Old Town Hall (Directions) 611 Old Post Road Fairfield, CT 06824 Sullivan Independence Hall 725 Old Post Road Fairfield, CT 06824 203-256-3000 Find additional contact info here
8/13/2021 - 8.13 TOWN UPDATE Dear Fairfielders, As First Selectwoman, and per the CDC’s new guidelines regarding masks, I strongly encourage residents wear masks indoors during this wave, which has resulted in higher rates of transmission. I have already witnessed an increased use of masks indoors throughout our community. Public health professionals say we are in the early to mid-weeks of the current wave, which has been attributed to the circulating Delta variant. If it follows the European model, the spike in transmission should start to come down in a few weeks and then will plateau in areas of high vaccination rates. As of August 4th, Fairfield’s vaccination rate is 68.32%. Click on the graph to see more data from the Fairfield Health Department Since Fairfield's positivity rate is low and our vaccination rate is high and continues to grow, I will not be instituting a mask mandate at this time. I will continue to monitor the situation with our Health Director and Emergency Management Director. Vaccine “breakthrough" cases have occurred in Connecticut, and in the majority of cases, symptoms have been mild and have not resulted in severe illness or hospitalizations. The most severe cases tend to be in unvaccinated individuals. Residents should get a COVID-19 test if they feel unwell, even if they are experiencing mild symptoms and are vaccinated -- as vaccinated individuals can still carry and transmit the virus to others. In addition to severe COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, the Fairfield Health Department has seen many cases of people experiencing mild symptoms like sore throat, congestion/runny nose, loss of taste and smell, headache and/or fatigue. Vaccination is the most important defense against severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. The CT Department of Public Health strongly recommends that unvaccinated individuals get vaccinated as soon as possible to help stop the ongoing spread of the Delta variant. Text your zip code to GETVAX to find a location near you. The Griffin Health mobile vaccination van is coming to Fairfield on Tuesday, August 17th at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church giving out both Pfizer (which is approved for ages 12+) and Johnson & Johnson (approved for ages 18+) between the hours of 9 am to 4 pm. ID and insurance are not required. Greenfield Hill Congregational Church is located at 1045 Old Academy Road in Fairfield. If you test positive for COVID-19 or have come in contact with someone who has tested positive, please contact the Health Department for guidance at 203-256-3020 or visit: fairfieldct.org/covid19. The current policy in effect from the State of Connecticut does not require masks outdoors. For indoor settings, those who are vaccinated are not required to wear masks, however those who are unvaccinated must wear masks. Masks are required to be worn by everyone in certain settings such as healthcare facilities, facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools, and childcare. Individual businesses always have the option to require masks be worn in their establishments. COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS So far we have assisted 80 Fairfield small businesses with grants totaling $322K, of which 99% has been expended to date. Half of the businesses assisted had no other meaningful support from federal or state programs, at the time at which assistance was granted. You can see that we helped a diverse array of Fairfield businesses, all of whom have five or fewer full-time employees in order to qualify as a “micro-enterprise.” Through this program we were able to retain 145+ jobs and create another 21 jobs. 67% of the funds committed went to businesses where either the owner or the majority of its employees were persons of low/moderate income, thus satisfying a requirement of our funder (HUD). We still have a small balance of roughly $21K available to commit and continue to accept applications. COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS GRANT APPLICATION TOWN GOVERNMENT GOULD MANOR REMEDIATION AND RENOVATION The remediation work at Gould Manor Park has begun by Cisco LLC and will be completed by the end of August. The Town submitted a remediation plan for approval to the Connecticut Department of Public Health earlier this summer, which was approved on Friday, July 30th. Separate from that work, Greenway Property Services has begun maintenance of the infield clay, a rehabilitation of the irrigation system and laser leveling of the fields. New sod will also be placed throughout. Over the next several months, the park will be under construction and we are asking residents to stay off the park for the duration of the construction until the spring. In June, I requested our Town boards (Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and Representative Town Meeting) to approve $950,000 in bonding to not only remediate the park, but also provide the following improvements and additions: A complete renovation of both Little League fields, including two new scoreboards, fence replacement and repairs A rebuild of the tennis court Tree work Drainage improvements A new pickle ball court A new half-court basketball court Removal and replacement of the large playground Fairfield’s first outdoor fitness park will replace the small playground The Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and RTM approved the funding for this project in June and remediation began on the site on August 9th. I look forward to unveiling the new and improved Gould Manor Park in the spring of 2022. I know it took longer to get this project started than residents would have liked, however, I want to remind residents that remediation work has to go through the regulatory agencies, which is a time consuming process. We must make sure that any potential contaminated sites are tested and cleaned up properly. I am grateful to the town boards for approving our plan to take this opportunity to renovate and provide an improved park for residents to enjoy. I am especially excited to break ground on Fairfield’s first outdoor fitness park. AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING On July 19, I hosted an informational workshop to present my proposed list of projects to utilize the $24.8 million in federal funding coming to Fairfield. The goal in selecting these projects was to have an impact on the cross section of our community and address some long overdue infrastructure projects. We looked at the Town's capital improvement plan to identify shovel ready projects that qualified under the federal guidelines. You can watch my presentation, the public comments, and the follow up Q&A from the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting here. It would be very helpful if our residents, who were not able to call in or watch the meeting, take the time to watch the recording on FairTV or review the back up information presented during the meeting here. If you have a project you think the Town should consider, please refer to the guidelines in the presentation to make sure it qualifies under the federal guidelines. As I shared with elected officials during the meeting, it would be helpful to know which project you think we should remove in order to add your suggestion(s). In September, a final list will be presented for the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and Representative Town Meeting for a vote. END OF BEACH SEASON SCHEDULE As of Monday, August 9th, there are no lifeguards on duty at Sasco, Southport, and South Pine Creek Beaches. Jennings and Penfield Beaches and Lake Mohegan – Will be staffed with lifeguards daily through Sunday August 29th. Then again on Labor Day weekend (Sept 4th – Sept 6th). Beaches may have reduced swim areas. Please be sure to obey the lifeguards and to swim in permitted areas only. Parking attendants will remain on daily through Monday, September 6th. CUDDLE BEAR FUNDRAISER | POLICE DEPARTMENT The Fairfield Police Department is excited to partner with Jaclyn Brunetto for this Cuddle Bear Fundraiser. Officers can provide additional comfort to children experiencing difficult times through a story about being loved and a bear that they can hold onto when they are going through a hard and scary time. These sets will also be available to officers to give to children that they meet while on patrol. Sometimes it can be the little things that mean the most and the cuddles and hugs from Cuddle Bear can help little ones manage their big feelings. To sponsor one child with a Cuddle Bear set costs $25. The company Jaclyn works with, Usborne Books & More, is matching all donations at 50%. A $50 donation helps us purchase sets for THREE children thanks to that match! To donate, click here: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8BnoNgze7Z FAIRFIELD RETAILERS LOOK FORWARD TO CT TAX FREE WEEKEND Back to School means tax free savings with Connecticut’s Tax Free Week beginning Sunday, August 15, through Saturday, August 21, 2021. 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. Beverly Balaz, President of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce shares “Whether you are interested in back-to-school items, sports clothing, end-of summer apparel, or ‘something you always wanted’, Tax Free Week is the time to buy and Shop Local! COMMUNITY NEWS CELEBRATING OUR STATE CHAMPIONS Yesterday's heat couldn't stop us from celebrating our Fairfield American Little League 11 D state champions and the Fairfield Little League Girls Softball Junior state champions! After great seasons, the Town held a ceremony for the players where we and the State delegation presented them with citations commemorating the occasion. Fairfield couldn't be any prouder. FAIRFIELD NATIVE SELECTED TO THE CONNECTICUT VETERANS HALL