Memorial Day Parade
A huge thanks to all the organizations who participated in Bethel’s Memorial Day parade and ceremonies last Sunday. It’s been a long-standing tradition to hold our events the weekend prior to Memorial Day to give our residents an opportunity to participate. You did not disappoint! A special shoutout to the American Legion and Bethel Patriotic Association for all their hard work!
Website and Community Calendar
We are making progress on the website changes. I am so grateful for the ideas we have received and your patience. And yes, there will be a community calendar!
Road Closure
Codfish Hill Road closure update from the Highway Department: Lots of work was completed this week. The sub base materials are installed and graded in preparation for paving. Rip rap rock is installed at the inlet and outlet areas. We expect to install the asphalt binder and surface course mid-next week. The curbing, guardrail and final cleanup will be following the paving. Stay tuned.
Income & Expense Report
Those with commercial property in town, please remember your annual Income & Expense Report for Commercial and Industrial property is due into the Assessor's Office by June 1, 2023. A postmark of June 1st will be considered a late filing. Please read the front page of the report to verify all documentation is provided.
Office Hours
I will be hosting office hours in my office on Wednesday, May 31st from 7am to 8am. My office is just inside the font door to Town Hall on the right. Feel free to stop by. The next one will be on Thursday, June 15th from 6pm to 7pm. If the times have not worked out for you to connect with me in person, let me know and we will work something out.
Wear Orange on June 2
Many folks across the state and country will be participating in Wear Orange activities on June 2nd to observe the ninth annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day Wear Orange activities to call attention to the crisis of gun violence and signal our commitment to reducing gun violence in all its forms. I issued a proclamation that June 2, 2023 is Gun Violence Awareness Day in Bethel. While the remedies to reducing gun violence are sometimes controversial, our commitment to reducing gun violence should never be.
Food Truck Friday
The first Food Truck Friday of the summer is on Friday, June 2nd from 5pm to 8pm in front of Town Hall. Friday’s band will be “Grooved Pavement” and The Coop, Artisan Food Trailer, Fork In The Road, Notch 8, Brazilian BBQ Boys, and The Scotty Fund will be bringing the culinary experiences! There are many downtown restaurants with to-go options as well. Be kind to downtown businesses and park behind the Town Hall.
Haz Waste Day at BHS
The Town of Bethel and HRRA are hosting a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event at Bethel High School on Saturday, June 3rd from 9am to 1pm. Please visit https://hrra.org/household-hazardous-waste/ for information about what can and cannot be dropped off. This is a great opportunity to clear out old paint, stains, and cleaners!
June is Pride month and Bethel CT pride is kicking off the celebration with a flag raising at Town Hall on Thursday, June 1st at 4pm. The next big event is the annual Sidewalk Parade and Celebration on Saturday, June 3rd. The parade check-in begins at 12pm and the parade line-up starts at 12:30 across from the Bethel Train Station. The parade starts at 1 pm and ends at Town Hall where there will be a celebration until 5pm The event will include some great vendors and will be rain or shine. Come out and support inclusivity in Bethel, the LGBTQIA+ community, and allies. Find more info at https://bethelctpride.com/event-info/
Legislative update
Illegal tire dumping has been an issue in towns across Connecticut, including Bethel. A huge thanks and shout out to both our State Representatives, Rep Allie-Brennan and Rep Foncello for supporting the passage of HB 6486 in the State House. The bill creates a safeguards to ensure tires are disposed of properly. THANK YOU!
Red-light Cameras
I have had a few questions regarding speed and red-light cameras in Bethel. HB 5917 did pass the State House this week and is off to the State Senate. It will allow municipalities to create an ordinance that allows for use of cameras to enforce traffic laws. If it passes the State Senate, we will have a better idea of what is to come. Everything I have seen so far indicates it would be our choice to adopt an ordinance. That means public input before anything happens. Stay tuned for more info.
Fair Share Housing
The “Fair Share” housing mandates will likely show up in a bill this week. Bethel has a history of doing good things to create more affordable housing. As good as we are, the mandates coming will further override local zoning and will likely expose our town to many costly lawsuits.
There are few bills likely to come up that will lower the interest rate for delinquent tax payers from 18% to 12%. (SB 1142 and HB 6751) and It could make collecting taxes from delinquent payers more difficult, but it is a win for those who are behind. You may want to reach out to your reps and senators if you want to learn more.
Town Hall will be closed on Monday, May 29th in observance of Memorial Day.
As we gather this weekend with friends and family, or just go about our normal lives this weekend, I hope each of you have a moment to reflect and truly feel a sense of gratitude for those who have given everything for what we enjoy today. I wish you are all a safe, happy, and healthy Memorial Day!
Have a great weekend!
Dan