June 9 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

June 9, 2023

Dear Bethel,

We have a great group of folks here in Town Hall who want to give you the best possible customer service! We are reviewing our performance this month. If you have specific feedback on how we are doing or where we can improve, this is a great time to reach out to me. We are happy to improve our service, but don’t forget to also let us know what we are doing right!

I participated in the Bethel School’s Strategic Planning Meeting this week. Teachers, administrators, patents, students, and community leaders took a deep dive into the data on issues that affect our students and community. We also identified what we do right as a town, and what we can do better, to endure we maximize opportunities to help our community. Thank you to our Superintendent, Dr. Carver, for her continued leadership!

Thank you to the staff at Family and Children’s Aid in Danbury for the tour. What an amazing facility! There are a ton of emotional and behavioral health resources available to Bethel families. https://www.fcaweb.org/

Now that we are moving into the warmest time of year, there is one thing on many of our minds….Roadwork! We will begin milling the asphalt surface on Wednesday, June 14th for Fleetwood Ave., Hudson St. and Grace Court. Milling will begin on Vera Dr., Granite Dr. and Rotella Dr. on Thursday June 15th. Paving will begin Friday June 16th on Fleetwood Ave. and continuing through the project roads with an expected completion on Wednesday June 21st.

Fleetwood Ave. will be closed to thru traffic. Residents, emergency vehicles, and school buses will have access during the milling and paving. Please don’t park on the road during the project. Issues such as weather, equipment breakdowns and contractor schedules can affect the project completion dates. Please drive safely and be aware of workers and equipment operating on the roads. They work really hard for us, so let’s look out for them.

We are getting lots of questions about Parloa Park. While we are currently waiting for approval on a grant for major renovations, we hear you and will be working to make a few short-term improvements. Stay tuned!

The Red Cross is holding a blood drive in Town Hall Saturday, June 10th between 9am and 2pm. There are some appointments available. Please park in the rear of the Town Hall and follow the signs to the correct entrance.

Check out the Bethel Garden Club plant sale on Saturday, June 10th on the Town Hall front lawn from 9am to 1pm. Please support them and remember how much the club does to make our town beautiful.

The Bethel PD is hosting a Car Show to benefit the Scotty Fund on Sunday, June 11th from 10am to 4pm in the Bethel High School Senior Lot.

I will host the next biweekly office hours on Thursday, June 15th from 6pm to 7pm at Town Hall in the First Selectman office.

Friday, June 16th begins our weekly Longevity In Functional Training (LIFT) class for ages 55 and older in the Town Hall gym from 9am to 9:50am. Cost is $15 per class and you must register 1 week prior. Find this and other fantastic Park and Rec programs at 203-794-8531 or https://bethelct.myrec.com/.

Our next Food Truck Friday is June 16th from 5pm to 8pm in front of Town Hall. Friday’s band will be “GoRjA” and Szabo, Weenie Lynn’s, Fork in the Road, The Chamo, Notch 8, Polar Sweets, Sugar Blooms, and the Scotty Fund will be there to fill our bellies. Don’t forget you can also support downtown restaurants with their to go options. Be kind to downtown businesses and park behind the Town Hall.

A huge shout out to the Bethel High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. Congratulations to the Cadre, Cadet Leaders, and all the Cadets on their Distinguished Unit Award for 2023. A fun fact: out of 187 cadets in the program, 105 have over a 4.0 GPA. Way to go!

On behalf of the Town of Bethel, I wish the Bethel High School Class of ’23 a heart felt congratulations on all your accomplishments! If you have a chance to drive by the high school track and football field, take a look at the digital billboard on the press box and see your graduates. Wildcats, I can’t wait to be part of your commencement ceremony next week!

Have a great weekend

Dan