Town of Fairfield News
11/20/2020 - 11.20 TOWN UPDATE
Good Afternoon Fairfielders,
You may have heard the news yesterday that additional arrest warrants were executed in conjunction with the fill pile contamination issue, and two of those warrants were for one current employee, who I have placed on administrative leave, and one former employee, who I terminated in January. I am extremely disheartened in light of these new developments but I pledge to you that I will continue to do everything within my power to renew the public's faith and trust in our town government.
My administration inherited many challenges that sadly included public corruption which resulted in environmental contamination throughout our town. This is why I have been focused since I was sworn in last November to move our town forward with reorganization of our town government to prevent mismanagement and create a culture of accountability. I sincerely appreciate the Fairfield Police Department and the States Attorney’s Office for their investigative work. I will continue to cooperate with law enforcement until all those responsible are brought to justice. Visit the fairfieldct.org/filluseissues for more information on the fill pile. |
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COVID-19
The number of positive cases in Fairfield and across the State continues to increase. In Fairfield we are exceeding the rate of positive tests we experienced during the peak of the first wave. The map released by the state yesterday is jarring to see and shows we have a lot of work to do as a community and as a state. Fairfield County and Fairfield's case rate is 49.3 per 100,000 residents, Bridgeport is at 77.7, Westport is 33, Trumbull is 43.3 and Stratford is 41. This gives you an idea of where Fairfield falls among our neighboring towns. |
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| With an increase in positive tests, the Health Department's contact tracers have a much larger volume of calls to make to residents. Through grants, we have been able to hire more contact tracers to assist with the increased workload. However, if you have received a positive COVID-19 test result and have not heard from the Health Department, please call 203-256-3022 24/7. |
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COVID-19 Data
The Town of Fairfield currently has 1,791 cases and 149 deaths.
Charts and data on Fairfield cases, including age, gender, nursing home statistics, testing results, different trends, and university statistics, can be found at www.fairfieldct.org/covid19data. When looking at the data page, please be sure to read the notes around each chart as they offer explanations of some of the changes in the data. The Health Department updates this page daily.
The Health Department also updates the COVID-19 School Data page, which details the school-related metrics and is updated each week as the State releases the data. The Fairfield Board of Education also has a dashboard on their homepage at https://www.fairfieldschools.org.
Both Fairfield and Sacred Heart Universities have dashboards with their daily testing information, which can be found here:
Fairfield University's Dashboard
Sacred Heart University's Dashboard
I urge our residents to continue to wear masks, frequently wash your hands, and maintain a social distance from others. When you wear a mask, please be sure it is covering your mouth and nose. |
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COVID Guidance | What To Do and When
If you are well and have not been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID and not experiencing any symptoms, you want to:
- Stay home as much as possible. If you become symptomatic, only leave your house to seek medical care.
- Maintain a 6 foot distance from others outside of your household.
- Wear a mask.
- Wash your hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces.
- Avoid contact with individuals who may be sick.
You should quarantine following close contact with a COVID positive individual. A close contact is defined as being within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more cumulatively within a 24-hour period while an individual is infectious regardless of mask usage and if it was indoors or outdoors. The quarantine period is 14 days from the last known exposure to the COVID positive person.
During quarantine, you should:
- Stay home for 14 days, regardless if you receive a negative COVID test. Testing out of quarantine is not an option after an exposure to a positive case.
- If you do test while in quarantine, get a PCR and not a rapid test and wait at least 5 days after your known exposure before testing.
- Monitor for symptoms of COVID such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, body aches, headaches, congestion, and loss of taste and smell. If symptoms develop, get tested at that time.
- Stay away from others in your household as much as possible especially those who may be at a high risk for developing complications due to COVID.
- You can break quarantine after 14 days if no symptoms have developed and you have not tested positive for COVID.
If you are experiencing COVID like symptoms or have tested positive for COVID, you want to isolate from others for 10 days since your symptoms first started or since your test date (if you are asymptomatic).
During isolation, you should:
- Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency or your symptoms worsen, seek medical care immediately.
- Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible.
- Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
- Avoid contact with other household members and pets.
- Don’t share personal household items like cups, towels, and utensils.
