Town of Fairfield News
8/20/2020 - 8.20 TOWN UPDATE
Dear Fairfielders,
First, I want to thank our community for your understanding as I have been out of the office this week due to a family medical emergency. My son is in the ICU in a hospital with a recently diagnosed heart condition and I need to be with him and my family.
I'm overwhelmed by the kind thoughts and prayers from residents, town employees, and friends. While I may not be physically present in Town Hall, I wanted to provide you with an update for this week with some information that may be helpful to you. I have wonderful staff that are working to respond to all inquiries coming into the office while I’m with my son. I thank you again for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
STORM RESPONSE UPDATE:
In our collective and continuing frustration with the public utilities and internet companies, there are a few upcoming events I want to bring to residents' attention. I still receive emails daily from residents who are without internet and we continue to put pressure on the representatives from Altice (Optimum).
PURA PUBLIC HEARING:
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is hosting a public hearing on the storm response from UI and Eversource, as well as the pending rate increases.
You can voice your concerns and experiences with UI's storm response by emailing comments to: pura.information@ct.gov.
Click on the email above or be sure to include "Docket Number 20-08-03" in the subject line of the email.
PURA is statutorily charged with regulating the rates and services of Connecticut's investor owned electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunication companies and is the franchising authority for the state’s cable television companies. If you would like to file a complaint with PURA, you can do so here.
FAIRFIELD UTILITY & INTERNET RELIABILITY & RATES INFORMATIONAL FORUM:
State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) along with State Reps. Brian Farnen (R-132), Laura Devlin (R-134), and Cristin McCarthy Vahey (D-133) will be co-hosting an Informational Public Utilities & Internet Reliability Town Hall via Zoom with special guest Attorney Lee Hoffman, Chair of the Connecticut Business Industry and Association (CBIA) Energy Group and Partner at Pullman and Comley. I am not sure I will be able to join them for this webinar but hope our residents tune in to learn more about our utilities.
Attorney Hoffman has a storied legal history going before the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the Connecticut Siting Council for different state proceedings.
The Virtual Town Hall will be on Friday, August 21st starting at 12:00 pm on Zoom. (link below)
With many Fairfield families working from home and the continued fall school distance learning due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, the Fairfield legislators have major concerns about the public utility and internet reliability for constituents especially after the mass electrical and internet outages due to Tropical Storm Isaias.
The legislators will review:
•Fairfield's current service providers
•Why does CT have highest energy costs in US?
•Telephone pole ownership
•How do higher rates get approved?
Please email any questions ahead of time to FairfieldZoom@housegop.ct.gov for legislators to answer.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98398958915
Meeting ID: 983 9895 8915
The call-in number: 1-646-558-8656
COVID-19 UPDATE:
The Town of Fairfield has 731 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and a total of 145 of our residents have sadly lost their lives. Of the 731 residents who have tested positive in Fairfield, 343 have reported that they have fully recovered and 202 are assumed recovered.
Charts and data on Fairfield cases including age, gender, nursing home statistics, testing samples, and different trend lines can be found at fairfieldct.org/covid19data.
Traveling? Please take the time to check the CT Travel Advisory page to know what states are on the list as most impacted. If you travel to these states, you are required to quarantine for 14-days upon return to protect the members of our community.
Contact Tracing
One of the key tools we have to contain the spread of COVID-19 is Contact Tracing. For this initiative to be successful, the Health Department needs the cooperation of residents who test positive for COVID-19. The primary purpose of contact tracing is to identify and notify direct contacts of confirmed cases as quickly as possible and to ensure those exposed are self-quarantining. The information provided in the interviews with confirmed cases helps reduce the potential spread of the virus in our community.
There have been delays in reporting positive tests to the local health departments. Any Fairfield resident who tests positive for COVID-19 and has not received a phone call from the Fairfield Health Department or the Connecticut COVID Tracing system within 24 hours of receiving their result is urged to contact the Fairfield Health Department at 203-256-3022. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 please call your medical provider or the Fairfield Health Department for more information on testing locations and isolation guidelines. The Fairfield Health Department thanks all Fairfield residents for doing their part in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
At the beginning of the pandemic, our Health Department published a website to share Fairfield COVID-19 data with residents at www.fairfieldct.org/covid19data. Watch their recent video explaining the data here.
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VOTING:
My office, as well as the Town Clerk's office, has received many phone calls and emails over the last few days concerning voting in the November 3, 2020 election.
Polls will be open from 6 AM to 8 PM on Election Day sanitized with social distancing measures in place. If you do not wish to go to your polling place you may vote by absentee ballot.
