Sept. 19 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Sept. 19, 2025

Dear Bethel,

Spotted Lanternflies

Spotted Lanternflies: Please snap a photo and report sightings of this invasive pest HERE. Kill any spotted lanternflies you find immediately. Please check your vehicles for stowaways! Inspect your vehicles, trailers, and other items for SLF adults and egg masses when travelling through areas with known or suspected SLF populations. These insects are known to hitch a ride on vehicles and even clothing. Learn more online here.

Food Scrap Program

Hey Food Scrap program participants! Our new scale for the food scrap program will be up and running on Saturday, October 4th. This means the cost of the program will change from $1.00 per drop to 10 cents per pound. If you recall, Bethel secured a $42,000 grant in 2023 to create the program, which also paid for the new scale. Best of all, the program has saved residents thousands by diverting heavy food scraps out of the waste stream to compost facilities. Stay tuned for news about an expansion to the program soon!

EV Chargers

The Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance approved a project in the spring to replace the EV charging stations in the lot next to Varano Bakery and at the train station, and place new chargers at Town Hall, Bethel High School, and the library. The project is primarily funded through energy rebates and chargers provided by QiOn, who has their R&D operation in Bethel. Unfortunately, we are still waiting on Eversource to make final approvals. Meanwhile, the chargers next to Varano were damaged and are out of service. Repairs would be extremely expensive, so we are asking for your patience until the new units are installed.

Office Hours

The next Office Hours is Tuesday, September 23rd from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. Feel free to stop by with concerns or questions. Of course, you can always make an appointment at firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov or by calling 203-794-8540.

P&Z Public Hearing

The Planning and Zoning is holding a public hearing for 21 Trowbridge Dr. (Site Plan) Tuesday, September 23rd at 7 pm in Town Hall Meeting Room D. Learn more online here.

Bark In the Park

Happily Furever After Rescue will hold its fourth annual "Bark in the Park: In Memory of Tyler" tomorrow, September 20th from 11 am to 4 pm at Bennett Memorial Park, 14 Shelter Rock Road in Bethel. This a FREE family and pet-friendly event. Learn more about the event and how funds help animals here.

Last Call for Summer Yoga

This Sunday, September 21st, at 11 AM on the Town Hall Lawn is the final “Summer Yoga Among The Sculptures” yoga class of the season! They will also celebrate the Autumnal Equinox with drumming
and close with a soothing shavasana sound bath.

Teen Center Pizza & Ice Cream

Attention middle schoolers in grades 6-8: Get a taste of fun at the Teen Center Pizza Party & Ice Cream Social on Friday, September 26th from 6 pm to 8 pm. Meet the staff, take a tour, and learn about programs and upcoming events. Bring your family along with you. For questions, email Teencenter@bethel-ct.gov or call 203-948-6966

Table Talks

Table Talks continues with “Forgiveness in Our Traditions.” Join Mohammed Shilleh and Yehezkel Landau – a Palestinian-American Muslim and an Israeli-American Jew – invite you for an honest and informative discussion about their faith traditions. Bring your curiosity and questions, and let’s talk. ALL are welcome. Tuesday, September 30th from 11 am to 12:30 pm at Daily Fare in the Bethel Train Station.

Shoutouts

A shoutout to Bethel's Main Street Accelerator Group. Over the last six months, this dedicated business volunteer group has worked to create a project that cultivates the growth, resilience, and prosperity of Downtown Bethel. The Connecticut Main Street Center presented the group with a grant this week to support the next phase of this exciting initiative! Congrats!

A huge shoutout to Sam Salvestrini of BSA Troop 54 on completion of his Eagle Scout project! Sam worked with the Bethel Land Trust, Bethel Parks & Recreation Department, and the Highway Department, to design and construct a bridge linking Meckauer Park and Bennett Park. This is a game changer for pedestrians and our Parks and Rec department. Thanks Sam! Follow the Bethel Land Trust on Facebook or check out https://www.bethellandtrust.org.

Congratulations Chief T. William McAllister of the Bethel Volunteer Fire Department for his recognition by the Connecticut State Firefighters Association as Firefighter of the Year! We are lucky to have you protecting Bethel!

Congratulations to out three new police officers, Carl Eckner, Lyle Petrellese and Ella Delano who took their oaths and left for the police academy today. Our officers will live and train at the academy from 8 a.m. on Monday to 6 p.m. Friday for 28 weeks. They must successfully pass tests each week from 12 different academic areas, as well as of a series of different practical skill areas. When they get home, they will have 400 additional hours of field and departmental training. Good Luck!

Boys soccer won over New Milford this week and Lady Wildcats soccer had victories over Weston and New Milford. Boys & Girls Cross Country were both 2-0 over Bunnell & Stratford. The Wildcats Golf team also beat New Milford. Nice work!

Congratulations to Athletes of The Week: Macy Johnson, a leader on the field hockey team who gives max effort in every game and practice, and Jai Cholak, a freshmen on the golf team, was the low score against Joel Barlow this week. Great job!

Town Clerk's office will be closed to the public this Monday September 22nd, due to the implementation of a new software program for storing land records.

Have a great weekend!

Dan

P.S. - America 250 Bethel is all about celebrating your stories! As we prepare for our town’s year-long commemoration of our nation’s 250th birthday, we’re looking for ideas, memories, and local history that reflect Bethel’s spirit. Visit www.bethel-ct.gov/America250 to learn more and share how you’d like to Celebrate History, Honor Community, and Inspire the Future with us. Reach out anytime - America250@bethel-ct.gov or check out our social media at https://www.facebook.com/bethelct250.