Aug. 22 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Aug. 22, 2025

Dear Bethel,

Paving Continued

Our paving contractor moved back the paving date once again. They have committed to us that they will be mobilizing Monday morning, August 25th, and paving thorough the week. Of course, there are so many variables, especially if we get major thunderstorms on Sunday or Monday. The following roads are due to be paved: Kayview Ave, Oxford St, Blackman Ave, Library Pl. / Durant Ave. They plan to start with Kayview Ave first to accommodate school buses. With buses and construction next week, please be prepared for travel delays and school delays!

School Buses

With Bethel Wildcats heading back to school Wednesday, August 27th, please remember the law regarding stopped school buses. A driver approaching a school bus displaying its flashing red signal lights must immediately stop the vehicle at least 10 feet from the front or rear of the bus and remain stopped until the bus no longer displays its red signal lights, unless otherwise directed by a traffic officer. Any person who violates this law faces a $450 fine for the first offense. For each subsequent offense, a violator faces a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both. Of course, it could be worse and a child could be injured or killed.

Energy Credits Expiring

From Katie S. Dykes, our Commissioner of Department of Energy & Environmental Protection: tax credits for electric vehicles, residential solar, and home energy efficiency will expire in September and December of 2025. Some of these federal tax credits can be combined with state incentives, offering consumers even bigger savings. If you want to realize these benefits, now is the time to do so! Visit https://energizect.com/ and select announcements for more info.

Charter Revision

On Tuesday, August 26th, the Board of Selectmen (BOS) will approve the charter revision questions to go on the November municipal ballot. The charter revision changes will be published prior to September 4th, per state law, in our local papers. You can review the change HERE. The questions for the ballot will be available online next week.

Office Hours

The next Office Hours is Tuesday, August 26th from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. Please drop in or make an appointment if the time is not convenient at firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov or call 203-794-8540. Office Hours are usually scheduled every two weeks and alternate between mornings and evenings.

Wildcat Basketball Car Wash

The Wildcats Boys Basketball team is having a car wash fundraiser tomorrow, August 23rd from 9 am to 1 pm behind town hall on the side across from CVS on Durant Ave. Proceeds offset the cost of summer and fall leagues, team meals and other things outside the athletic budget. Please stop by to support the boys if you have a few minutes to spare. If you can’t make it, donations are appreciated. Donate HERE or visit the BHS All Sports Booster Club Shop for more ways to support our Wildcats!

Summer Concert Series

Our Summer Concert Series continues this Sunday, August 24th on the Town Hall lawn from 6 pm to 8 pm. Music provided by the Lost Rebel Band. Only one more left on August 31st! Grab a blanket or chairs and enjoy free music!

Yoga

Don’t forget Summer Yoga Among The Sculptures, hosted by Bethel Arts, continues on the Town Hall lawn on Sunday mornings from 9:30 am to 10:30 am through September 21st.

Hazardous Waste Drop-off

The next HRRA Hazardous Waste Drop-off event for Bethel residents is on Saturday, September 6th at the Public Works Facility in Weston (78 Old Hyde Rd.) from 9 am to 1 pm. Place only items you want removed at the back of your vehicle and be ready with your driver’s license for proof of residency. The event workers will remove your items. Learn more at https://hrra.org/household-hazardous-waste/.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Bethel Education Foundation is looking for volunteers. Save the date for their next meeting and meet their Board of Directors. Wednesday, September 3rd at 7pm. Email betheledfoundation@gmail.com for info.

The Bethel Garden Club does so much to keep Bethel Beautiful. Join them at Bennet Park on September 6th at 9:30 am. Learn about identifying native plants and trees with Felicia Millett, a Plant Diagnostician from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Learn more at https://www.bethelctgardenclub.com/.

Volunteers are needed at Center Cemetery to help clean head stones on Saturday, September 6th at 10 am. If interested, contact Bill Hagan 203-313-5214. Haganwilliam87@gmail.com.

Aaron Goldberg Trio

Tickets are still on sale for the Aaron Goldberg Trio, joined by the legendary John Patitucci and master drummer Lenny White on Saturday, September 13th at the Veronica Hagman Concert Hall on the WCSU westside campus. Proceeds will support this special concert and arts programs that enrich the Bethel community. Visit https://www.bethelartsct.org/arron-goldberg-trio-concert/.

Shoutouts

Congrats to the Bethel High School Golf team who won over Masuk 178 to 188! Great job!

Thank you, Connecticut DOT! They announced that there will be no maintenance or construction activities on limited-access highways for the upcoming Labor Day Holiday, from 6 am Friday, August 29th to 6 am Tuesday, September 2nd. Only emergency work will be considered.

Thank you, Jack Drake, our Danbury Weather Guy, for being on call but not needed for Food Truck Friday’s this year! Perfect weather this year and no cancellations!

Thank you to all who made Food Truck Friday’s a smash this summer, especially Mary Churchill and Emma Zahansky! We have had great bands and vendors. See you back in 2026!

Have a great weekend!

Dan

P.S. America 250 has some cool swag available at the official website of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. Visit https://store.america250.org/. Learn more and stay tuned for Bethel events and opportunities at https://bethel-ct.gov/america250.