Oct. 27 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Oct. 27, 2023

Dear Bethel,

The Town began curbside pick-up of leaves last week and will continue through December 4. Please do not rake leaves into the street. Leaves need to be in paper bags without rocks and sticks and must not be sealed with tape. Residents can also drop off bagged leaves at the transfer station with an ID to prove residence.

We have begun planning to expand EV chargers around town. If you have ideas or a favorite charging provider, such as Charge Point, Blink, Juice Bar, or Tesla, please let us know at firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov.

If you have been following the Parking and Mobility study, the community survey results are in. Check out https://shorturl.at/fkrJW. Contact eddirector@bethel-ct.gov with any comments or questions.

The Town of Bethel along with the CT Department of Public Health and the CDC are conducting a Children and Adult vaccination survey. If you would like to help the Bethel Health Department support the community with vaccination services, please fill out a survey on the Health Department web page before Monday night, October 30th. https://bethel-ct.gov/depts-health
Bethel Library Board and staff have done an amazing job adapting to provide needed services to our community and they need our help planning for the future. Please take their survey and be entered for a chance to win a gift card to a local business at https://www.bethellibrary.org/strategic-plan/. There are also a few opportunities to join them at their Community Conversations next week on Wednesday, November 1st from 6 am to 7 pm and Friday, November 3rd from 11 am to 12 pm. This is a chance to help define how the Bethel Library plays a role in Bethel’s future!

And, by the way, the library elevator has been repaired!

With the holidays approaching, there are more scams that target older adults. A recent AARP study suggests that $28 billion is lost to elder fraud scams each year, and over 70% is taken by individuals known to the victims. If you would like to learn more about protecting our seniors from exploitation, neglect, or abuse, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/dss/Social-Work-Services/Social-Work-Services/Related-Resources or call Bethel Social Services.

Trick or Treat Street takes place tomorrow, October 28th from 1 PM to 3 PM. Trick or Treat down Greenwood Ave and end with the annual costume contest in front of Town Hall at 3 pm. I will be joining an expert panel of judges!

Sunday, October 29th appears to be Halloween eating day in Bethel! Begin at the Stony Hill Volunteer Fire department at 8 am to 11 am for the Halloween Pancake Breakfast. Admission $7 for adults and $3 for children. Raffle tickets also on sale to support our volunteers. Head on over to La Zingara for their Halloween Brunch and Costume from 11 am to 3 pm. Costumes Optional, reservations recommended, Fun required. Best costumes can get a free brunch and a shout out by Cowboy Rick!

The Bethel Wildcats are playing in the POP Warner Semi Finals this Sunday. October 29th. U6 plays at 9 am and U9 plays at 10 am at the Bethel High School. U7 plays at 2pm at New Fairfield High School. Good Luck!

There will be a public hearing on an offer for the sale of 20 Trowbridge Dr. on Monday, October 30th at the Town Hall in Meeting Room A at 7 pm. 20 Trowbridge Dr. is the third of 4 properties in the Francis J Clark Park available to receive an offer. The first two properties were approved for sale and are under contract.

I will have Office Hours on Wednesday, November 1st at Town Hall in the First Selectman Office from 6 pm to 7 pm. If you want to come earlier or later, send an email to firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov.

St. Thomas’ Church at 95 Greenwood Ave. is hosting a Holiday Fair on Saturday, November 4th from 9 am to 3 pm. Baked goods, food, gifts, and much more!

The Bethel High School Players presents “The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong” on Friday, November 3 and Saturday November 4th at 7pm in BHS Auditorium. Visit https://www.bhstheaterboosters.com for tickets.

A big shout out to the Girls Field Hockey team for their stunning, 4-0 victory over Nonnewaug this week!

Another shout out to the Boys and Girls Soccer teams in their SWC games tonight and the Boys and Girls Cross Country teams participating in the State Championship tomorrow at Wickham Park in Manchester, CT. We are all wishing you luck!

Have a great weekend!

Dan