Sept. 20 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Sept. 20, 2024

Dear Bethel,

The President approved a Disaster Declaration for Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties for the August 18th storm. The declaration will make federal assistance available, which can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. For instructions, visit www.disasterassistance.gov, download the FEMA App, or call 800-621-FEMA.

The Board of Selectmen set a Special Town Meeting for October 1st to consider 5 proposals. First, to waive property tax due when the amount is less than $5, since it costs the town more than the tax due to collect. We are accepting Economic Development, Department of Public Utilities, and Information Technology as distinct departments within the town. Finally, we will be voting to renew the lease for the YMCA at the Grassy Plain location.

The November 5th General Election is upon us, so it’s time to make a plan to vote! The first deadline to register to vote is Friday, October 18th. You can register by mail, at the DMV, online or in person. If you have a DMV issued ID or license, it is really helpful for our Voter Registrars if you register or update your registration online at MyVote.CT.gov. (Sometimes deciphering handwriting takes time and hundreds of registrations are coming in!)

In person early voting and in person voter registration is available from October 21st through November 3rd in Town Hall Meeting Room A from 10 am to 6 pm. Except that on Tuesday, October 29th and Thursday, October 31st the hours are extended from 8 am to 8 pm. On election day, November 5th, voter registration is available in Town Hall Meeting Room A and you vote at your normal polling location between 6 am and 8 pm. (The Voter Registrars are not off or on a warm beach on November 4th. They are setting up the poll locations.) Check out MyVote.CT.gov for more info including voting locations.

The CT Parent Advocacy Center and the Regional Educational Service Center (RESC) Alliance hosted a Connecticut Special Education Task Force Feedback Session this week to discuss proposed recommendations to the legislature next year. Their report is due in January and will cover many issues relating to special education, including funding, eligibility, staffing, and more. Thanks Dr. Carver for including me in the conversation!

P & Z public hearings: On Tuesday, September 24th at 7:00 pm at Town Hall in Conference Room D, the Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing for 9 Putnam Park Road (6 units of 8-30g Affordable Housing). The commission will also continue public hearings for 32 Henry Street. (Special permit to construct a modular building) and 22 Stony Hill Rd. (construct new gas station/convenience store) Learn more at https://bethel-ct.gov/2024-public-hearing and https://bethel-ct.gov/2024-zoning.

From the P&Z Chair: Stay tuned for a discussion about our Transit Oriented District (TOD) during one of the next meetings.

The Sustainable Bethel commission has an open Republican seat! The mission of Sustainable Bethel is to enhance the municipal and residential environmental stewardship of the Bethel community by sharing ideas, researching technologies, and recommending programs related to issues of sustainability. If you are interested, please email improtapaul953@gmail.com.

Do you have questions about filing your business Personal Property Declaration? Our Tax Assessor will be reviewing the process and answering questions at Town Hall in Meeting Room A on Wednesday, September 25th at 12 pm. There will be a light lunch will be provided by our sponsor, Bethel Tax Services. There will be an online option for the presentation. Register at https://forms.gle/Pj9PnorRKfi3ZLZT6

Bethel Supercross BMX is hosting their annual Police Appreciation night “BMX style” on Wednesday, September 25th at the BMX track 162 Old Hawleyville Rd, behind Mitchell Park.

Sustainable Bethel’s Free Solar Workshop on Friday, September 27th will be ONLINE ONLY and will begin at 6:30 pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about solar! Join the workshop at the Video call link: https://meet.google.com/kcs-fyrk-hsb or dial: ‪(US) +1 573-542-0075 PIN: ‪535 915 625#. You can find additional phone numbers at https://tel.meet/kcs-fyrk-hsb?pin=2087420031776

Don’t miss the Fall Equinox Drum Circle on Saturday, September 28th, from 3 pm to 4:30 pm at the Municipal Center. Weather permitting (No rain, warm enough), they will be under the gazebo or on the lawn. Otherwise, we will be in the General Purpose Room inside the Municipal Center. All backgrounds (those with or without prior drumming experience) and ages are welcome. Some percussion instruments available to borrow and feel free to bring your own.

Bethel sports teams are off to an amazing start this season This week we give a huge shoutout to the BHS Football for the impressive win over Bullard Haven last Friday night! Great job! Tonight they are home against Notre Dame Prep at 7 pm!

Congrats to our Athletes of the Week: Endrit Brahimaj for making the plays on the offense and defensive lines against Bullard Haven and Amina Macchiarulo for her second place finish at the Wilton Invitational!

A shoutout to Blue Jay Orchards for making the list of top 25 Apple Orchards in the United States for Apple picking by Yelp! Congrats to Paul and Mary Patterson who are entering their 40th year as owners and all the amazing staff! It sounds like they have a good crop this year so check out www.bluejayorchardsct.com.

Have a great weekend!

Dan