March 15 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

March 15, 2024

Dear Bethel,

Sean Scanlon, our State Comptroller, was in town this week to meet with Bethel leaders and local businesses to share information on the My CT Savings program. The program helps small businesses attract and retain employees by helping employers offer a voluntary retirement savings plan at no cost to their business. Visit www.MyCTSavings.com for more info.

State Senator Hwang was also in town this week with the new Executive Director of the Western CT Agency on Aging. Are you caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia? Connecticut has a statewide respite care program. Please reach out to the Bethel Senior Center for more information.
If you are a veteran or have a military vehicle and are interested in participating in the Memorial Day Parade, please email Haganwilliam87@gmail.com. The parade steps off at 2 pm on May 19th across from the Sycamore Restaurant, travels down Greenwood to PT Barnum Sq., and ends in front of Town Hall where there will be a short ceremony.

WorkspaceCT in Bethel offers great summer experiences for kids and teens that run from a few days to three weeks. Use code EARLYBIRD15 by March 31 for 15% off all summer programs. See their summer offerings here: https://www.workspacect.org/summerprograms

Enjoy working with children and looking for a summer job? Apply to Bethel Parks & Recreation as a camp counselor. Applicants must be 16 and have finished their sophomore year. Applications are available online and DUE by Thursday, March 28th.

For boys and girls entering the 10th grade interested in working with children, the volunteer Summer Counselor in Training program may be for you. Applications are online and DUE by Friday, May 3rd.

Don’t forget the Bethel Public Library will be hosting its annual Mini Golf Fundraiser tonight, March 15th and tomorrow, March 16th. https://www.bethellibrary.org/minigolf/

Catch the BHS Production of “Anything Goes” this weekend on March 15th and 16th at 7 pm, and March 17th at 2 pm. Visit www.bhstheaterboosters.com/event for tickets.

Bethel St. Patrick's Day Irish flag raising is tomorrow, March 16th at 9:00 am at P.T. Barnum Square. This will be followed by a walk over to Town Hall for another flag raising and refreshments.

Comments or concerns? Come by Office Hours Monday, March 18th from 5 pm to 6 pm at the Town Hall in the First Selectman office.

The Board of Finance is hosting a public hearing on Tuesday, March 19th at 7pm at the Bethel High School auditorium for community input on the 2024-2025 annual budget. Visit https://bethel-ct.gov/depts-comptroller to view the proposed budget. If you can’t make the hearing, you can email comments to: budget@bethel-ct.gov. The Board of Finance will consider revisions and recommend the budget to the Town Meeting for a vote on April 4th. The budget will then go to a referendum machine vote on April 23rd.

The Bethel Winterguard hosts their Friends and Family Night on Friday, March 22nd. The Junior, JV and varsity teams will perform at BHS. Admission is free.

The Drum Circle is back on March 23rd, from 3 pm to 4:30 pm at Town Hall in celebration of the Spring Equinox. All ages and experience levels are welcome. A few percussion instruments are available to borrow and feel free to bring your own. Suggested donation $5 (to cover the cost of the facility. No personnel are paid for this circle).

Congrats to Sofiane Hilmi who advanced to the class L state swimming finals!

Kyle Kurtz is 13th in the US in the pentathlon – new BHS record! Way to go!

A huge shout out to the Ice Cats. They won the state semifinals this week, but came up short on the championship. Still, what a hard-fought season!

Christine Manalo, our BHS Choral Director, has been honored with the Heart of the Arts Award for her work in unified music! Christine creates an inclusive classroom where her students of all abilities can communicate through music. Please take a moment and visit https://youtu.be/HCzwBRjlYVI?feature=shared

Have a great weekend!

Dan