March 8 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

March 8, 2024

Dear Bethel,

Municipal CEOs and Economic Development Directors gathered for a presentation by Americans for The Arts which was hosted by the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut. “Arts and the Economy in Western Connecticut” reveals research on how the nonprofit arts and culture industry help our economy. In short, “arts mean business!”

The warm weather is upon us and you may be considering a pool! Inground pools, above ground pools, and decks require a permit from the town. Check out our online portal before any home project: https://www.citysquared.com/#/app/BethelTownCT/landing. By the way, our Bethel based pool gurus, FJV Construction, L&J Pools and Steck’s, all have great inground pool options. If there are other Bethel based pool businesses, please let us know!

Bethel leaders attended the Center for Empowerment and Education 16th annual breakfast this week. 20 people per minute experience Interpersonal violence and many incidents happen during a breakup. If you are a victim of interpersonal violence, The Center can help you make a safety plan. Visit www.thecenterct.org or call 203-371-5206. 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A bill, HB-5324, has been proposed in Hartford to create a category of “secondary traffic violations” and to prohibit police officers from stopping vehicles for those violations. Secondary violations include vehicles with: tinted windows, broken side or rearview mirrors, one broken headlight, no tail lights or reflectors, a license plate that is not illuminated at night, and expired registrations less than 60 days. The law would also prohibit officers stopping a vehicle with an obstructed windshield if the obstruction is not “substantial.” As you can imagine, the bill is controversial. To read any bill, go to www.cga.ct.gov and type in the bill number in the search box at the bottom of the page. Check out the public hearing testimony to learn more.

The two topics at office hours this week were the tennis/pickleball courts behind BHS and senior tax relief. We are looking into both issues. Stay tuned. The next office hours is on Monday, March 18th from 5 pm to 6 pm at the Town Hall in the First Selectman office.

Last call for the WBDC's Ignite grant, formerly known as the Equity Match Grant, which provides a groundbreaking opportunity for Connecticut women-owned businesses. The deadline to apply is Thursday, March 14th at 11:59 pm. Apply at www.ctwbdc.org.

Brian Kirmil served as principle at Rockwell Elementary for almost 20 years where he inspired students, families, and the Bethel residents alike. His lifelong dedication to serving others is commemorated through a scholarship in his name. This scholarship, awarded to a Bethel High School graduate, aims to support someone with aspirations of making the world a better place. Please learn more about Brian here: https://www.betheledfoundation.org/kirmil-scholarship.html

Don’t forget St. Thomas’s Chicken/Eggplant Parm Dinner Tomorrow, March 9th from 5pm to 7pm. Walk-ins welcome. https://www.stthomasbethel.org/Dinner

The Bethel Garden Club Annual Gardening Series continues on Wednesday, March 13th at 6:30 pm at the Bethel Public Library with "Cool Flowers: Annuals for Earlier Color" with Julia Cencebaugh Kloth. Visit the BPL Calendar or call 203-794-8756, ext. 3

The Bethel Public Library will be hosting its annual Mini Golf Fundraiser on March 15th and 16th. https://www.bethellibrary.org/minigolf/

Join our fiends and neighbors for the Bethel St. Patrick's Day flag raising on Saturday, March 16th at 9:00 am at P.T. Barnum Square. Then we will walk over to Town Hall and raise another Irish flag, followed by coffee, tea, and refreshments. This is a fun Bethel Tradition!

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

Want to support our amazing BHS athletic programs and student athletes? Order Wildcat Pride Slides or Gators (Crocs). Whether you have a kid in school or not, these shoes are a great way to support our athletic programs. You are a Wildcat too! Deadline is March 31st. Order at: https://bethelhs.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Congrats to Bethel’s Alexandra Roberts for earning all-state recognition because of her outstanding HS ski season!

IceCats advanced to the semifinals towards the state championship this week! Way to go!
Talia Graham for selection as the CHSCA female indoor track athlete of the year!

Town Hall is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 am to 6 pm on Thursday, and 8 am to 12 pm on Friday.

Have a great weekend!

Dan