town Hall from 5 pm to 8 pm. Weenie Lynn’s, Polar Treats and the Scotty Fund Lemonade stand will be on hand. The Bethel PD Car Seat Unit are officers who are Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians and will be there to inspect and install car seats. For the summer readers, Byrd’s Books has donated a summer a reading basket. And, our special celebrity guest, K9 Penny, will be there to share in the celebration.

Food Truck Friday is on August 4th from 5 pm to 8 pm in front of Town Hall. The featured band is “Mental Health” and Szabo, Weenie Lynn’s, The Chamo, Notch 8, Brazilian BBQ Boys, Polar Sweets, and Sugar Blooms will be there to satisfy our culinary desires. Don’t forget that downtown restaurants have to go options and please remember to park behind the Town Hall. Thanks to Newtown Savings for your support of the event. Call information line at 203-794-8502 if there is a threat of inclement weather. Weather decisions made by noon.

The Bethel Education Foundation (BEF) and the Bethel chamber of Commerce are hosting the Bethel Beer Fest on Saturday, August 5th, on the Town Hall lawn. VIP hour from 2 pm to 3 pm and General admission from 3 pm to 6 pm. Live music by “Vintage: Made in America.” Check out www.bethelbeerfestival.com for tickets, food trucks, and breweries. Proceeds support BEF grants for our schools and Chamber of Commerce community programs.

Bethel’s first Summer Concert Series event is on Sunday, August 6th from 6 pm to 8 pm in front of Town Hall. The Kenn Morr Band will be playing. There are no food trucks attending these events, so this may be a perfect opportunity to support a local restaurant with a to go option. Call information line at 203-794-8502 if there is a threat of inclement weather. Weather decisions made by noon.

A shoutout to the participants in the 12th annual “Where’s Waldo” and the Teen Camp scavenger hunt. It’s great having your energy in town hall!

Have a great weekend!

Dan