Dec. 26 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Dec. 26, 2025

Dear Bethel,

Water Main Break

Just after 11 pm on Christmas Eve, a 16 inch cast iron water main in Danbury split causing low pressure that impacted Danbury and some areas in Bethel, including Bethel Healthcare in the Berkshire Industrial Park. Within 10 minutes the state was notified and the Bethel Fire Departments, the Danbury Fire Department, and our Fire Marshal were coordinating to ensure fire protection, including two tankers provided by Danbury on standby at the Stony Hill Fire Department. Mayor Alves reached out and was in touch through the night and by 4 am yesterday the pressure was back and the main was fixed by 6 am. Anytime there is break and a loss of pressure, there is a concern for bacteria entering the system. Our Public Health Director coordinated with the City of Danbury and as of 6:30 this am all samples are clear of bacteria. Feeling really grateful today knowing there are folks dedicated to helping others!

Eversource Winter Rate Change

In Connecticut, the energy supply price changes twice a year, January 1st and July 1st. In January each year the cost rises due to higher winter demand and natural gas costs. Eversource's winter electricity supply rate for Bethel customers will increase to 12.64 cents per kWh beginning Thursday, January 1st, up from the current rate of 9.75 cents, adding add about $10/month to typical bills. This increase applies only to the supply portion of your bill, not Eversource's delivery charges. Customers can shop for competitive supply rates, find rebates and incentives, and access payment assistance programs at https://www.energizect.com/.

2026-2027 Budget

We are working on the 2026-2027 Budget! During the month of January our departments heads will be crafting their budgets based on discussions we have about the needs of the town. In February, the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance will receive budget presentations by the town departments and the Board of Education. In March, the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance will deliberate and the budget will be ultimately be presented at a public hearing, tentatively scheduled for March 24th. After the Board of Finance takes one last look at the budget, residents vote on the budget at the Annual Town Meeting, tentatively scheduled for April 7th. Finally, the budget will go to a town wide referendum vote, tentatively set for April 21st. Please stay tuned for confirmed meeting dates and times so you can follow the process and stay informed.

Parking Restrictions for Snow

Attention owners of vehicles currently parked on streets in Bethel, please move your vehicles off the streets so the roads can be properly cleared tonight. Our weather folks say the snow will fall quickly this evening, so please remember the no parking rule on the sides of streets during a snow event. Also, please to remove all garbage bins from the road. Snow from the plows could easily launch a garbage bin into your yard!

WWII Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times

As part of our celebration of America 250, the Bethel Public Library is hosting a one-of-a-kind event, WWII Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times, on Monday, January 5th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Aaron Elson has been recording the stories of World War 2 veterans for more than three decades. Join Aaron has he shares these stories about the Battle of the Bulge, Iwo Jima and other major battles, plus Connecticut has the only Iwo Jima memorial built and paid for by Iwo Jima survivors. Register at https://bethellibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/wwii-ordinary-people-extraordinary-times/. Learn more about other America 250 Bethel events at https://bethel-ct.gov/am250-events.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration for the 2026-2027 school year begins on Tuesday, January 6th for children who turn 5 years old before September 1st, 2026. The links are not active for registration yet, but it might be a good idea to review what is needed to prove Bethel residency. Learn more at www.bethel.k12.ct.us and select “New to District” on the banner. Then select “Registration Information/Procedures.”

NJROTC Tree Pickup

The Bethel High School Naval JROTC annual Christmas Tree Pickup for Bethel residents will take place on Saturday, January 10th beginning at 9 am. (Rain/Snow Day Sunday, January 11th at 12 pm) This is an excellent opportunity help the Bethel NJROTC Boosters fund educational programs for the cadets. The suggested donation is $15, but please consider how much this group does for our community and be generous. Sign up HERE.

Town Hall Renovations

Renovations continue for the Public Works offices in Town Hall through Tuesday, December 30th. The staff will be available by phone and documents can be left in the building department.

Town Hall & Library Holiday Hours

Town Hall will close at 12 pm on Wednesday, December 31st and remain closed on Thursday January 1st. Town Hall will be open on Friday, January 2nd with normal Friday hours from 8 am to 12 pm.

Bethel Public Library will be closing at 1 pm on Wednesday, December 31st and will be closed on Thursday, January 1st. The library will be open normal Friday hours of 10 am to 5 pm on January 2nd.

Shoutouts

Congrats Lady Wildcat basketball who are 3 -1 in the season after a win over Wolcott this week! Good luck against New Canaan at home tomorrow, December 27th at 5 pm!

Boys basketball had a win over Darien this week making them 2 – 0! Good luck against New Canaan away this weekend!

A belated congrats to the Wildcat Wrestling team for the win over Joel Barlow last week! What a great opening performance for the season!

Good luck to the BBDI IceCats this weekend who are at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham! Three opponents! You got this!

Congrats to Ella Egan, a 2023 grad from Bethel High and UConn student who was picked for the NBCUniversal Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Internship Program!

A congrats and thank you to John Streaman, Tony Rubino, and Jon Menti for 50 years of service to the Town of Bethel as firefighters with Stony Hill Fire Company!

A shoutout to our town employees! 2025 has been a busy year. In addition to the normal operations of the town, we have finished a charter revision, had numerous personnel changes, worked through two union contracts, begun a full-scale ordinance review, changed our healthcare plan, are finishing implantation of a new payroll system, and so much more! Each of you have managed huge changes and have stepped up every day to serve our residents. We are a fortunate community to have all of you!

The final shoutout this year goes to our first responders and highway crew. We are expecting our first significant snow this year and we know that you have a long night ahead serving the town. Thank you for all you do for every storm, every crisis, and every day!

Have a great weekend!

Dan