- Wear a mask if you have to be around other household members.
If you were positive for COVID, you can break isolation when:
- At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, or since you tested positive if you were asymptomatic.
- At least 24 hours without a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications
- Other COVID symptoms have improved.
As always, if you are pending a COVID test, PLEASE STAY HOME until you receive your results. |
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For a shareable document containing the above information, click on the image to the right.
Please share with family and friends who may have questions about when and how to quarantine or isolate. |
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THANKSGIVING
With the upcoming holidays, many families are making decisions on how to celebrate safely. Health professionals have strongly suggested that families limit their Thanksgiving holiday dinners to immediate family only.
Currently, the Governor has limited private gatherings to 10. The State and CDC have put out guidance on ways to celebrate safely. Click on the image to read some suggestions from the Town of Fairfield. |
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COLLEGE STUDENTS RETURNING TO FAIRIFIELD
For parents who have children returning home from college for the holidays, please take note of the guidance provided by the state provided through the links below.
Connecticut’s travel advisory requires students, or any resident that travels from a state on the advisory list, to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Connecticut. Please check the list linked below and follow the recommendations accordingly. They may test out this mandatory quarantine by obtaining a negative COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or by having a negative test after arrival. They must quarantine until the negative test result is received.
If they are traveling from an area not affected by Connecticut’s travel advisory, consider taking a COVID-19 PCR test and only travel if the result is negative. I hope parents of college students from non affected states will consider limiting contact to people in your household for 14 days once back in Connecticut, in an effort to keep our community safe.
Students should avoid contact with vulnerable family members for 14 days after arriving home and prior to any holiday gathering. The Town has been working for the last several weeks with the State to provide an additional testing site in the Town of Fairfield, but as you can imagine, demand for additional testing is high. The Health Department will continue its effort to expanding testing opportunity in Fairfield. |
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STEAP GRANT FUNDING AWARD
I am pleased to announce that Fairfield will receive $128,205 in funding through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) for streetscape improvements which includes sidewalks and signs in downtown Fairfield. This project will help improve walkability in our downtown and will support of local businesses and overall beautification and functionality of Fairfield's Post Road. I would like to thank our Department of Public Works for putting together the application for this grant and to the local boards that supported the $26,331 match from the Town. |
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HOLIDAYS IN FAIRFIELD??
It is our hope that the caring and giving nature of the Fairfield community shines brighter than ever before to make this holiday season a bit more joyful for those less fortunate.
The Fairfield Police Department’s Annual Holiday Toy Drive begins on Friday, November 27, 2020. Read more here.
The Fairfield Fire Department is hosting a Light Up Fairfield Holiday Lighting Competition. Click here to register and participate.
The Kiwanis Club's Annual Poinsetta Sale is underway which benefits Scholarships to Fairfield High Schools students. Click here for more information.
A Menorah Lighting will take place on Sherman Green on December 10 with more information to follow.
The Parks & Recreation Department is organizing the Virtual Tree Lighting on Friday, December 4. Santa Claus and friends are coming to town to light the tree. |
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??Twas the season of Zoom calls and all through the town, Fairfield got ready for the best Virtual Tree Lighting around! The countdown begins December 4 at 7 that night, In hopes you will all watch the tree shine bright!??
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Operation Hope is looking for friends to donate 75 FROZEN pies to round out Thanksgiving baskets for their clients. Any  extras will be used for the December holidays. You can drop them off at 636 Old Post Road on Monday, November 23 from 12:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
We're in this together, please stay safe.
Brenda L. Kupchick
Fairfield First Selectwoman |
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| ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
Alliance for Community Empowerment has been serving and empowering communities of Fairfield County for over 56  years. As the pandemic greatly increased the risk of foreclosures, eviction, food insecurity, unemployment, and education, Alliance focused on delivering services and collaboration with other community organizations in order to minimize the effect of this crisis.
Since March, the agency experienced a significant increase in requests for heating assistance from the Energy Department as well as utility and rent assistance from the Supportive Services Department. The agency’s Early Learning Department gradually reopened eight of its thirteen child care sites at 50% of its capacity. At this time, all community matters are addressed over the telephone and mail.
