June 20 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

June 20, 2025

Dear Bethel,

Extreme Heat Next Week

The State of CT has activated its Extreme Heat Protocol Sunday, June 22nd at noon through Wednesday, June 25th at 8 pm. Monday and Tuesday temps look to be near 95 degrees with high humidity increasing the heat index values to near 105 "feel". The Senior Center and Library are our cooling centers during their regular open hours. Drink water, avoid strenuous activities, take frequent rest breaks, and avoid being out between 12 pm and 4 pm, the hottest part of the day.

2024 Tax Bills

Tax bills have been mailed and are viewable online at www.bethel-ct.gov at the “Pay Taxes” link. Payment is due July 1st and August 1st is the last day to pay without penalty. Credit cards are accepted online only with a 2.99% fee, or pay buy E-check for 95 cents. Residents can pay at Newtown Savings Bank locations in Bethel (Dolan Plaza and Stony Hill.) Please bring your bill portion stub with you to make payment. Note that your return envelopes are addressed to Woburn, MA, which is our processing location for the bank. Receive a bill for a motor vehicle bill that you no longer own or have questions regarding the assessed value? Please contact the Assessor’s Office at 203-794-8507.

Drainage Issues

The Board of Selectmen held a special meeting this week for an update by Public Works on drainage issues in town. Following the August 18th storm last year, the town began looking at problem areas. We had hoped for grant funding from FEMA, which is no longer available. The Board of Selectmen recommended that the Board of Finance approve funding for an engineering study to address drainage in the area between Benedict Road and Ridgedale Road that effects homes on Benedict Road, Colonial Drive and Walnut Hill Road. Public works is securing quotes to address other areas. Stay tuned.

Office Hours

The next Office Hours is on Tuesday, June 24th between 7:30 am and 8:30 am at the Town Hall in the First Selectman office. Please feel free to stop by, or make an appointment if you need a more convenient time at firstselectmen@bethel-ct.gov or 203-794-8540.

Planning & Zoning Hearings

Planning and Zoning is continuing a public hearing for 72 Reservoir St. (8-30g affordable housing 6 units) on Tuesday, June 24th at 7 pm in Town Hall Meeting Room D. The public hearing for 48 & 50 Nashville Road (8-30g affordable housing, five story, 75 Units) has been postponed to Tuesday, July 8th at 7 pm in Town Hall Meeting Room D. Learn more at https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-zoning and https://www.vesseltechnologies.com/.

Danbury Rail Line CLOSURE

The State Department of Transportation has notified the town that there will be construction along the Danbury Branch Rail Line which will require buses to replace trains between August 1st through August 17th. The crossing on South Street in Bethel will be repaired and South Street will be closed at the tracks from August 7th to August 17th. There will be posted detours downtown to avoid the South Street crossing.

Summer Reading

With the end of school begins Summer Reading. The Bethel Public Library “Level Up at Your Library” is a great place to start. There are raffle tickets and prizes available for kids, teens, and adults! Visit https://www.bethellibrary.org/summerreading/. And don’t forget the Byrd’s Books Summer Reading page where many of the reading lists for area schools are available. Visit https://byrdsbooks.com/.

A Busy Bethel Weekend!

Brotherhood in Action is delivering food tomorrow, 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. They need your help! Learn more at https://www.bethelbrotherhoodinaction.org/.

Drop-off your Household Hazardous Waste tomorrow at Bethel High School from 9 am to 1 pm. Check out what you can and can’t dispose of at https://hrra.org/household-hazardous-waste.
Make Music Day Bethel is back for a second year tomorrow! Bethel Arts is building on year’s magic, bringing even more music, community connections, and summery vibes to Bethel. Last year was a hit, so we are doubling down with more live music, diverse artists, and open-air fun in public spaces, cafés, and restaurants. Bethel is officially part of the global Make Music movement (1,000+ cities!), and we couldn’t be prouder. No tickets. No covers. It’s free and for all ages. All kinds of music. From folk to blues to rock — there is something for every ear and every mood. Indoor and outdoor venues make it rain-friendly and fun. Check out the lineup from 11:00AM to 11:00 PM here: https://makemusicday.org/bethel/listings/artists. And don’t miss the Drum Circle at the gazebo on the Town Hall lawn from 3 pm to 4:30 pm!

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation 5k Run & Walk Bethel is this Sunday, June 22nd at 8:30 am 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/.

Aquarion Water Sale

The Public Utility Regulatory Authority is holding a remote access public hearing on Wednesday, June 25th at 12:30 pm for the proposed sale of Aquarion Water, which will become the wholly-owned subsidiary of Aquarion Water Authority. If you would like to speak on this topic, you can register at https://portal.ct.gov/PURA/About/Public-Participation under “opportunities to comment.”

Food Truck Friday

Join friends and neighbors at the next Food Truck Friday on June 27th. Gorja will be providing the entertainment and our culinary lineup includes Brazilian BBQ Boys, Taco Road Trip, Rich’s Wings & Things, and Jesse’s Ice Cream Truck. Nicky Zooks will also be on hand and don’t miss Bella’s Hope Lemonade Stand! You can also take advantage of local restaurant to go options!

Shoutouts

A huge congrats to Emily Mendes, the Mary Edna Cargill Scholarship award winner! The annual $2,500 scholarship is presented by RVNAHealth to a Bethel resident pursuing a degree in a health-related field to honor Mary Edna Cargill, a devoted Bethel VNA nurse who served both in schools and in home care.

A shoutout to ACO Shanley, Officers Ammon, Eaton and DeOliveira for your teamwork on your daring rescue this week! Even our smallest residents are lucky to have you! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19TTaHRgYW/

A big thanks to the group of young men who jumped in to remove the tree from RT 302 today! Getting that road back open so quickly was a huge help, since the CTDOT didn’t have a crew in the area.

Have a great weekend!

Dan