Dec. 27 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Dec. 27, 2024

Dear Bethel,

Phase II Sewer Assessment Bills

Attention Bethel Sewer customers: Bills for phase II sewer assessments will be out next week. The billing period is from September 2023 to August of 2024 and bills are due by February 3rd.

Public Site and Building Commission

We are looking for residents who are interested in helping the Town with building projects. Experience in the building trades, construction, or a related field would be helpful, but not required. Serving on the Public Site and Building Commission, you will work on current building projects and advise the Board of Selectmen in studying the current and future town building needs. Please email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov for more information.

Holiday Tournament

Bethel Boys and Girls basketball teams are hosting a Holiday Tournament at Bethel High School tomorrow, December 28th and Monday, December 30th. The Lady Wildcats play Nonnewaug at 2 pm and the Boys play Shelton at 4 pm. Tomorrow is a great day to go to BHS and catch a game. Tournament winners play Monday. Go Wildcats!

The Bethel High School All Sports Boosters are still looking for help at the Indoor Snack Shed tomorrow and Monday during the tournament. The Boosters have done so much for Bethel Student Athletes this year, so please lend them a hand if you can! You can sign up for a shift at https://signup.com/go/CvOvREC.

Bethel Chanukah Menorah Lighting

The Bethel Chanukah Menorah Lighting takes place tomorrow, December 28th from 6 pm to 6:45 pm on PT Barnum Square. Don’t miss Alex Parke and James Kessler performing traditional Klezmer music and a Chanukah singalong! All are welcome!

Eversource Winter Rate

Eversource electric customers will see an increase in the Standard Service Rate from 8.99 cents per kilowatt hour to 11.19 cents per kilowatt hour on January 1st. According to Eversource, a typical residential customer on Standard Service using 700 kWh per month will have a total bill increase of 7.2% or $15.37. This is the lowest Standard Service winter supply rate since 2021. Remember you can shop rates at www.energizect.com and you can visit www.eversource.com if you have difficulty affording electricity.

Project Purple

Don’t miss the Lady Wildcats at their annual Project Purple basketball game next Friday, January 3rd at 5:30 pm vs New Fairfield at Bethel High School! In addition to the Lady Wildcats, watch the faculty game at halftime! Come route for the Wildcats and help spread the word about the dangers of substance abuse.

NYC Congestion Tolls

Attention NYC Commuters: Beginning Sunday, January 5th, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan below 60 St will be charged a toll. The toll amount depends on the type of vehicle, time of day, crossing credits, and method of payment. Most vehicles with E-ZPass will be charged $9 in the peak period or $2.25 overnight, once daily. The MTA has two more webinars to learn how the Congestion Relief Zone toll works and a recorded webinar is available. Visit https://mta.info/crzwebinars for more information.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-2026 school year begins on Monday, January 6th for children who turn 5 years old before September 5th, 2025. Note that the cut off date was moved from January to September due research showing children who enter kindergarten at the age of 5 have higher academic outcomes, are less likely to be retained or drop out of school, and have fewer referrals to special education. Learn more at www.bethel.k12.ct.us and select “New to District” on the banner. Then select “Registration Information/Procedures”

Looking for Lions

The Lion Den for Cub Scout Pack 156 is looking for interested Kindergarteners to visit their first meeting in 2025 on January 8th at Workspace CT at 6pm! Cub Scouts is open to Boys and Girls in K through 5th grade. Scouting encourages kids to make friends, be helpful to others, and do their very best no matter the outcome. Anyone interested in attending or getting more information can email cubmaster@bethelpack156.org for more information.

Shoutouts

Congrats to the Bethel High School Navy JROTC for the 2nd place win at the Long Island Drill Meet last weekend!

Good luck to the Boys and Girls Basketball teams in their Holiday Tournament this weekend at Bethel High School!

Good luck to the Bethel High Varsity Wrestling in their tournament tomorrow in Danbury!

Good luck to the Ice Cats, our hockey team from Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, and Immaculate, at their first home game at 8 pm this Sunday, December 29th the Danbury Ice Arena Patriot Rink.

As we wrap up 2024, the final shoutout of the year goes to those who are elected and appointed to serve on our boards and commissions, our amazing town employees, our business owners, our students and residents who volunteer their time, and our residents and supporters around the local area who step up in so many ways in support of Bethel! We are grateful that you make Bethel such a special place!

Please remember the Town Hall closes at noon on 12/31/2024 and is closed January 1st.

Have a great weekend!
Dan