Alliance is committed to empowering our communities through education and other services. Any donation you can make will be greatly appreciated.
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FLU SHOT CLINIC 
The Health Department will be hosting a flu clinic on Saturday, November 21st from 10 am – 12 pm for anyone over the age of 3 years old. The flu clinic will take place at the Senior Center located at 100 Mona Terrace in the classrooms behind the Senior Center, by APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please call the Public Health Nursing Office at 203-256-3150 to schedule an appointment or find out more information. It is recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months receive a flu vaccine every year and is especially important this year. The Health Department requests that you fill out the consent prior to arrival. |
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| EMERGENCY ALERTS | WHEN IT MATTERS MOST
Get alerted about emergencies and other important community news from the Town of Fairfield, CT, by signing up for the Fairfield Alert system. This system enables us to quickly provide you with critical information in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods and other emergency situations.
You will receive time-sensitive messages wherever you specify, such as your home, mobile or business phones, email address, text messages and more. You pick where, you pick how!
If you were previously registered with us on the CodeRed system, you must sign-up again by following the instructions below, in order to continue receiving Emergency and Community alerts from the Town of Fairfield.
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FAIRFIELD SOCIAL SERVICES HOLIDAY GIVING PROGRAM
It is hard to believe it’s time to start planning for the holidays! The Town of Fairfield, our residents, neighbors, town employees, businesses, clubs, schools and individuals have always been incredibly generous to our Holiday Program over the years and have made a real difference in the lives of the families and seniors we serve. We are hoping we can count on your support again this year.
Rather than collecting wrapped gifts and toys, this year we are requesting gift cards for local supermarkets, toy stores - anywhere families may shop for their loved ones for the holidays. During this special, yet stressful time of year, our goal is to support parents with gift cards.
On behalf of the families that receive the support from the Holiday Giving Program, the Town of Fairfield and Department of Human and Social Services would like to thank the community for keeping all our residents in mind for the upcoming holiday season. If you are interested in donating or receiving holiday help, please contact Fairfield Social Services by calling 203-256-3170 or by email at socialservices@fairfieldct.org. Donations are gratefully accepted during business hours 9 AM to 4:30 PM at the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities, 100 Mona Terrace, Fairfield CT 06824 |
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FEELING IN CRISIS?
When you're feeling overwhelmed, know that there are free options to help you talk through your crisis--and to send help when necessary. Fairfield Social Services is here to help. Call 203-256-3170 for more information.
Being a parent or caregiver during COVID can be extremely stressful. It is perfectly normal to be experiencing varying emotions and feel overwhelmed. No matter what you're feeling, we're here to listen. Parents and caregivers can call the toll-free Talk It Out line to discuss their feelings in a judgement-free environment. Call: 1-833-258-5011 or Visit: www.talkitoutct.com
Resources for Mental Health:
If you or a loved one is struggling:
- CT Information Hotline 211 or go to www.211ct.org for mobile crisis support for individuals and/or children.
- The Hub CT is Southwest Connecticut’s Regional Behavioral Health Action Organization. Check their website for useful resources for mental health, prevention and wellness. https://www.thehubct.org/
- Mental Health Crisis Text Line - Text “SHARE” to 741741
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Kids in Crisis also has a 24-hour hotline for assistance 203-661-1911.
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health):If you need to talk to someone, text NAMI to 741741 or call the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).
- Alcoholics Anonymous - Please contact your site to see if meetings are continuing in your neighborhood.
- Bridgeport Hospital’s REACH Program is an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for children, adolescents, adults and seniors. REACH is accessible to anyone, and covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurance programs. Please click this link to learn more about the extensive range of treatment options available |
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LOVE LOCAL E-GIFT CARD PROGRAM 
The Town of Fairfield and the Chamber of Commerce launched a new buy local initiative with the Fairfield Community e-Gift Card program, which is exclusive to Fairfield businesses only. This is a great gift for Fairfield residents this holiday season! Read the Fairfield Citizen article on the program here. |
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| CONNECTICUT CARES SMALL BUSINESS & NONPROFIT GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE
DECD began accepting applications for the Connecticut CARES Small Business Grant Program. Small businesses and nonprofits in Connecticut with a 2019 annualized payroll of less than $1.5 million OR 20 or fewer employees can receive a one-time grant of $5,000. All funding will be disbursed by the end of December and will not require repayment.
