Sept. 27 Update From Bethel First Selectman Carter

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

Sept. 27, 2024

Dear Bethel,

Residents and business owners who sustained losses from the August 18 flooding can apply for FEMA assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA app. The SBA has opened Business Recovery Centers at the Monroe Police Department and the Oxford Town Hall to assist business owners and a similar in-person recovery center to help homeowners is expected soon. Click on the banner at the top of the town website for more info: www.bethel-ct.gov.

With two months left in the hurricane season and La Niña conditions predicted in the next month, we could still have a stormy end to the season. The primary way the Town of Bethel informs residents during an emergency is through our Everbridge Emergency Alerts. Please visit www.bethel-ct.gov/subscribe.

If you or a loved one requires life support equipment at home, consider contacting Eversource through their Medical Web Portal and Protection. If Eversource is notified that life support equipment is operating at a service address, they will notify town authorities of the service address only. It can be a big help during restoration after a large outage.

The Town of Bethel is hiring! Currently we are filling four positions: Associate Director of Environmental Health Services, a Building Maintainer, a Truck Driver/Street Maintenance, and a Utilities Maintainer. Learn more at www.bethel-ct.gov/employment. The Town of Bethel is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Attention Bethel Aquarion Customers: During the August 18th storm, a stone culvert owned by the Housatonic Railroad Company failed causing flooding in the Newtown wellfield that serves Bethel. The temporary connection supplying Bethel can only meet the average day demands. Beginning today, Aquarion instituted a ban on irrigation and suspension of new service connections in the area. Hopefully, the wellfield will be back in service late 2024 or early 2025. We will work closely with Aquarion to help reestablish the water supply before warmer weather arrives next year.

We are still looking for advertising sponsors to help us upgrade the scoreboards at Hunt Field, Kisling Field, and DeSantis Field. Local sports associations have raised enough to get half way, but we still need help! Email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov.

There is a Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, October 1st at 6:30 pm to consider 5 proposals. First, to waive property tax due when the amount is less than $5, since it costs the town more than the tax due to collect. We are accepting Economic Development, Department of Public Utilities, and Information Technology as distinct departments within the town. Finally, we will be voting to renew the lease for the YMCA at the Grassy Plain location.

Our next Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day for Bethel residents is October 5th at New Milford John Pettibone School. 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.

WorkspaceCT is trying something new – new entertainment nights for adults! They will be hosting their first comedy night on Saturday, October 5th with CT comedian Kareem Blue (21 and over only). If that’s not your thing, try one of their other adult events – cooking, sewing, and a local band night to benefit the Danbury Animal Welfare Society (DAWS). Info here: https://www.workspacect.org/adult-programs-events

The Town of Bethel will begin curbside pickup of leaf bags Monday, October 15th. Residents can also bring bagged leaves to the transfer station at no cost from October 15th to December 6th. Please bring an ID to confirm your Bethel residency when you drop off your leaves. All leaves must be neatly bagged in paper bags. Please read the instructions and schedule for the “Leaf Pickup Fall 2024” at https://bethel-ct.gov/news

Don’t miss the Bethel Women’s Club “Big Night” fundraiser on Tuesday, October 15th from 6 pm to 10 pm at La Zingara Restaurant! The Bethel Women’s Club is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and they support many local causes, including The Center for Empowerment, veteran housing, local food pantries, Bethel Social Services and local students with scholarships. For $55 you get an amazing buffet dinner from 6 to 8pm, live music, and prizes, all while helping our community! For reservations/tickets call Susan at 203-792-1233.

A reminder to sign up for the Veterans Day 5k race sponsored by Folds of Honor on Sunday, November 10th. Folds of Honor provides life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military and first responders. Multiple sponsorship levels are also available. Learn more at www.foh.org/VeteransDay5k.

A shoutout to owners and staff of Armando’s Restaurant for 39 years in business! They opened October 1st, 1985 and have been dishing out fantastic Italian cuisine ever since! Congratulations!

A shoutout to the BHS Wildcat Football team for another win last Friday night! Good luck against EO Smith tonight. Looking forward to your next home game on Friday, October 18th!

Congrats to the Boys Soccer team for the wins over Brookfield and Stratford this week! 9 wins and 1 tie – Amazing!

The Lady Wildcats shut out Stratford this week for a 7-0 victory! Wow – 6 and 1 with 1 tie. Way to go!

Congrats to our Athletes of the week, Matt Willmont on the freshman boys soccer team and Hayden Chrzescijanek on the BHS volleyball team!

Have a great weekend!

Dan