Read The Fairfield First Selectwoman's Latest Town Update

Press release from the Town of Fairfield:

8/13/2021

Dear Fairfielders,

As First Selectwoman, and per the CDC’s new guidelines regarding masks, I strongly encourage residents wear masks indoors during this wave, which has resulted in higher rates of transmission. I have already witnessed an increased use of masks indoors throughout our community.

Public health professionals say we are in the early to mid-weeks of the current wave, which has been attributed to the circulating Delta variant. If it follows the European model, the spike in transmission should start to come down in a few weeks and then will plateau in areas of high vaccination rates.

As of August 4th, Fairfield’s vaccination rate is 68.32%. Click on the graph to see more data from the Fairfield Health Department Click on the graph to see more data from the Fairfield Health Department
Since Fairfield's positivity rate is low and our vaccination rate is high and continues to grow, I will not be instituting a mask mandate at this time. I will continue to monitor the situation with our Health Director and Emergency Management Director.

Vaccine “breakthrough" cases have occurred in Connecticut, and in the majority of cases, symptoms have been mild and have not resulted in severe illness or hospitalizations. The most severe cases tend to be in unvaccinated individuals.

Residents should get a COVID-19 test if they feel unwell, even if they are experiencing mild symptoms and are vaccinated -- as vaccinated individuals can still carry and transmit the virus to others. In addition to severe COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, the Fairfield Health Department has seen many cases of people experiencing mild symptoms like sore throat, congestion/runny nose, loss of taste and smell, headache and/or fatigue.

Vaccination is the most important defense against severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. The CT Department of Public Health strongly recommends that unvaccinated individuals get vaccinated as soon as possible to help stop the ongoing spread of the Delta variant.

Text your zip code to GETVAX to find a location near you.

The Griffin Health mobile vaccination van is coming to Fairfield on Tuesday, August 17th at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church giving out both Pfizer (which is approved for ages 12+) and Johnson & Johnson (approved for ages 18+) between the hours of 9 am to 4 pm. ID and insurance are not required. Greenfield Hill Congregational Church is located at 1045 Old Academy Road in Fairfield.

If you test positive for COVID-19 or have come in contact with someone who has tested positive, please contact the Health Department for guidance at 203-256-3020 or visit: fairfieldct.org/covid19.

The current policy in effect from the State of Connecticut does not require masks outdoors. For indoor settings, those who are vaccinated are not required to wear masks, however those who are unvaccinated must wear masks. Masks are required to be worn by everyone in certain settings such as healthcare facilities, facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools, and childcare.

Individual businesses always have the option to require masks be worn in their establishments. COVID-19 test and Vaccination fairfieldct.org/covid19. COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
So far we have assisted 80 Fairfield small businesses with grants totaling $322K, of which 99% has been expended to date. Half of the businesses assisted had no other meaningful support from federal or state programs, at the time at which assistance was granted.

You can see that we helped a diverse array of Fairfield businesses, all of whom have five or fewer full-time employees in order to qualify as a “micro-enterprise.” Through this program we were able to retain 145+ jobs and create another 21 jobs. 67% of the funds committed went to businesses where either the owner or the majority of its employees were persons of low/moderate income, thus satisfying a requirement of our funder (HUD). We still have a small balance of roughly $21K available to commit and continue to accept applications. COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS $322K TOWN GOVERNMENT GOULD MANOR REMEDIATION GOULD MANOR REMEDIATION GOULD MANOR REMEDIATION GOULD MANOR REMEDIATION AND RENOVATION

• A complete renovation of both Little League fields, including two new scoreboards, fence replacement and repairs
• A rebuild of the tennis court
• Tree work
• Drainage improvements
• A new pickle ball court
• A new half-court basketball court
• Removal and replacement of the large playground
• Fairfield’s first outdoor fitness park will replace the small playground

th AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING here here here END OF BEACH SEASON SCHEDULE As of Monday, August 9th, there are no lifeguards on duty at Sasco, Southport, and South Pine Creek Beaches.
Jennings and Penfield Beaches and Lake Mohegan – Will be staffed with lifeguards daily through Sunday August 29th. Then again on Labor Day weekend (Sept 4th – Sept 6th).

