Office Hours
December marks a time when town officials, department heads, and our legislative representatives are thinking about next year’s priorities.
Office hours are held in the First Selectman Office in Town Hall every two weeks and alternate between mornings and afternoons. With the legislative session in Hartford on the horizon, this month’s office hours will be Wednesday, December from 5 pm to 6 pm, Monday, December 11th from 5 pm to 6 pm, and Tuesday, December 12th from 7 am to 8 am and Thursday, December 21 from 5 to 7 pm. Otherwise, please make an appointment or send us an email about what is on your mind. We will be meeting with our legislators in a few weeks to discuss issues that affect our town that we would like them to focus on in Hartford next year.
Western Connecticut Council of Governments
The Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestGOG) legislative committee met this week to discuss our legislative priorities Hartford next year. Areas that have a big effect on Bethel that are WestCOG priorities include electrification of the Danbury rail line, giving towns more flexibility in where they create affordable housing, and helping towns access grant funds.
Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities also held their annual convention and annual meeting this week. Three of the legislative priorities that I highlighted on behalf of Bethel were increased funding needed for special education, the need for increased capacity at Connecticut trash to energy facilities, and helping towns with Police, Firefighter, and EMT recruitment.
Tax Collector
From the Tax Collector, utility bills are going out. Bethel Utility customers have until January 2, 2024 to pay without penalty.
St. Mary School Christmas Craft Fair
St. Mary School hosts their Annual Christmas Craft Fair tomorrow, December 2nd from 9 am to 3 pm at 24 Dodgingtown Rd. Santa will be there too!
Bethel Santa Con
Look out for the Santas downtown on Sunday, December 3rd. Bethel Santa Con participants will be out and about at Bethel Restaurants and raising money for Brotherhood in Action. Put on your favorite holiday garb and join the fun! Check out their Facebook event page for times: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/downtown-bethel-santa-con/915344363344645/
Children’s Victorian Christmas Tea
December 4th is the last day to register for the Children’s Victorian Christmas Tea hosted by the Bethel Historical society on Saturday, December 9th. Visit www.bethelhistoricalsociety.com.
Please come out and support our newly elected officials who will take their oaths of office on Monday, December 4th at the Bethel Middle School at 7:00 pm. It is a nice ceremony and a great opportunity to support the folks who volunteer their time to serve in Town Government.
Special Town Meeting
There are a series of important meetings next Tuesday evening, December 5th at the Town Hall in Meeting Room A. At 6:30 pm we will begin with a special town meeting to vote on the sale of 20 Trowbridge Drive in Francis J Clark Park. At 6:40 pm we will have a public hearing regarding changes to the Transfer Station fee schedule to charge $0.25 per pound for furniture items, charge a fee between $25.00 and $35.00 for the disposal of couches, and set the food scrap drop-off fee at $1.00. At 6:50 pm there is a hearing regarding a proposed water rate increase for Bethel Water Department customers of 8.5% per year for FY 25 thru FY 29.
If you are coming to the meetings on Dec 5th, please consider bringing a donation of diapers or baby wipes for pregnant homeless mothers in Fairfield County. This is a fantastic way to help those in need. The diaper drop-off boxes are in Town Hall until December 20th.
Trumpeter Jordan Hirsch
Trumpeter Jordan Hirsch will be performing on Thursday, December 7th at 6 pm for the menorah lighting on PT Barnum Square. While Hirsch is an accomplished jazz musician, he is well known in NYC for his Jewish folk music known as "Klezmer." Hirsch will be performing with Bethel resident James Kessler on accordion.
“Seussical Jr. the Musical”
ERA Productions and Bethel Parks and Recreation presents “Seussical Jr. the Musical” on Friday, December 8th at 7 pm and Saturday December 9th at 2 pm and 7 pm at Bethel High School. Visit https://ticketpeak.co/bethelparkandrec for tickets or call 203-794-8531
Bethel Police Annual Toy Drive
Stop by the Bethel Police Annual Toy Drive at The Toy Room downtown on Saturday December 9th between 9 am and 3 pm. Donations will go to The Center for Empowerment and Education and Bethel Social Services. Thanks to the Bethel PD, The Toy Room, and Byrd’s Books for supporting Bethel residents!
Congratulations Eagle Scouts!
A shoutout to Konotey Sackey and Griffen Evans for earning the BSA rank of Eagle Scout! Great job!
Have a great weekend!