The Secretary of the State (SOTS) will be sending applications for absentee ballots to all registered voters in the next few weeks. Completed applications should be mailed to Town Clerk 611 Old Post Road Fairfield CT 06824 or they may be dropped off in the Lobby Dropbox located in Old Town Hall marked Town Clerk. Learn more about voting via absentee ballot here.
If you have already filed an Application for an Absentee Ballot, you do not need to complete the application sent to you by SOTS. This especially applies to college students who have already submitted their completed applications with their school address to which the ballot will be mailed. Absentee ballots will become available 31 days prior to the election. |
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As always, I encourage residents to browse below for more information and resources.
Sincerely,
Brenda L. Kupchick
Fairfield First Selectwoman |
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 MILL RIVER:
There will be a study taking place at Superior Plating (across from the old Exide site on the Mill River) next week on Wednesday 8/26. This is notification that a non-toxic tracer dye will be injected into the bedrock and may appear in the river. Residents should not be alarmed by this test. |
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ALTICE (OPTIMUM):
Report Service Issues:
If you are experiencing a service issue, we have created four channels for you to advise us of your issue. Contacting Optimum via any of these channels will result in a trouble ticket being created that will direct a repair team to assess and address the issue:
• Visit optimum.net/support/outage
• Message Optimum at optimum.net/chat
• Send Tweet to @Optimumhelp
• Call (866) 950-3278
Request A Credit:
Customers may submit a request for a credit by completing the information at optimum.net/support/request-a-credit |
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FAIRFIELD BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE: 
The Town of Fairfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee has been working to encourage walking and biking for transportation, recreation, exercise and quality of life.
Working with multiple town departments we have established bicycle routes, installed bicycle repair stations, worked to improve pedestrian infrastructure, and authored the Town of Fairfield Complete Streets Policy (approved by the Board of Selectman in 2018).
With more and more of our citizens using our roads, we would like to provide you with some important safety reminders for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. View the document here.
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TAX FREE WEEK
Back to School means tax free savings with Connecticut’s Tax Free Week beginning Sunday, August 16 and running through Saturday August 22, 2020. During this one-week sales tax holiday, retail purchases of most clothing and footwear items priced under $100 are exempt from the sales and use tax. According to the CT Department of Revenue Services, the exemption applies to each eligible item under $100, regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer on the same invoice. |
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??FAIRFIELD POLICE: DISTRACTED DRIVING
Over the past decade, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of vehicle crashes on our nation’s roads. The Fairfield Police are encouraging drivers to put down the phone and remember: U Drive. U Text. U Pay.
In support of August's National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Fairfield Police will partner with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from August 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020, for the national U Drive. U Text. U Pay. high-visibility enforcement effort. The goal of the campaign is to step up enforcement efforts to catch distracted, texting drivers and enforce distracted-driving laws. |
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HEAT KILLS: If You Love 'Em, Don't Leave 'Em
It takes just a few minutes for the temperature inside a vehicle to skyrocket, sometimes causing entirely preventable tragedies. I worked hard to launch this program in 2015 with the Fairfield Police Department, which has been replicated throughout the state, in an effort to remind residents of the dangers of leaving their kids or pets in a car during warm weather. I thank all the stores who have posted these signs in their parking lots. |
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TOWN GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Sullivan Independence Hall and Old Town Hall are open to the public by appointment only for the safety of employees and residents. Please visit this summary page for an overview and follow links to specific departments for more information. |
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EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM
The Town of Fairfield will no longer be utilizing the current alert system known as CodeRed to issue emergency and community alerts to residents and business owners. We are switching to a new system.
In order to continue receiving Emergency and Community alerts from the Town of Fairfield, you must sign up again. Visit www.fairfieldct.org/alerts |
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Help is available to Fairfield small businesses that are struggling due to the pandemic. The Fairfield COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Program was established to provide limited, one time direct financial assistance to eligible Fairfield small businesses that have no more than five full-time employees and that have been adversely affected by the public health emergency. Applications are still being accepted by the Office of Community & Economic Development. To learn more or to apply, please visit the website: www.fairfieldct.org/covidsbr
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While the State has paused plans for its Phase III re-opening, it has issued new industry-specific rules and expanded guidance for various businesses. These include changes to retail, personal services, hair salons & barbershops and indoor recreation that clarify that:
- non-essential businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone not wearing a mask
- updated guidance in the event that an employee tests positive for COVID-19
- additional guidance for use of restroom facilities and ensuring compliance with capacity limitations and proper hygiene.
For restaurants, servers are no longer required to wear gloves and indoor musical performances are now permitted. |
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The Fairfield COVID-19 Relief Fund was established to provide limited, one-time assistance to Fairfield residents who have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Use of the funds must be directly related to the effects of the virus. Donate to the fund or apply for relief by clicking below.