Beaches may have reduced swim areas. Please be sure to obey the lifeguards and to swim in permitted areas only.

Parking attendants will remain on daily through Monday, September 6th. th Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. CUDDLE BEAR FUNDRAISER | POLICE DEPARTMENT Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. FAIRFIELD RETAILERS LOOK FORWARD TO CT TAX FREE WEEKEND
Back to School means tax free savings with Connecticut’s Tax Free Week beginning Sunday, August 15, through Saturday, August 21, 2021.

During this one-week sales tax holiday, retail purchases of most clothing and footwear items priced under $100 are exempt from the sales and use tax. FAIRFIELD RETAILERS LOOK FORWARD TO CT TAX FREE WEEKEND Beverly Balaz, President of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce shares “Whether you are interested in back-to-school items, sports clothing, end-of summer apparel, or ‘something you always wanted’, Tax Free Week is the time to buy and Shop Local! Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. COMMUNITY NEWS CELEBRATING OUR STATE CHAMPIONS
Yesterday's heat couldn't stop us from celebrating our Fairfield American Little League 11 D state champions and the Fairfield Little League Girls Softball Junior state champions! After great seasons, the Town held a ceremony for the players where we and the State delegation presented them with citations commemorating the occasion. Fairfield couldn't be any prouder. CELEBRATING OUR STATE CHAMPIONS Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. FAIRFIELD NATIVE SELECTED TO THE CONNECTICUT VETERANS HALL I am pleased to announce that Fairfield native, Congressman Stewart Brett McKinney was posthumously inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2020 on July 29, 2021. The late Congressman, who honorably served in the U.S. Air Force, was inducted with 11 other Veterans from around the state at a ceremony held at the CT Army National Guard State Armory in Hartford.

Stew grew up in Fairfield and attended Fairfield Public Schools through the eighth grade. He left Princeton University to enlist in the U.S. Air Force where he attained the rank of Sergeant. Following his duty to our country, Stew received a B.A. from Yale University.

Stew raised his children in Fairfield and served the Town proudly as a State Representative for two terms. He was then elected to Congress and was widely known for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1986 which provides federal money for shelter programs. When I served as a State Representative, I had the pleasure of working with Stew’s son John, when he was Fairfield’s State Senator.

Congressman McKinney’s children attended the Induction Ceremony and accepted a medal and certificate from the Governor on behalf of their late father. To read about the criteria and history of the CT Veteran’s Hall of Fame, click here. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act here 120th ANNIVERSARY OF FAIRFIELD RESIDENT'S "FIRST IN FLIGHT"
Tomorrow marks the 120th anniversary of Fairfield resident Gustave Whitehead’s historic “First in Flight” which occurred on August 14, 1901 – prior to the 1903 flight of the Wright Brothers in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Whitehead literally drove his plane, the Condor, from Bridgeport to Fairfield to make his first flight which successfully landed in the area of what is now Jennings Beach.

After much research, Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft, the world's foremost authority on aviation history, proclaimed Gustave Whitehead as the first man to fly a plane in a heavier-than-air aircraft, making Fairfield the location for the first motorized flight.

