Jan. 3 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Jan. 5, 2024

Dear Bethel,

2025-2026 Budget Schedule

We have begun crafting the town’s budget and the Board of Education is working with the Superintendent and school staff on the school budget. Both budgets will be presented to the Board of Finance in February. The Board of Finance will deliberate on the budget and hold a public hearing, which is tentatively scheduled for March 18th. Once the budget is approved by the Board of Finance, the budget will be presented to the town at the Annual Town Meeting where residents will vote to send the budget to referendum vote. The Annual Town Meeting will likely be scheduled for April 2nd and the Referendum will likely be April 22nd. Stay tuned for firm dates and more budget details over the coming months!

School Roof Projects

The Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and the Board of Education held a joint meeting this week to discuss future roof replacements for the High School, Berry School, and the Middle School, which will all need roof replacements between now and 2036. The total estimate for all the replacements is just over $14.5 million, with the town paying close to $8.5 million after projected reimbursements by the State of Connecticut. These projects will be spaced out with the first likely to be included on our budget referendum in April and the work starting in 2026 or 2027. More to follow.

Targeted Violence Prevention

The Connecticut Intelligence Center routinely provides information and resources to help keep communities safe. Recent acts of violence around the country have many residents concerned. If you are interested in learning more preventing targeted violence, Homeland Security offers a free course titled “Foundations of Targeted Violence Prevention." Click here https://www.dhs.gov/foundations-targeted-violence-prevention

February 3 Tax Deadline

The third Real Estate payment on the 2023 Grand List and Supplemental Motor Vehicle bills were due by January 1st. We have until Monday, February 3rd to pay and avoid any interest charges. After February 3rd, interest will be charged at 1 1/2% per month from the due date of Jan 1 or a $2.00 minimum charge, whichever is greater, plus any additional collection costs.

Charter Revision Commission

The Charter Revision Commission will be meeting on Wednesday, January 8th at 7 pm in the Town Hall General Purpose Room. Our charter establishes our local government's structure and the rules that govern elected and appointed officials. Meetings are open to the public. Learn mots at https://bethel-ct.gov/crc.

Message from HRRA

As we ring in the new year with new gadgets, remember that batteries of any kind should NEVER go in your household trash or recycling. Batteries can spark and cause fires on garbage trucks and recycling facilities. Batteries should be dropped off at the Bethel transfer station, a household hazardous waste event, or at a participating retailer. To learn more about how batteries are recycled, go to www.HRRA.org/batteries

Health Begins in the Kitchen

RVNAhealth offers many services to Bethel residents. One of the most overlooked may be their nutrition programming. From individual counselling to interactive cooking classes, there is a path to healthy food for anyone. In some cases, insurance may even cover a visit. If you are serious about making an improvement in your diet this year, learn more at https://rvnahealth.org/services/be-well/nutrition-services/

Cub Scouts

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.

Bethel Film Fest

The Bethel Film Festival is back! Check out more than two dozen award winning short and feature length documentary and narrative independent films on Wednesday, January 8th between 12 pm to 6 pm and Thursday, January 9th between 12 pm and 7:30 pm at the Bethel Public Library. Details will be added to the BPL website at https://www.bethellibrary.org/events/ tomorrow, January 4th or you can download the flyer here.

Christmas Tree Disposal

The Bethel Naval JROTC is having their annual Christmas Tree Pickup on Saturday, January 11th from 9 am to 12 pm. (Snow Day Sunday, January 12th from 12 pm to 3 pm) This is an excellent opportunity help the Bethel NJROTC Boosters fund educational programs for the cadets. Learn more at https://rotc.bright-moments.com/

Shoutouts

A shout out to our Lady Wildcats who are competing against New Fairfield tonight in the Project Purple basketball game at Bethel High School! Come route for the Wildcats and help spread the word about the dangers of substance abuse. Learn more at https://herrenproject.org/

Good luck to Wildcat faculty members in their game at halftime during the Project Purple game tonight!

Good Luck to the Boys and Girls Track Teams tomorrow, January 4th at their home meet at 2 pm at the Bethel High School - Track and Field Training Center:

Good luck to the Girls Gymnastics team in their competition tonight in Mew Milford!

A shoutout to Nelson Rodriguez, the athlete of the week. Nelson won his weight class at the Danbury Invitational wrestling tournament with three pins!

Have a great weekend!

Dan