June 13 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

June 13, 2025

Dear Bethel,

Rally/Protest Downtown

We have had numerous questions about the weekly rally/protest on PT Barnum Sq. The town does not require a permit for a political rally or protest, although we do require an application and a certificate of insurance for certain spaces, including our parks and the Town Hall lawn. We do not currently require an application for PT Barnum Square, except for holiday displays, although some groups have completed the paperwork anyway.

The attendance tomorrow may be too large for PT Barnum Sq., so we have encouraged the organizers to move to the Town Hall lawn for safety. If you are attending the event tomorrow, or on any other day, please do not park front of our local businesses, especially on PT Barnum Square. There is parking available behind the Town Hall and at the Bethel train station. The protest takes place between 11 am and 12:30 pm, so residents should use caution for pedestrians when driving through downtown before, during, and after the event.

SCADA Passes

The $1.2 million SCADA project for the Bethel water system was approved by voters yesterday. 273 yes and 143 no. We have received many questions regarding the need for a machine vote, which is a significant expense and often voter turnout is so low. Our charter currently requires a machine vote for any proposed capital expenditure of one million dollars or more. The good news is that our Charter Revision Commission is considering a change to our charter to exclude capital utility projects that are funded exclusively through user fees, grants and/or loans.

Hurricane Season

Leaders and emergency management professionals attended the Statewide 2025 Hurricane Season Briefing this week, hosted by the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Hurricane season began on June 1st and continues through November 30th. While the town prepares for the possibility of a hurricane, it’s a good time for residents to prepare as well. There are three things you can do to prepare. Sign up for Emergency alerts from the Town of Bethel at: https://bethel-ct.gov/subscribe, download the CTPrepares App at https://portal.ct.gov/ctprepares, and checkout the state’s DPH hurricane page at: https://portal.ct.gov/dph/communications/hurricanes/before-a-hurricane.

Food Truck Friday

On The Road Again launches the summer’s first Food Truck Friday tonight, June 13th from 5 to 8 pm! Interested in sponsoring a Food Truck Friday? Sponsorships allow the town to offset the costs and provide “Food Tuck Loot” coupons that are distributed by Bethel Social Services and help brighten the summer for some of our neighbors. If interested, please contact Emma@zahanskye@bethel-ct.gov.

Interfaith Service Day

A group of local faith organizations are joining together at the First Congregational Church of Danbury at 146 Deer Hill this Monday, June 16th at 7 pm with the goal of welcoming the stranger and caring for the vulnerable. If you are Interested in supporting immigrants in the community, email ari@interfaitharc.org.

Drivers Needed!

Brotherhood in Action will be delivering food next Saturday, June 21st starting at 9:00 am. Enter the lot behind the United Methodist Church at 139 Greenwood Ave from the driveway on Greenwood Ave. They will load your car you will be given instructions. It’s a quick but meaningful way to help some of our friends and neighbors! Show up or let them know you are coming at https://www.bethelbrotherhoodinaction.org/.

Hazardous Waste Drop-Off

Our next Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day for Bethel residents is on Saturday, June 21st at Bethel High School from 9 am to 1 pm. It is super easy and they remove the items from your car for you. Check out what you can and can’t dispose of at https://hrra.org/household-hazardous-waste.

Make Music Day Bethel

Make Music Day Bethel is back! It’s part of the world’s largest annual music event that celebrates music in over 1,000 cities across the globe on the same day, June 21st. In Bethel, local musicians will play short sets in public spaces around town and in selected restaurants and other businesses. It is free and open to anyone who wants to take part. Visit https://www.makemusicday.org/bethel/ for more information.

Join the Bethel Drum Circle in celebration of the summer solstice and Make Music Day! Meet at the gazebo on the Town Hall lawn on Saturday, June 21st from 3 pm to 4:30 pm. All are welcome! A few percussion instruments will be available, but feel free to bring your own. Email Suze@sagelead.com with questions.

Tunnel to Towers 5k

Don’t miss the Tunnel to Towers Foundation 5k Run & Walk Bethel on Sunday, June 22nd at 8:30am at the Bethel High School Football Field. Proceeds support our nation’s fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military heroes and their families. Learn more at https://runwalkbethel.t2t.org/.

Shoutouts

A huge shoutout to the Class of 2025 who will be graduating this evening! We are so grateful for your service to the town! (Well over 30,000 hours!) We all wish you the very best!

Congratulations to Home care Providers of Connecticut for your Bethel Chamber of Commerce Best of Bethel 2025 Award! Thank you for all you add to our community!

A huge shoutout to Bethel Teachers, especially the 2025 Teachers of the Year: Dr. Reine Issa at Bethel High School, Marie Jowdy at Bethel Middle School, Greg Reid at Johnson School, Aimee Bajor at Berry School, and Elaine O’Keeffe at Rockwell School. Thank you all for your impact on our community! See the complete list of winners HERE.

There are no formal Flag Day ceremonies in town tomorrow, so thank you Bernie Rotunda, a Korean War Veteran, who is stepping up and having a brief ceremony over at Reynolds Ridge tomorrow, June 14th at 3 pm. If you are around tomorrow, stop by 25 Reynolds Ridge Rd, off Whittlesey Dr on the school campus. I am sure it would mean a lot to him.

For two decades the Seven Angels Theatre High School Halo Awards has rewarded and elevated over 90 Connecticut high school theatre programs in all aspects: actors, singers, technical crew, directors, and more. A huge congrats to Jordan Caprio, Nyah Rodriguez, Fabiana Lima, and Willa Zalaznick on your 2025 Halo Awards!

Have a great weekend!
Dan