Andy Kosch, a Fairfield resident, led a team that built and flew a replica of Gustave Whitehead’s airplane in 1986 proving the airworthiness of the design and refuting many of Whitehead critics. Whitehead’s first in flight is exciting and very meaningful for Fairfield and puts our community in the spotlight with the most important milestone in aviation history. 120th ANNIVERSARY OF FAIRFIELD RESIDENT'S "FIRST IN FLIGHT" th Condor Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft AWARDS FOR SUN TAVERN AND VICTORIAN COTTAGE RENOVATIONS
We are so excited to share that the restoration of the Sun Tavern and Victorian Cottage, designed by David Scott Parker Architects and overseen by the AWARDS FOR SUN TAVERN AND VICTORIAN COTTAGE RENOVATIONS Fairfield Museum Fairfield Museum , has won a prestigious Alice Washburn Award of merit presented by the CT Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. This award acknowledges excellence in traditional house design through the thoughtful adaptation of tradition to address 21st-century needs. Works are to be located in Connecticut and designed in a style broadly considered as “traditional”. The Connecticut Magazine highlighted the incredible renovations of both the Victoria Cottage and Sun Tavern here in Fairfield. Sharing that the Victorian Cottage was constructed by local builders, the Northrop Brothers, in 1888 and that the "1780 tavern was the social epicenter of colonial Fairfield and hosted Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and George Washington." You can read the article on pg. 136 here here . Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story.
Brenda L. Kupchick
Fairfield First Selectwoman Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. Community Events
Town Events
August Updates
Town Services
Community Resources Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. COMMUNITY EVENTS COMMUNITY EVENTS FAIRFIELD FARMER'S MARKET ANNUAL FAIRFIELD WIFFLE BALL TOURNAMENT here ADVANCE FILM SCREENING OF "GET A NEW DREAM" THE DENNIS WALTERS STORY here UPCOMING TOWN EVENTS Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. AUGUST UPDATES AUGUST UPDATES INVASIVE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY FOUND IN FAIRFIELD For further information, and guidance on what to do if you see the spotted lanternfly, click here. Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. BUY-A-BRICK PROGRAM | Fairfield Chamber of Commerce
We invite Fairfield local businesses and organizations to become a part of Fairfield’s downtown streetscape, by purchasing a commemorative brick in celebration of the Chamber’s 75th Anniversary. You will have the opportunity to see your company name (also available w/logo), for all to view and enjoy in years to come.

The bricks purchased through this fundraiser program will partially be used to help beautify and reconstruct the existing semicircle pocket park alongside the Fairfield Public Library on Post Road, in the heart of downtown. For more information on purchasing a brick, click here. BUY-A-BRICK PROGRAM | Fairfield Chamber of Commerce th here Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN . BIRD FEEDING HAULT FOR SUMMER late March through November Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. TOWN SERVICES TOWN SERVICES TOWN SERVICES TOWN SERVICES HARBOR MASTER OPENING
The Harbor Management Commission is looking for candidates to fill the position of Harbor Master for the Town. If you are interested, click here for more details. All letters and resumes must be submitted by the end of business on August 11, 2021. HARBOR MASTER OPENING here RENTERS REBATE PROGRAM RENTERS REBATE PROGRAM 2021 BEACH STICKERS RENEW COMMUNITY FOREST QUESTIONNAIRE
The Fairfield Forestry Committee is seeking public input, relative to updating the Town of Fairfield Community Forest Management Plan and setting priorities for managing Fairfield's "Community Forest". Please click on the link below to participate in a brief survey. COMMUNITY FOREST QUESTIONNAIRE Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. th 2021 Summer Reading Challenge for ALL ages, children, teens and adults! FPL 30 Day Sketch Challenge! Fairfield Public Library continues to offer 24/7 access to their digital collection of books, music, magazines, movies and databases. Visit the Library Event Calendar to find a wide and varied assortment of Library Programs.

Updates are shared via our website, newsletter and social media. Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. (203) 290-4255 (203) 290-4255 FEMA Red Cross th PLEASE NOTE PLEASE NOTE : Advanced payments will be sent out to income eligible parents who were not required to file. However, for parents who did NOT file tax returns in 2019 or 2020, OR receive a stimulus check, please use the Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-Up Tool in order to start receiving these payments as soon as possible. ChildTaxCredit.gov Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. – John James Audubon's A Return to Pequot Library Outside of browsing hours, enjoy digital programs like story times, author talks, book clubs, and more! Get details on our website and social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Sign up for Pequot Library's Digital Digest eNewsletter or contact our Chief Librarian for personalized book recommendations. Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. COMMUNITY RESOURCES Behind in your rent or mortgage? Struggling to make ends meet? Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. BOXWOODS ALERT! CHECK YOUR SHRUBS FOR THE BOX TREE MOTH | FAIRFIELD'S FORESTRY COMMITTEE
Find out what it can do to your boxwood! Please check your boxwood plants for the invasive and destructive box tree moth, which can kill your shrubs. If you bought a boxwood plant during spring 2021, please inspect it for signs of the moth (caterpillars, webbing, and leaf damage) and report any findings to your local USDA office or State Agriculture Department. BOXWOODS ALERT! CHECK YOUR SHRUBS FOR THE BOX TREE MOTH | FAIRFIELD'S FORESTRY COMMITTEE what it can do to your boxwood USDA office State Agriculture Department Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. FREE WATER CONSERVATION KITS | SUSTAINABLE FAIRFIELD TASK FORCE Your kit will include:

