May 31 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

May 31, 2024

Dear Bethel,

June 1st is the beginning of Hurricane Season and NOAA is predicting an above-normal season. The town has been preparing, including training to manage disaster debris. You can prepare for severe weather by signing up for emergency alerts from the town at https://bethel-ct.gov/. You may also want to register for alerts from the state at https://portal.ct.gov/ctalert.

Throughout June we will take a look at our performance in serving the town. We are always striving to improve and appreciate feedback. Just inside the front door of Town Hall there is box to leave a note or email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov.

The next Office Hours is Wednesday, June 5th from 7:30 am to 8:30 am at the Town Hall in the First Selectman office. If you have an issue or questions, please feel free to stop by or make an appointment.

Check out upcoming public hearings at https://bethel-ct.gov/2024-public-hearing.
Public Hearing: Planning & Zoning Commission re: continuation of hearing for 9 Putnam Park Road (https://bethel-ct.gov/2024-zoning) on Tuesday, June 4th at 7:00 pm at Town Hall in Conference Room D.

Bethel CT Pride hosts the annual Bethel Pride Celebration and Sidewalk Parade tomorrow, June 1st. The lineup for sidewalk parade begins across from the Bethel Train Station at 12 pm and the parade starts at 12:30 pm. Look out for participants on Durant, Greenwood, PT Barnum Sq, and School Street. Enjoy bands, food, games, and more until 5pm. A note from the parade organizers: “Please don't use parking areas that are marked for businesses only. That's how we can honor and support the parade and the businesses.”

Hatch chicks at the Bethel Public Library! Eggs are arriving in the Children’s Department on June 4th. Check in on the chicks in June. Once they hatch, participate in the chicken naming contest! Check out all the events at the BPL online at www.bethellibrary.org and select the Events & Activities tab.

Food Truck Fridays are back! Join us on the 1st and 3rd Fridays in June, July, and August from 5pm to 8pm in front of Town Hall. Don’t miss the first Food Truck Friday of the season on Friday, June 7th. Cross Purpose will be providing our entertainment for the night and our taste buds will be satisfied by the Artisan Food Trailer, Weenie Lyns, Brazilian BBQ Boys, Punchy’s Island Girl, Szabo, and Jesse’s Ice Cream Truck. Thank you to our sponsors Newtown Savings Bank and ELC Energy Solutions. Learn more at https://events.bethel-ct.gov/events/food-truck-fridays

WorkspaceCT is hosting a one-of-a-kind staged reading of an original musical on Sunday, June 9th in its Tandem Theatre at 5 pm. The musical, Vodú, weaves a captivating tale of resilience, heritage, spirituality, and the power of ancestral wisdom in 1800 New Orleans. Check out https://www.love-art-play.com/coming-events for more about Vodú and tickets. WorkspaceCT is in the Francis J. Clarke Park. Take the first left at Bethel Power and then left on Trowbridge Dr.

Join the Bethel Chamber of Commerce for their Annual Meeting Luncheon on Wednesday June 12th from 11 am to 1 pm at Whitlock’s Restaurant. Find info and tickets https://bethelchamberofcommerce.com/event/annual-meeting-2024

There are currently 14 artists signed up for “Make Music Day Bethel” on June 21st, 2024! As part of the world’s largest annual music event, local musicians will play short sets in public spaces around town and in selected restaurants and businesses. Everyone is invited to sing along and enjoy the first day of summer! Check out https://www.makemusicday.org/bethel

A shout out to Daily Fare for your support of the Bethel Community Partnership Program! We have all enjoyed your treats on Thursdays are grateful for your support of our kids. And congrats on your Saturday Brunch Menu. We are hearing good things in Town Hall!
Congrats Nicky Zooks on your new show on Comcast 23, “Beyond the Boost.” We will look forward to tuning in! Check out the first episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrYEoWevj0Y

For two decades the Seven Angels Theatre High School Halo Awards have rewarded 90 Connecticut high school theatre programs in all aspects: actors, singers, technical crew, directors, and more. Congrats to our BHS Theater 2024 Halo Award winners Elliot Williams and Georgia O’Connor!

Bethel girls and boys track teams had a great meet this week! Congrats Talia Graham for setting a class L pole vault record at 13 ft, Evan Bureau for 3rd in the 1600 and 3200 meters, Kyle Kurtz snagging 1st place and All State in pole vault clearing 14 ft, and Luke Richardson for gold in the 100 and the 200 meters!

Congrats to our BHS girls softball team for their win over Berlin this week!

A shoutout to McKenna Marcoux for shooting a 94 in the SWC girls golf championship, securing her a 3rd place! Nice job!

Our Bethel boys lacrosse made it to the second round of the state tournament! While they came up short for the win, congrats on a great season!

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser for Special Olympics and has evolved to encompass innovative fundraising platforms, including the Polar Plunge and Tip-A-Cop. A shoutout to our Bethel PD “Guardians of the Flame” who carried the torch through town today and all their supporters who champion acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities! Check out https://www.soct.org/event-calendar/law-enforcement-torch-run.

Good luck BHS Baseball at home against East Lyme tomorrow, June 1st at 3 pm. Winner advances to the state semifinals. Visit www.gofan.co/app/school/ciac for tickets. Go Wildcats!

Have a great weekend!
Dan