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FARMER'S MARKETS:
The downtown farmers market is held Sundays on Sherman Green, from 10AM-2PM throughout the summer months and into the fall season. In keeping with CDC and State of CT guidelines, face masks and social distancing protocols are required. For more information and a list of vendors, please visit www.fairfieldfarmersmarket.org. For those unable to make Sundays, the Greenfield Hill Farmers Market, located at 65 Hillside Road, is another great local option which is open on Saturdays from 10AM to 2PM, through the fall. |
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STEP OUT FOR THE BRAVE 40,000 STEP VIRTUAL CHALLENGE 
Between Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 16th, join the Step Out for the Brave 40,000 Step Virtual Challenge to take 40,000 steps for each of the 40,000 homeless Veterans across the United States. Complete the challenge individually or as a group. Step Out in one day or nine. Each step you take is a step towards helping a homeless Veteran. Register and more information here. |
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UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
If you become unemployed due to coronavirus (COVID-19), you should file for unemployment benefits. Click here for more information. For frequently asked questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) for workers and employers click here. |
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ASSISTANCE FOR RENTERS, HOMEOWNERS & RESIDENTIAL LANDLORDS
Governor Lamont announced a comprehensive plan to put more than $33 million in state and federal resources to work providing emergency assistance to renters, homeowners, and residential landlords impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Rental assistance information can be found here. Further information is below:
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SOCIAL SERVICES
Social Services continues to assist by telephone town residents who are experiencing difficulty providing the basic needs for themselves and their families, especially during these unprecedented times. Please call with any questions or concerns: 203-256-3170 or visit at fairfieldct.org/humanservices. |
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BIGELOW CENTER
Transportation services are running on a limited basis for medical appointments and grocery shopping. Reservations for rides are first-come, first-served for shopping and medical appointments and must be made no less than one week in advance. Please call the senior center for more information: 203-256-3166.
The buses may only transport four riders per trip. For those who do not live in Senior and Disabled Housing, Fairfield Senior Transportation will provide rides Tuesdays or Thursdays each week. Masks must be worn to board the buses. Rides are now available to medical appointments for Fairfield’s seniors and people with disabilities on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of 9:30 – 3:00 PM.
If you or anyone you know are homebound and unable to shop, the Mobile Food Pantry is available every other week and lunches are available for those who are homebound. Please call Social Services for more information: 203-256-3170. |
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COVID-19 TESTING
CVS has expanded their drive-thru testing to include 12 new sites in CT. These new sites will utilize self-swab tests and will be available to individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to age guidelines. Learn more here.
At this time, testing priority is given to those who are high risk. For more information on testing sites and protocols click here or visit www.fairfieldct.org/covid19. |
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OPERATION HOPE FOOD PANTRY
Operation Hope wants to make sure residents of Fairfield are aware that the food pantry remains open and is ready to help by providing food and other basic needs to community residents, as they have for nearly 35 years. The pantry is currently operating as a drive-up service at 636 Old Post Road offering prepacked bags of groceries appropriate for various-sized households.
Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10:00-12:00; Thursday from 4:00 -6:00. Visit operationhopect.org. |
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FAIRFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
 The Fairfield Public Main Library will be reopening for quick browsing and checkout on weekday afternoons 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Learn more about Library Express.
Please visit fairfieldpubliclibrary.org for full details regarding curb side pick up. Fairfield Public Library continues to offer 24/7 access to their digital collection of books, music, magazines and movies plus a wide and varied assortment of virtual programs. Learn more here: fplct.librarymarket.com/.
Need a library card? Follow this link fairfieldpubliclibrary.org/my-fpl/library-cards/ and get started today!
Sign up for the library newsletter here. |
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PEQUOT LIBRARY: WE'RE HERE, WE CARE 
Pequot Library's doors may be temporarily closed, but our librarians and staff are still here for you! Enjoy digital programs like story times, author talks, book clubs, and more! Get details on our website and social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Sign up for Pequot Library's Digital Digest eNewsletter or contact our Chief Librarian for personalized book recommendations.
On Monday, June 22, Pequot will be curbside pickup. Please contact us for more information. |
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Important COVID-19 Links:
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Contact Information:
For general questions you can call 211
Hartford HealthCare’s COVID-19 Clinical Command Center hotline, staffed by healthcare professionals, is now available to the community. To reach the 24-hour hotline, call 860.972.8100 or (toll-free) 833.621.0600.
YNHH has a call center number it’s 1-833-ASK YNHH that’s open from 7am - 7pm.
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