Aug. 29 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Aug. 29, 2025

Dear Bethel,

Bethel, A Wealthy CT Suburb

Many of us were surprised this week to learn from the New York Post and Daily Mail that we are a wealthy town. Who knew? There are many perceptions and inaccuracies reflected in the articles, but a few things are true: Bethel residents are concerned about development in town, there has been no support for the project on Nashville Rd., and Planning and Zoning can ask for conditions that mitigate impacts of 8-30g projects, but have virtually no power to stop a project. Please share your thoughts about 8-30g and the Vessel Technologies project at https://forms.gle/uSGCnkhUetti8d5x8.

Utility Bills Due

From the Tax Collector: All utility bills (water/sewer, Sewer Assessments Phase 1 & 2) due on September 1st will have a 30-day grace period. The last day to pay these bills without penalty is October 1st. Please note that the postmark date will determine the payment date. If you have any questions, please call 203-794-8509.

Opioid Overdose

On August 31 of each year, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is recognized globally as a day to remember and grieve those that we've lost, take action to encourage support and recovery, and help end overdose by spreading awareness about drug overdose prevention. Over the next year, the Town of Bethel will be using money acquired from national opioid settlements for prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction programs. Have an idea? Please email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov.

West Nile Virus

There are currently 31 Connecticut towns where West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquito samples, including Bethel. This is the time period when Risk for WNV Human Cases is at its peak. Expect risk to remain at this level for the next 3-4 weeks before it tapers off in late September. The risk of human infection will not be zero until we have a hard freeze, so until that time Personal Protective Measures should be encouraged to prevent mosquito bites. Visit the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/prevention/index.html for more information.

Summer Concert

The final concert for the 2025 Summer Concert Series happens this Sunday, August 31th on the Town Hall lawn from 6 pm to 8 pm. Music provided by the Station Dawgs. Thank you to all the residents and bands who have made the 2025 season amazing!

Bethel Public Library

Our Bethel Public Library has some great things happening every week! Check out the Game Night for Adults on Tuesday, September 2nd from 6 pm to 7 pm. Board games, card games, party games , and games for all types of players! Meet new people or bring your own group for a night full of fun!
Whether you're a seasoned grandmaster or a beginner eager to learn, all ages can play chess at the BPL on Wednesday, September 3rd from 6 pm to 7 pm. Engage in friendly matches, improve your chess skills, and enjoy intellectual challenges in a welcoming and inclusive environment!

Protect your family and your finances with a strong estate plan. Come to the BPL on Thursday, September 4th from 6:30pm to 7:30 pm and learn what it takes to gain the peace of mind from knowing your loved ones will know your wishes.
Learn more at https://www.bethellibrary.org/events/

Repair Café

Is it broken? Don’t toss it! Repair it! Bring your broken, but cherished, items to have them repaired on-site with the help of volunteer fixers on Saturday, September 20th from 9 am to 1 pm at the Disabled American Veterans Chapter at 25 Segar Street in Danbury. Repair Cafés prolong the life of household items, reduce waste, and help you save money! Registration is encouraged, but not required. Walk-ins paired with a fixer on a first-come, first serve basis. Event details on the HRRA website.

Center Cemetery

Correction: Volunteers interested in helping to clean headstones at Center Cemetery on Saturday, September 6th at 10 am please contact Bill Hagan 203-313-5213 or Haganwilliam87@gmail.com.

Kind Works Cornhole

Empower our Bethel community through kindness: compete in the Kind Works Cornhole Tournament September 7th from 12 pm to 4pm at Michael’s Tap Room in Stony Hill. $50 per team ($25 per person), prizes for the top 5 teams, and drink & food specials. Learn more about this family friendly event at https://www.kind-works.org/events/cornhole-tournament.

Fall Volleyball Clinics

Bethel Fall Volleyball Clinics are back, hosted by the CT Sports Network. Clinics are taught by master coaches and are designed to help continue individual development throughout the fall season. The clinics can be run in conjunction with any and all other volleyball programs you may be registered in. Learn more at https://www.ctsportsnetwork.com/clinics-2025/bethel-fall-volleyball.

Shoutouts

Thank you to our first responders for masterfully executing their backup plan for a radio outage this week. A special shoutout to Ed Bruey and Tom Galliford for your efforts!

A huge shoutout and thank you to the Friends of Parks and Recreation, the Bethel Land Trust, and volunteers for cleaning up Meckauer Park! It looks fantastic!

Good luck to all our Wildcat Athletes in their upcoming home openers! Field hockey 9/2, boys soccer 9/4, volleyball 9/6, cross country 9/9, girls soccer 9/9, girls swim 9/16, and Bethel football 9/26. Follow @BethelSports on X for updates.

Have a great weekend!

Dan

Town Hall is closed on Monday in observance of Labor Day

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