The grant can be used for rent, payroll, utilities, inventory or complying with the CT Reopen Business Sector Rules. Full details including eligibility requirements, a schedule for virtual office hours, FAQs, other resources, and the application can be found here.
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| FAIRFIELD REVALUATION
The Connecticut General Statutes requires each town to do a revaluation every five years. The Town of Fairfield is in the process of a real property revaluation as required for the Grand List of October 1, 2020. This revaluation will correspond to the tax bills that will be due beginning in July 2021. For more information, click here.
To listen to the presentation from Assessor Ross Murray and Mike Fazio at the October 5 Board of Selectman meeting, click here.
Revaluation notices are scheduled to be mailed the week of November 30th. The notice will indicate the prior town assessed valuation from the 2015 revaluation and the new proposed assessed value from the 2020 revaluation. The value will be the total assessed value which is 70% of the market value. The value will not include any exemptions i.e. veteran exemptions but will include any PA 490 use classification i.e. farm land. The letter will provide instructions on how to schedule and informal hearing with Municipal Valuations should you have questions concerning the new value.
The information found on our website, https://gis.vgsi.com/fairfieldct/ is scheduled to be updated December 4, 2020.
At the December 7th Board of Selectman meeting there will be another presentation to update residents.
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| FAIRFIELD PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT |
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What’s your story? What’s your reason?
DO YOUR PART...Wear a mask!
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| Download the video here so you can upload it to social media, or share it from the links below, to continue to remind our residents that part of our civic responsibility to each other is to wear a mask. |
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APPLY FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE 
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program is for families in need of energy assistance, Fairfield Social Services coordinates with Alliance For Community Empowerment to help to obtain necessary energy services for Fairfield residents in need. Energy assistance pays for a household’s primary heating source such as oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, coal, wood and wood pellets on behalf of eligible households. The amount of heat assistance may not be sufficient to cover a household’s entire winter heating cost. Homeowners and renters may apply. To make an appointment to see if you’re eligible, or if you have questions, please call Social Services 203-256-3170. |
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DOGS ON LEASH
As of October 1st, Dogs are permitted on Town of Fairfield Beaches, however, they are prohibited from Boardwalks, Pavilions and playgrounds. Persons responsible for dogs must clean up after their animals while they are on the beach, in open spaces or in the parking areas. Dogs are not permitted in any Town of Fairfield parks or playground areas.
The CDC Guidelines have not changed regarding dogs being leashed at all times and under the control of their owner. I know our town has allowed dogs to be unleashed at Jennings Beach and at Lake Mohegan, however it would not be responsible for the Town of Fairfield to ignore the CDC guidelines during this pandemic. I hope our Town's dog owners understand that we must follow these guidelines while visiting any Fairfield Parks, Beaches & Open Spaces.
According to the CDC, we should "treat pets as you would other human family members to protect them from a possible infection." The "CDC recommends that pet owners limit their pet’s interaction with people outside their household."
In addition, the CDC states that you should "walk dogs on a leash at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from others" and "avoid public places where a large number of people gather."
We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.
For the complete text of the Town Ordinance pertaining to dogs on beaches, open space areas, and marinas, go to: https://buff.ly/34jJsKm |
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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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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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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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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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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
Testing capacity has increased in our area. To view locations where to get tested, please visit fairfieldct.org/covid19testing.
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. Both Universities were trained and assisted by our Health Department to manage their own contact tracing for their respective campuses.
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.
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. |
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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.
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 is open for quick browsing and checkout Monday-Saturday afternoons 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm and Tuesday and Thursday evenings 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Learn more about Library Express service.
Please visit fairfieldpubliclibrary.org for full details regarding Curbside Pickup at the Main Library and Woods Branch Library. Fairfield Public Library continues to offer 24/7 access to their digital collection of books, music, magazines, movies and databases. Visit the Library Event Calendar to find a wide and varied assortment of Virtual Programs.
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. |
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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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