Aug. 1 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Aug. 1, 2025

Dear Bethel,

Final Charter Revision Hearing

The Board of Selectmen (BOS) set a public hearing for next Tuesday, August 5th at 6 pm at Town Hall in Meeting Room A to hear public comments regarding changes to our charter. Two previous hearings were held by the Charter Revision Commission on August 14th, 2024 and April 29th, 2025. You can find the draft report with recommended changes to the charter at https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-public-hearing.

The BOS will meet at 7 pm following the hearing to review the consider comments from the public hearing and review recommended changes to our charter from the Charter Revision Commission. The BOS can recommend revisions of the draft report from the Charter Revision Commission or accept their report as is. If the BOS recommends changes, the Charter Revision Commission will meet on Wednesday, August 6th at 7 pm at Town Hall in Meeting Room A. If the BOS chooses not to recommend revisions, the BOS may approve or reject changes and prepare the questions to be put to the voters on the November municipal ballot.

Road Work Downtown

Look out for detours next week! South Street will be closed at the rail road crossing from Wednesday, August 6th to Sunday, August 17th.

Also, our contractors have delayed milling and paving Library Place and Durant Ave. While they could start earlier, we have been told they will be here the week of August 18th.

Volunteer Fire Departments

The Danbury Fire Department held an Open House this week for local leaders and firefighters to tour their new Burn Building at the Danbury Fire School. The new resource will allow Bethel firefighters to receive state of the art training 1 minute away from Bethel. Interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter? For Bethel Volunteer Fire Department, visit https://www.bvfdinc.com/join.php or email memberdirector@bvfdinc.com. For Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Department, visit https://www.stonyhillfiredepartment.com/membership or email recruit@stonyhillfd.com.

Office Hours

The next Office Hours is on Wednesday, August 6th from 5 pm to 7 pm at Town Hall in the First Selectman office. Please feel free to stop in with comments, concerns, or questions. Funny jokes are also appreciated. Of course, you can always email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov or call 203-794-8540 for an appointment.

Bethel Education Foundation

Last Call for the Bethel Beer Fest! The Bethel Education Foundation provides grants for projects proposed by Bethel teachers and administrators that make a huge difference for our kids. Where else can you enjoy craft beer and support Bethel students? Come out to the Town Hall lawn tomorrow, August 2nd on between 3 pm to 6 pm. VIP tickets have sold out, but general admission is still available at https://www.bethelctbeerfest.com/. This is one of the primary fundraisers for BEF. If you are on vacation and can’t make the event, please visit https://www.betheledfoundation.org/donate-now.html!

Summer Concert

Our first concert of the Summer Concert Series takes place this Sunday, August 3rd on the Town Hall lawn from 6 pm to 8 pm. Music provided by Cross Purpose.

National Night Out

National Night Out culminates annually on the first Tuesday in August and promotes the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement. Bring the family out and join the Bethel Police Department on the Town Hall lawn on Tuesday, August 5th from 4 pm to 7 pm. Enjoy cool demonstrations, games, and food trucks! Learn more HERE.

Food Truck Friday

Join us at Food Truck Friday next Friday, August 8th on the Town Hall Lawn from 5 pm to 8 pm. Smash Bros, Szabo’s Seafood, Taco Road Trip, Rich’s Wings & Things, Nicky Zooks, Dish it Right Here, and Jesse’s Ice Cream Truck, and Wild Sips will be feeding us. Music provided by The Tom Duffy Band. Don’t forget many of Bethel’s amazing restaurants have to go items!

Shoutouts

A shoutout to Nicky Zooks and his magic mozz! Well, his homemade mozzarella may not be magical, but the fact the profits from his food truck supports local charities is! Stop by his food truck next Friday.

Thank you to the Stony Hill Fire Department for including me in the Water Rescue drill!

Have a great weekend!

Dan


P.S. “Join the Story” as Bethel celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Learn more and stay tuned for events and opportunities at https://bethel-ct.gov/america250.