• A water-saving faucet aerator
• Dye tabs to check for leaky toilet tanks
• A gauge to see the impact of a dripping faucet, and
• Information on using these waste-reducing tools

This kit can save you money by finding potential leaks and reducing water usage. This follows up with the Sustainable Fairfield Task Force's prior newsfeed article, which noted that starting in 2021 Fairfield is voluntarily asked to reduce its outdoor watering usage and in 2022 is REQUIRED to reduce is outdoor watering usage.

Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. RECYCLING DO'S AND DONT'S | SUSTAINABLE FAIRFIELD TASK FORCE
Fairfield pays close to $700,000.00 a year for our recycling programs, but a lot of our Town recycling is contaminated - in other words there are multiple items in the blue bins that CAN NOT Be recycled. Our recycling processor says that close to 25% of our recycling is contaminated - sometimes it is as simple as residents putting their recycling into plastic bags (which the processor then treats as waste even though the materials inside might be good recycling containers).

Learn More: RECYCLING DO'S AND DONT'S | SUSTAINABLE FAIRFIELD TASK FORCE Learn More: Do's and Don'ts of Recycling
What else can be recycled in Fairfield? Do's and Don'ts of Recycling What else can be recycled in Fairfield? Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. SAFTEY TIPS FOR PEDESTRIAN, BIKING, AND RUNNING | FAIRFIELD'S BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE SAFTEY TIPS FOR PEDESTRIAN, BIKING, AND RUNNING | FAIRFIELD'S BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE Motorists

• Expect pedestrians and cyclists on the road
• Reduce speed when encountering pedestrians and cyclists
• Look for cyclists when opening doors.
• Give cyclists at least 3 feet of space
• Connecticut is a yield State regarding pedestrians in crosswalks
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or other substances that impair the operation of a motor vehicle

at least Pedestrians

• ALWAYS face traffic, it’s the law because it’s safer
• Walk/run single file
• Make sure you’re visible
• Keep your dogs on a short leash
• Don’t cover your ears so you can’t hear
• Cross the street safely, use a crosswalk whenever possible

Cyclists Cyclists

• Ride with the traffic flow
• Obey all traffic laws
• Ride single file if riding with others
• Yield to traffic when appropriate
• Don’t cover your ears so you can’t hear
• Be predictable
• Stay alert at all times
• Look before turning
• Watch for parked cars

Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. GET INVOLVED! TOWN BOARD AND COMMISSION VACANCIES You can also visit our Boards and Commissions page to learn more about roles and responsibilities: https://fairfieldct.org/boards

Interested in giving back to our community? Want to have a voice in shaping Fairfield? The Town relies on the hard work of citizen volunteers who are appointed to provide guidance and governance on various Boards and Commissions. The list of vacancies for Boards and Commissions are on the Town Website. Be sure to check back often as the list is updated as positions become available: https://fairfieldct.org/vacancies To learn about the application process, please click here: https://fairfieldct.org/appointmentprocess https://fairfieldct.org/appointmentprocess EMERGENCY ALERTS | WHEN IT MATTERS MOST Get alerted about emergencies and other important community news from the Town of Fairfield, CT by signing up for the Fairfield Alert system. This system enables us to quickly provide you with critical information in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods and other emergency situations. You will receive time-sensitive messages wherever you specify, such as your home, mobile or business phones, email address, text messages and more. You pick where, you pick how!

If you were previously registered with us on the CodeRed system, you must sign-up again by following the instructions below, in order to continue receiving Emergency and Community alerts from the Town of Fairfield.

How to sign up? Click here. PREVIOUS UPDATES: Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive my update directly here

This press release was produced by the Town of Fairfield. The views expressed here are the author’s own.