July 11 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

July 11, 2025

Dear Bethel,

8-30g Affordable Housing

With the proposed 75 unit, 5 story, 8-30g development on Nashville Rd., there have been many questions about how Section 8-30g of the Connecticut General Statutes works. Section 8-30g promotes the development of housing with 30% of the units designated as affordable for low-income renters and the remainder at market rate. Deed restrictions on the affordable units must be maintained for 40 years. Bethel’s zoning regulations dictate the size and location of multi-family buildings based on community scale, environmental challenges, and infrastructure systems. Developers can use the 8-30g statute to essentially bypass local zoning regulations, which allows them to build more market rate units to offset the profit lost from providing the 30% affordable units.

If project proposed under section 8-30g is denied by the Planning & Zoning Commission, the developer can appeal to the courts and the burden is on the town to prove there is a substantial health or safety concern or a public interest that clearly outweighs the need for affordable housing and reasonable changes to the development can’t protect that public interest. If the State Department of Housing has designated at least 10% of a community’s housing stock is as “affordable,” that community is exempt from appeals. A municipality is also eligible for a four-year moratorium on appeals taken under 8-30g when it shows it has added affordable housing units that meet a threshold established by the state.

Aquarion Water Ban

Attention Aquarion Water Customers in Bethel: We continue to work with Newtown, Aquarion, the Housatonic Railroad, the State, and others to address the wells that were damaged last August. Unfortunately, a mandatory, non-essential outdoor water use ban for Newtown and Bethel is still in effect. Click HERE for more information.

Tax Sale

The Town of Bethel will hold a tax sale of delinquent properties on Thursday, July 17th at 10 am in Town Hall meeting room A. Inquiries regarding procedures or payoff can be directed to Attorney Adam J. Cohen with Pullman and Comley, LLC at 203-330-2230 or ajc@pullcom.com. Information on properties for sale are posted in the Town Hall lobby and are available online at https://cttaxsales.com/upcoming-tax-sales/.

Military Members

Attention current and former members of the military: If you have served at least one day of active military duty since December 7, 1941 and were honorably discharged or you are still serving active military duty honorably, you are eligible for membership with The American Legion. Bethel has an active post! Visit https://bethelctamlegion.org/ for more information.

Girls Lacrosse Clinic

Bethel Youth Lacrosse is hosting a Girls LAX Clinic for rising 5th – 8th graders on Monday, July 21st through Wednesday, July 23rd from 9 am to 12 am at the BHS Turf Field. Participants will work with local athletes who play or have played at the collegiate level. Register HERE or visit https://www.bethellacrosse.com/.

This Weekend

St. Thomas’ Church Giant Tag Sale! Tomorrow, July 12th, Friday, July 18th, and Saturday July 19th, stop by the Church across from Caraluzzi’s downtown and shop for tag sale treasures!

Bethel Police is hosting their 3rd Annual Car Show this Sunday, July 13th from 3 pm to 7 pm. Enjoy food trucks and music performed by Lost Rebel. Best of all, the proceeds support the Scotty Fund and Hero’s on the Water, a group that helps first responders and veterans.

West Side Story

West Side Story next Friday, July 18th and Saturday, July 19th. This year’s production will be at the Visual and Performing Arts Center at Western Connecticut State University (43 Lake Ave Ext., Danbury). Tickets are available at https://ticketpeak.co/bethelparkandrec/events. A shoutout to the performers who have been practicing in Town Hall: you sound amazing!

Shop and Stroll

Don’t forget the Bethel Chamber of Commerce 2025 Summer Shop and Stroll on Greenwood Ave. next Saturday, July 19th from 11 pm to 4 pm. Among the many vendors, our own Bethel Garden Club will have a table! There is something for everyone. See you downtown!

Town Committee Picnics

The Bethel Democrat and Republican Town Committees host their annual picnics/fundraisers back-to-back every July. This year the Republicans are hosting their “Lobster Fest” on Saturday, July 26th from 3 pm to 7 pm at Bennett Park and the Bethel Democrats will have their “Food Trucks, Fun & Freedom” on Sunday, July 27th from 12 pm to 4 pm at Bennett Park.

Shoutouts

Thank you to Public Works, the Highway Department and everyone who coordinated for the paving at PT Barnum Square! It looks amazing and I am told when the lines are painted for parking, we will gain 2 more spots!

Congrats to Danielle Scolpino, our Bethel girls basketball coach! She will be recognized next week at the GametimeCT Sports Awards ceremony as Coach of the Year – Girls Sports. She is a 2010 graduate of BHS and led the Wildcats to their first CIAC championship game appearance and second SWC tournament crown!

16U Wildcats are the 2026 State Champs! They will advance to the New England Regionals!

A huge shoutout to the CT Insider Best of Connecticut winners, runner-ups and finalists from Bethel!
Blue Jay Orchards, Greenwood Features, Redding Roasters Coffee Company, Fat Tony's Deli and Pizzeria, Bethel Organics and Specialty Market, House Of Yoshida, Portofino Restaurant and Wine Bar, Hollandia Nurseries & Gardens, ACE Hardware of Bethel, Byrd's Books, Disc&Dat, The Toy Room, Rainy Day Paperback Exchange of Bethel, CT, Pink Lemon, Lost Rebel CT, and On The Road Again

Have a great weekend!

Dan