Bergstrom Well Project
The Bergstrom well water treatment plant is on track for service to Bethel Water Department customers later this summer. The main line to our system was filled and disinfected this week and the well pump was installed. Pressure tests will be done next week, followed by cleaning and disinfecting the tanks and equipment inside the water treatment building and installation of some additional equipment. After years of planning, the $12.3 million project is almost complete.
Bethel Utilities SCADA Project
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has been working on a Water System Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) upgrade project since 2018. The bids were opened and the PUC recommended the $1.2 million project to the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance for approval at their meetings next Tuesday, May 20th. If approved, Board of Selectmen will likely set a Town Meeting for May 30th in Town Hall Meeting Room A. As with the Bergstrom well, the funding will come from grants and ratepayers, but the project will require a machine referendum with all residents in June. Stay tuned for more info.
Tax Sale
From the Tax Collector: The Town of Bethel will hold a tax sale of delinquent properties on Thursday, July 17th at 10 am in Town Hall meeting room A. Inquiries regarding procedures or payoff can be directed to Attorney Adam J. Cohen with Pullman and Comley, LLC at 203-330-2230 or ajc@pullcom.com. Information on properties for sale are posted in the Town Hall lobby.
House Fire
Our volunteer fire departments did an outstanding job responding and saving a home this week, as well as neighboring homes. We also owe thanks to crews from Danbury and Brookfield who responded as mutual aid. There was significant damage to the structure and will take some time to repair. If you would like to help out the family, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/um2nzd-support-a-familys-recovery-from-house-fire?lang=en_US.
Youth Commission Alternate
We are looking for a Republican to serve as an alternate for the Youth Commission. The Youth Commission is charged with implementing a youth program and studying the needs of our young persons with regard to employment, health, recreation and welfare They also analyze public and private services available to Bethel youth and encourage development and coordination of public and nonprofit agencies and organizations that serve the youth of Bethel. Call 203-794-8540 or email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov.
Wildcat for a Day
Win a chance to be a “Wildcat for A Day” and hang out with the BHS Girls tennis team for an afternoon. No tennis skills required and you get a group photo with the team! Click here for more info and raffle tickets!
BPL Shredding Fundraiser
The Friends of the Bethel Library are having a Shredding Day fundraiser for the library tomorrow, May 17th from 9 am to 12 pm in the library parking lot. Look for the Lawlor Graphics shredding truck where you can just drive through with your bags or boxes of paper. For just $1.00 /lb. you can safely dispose of confidential papers and help the library! (cash, check and charge accepted).
St, Thomas' Church is hosting their final chicken and eggplant parm dinner before their summer break tomorrow, May 17th at 5 pm! Dinner includes chicken and eggplant parm, pasta, salad, bread and dessert. Eat in or take-out. Reservations preferred, so please fill out their form tonight at https://www.stthomasbethel.org/Dinner.
Pickleball!
The Bethel Pickleball community invites you to a Grand Reopening celebration on Sunday, May 18th from 10 am to 1 pm. Drop by and check out the new courts behind BHS, hear about pickleball plans for the spring and summer, and play a pickleball game, or three! Thanks again to the BOS and BOF for supporting the improvements!
Memorial Day Parade
The Bethel Memorial Day parade steps off at 2 pm this Sunday, May 18th in front of Whitlock’s Restaurant, travels east on Greenwood Ave., turns on to PT Barnum Sq. and ends on School St. with a ceremony in front of Town Hall.
Bethel Arts in View
Check out the latest in the Bethel Arts in View series with the opening reception for the Nina McKitty - Flower Portraits Exhibit at La Zingara this Sunday, May 18, from 5 pm to 7 pm. The exhibit remains open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 pm to 8 pm and ends on July 13. Learn more at http://www.bethelartsct.org/events/.
Family Summer Kickoff
Mark your calendars for the Family Summer Kickoff at the Bethel High School and celebrate the start of summer! Have fun and raise money for Bethel Schools on Friday, May 30th from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Bethel High School. You can also support All Sports Boosters at the event. Visit www.betheledfoundation.org for info and tickets. After May 29th, pay at the door.
Shoutouts
- A huge shoutout to Bethel Police Benevolent Association working supporting The Bethel Fish and Game Fishing Derby! It's great to see how the PBA supports our community!
- Congrats Sriyan Desiraju on his wins at the Connecticut Invention Convention State finals! He took the CASE Award for outstanding innovators in 7th & 8th grade, CT Science Center Award for young students whose inventions represent outstanding combinations of ingenuity and creativity, and the Amazon Innovation Award recognizing an exceptional inventor who exemplifies the core characteristics of ingenuity and entrepreneurship in the field of consumer goods and technologies.
- A huge shoutout to the Bethel Patriotic Association and the Bethel Garden Club for honoring those who gave all for us. Together they provide and plant the red geraniums around town, in our cemeteries, and at our memorials. The organizations also work together to provide wreaths on memorials and veterans monuments for this and every Memorial Day. Stop by the Bethel Garden Club Plant Sale tomorrow, May 17th from 9:00am to 1:00pm in the rear lot of Bethel Methodist Church.
- Congrats to Ryan Kovacik and Lia Kantor, BHS Athletes of the Week! Ryan had a great win in the 800 meter this week and Liz set a school record in triple jump. Boys end the season at 13-0 and girls 12-1. Great job!