June 7 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

June 7, 2024

Dear Bethel,

Back in December of 2022 the Town voted to appropriate just over $4.1 million to make improvements to the Bethel High School HVAC system. We have officially received and accepted a grant of $1.9 million from the state to towards the cost of the improvements! We have crossed a major hurdle for the project thanks to the diligence of our Superintendent, Dr Christiane Carver, and her staff! Stay tuned for updates.

In March a small group of citizens and stakeholders from all over the community gathered at Town Hall for a focus group on the town’s strengths, needs, and future goals. We had 33 attendees who were business leaders, religious leaders, nonprofit leaders, students, and town ”influencers” (those known around town or on social media), all with a mix of political affiliations and ages. No elected officials were present and the World Café style workshop was facilitated by a local professional consultant, since the ultimate goal is to share the group’s insights with Town leadership to help us define our priorities. Over the next few months, we will begin sharing the outcomes with officials and residents. As the group explored 5 questions, 5 themes emerged: manage smart growth, infrastructure & transportation, parks & recreation, social services, and diversity. Stay tuned for next week’s update for the first question and your opportunity to weigh in!

Some good news from the tax collector. Yes, good news. The town has partnered with Newtown Savings Bank for our tax billing. When real estate and property tax bills begin arriving next week (that’s the bad news), residents can now pay Bethel taxes at both Newtown Savings Bank locations in Bethel. Please remember to bring your bill or a portion of the bill showing what you owe. Also note that you will see a Woburn, MA return address on your tax bills. https://www.nsbonline.com/about-us/locations

The Bethel High School Track and Field Training Center summer hours for July and August are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 6 am to 7:30 am and Saturday/Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. If you are not a current member, please complete the required registration form for public access to the Bethel Track and Field Training Center. To be eligible for access you must be a Bethel resident, 18 years or older, and pay the annual $25 fee. https://forms.gle/AXAsDNfqjiZoXTLDA

Check out upcoming public hearings at https://bethel-ct.gov/2024-zoning.
Public Hearing: Planning & Zoning Commission re: continuation of hearings for 18 Stony Hill Rd and 140 Greenwood Ave on Tuesday, June 11th at 7:00 pm at Town Hall in Conference Room D.

Hatch Report: The eggs arrived at the BPL and are due to start hatching in the beginning of July! Once they hatch, there will be chicken naming contest! Check out the live stream at https://www.youtube.com/live/qSWJzyuR_A4.

Off The Streets is an organization that helps homeless people in our area get out of shelters and the streets and into housing. Last Saturday was furniture collection day! A big shoutout to all their amazing followers, dedicated volunteers, and generous donors! Your support means the world to OTS! Learn more about their First Saturday event including videos of the deliveries at: https://conta.cc/4c8bo5g.

Food Truck Friday Parking: please utilize the lot behind Town Hall. The entrance is on Wooster Street. Tonight looks like a great evening for FTF!

Don’t miss Tambofest, tomorrow, June 8th, on the Town Hall lawn, a benefit concert to help families living with ALS and honor our own Mike Tamburino. Six bands are scheduled to appear: One Bad Oyster (12 pm), Ghost Radio(1:15 pm), Bob's Fault(2:30 pm), Junk (3:45 pm), Lost Rebel (5 pm), and the Tom Duffy Band (6:15 pm). Proceeds will be donated to Compassionate Care ALS. www.ccals.org.

Join the Bethel Land Trust, Bethel Parks & Rec, and Sustainable Bethel this Sunday, June 9th at the Franc Preserve (160 Plumtrees Rd.) from 9:30 am to 11:30 am to help plant saplings donated by the Bethel Lions Club. Check out this and other events at on the Bethel Community Calendar https://events.bethel-ct.gov/.

The Bethel High School Class of 2024 graduation ceremony will take place on Monday, June 10, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Bethel High School DeSantis Field. (Rain Date - June 11th) You can watch the graduation ceremony live at: http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/show?video=fe4b0dafbb74.

Volunteers always make a difference. Where do you go to find the right organization? Our friends at Newtown Savings Bank are hosting a Volunteer fair on Tuesday, June 11th from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Newtown Community Center at 8 Simpson St. There are more than 20 nonprofits attending who serve our area, including our own Friends of the Bethel Library. Learn more at community@nsbonline.com.

A huge shoutout to BHS Art students Emzie Zalaznick, Rhiannon Ouellette, Clair Hess and Ava Real who created an amazing mural in the First Selectman office! Iconic places in Bethel are represented!

A shoutout to all the NJROTC award winners this week! You are all amazing!

Congratulations to those retiring from Bethel Public Schools! You have had a huge impact on our community and we are grateful: Trisha Dee, Rod Doble, Mark Dwinells, Bob Germinaro, Kristine Komorowski, Fran Peters, Debra Roper, Karen Rowe, Laila Rudinas, and Lisa Vance.

Have a great weekend!

Dan