I am pleased to announce that Fairfield native, Congressman Stewart Brett McKinney was posthumously inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2020 on July 29, 2021. The late Congressman, who honorably served in the U.S. Air Force, was inducted with 11 other Veterans from around the state at a ceremony held at the CT Army National Guard State Armory in Hartford. Stew grew up in Fairfield and attended Fairfield Public Schools through the eighth grade. He left Princeton University to enlist in the U.S. Air Force where he attained the rank of Sergeant. Following his duty to our country, Stew received a B.A. from Yale University. Stew raised his children in Fairfield and served the Town proudly as a State Representative for two terms. He was then elected to Congress and was widely known for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1986 which provides federal money for shelter programs. When I served as a State Representative, I had the pleasure of working with Stew’s son John, when he was Fairfield’s State Senator. Congressman McKinney’s children attended the Induction Ceremony and accepted a medal and certificate from the Governor on behalf of their late father. To read about the criteria and history of the CT Veteran’s Hall of Fame, click here. Pictured from left to right are: Master of Ceremonies and USMC Veteran Gil Simmons, Dept. of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Thomas J. Saadi, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, John P. McKinney, Stewart B. McKinney Jr., Libby McKinney Tritschler, and Major General Francis J. Evon, Jr. 120th ANNIVERSARY OF FAIRFIELD RESIDENT'S "FIRST IN FLIGHT" Tomorrow marks the 120th anniversary of Fairfield resident Gustave Whitehead’s historic “First in Flight” which occurred on August 14, 1901 – prior to the 1903 flight of the Wright Brothers in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Whitehead literally drove his plane, the Condor, from Bridgeport to Fairfield to make his first flight which successfully landed in the area of what is now Jennings Beach. After much research, Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft, the world's foremost authority on aviation history, proclaimed Gustave Whitehead as the first man to fly a plane in a heavier-than-air aircraft, making Fairfield the location for the first motorized flight. Andy Kosch, a Fairfield resident, led a team that built and flew a replica of Gustave Whitehead’s airplane in 1986 proving the airworthiness of the design and refuting many of Whitehead critics. Whitehead’s first in flight is exciting and very meaningful for Fairfield and puts our community in the spotlight with the most important milestone in aviation history. Photography from the Fairfield Museum AWARDS FOR SUN TAVERN AND VICTORIAN COTTAGE RENOVATIONS We are so excited to share that the restoration of the Sun Tavern and Victorian Cottage, designed by David Scott Parker Architects and overseen by the Fairfield Museum, has won a prestigious Alice Washburn Award of merit presented by the CT Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. This award acknowledges excellence in traditional house design through the thoughtful adaptation of tradition to address 21st-century needs. Works are to be located in Connecticut and designed in a style broadly considered as “traditional”. The Connecticut Magazine highlighted the incredible renovations of both the Victoria Cottage and Sun Tavern here in Fairfield. Sharing that the Victorian Cottage was constructed by local builders, the Northrop Brothers, in 1888 and that the "1780 tavern was the social epicenter of colonial Fairfield and hosted Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and George Washington." You can read the article on pg. 136 here. I hope you'll take some time to review additional Town information and upcoming events, by scrolling below. I hope you have a nice weekend. Brenda L. Kupchick Fairfield First Selectwoman FAIRFIELD COVID RESOURCE PAGE Scrolling below you can find additional events, information and resources organized by the following categories: Community Events Town Events August Updates Town Services Community Resources COMMUNITY EVENTS FAIRFIELD FARMER'S MARKET The Fairfield Farmer's Market will be open on Sundays from 10-2 PM until October 2nd. The Greenfield Hill Farmer's Market will be open Saturdays from 10-1 PM. For more information click here. ANNUAL FAIRFIELD WIFFLE BALL TOURNAMENT August 14 at 10:00 AM. For more details click here. ADVANCE FILM SCREENING OF "GET A NEW DREAM" THE DENNIS WALTERS STORY August 24 at 7:00 PM. For more details click here. UPCOMING TOWN EVENTS Saturday August 14, 2021 at 6:30pm – Concert at Sherman Green featuring Clams Casino Sunday August 15, 2021 from 10:00am – 2:00pm – Farmer’s Market at Sherman Green Sunday August 15, 2021 at 5:00pm – S’mores Sunday at Lake Mohegan Sunday August 15, 2021 at 6:30pm – Concert at Sherman Green featuring Keltic Kick Thursday August 19, 2021 at 6:30pm – Concert at Sherman Green featuring Parkway Diner Thursday August 19, 2021 at 8:00pm – Comedy Night at Penfield Pavilion Saturday August 21, 2021 at 6:30pm – Concert at Sherman Green featuring Free Ride Sunday August 22, 2021 from 10:00am – 2:00pm – Farmer’s Market at Sherman Green Wednesday August 25, 2021 at 6:30pm – Concert at Sherman Green featuring Rubber City PARKS AND RECREATION WEBSITE AUGUST UPDATES INVASIVE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY FOUND IN FAIRFIELD The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) in cooperation with USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) informed my office that there has been a detection of nymphs of the spotted lanternfly (SLF) on Ailantus (Tree of Heaven) in Southport. In 2020, multiple adult populations of SLF were found in Greenwich, New Canaan, Stamford and most recently Norwalk. To read a recent article on the discovery in Fairfield, click here. For further information, and guidance on what to do if you see the spotted lanternfly, click here. BUY-A-BRICK PROGRAM | Fairfield Chamber of Commerce We invite Fairfield local businesses and organizations to become a part of Fairfield’s downtown streetscape, by purchasing a commemorative brick in celebration of the Chamber’s 75th Anniversary. You will have the opportunity to see your company name (also available w/logo), for all to view and enjoy in years to come. The bricks purchased through this fundraiser program will partially be used to help beautify and reconstruct the existing semicircle pocket park alongside the Fairfield Public Library on Post Road, in the heart of downtown. For more information on purchasing a brick, click here. HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN In January, the Harbor Management Commission sought public input to help with its efforts to update the Harbor Management Plan. Adopted by the RTM and the State of Connecticut in 1995, the plan guides beneficial use of Southport Harbor and protection of its coastal resources. After compiling all the responses, the results are now available here. ROAD CONSTRUCTION AT THE TRANSFER STATION Construction is underway on Richard White Way from 7 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Residents should expect delays, and when possible, plan trips to the transfer station Mondays and Saturdays. Next week the water and gas companies will be relocating their utilities and the pile driver will be driving steel sheets at the WWTP, to protect the neighborhood from flooding. Neighbors should expect to feel some vibration from this work. BIRD FEEDING HAULT FOR SUMMER The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection recommends that you remove birdfeeders and bird food from late March through November, due to increased reports of black bear sightings in heavily populated residential areas -- 24 specific sightings in Fairfield. Anyone who sees a bear in Fairfield can contact animal control at 203-254-4857. If the animal is behaving aggressively or refusing to leave a residential area, people should call the police department at 203-254-4800. For a list of simple steps to avoid conflicts and problems with black bears, click here. TOWN SERVICES HARBOR MASTER OPENING The Harbor Management Commission is looking for candidates to fill the position of Harbor Master for the Town. If you are interested, click here for more details. All letters and resumes must be submitted by the end of business on August 11, 2021. RENTERS REBATE PROGRAM The Assessors Office is now accepting applications for the Renters Rebate Program. Applications are accepted between 9am and 4pm. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2021. Generally applicants need to be 65 years of age as of December 31, 2020 or be disabled, have income not exceeding $37,600 if single or $45,800 if married and have resided in Connecticut for one year prior to applying. Details can be found on the Assessors website here https://www.fairfieldct.org/rentersrebate or on the State of Connecticut’s site here https://www.fairfieldct.org/rentersrebate. 2021 BEACH STICKERS The 2020 Beach/ Transfer Station Sticker expired 12/31/20. Don't wait to buy your 2021 Sticker. RENEW your sticker online for 2021. You can also renew by fax, mail or in person at Parks & Recreation. COMMUNITY FOREST QUESTIONNAIRE The Fairfield Forestry Committee is seeking public input, relative to updating the Town of Fairfield Community Forest Management Plan and setting priorities for managing Fairfield's "Community Forest". Please click on the link below to participate in a brief survey. FAIRFIELD FORESTRY QUESTIONNAIRE FAIRFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARIES Library Express Service offers opportunities for quick browsing and checkout at both of our libraries. The Fairfield Public Main Library building is open Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9am - 5pm and Tuesday & Thursday 9am – 7pm. Woods Branch building is open Monday & Wednesday 9am - 7pm and Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9am – 5pm. Both Main and Woods are open Saturdays 1pm – 5pm. Learn more about Library Express service. Facemasks are required for everyone (ages 2+) entering and using the Children’s Department in both Fairfield Public Library buildings. As of July 6th, masks are optional for fully vaccinated patrons in all other areas of our library buildings. This update is in accordance with the Town of Fairfield Health Department and the recommendation of the CT Department of Public Health. Visit CT Department of Public Health for further information regarding settings where there is likely to be a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people (including children younger than 12 years).. 2021 Summer Reading Challenge for ALL ages, children, teens and adults! Register NOW online. All ages are invited to enter our “Writing” Contest. Tell us a tale in words or art about an aspect of your culture or a family tradition. Entries should be no more than 750 words or in an artistic medium of your choosing. See details here. FPL 30 Day Sketch Challenge! During July, submit your daily sketch via Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and tag us #fplctsummer2021 or email to: submissions@fplct.org. We’ll send you back the daily activity code for you to earn points in our Summer Reading Challenge (for teens and adults). Complete all 30 challenges to earn a badge and 5 bonus raffle ticket entries! All levels welcome – give it your best shot and show us what you can do! Every day a NEW theme! 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 Library Programs. Updates are shared via our website, newsletter and social media. SOCIAL SERVICES The hardest part to getting help is reaching out to make the call to the Social Services office. We are here to help. Please call us at 203-256-3170 Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM for more information about financial assistance programs. Not in a Crisis but Needing to Connect? Talk to a peer counselor at Soundview Warmline, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, seven days a week. Call 800-921-0359. EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE: If you have been financially impacted by COVID-19, and are struggling to pay your rent and utilities, you may qualify for financial assistance through a new program opened up on March 15th called UniteCT. Additional information, and the application portal, maybe found at www.bit.ly/UniteCT or you may call 1 844-864-8328. Eligible applicants include both eligible renters as well as landlords on behalf of eligible tenants. BNT HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES - BNT (Building Neighborhoods Together) provides ongoing education and services designed to build financial skills and promote housing security, such as one on one credit counseling and benefits access (i.e. screenings to help determine available resources, as well as referrals to job training and placement programs). Call for more information: (203) 290-4255 OPERATION FUEL The Summer/Fall Season will be starting on July 12, 2021. Operation Fuel assists with utility bills, including electric, gas or water. The maximum grant amount is up to $500.00 and households can apply once per 12-month period. The income guidelines for a family of 4 is up to $90,492.00. Households are able to apply online at https://opf.toapply.org/. Please contact Social Services for additional information and documentation requirements at 203-256-3170, or visit https://operationfuel.org/. EMERGENCY PLANNING - GET STARTED NOW! There are abundant online resources that provide emergency supply lists, basic tips for emergency planning, evacuation plan checklists, and other useful information to consider ahead of a severe weather event or disaster. As the 2021 hurricane season begins, it’s important to be as prepared as possible! Here are some online resources with detailed guidance to help keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy: - The CDC https://www.cdc.gov/prepyourhealth/index.htm?cid=EPR-homepage - FEMA www.ready.gov - Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html ADVANCE CHILD TAX CREDIT PAYMENTS BEGIN JULY 15 Important changes to the Child Tax Credit: Parents of children 17 years old and younger will soon receive advance monthly payments on half of the total credit amount between July and December 2021. The other half may be claimed when 2021 taxes are filed. What this means: Families get the full tax credit if they make up to $150,000 for a couple, or $112,000 for a family with a single parent (also called head of household). In other words, over the next 6 months, these families will get $250/month for each child between the ages of 6 – 17, and $300 per month for each child under 6. Families with higher incomes may be eligible for reduced payments. How it works: Automatic payments will begin July 15th for those who filed a tax return in 2019 or 2020, and claimed the Child