Oct. 31 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Oct. 31, 2025

Dear Bethel,

2025 Municipal Election

Early voting continues this weekend between 10 am and 6 pm. There is no voting on Monday, November 3rd. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th and the polls will be open from at 6 am to 8 pm. Don’t forget to look for information on the Charter Revision questions outside your polling place. On Election Day, the Senior Center van will offer free rides to the polls for seniors. Please call in advance for an appointment: 203-792-3048. Visit https://bethel-ct.gov/elections to verify your polling location.

SNAP

In true Bethel fashion, residents are reaching out wanting to help our neighbors in need who could lose SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown. We currently have 794 individuals in Bethel that receive SNAP Benefits. Carryover benefits already on their EBT cards will remain accessible, but beginning November 1st, they may not receive their regular monthly SNAP allocation. Our local food pantries, Bethel Community Food Pantry, Brotherhood in Action, and Walnut Hill Church Community Food Pantry, are also ready to help those in need. Visit https://bethel-ct.gov/bethel-food-pantry for more information and how you can help.

Grant for Composting

Bethel will receive $520,970 to implement our own composting program! Connecticut ships enormous amounts of garbage to out of state to landfills every year and the rising costs are affecting every Bethel resident. Our successful Food Scraps Program diverts the heaviest part of our waste, organics, out of our municipal waste stream and lowers costs for Bethel transfer station users and taxpayers. Having our own composting program will reduce transportation costs, reduce current costs of vegetation disposal, and will allow us to stay ahead of costly state mandates, including a food scrap diversion mandate for our schools. This is a huge opportunity to reduce costs for our residents and be good stewards of our environment. Thank you to HRRA, our Public Works department, and Town Clerk’s office for moving this program forward!

Child Needs Assessment 4 of 6

Bethel Youth Commission’s 2024 childcare needs survey found that many Bethel families face challenges meeting childcare needs year-round. Looking towards solutions, increasing Parks & Recreation before/aftercare and summer camp programs are a consideration. The survey found that found that demand for these programs exceeds supply. Nearly half of the respondents reported being waitlisted or denied for before/aftercare programs, and one-third of were waitlisted for summer camp. Top issues are limited slots, short hours, and rising costs. There are also few options for children under 5 or with special needs, and limited coverage for school holidays or early dismissals. Possible solutions might include expanding programming hours or dates and addressing staffing and facility limitations.

Downtown Sidewalk Repairs

Downtown sidewalk repairs at 24 locations where the pavers have recessed were there were trees or past repairs. The repairs will begin this Monday, November 3rd, so use caution walking downtown.

Folds of Honor 5K

Don’t miss the Folds of Honor Bethel Veterans Day 5k tomorrow, November 1st at 8:30 am in front of Town Hall. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has provided life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military and first responders. Enjoy live music by GoRjA, beer by Reverie, and lots of fun with sponsors! Residents use caution around on the following streets tomorrow morning: School, Wooster, Juniper, Greenwood, PT Barnum, Rector, South, Depot, Library and Durant. Learn more, see sponsors, or register at https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Bethel/FoldsofHonorBethelVeteransDay5K.

Hazardous Waste Drop-Off

Don’t miss our Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day for Bethel residents tomorrow, November 1st at Brookfield High School, 45 Long Meadow Hill Rd. in Brookfield from 9 am to 2 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.

Help Veterans

The Bethel Women's Club is sponsoring their annual Community Drive for Veterans residing at the Vet House, Home for Heroes, and those in long term care. From November 1st through November 25th, you will see collection bins at Ace Hardware, Greenwood Physical Therapy, St. Mary Church, Stony Hill Wine and Spirits, UK Gourmet, and the United Methodist Church. This effort is a really big help for veterans who need the basics. See the “Wish List” for veterans or learn how to make a donation HERE.

Table Talk

Join friends and neighbors for another “Table Talk” on Tuesday, November 4th at Daily Fare from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Each month Bethel residents Mohammed Shilleh and Yehezkel Landau, a Palestinian-American Muslim and an Israeli-American Jew, host an open conversation about their traditions. ALL are welcome. This month is “An Attitude of Gratitude” where they will explore gratitude in Islam and Judaism. Special guest, Hannah Lipman, Bethel’s new Poet Laureate will be on hand. Learn more at info@MyBrotherFromAnotherMother.org.

Looking for Veterans

The America 250 Bethel 250 Committee and the Bethel Patriotic Association are seeking veterans who would like to participate in a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Bethel Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11th at 11 am on the steps of Town Hall. If interested, call the Bethel Patriotic Association Chairman, Bill Hagan, at 203-313-5213.

Chaos to Clarity

Are you an owner or founder of a small- to mid-sized business, a manager or key team member with a stake in growth and direction of a business, or an entrepreneur considering how to adapt or scale in a shifting market? Join fellow Fairfield County leaders for an interactive event, “From Chaos to Clarity: When the Road Changes So Must You.” Sponsored by the Town of Bethel Economic Development office, this event is designed to help you navigate through the chaos and find clarity in these challenging times. November 12th from 4 pm to 7 pm at Greenwood Features. Learn more HERE.

St Mary School Pie Sale

St Mary School has begun their annual holiday pie sale! Orders will be accepted until 7pm on Friday, November 14. The American Pie Company in Sherman, CT provides 10-inch scratch-made pies that are bursting with farm-fresh fruit, rich flavor, and old-fashioned goodness. They also come with freezing instructions. Pie pickup is Saturday, November 22 at St Mary School between 11am and 1pm. Order at https://smhsabct.ejoinme.org/PieSale

A Night Under the Stars

The Bethel High School On Stage Players are performing “A Night Under the Stars,” a play about people connecting with nature, each other, and the human spirit, all while camping! Shows are on November 7th and 8th at 7pm at BHS. Ticket’s available HERE.

Shoutouts

A shoutout to the Bethel All Sports Boosters who highlighted a great video on sportsmanship that was filmed at BHS and produced by BeTV at BHS. It’s a great message and worth the watch HERE.

Thank you to Union Savings Bank for sponsoring the Town Hall Trick or Treat! Thank you for all you do for the town!

A shoutout to the Bethel Business Spotlight for putting the spotlight on the businesses that shape the Bethel, CT community! Check out the latest spotlights at https://www.facebook.com/people/Bethel-Business-Spotlights/61581045707197/

Congrats to the boys XC team for finishing 9th out of 26 teams at states! Congrats to Calum Binder who qualified for the state opens!

A huge congrats to Lady Wildcats soccer who are advancing to the second round of states after a win against Ledyard today! And congrats to Azziza Macchiarulo on an impressive game winning goal!

Have a great weekend!

Dan