Oct. 3 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Oct. 3, 2025

Dear Bethel,

November Election

Election day is Tuesday, November 4th, with early voting in beginning on Monday, October 20th at Town Hall in Meeting Room A. Early voting continues every day until November 2nd. The hours are from 10 am to 6 pm, with extended hours on Tuesday, October 28th and Thursday, October 30th from 8 am to 8 pm. In addition to the lineup of candidates for town offices, proposed changes to the Town of Bethel Charter are also on the ballot. For voter registration, visit https://bethel-ct.gov/elections. To see the ballot or find answers to election questions, visit https://bethel-ct.gov/ and click on the Municipal Election 2025 banner.

If you expect to be out of town or have difficulties getting to the polls, visit the Municipal Elections link above for absentee ballot information. Also, the Bethel Senior Center will give seniors (60+ years) free rides to the polls for voting. They would need to make a reservation in advance. Call (203) 792-3048.

Public use of PT Barnum Sq.

We currently require an application and a certificate of insurance for PT Barnum Square for holiday displays only. Given concerns about safety and the liability to the town if someone is injured during events on the property, the Board of Selectmen is considering changes to the application process and requiring a certificate of insurance for groups using PT Barnum, just as we require for use of our other parks and Town Hall. The Board of Selectmen meets next Tuesday. October 7th at 7pm in the General Purpose room at Town Hall and will open the meeting with public comment.

Speed Sign Replacement

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is replacing post-mounted sheet aluminum speed limit signs on Aunt Pattys Lane East and West, Cross Hill Rd., Legend Dr., and Ravencrest Dr. with new, retroreflective signs. The fatality rate on these types of roads across the state has increased over the past 2 years and 19% of crashes were speeding related. CTDOT will coordinate with the town during the design phase which is expected to be completed this month, with a tentative advertising date for construction of December 2025.

Kind Works After School Program

Registration is live for the Kind Works Afterschool program. The free Afterschool Program for 4th & 5th grade students combines teaching kids their unique ceramic art form while also introducing social and emotional intelligence in the form of kindness. The program runs from October 28th to November 20th on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4 pm to 5 pm. They have a Homework Club option from 5 pm to 5:30 pm. Visit https://www.kind-works.org/kind-art-class-2.

Food Scraps

The new food scrap scale is up and running at the Transfer Station! Tomorrow, October 4th the fee for food scraps changes from $1.00 a drop to $0.10 cents a pound. The process is easy: follow the instructions on the screen to dispose of the scraps at the scale. It will automatically weigh the amount, and a ticket will print out at the pay booth. Speak to Peter or Todd to pay your fee. Thanks for making the Bethel Food Scrap program a success! Stay tuned for the next really cool expansion of the program.

CEE SafeWalk Tomorrow

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence affects our community, so please join us for the annual Bethel SafeWalk tomorrow, October 4th in front of Town Hall at 8 am. SafeWalk is the premier event for The Center for Empowerment and Education’s (CEE) efforts to raise awareness and critical funds in support of survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Whether you walk in honor of a loved one, in support of the cause, or simply because you care — your steps make a difference. Remember, Abuse can affect anyone and it impacts every community. Learn more, see sponsors, and register at https://secure.frontstream.com/2025-bethel-safewalk.

Pavilion Day

Putnam Park is holding an open house this Sunday, October 5th from 12 pm to 4 pm to recognize the 20th anniversary of “Pavilion Day,” a holiday declared by Redding and Bethel in 2005 to celebrate the reopening of the pavilion at Putnam Park after the 1893 Pavilion was transformed into the modern Visitor Center. Join Revolutionary War reenactors and history enthusiasts of all ages to celebrate the Visitor Center's 20th birthday!

America 250 Bethel Info Session

Bethel is preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and honor the ways the founding ideals continue to affect our lives today. Join friends and neighbors for an America 250 Information session on Wednesday, October 8th, at the Town Hall from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm in Meeting Room D. Learn about America 250, how to get involved, and how you can contribute by hosting events! Learn more at www.Bethel-cvt.gov/America250 or email America250@bethel-ct.gov.

Shoutouts

A huge shoutout to Mayor Alves for including Bethel in the CEE Purple Flag raising this week to mark the start of Domestic Violence Month. It’s great when we have a partner to help residents in both our towns. You are a class act!

Thanks to the Bethel All Sports Booster Club for including our Town Employees and officials in their first Community Night! We exited about working the snack shed and hope to set a high bar for the other groups this year!

Congrats to Gavyn Spielmann on the football team and Amina Macchiarulo with girls cross country who are our BHS Athletes of the week!

Good luck to all our athletes competing on this Homecoming Weekend! The Wildcats have started the homecoming tailgate and kickoff for the football game is 7 pm tonight!

A big shoutout to BHS Lady Wildcats volleyball for changing the future of cancer care! Attend the team’s home match next Thursday, October 9th at 5:30 pm where they will play with purpose and Dig Pink!

Have a great weekend!

Dan

P.S. - America 250 Bethel is all about celebrating your stories! Visit www.bethel-ct.gov/America250 to learn more and share how you’d like to Celebrate History, Honor Community, and Inspire the Future. Reach out anytime - America250@bethel-ct.gov or check out their social media at https://www.facebook.com/bethelct250.