Sept. 15 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Sept. 15, 2023

Dear Bethel,

With two months of our annual budget behind us, I had the monthly review of Bethel’s finances this week with our Comptroller and Assistant Comptroller. Like the State of Connecticut, Bethel’s fiscal year runs from July 1st, 2023 to June 30th, 2024. While the entire budget is almost $89 million, the town has an operating budget of just under $30 million. To learn more about where your money goes, check out the “Budget” link at www.bethel-ct.gov.

Another reminder from the Tax Collector, if you are on town sewer, the vendor made changes to our bill format. The "Total Due" is the full assessment payoff figure for September 2023, and NOT what is due immediately. The "Previous Balance" is your unbilled principal balance and the figure below "Charge Amount" is the amount due this year, which includes principal and interest. Please contact the Tax Collectors Office at 203-794-8509 with any questions or concerns. We are changing vendors next year.

Our Public Utilities Director says “Thank you!” to all those who have contacted the department to help locate lead pipes. If you are served by the Bethel Water Department, you should have received a card in the mail with instructions on how to verify the type of pipe that enters your home or business. If you haven’t, please email your address and the type of pipe to publicworks@bethel-ct.gov or ask for someone to come out and take a look. Feel free to include a photo. You can also call the Bethel Water Department at 203-794-8549.

It's worth mentioning that Eversource and the Red Cross have done a great job this week staying in touch with community leaders regarding Hurricane Lee. Lee is not expected to affect Bethel. Eastern Connecticut will experience increasing winds tonight, with some occasional gusts overnight and more consistent hazardous winds of 35-40 mph beginning early Saturday until early Sunday morning.

This Sunday, September 17th looks like a beautiful day and it will be busy downtown! If you have difficulty finding parking, please park behind the Town Hall (entrance on Wooster Ave) or the Bethel Train Station (13 Durant Ave) Between 12 pm and 6 pm a trolly will be stopping at the Town Hall lot (Wooster Street entrance), the Bethel Train Station, and Depot Place approximately every 15 minutes.

Broken Symmetry is kicking off Oktoberfest with the Bethel Downtown Oktoberfest on Sunday from 12 pm to 6 pm at Depot Place. Amazing German beer, non-alcoholic beverages, local food vendors, kids games and live music will make it a great day for the family. Presale tickets available at www.downtownoktoberfest.com. If you don’t get enough Oktoberfest on Sunday, don’t worry. Edison and the Putnam House are also showcasing Oktoberfest menus.

Over 55 and looking to be a little more active? Longevity In Functional Training (LIFT) is a weekly class that uses body weight, pushing, pulling and stepping movements. You do not have to be active to participate. The classes are at Town Hall from 9 am to 9:50 am on Mondays starting September 18th and Fridays starting September 22nd. Classes are $15 and you must register 1 week prior. (Note that non-residents pay an additional $25 fee per quarter) Register online at bethelct.myrec.com or call 203-794-8531.

September is Hunger Action Awareness Month and the Newtown Savings Bank Foundation is providing a $2,000 grant to Bethel Social Services to support neighbors in need. You can also do your part to help our neighbors by dropping off non-perishable food at the Dolan Plaza and Stony Hill locations starting Monday, September 18th through September 30th. Thank you NSB!
Bethel Drum Circle is back on Saturday, September 23rd from 3 pm to 4:30 pm. Bring a persuasion instrument and prepare for a fun afternoon of joy and musical rhythms. There will be a few drums and percussion instruments on hand (first come, first serve), or come up with your own! The event is for all ages, not just musicians, and it is about bringing community together. A $5 donation requested.

Congrats to the boys soccer team and girls cross country for their big wins this week. Way to start off the season!

Wishing the Varsity and Junior Varsity Girls Volley Ball teams good luck this weekend at Immaculate!

Have a great weekend!

Dan