Tax Credit. Automatic payments will also go out to those who received a stimulus check during the pandemic. PLEASE NOTE: Advanced payments will be sent out to income eligible parents who were not required to file. However, for parents who did NOT file tax returns in 2019 or 2020, OR receive a stimulus check, please use the Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-Up Tool in order to start receiving these payments as soon as possible. Learn more and check out resources to help you fill out your form at ChildTaxCredit.gov ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG LAUNCHES ELDER JUSTICE HOTLINE Elder justice issues can range from age-based discrimination in the workplace to scams and frauds, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. If you or a senior you know have been a victim of elder abuse call 1-860-808-5555. Individuals may also access information about the hotline, resources, and an online complaint portal here: https://portal.ct.gov/ag/elderhotline. Pequot Library: We're Here, We Care – Pequot Library offers curbside pickup by appointment and limited browsing hours from 3-6pm on Mondays & Wednesdays; 10am-6pm on Fridays; and 2-4pm on Saturdays. During browsing hours visit us to check out a book or view our display John James Audubon's Birds of America: A Return to Pequot Library, on view from February 4 - May 2. Outside of browsing hours, 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. COMMUNITY RESOURCES Behind in your rent or mortgage? Are you behind in your rent or mortgage? Operation Hope may be able to help. Please contact Brenda at 203-292-5588 x225 or email her at blobdell@operationhopect.org. All inquiries are confidential – they are there to help! Struggling to make ends meet? Reminder: Operation Hope’s Food Pantry is here to serve all Fairfield residents. We are open at 636 Old Post Road Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 to 12:00 and Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00. Please let them help you with groceries and other basic necessities! Operation Hope Food Pantry Operation Hope has in-person openings for meal servers this summer to help our neighbors in need. All meals are served at our Community Kitchen at 50 Nichols Street, Fairfield, next to the police station. Servers must be 18+. Lunch and dinner are served Monday through Friday. The commitment can be once a week for the entire summer or for a portion. If interested, send us an email at info@operationhopect.org. Please indicate your level of commitment, as well as your preference for lunch or dinner. BOXWOODS ALERT! CHECK YOUR SHRUBS FOR THE BOX TREE MOTH | FAIRFIELD'S FORESTRY COMMITTEE Find out what it can do to your boxwood! Please check your boxwood plants for the invasive and destructive box tree moth, which can kill your shrubs. If you bought a boxwood plant during spring 2021, please inspect it for signs of the moth (caterpillars, webbing, and leaf damage) and report any findings to your local USDA office or State Agriculture Department. FREE WATER CONSERVATION KITS | SUSTAINABLE FAIRFIELD TASK FORCE Help make your home more water-efficient by ordering a free water conservation kit from Aquarion! Your kit will include: A water-saving faucet aerator Dye tabs to check for leaky toilet tanks A gauge to see the impact of a dripping faucet, and Information on using these waste-reducing tools This kit can save you money by finding potential leaks and reducing water usage. This follows up with the Sustainable Fairfield Task Force's prior newsfeed article, which noted that starting in 2021 Fairfield is voluntarily asked to reduce its outdoor watering usage and in 2022 is REQUIRED to reduce is outdoor watering usage. RECYCLING DO'S AND DONT'S | SUSTAINABLE FAIRFIELD TASK FORCE Fairfield pays close to $700,000.00 a year for our recycling programs, but a lot of our Town recycling is contaminated - in other words there are multiple items in the blue bins that CAN NOT Be recycled. Our recycling processor says that close to 25% of our recycling is contaminated - sometimes it is as simple as residents putting their recycling into plastic bags (which the processor then treats as waste even though the materials inside might be good recycling containers). Learn More: Do's and Don'ts of Recycling What else can be recycled in Fairfield? SAFTEY TIPS FOR PEDESTRIAN, BIKING, AND RUNNING | FAIRFIELD'S BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE As more of our fellow Fairfielders get out to enjoy the summer weather, our Town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee would like to remind townspeople of the following safety tips for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to ensure we operate as safely as possible. Below is a summarized list of more lengthy tips at the Committee’s website www.fairfieldct.org/bikeped that also includes Fairfield's Complete Street's Policy, maps of our town's bicycle routes, pumps, bike repair stations, and more. Motorists Expect pedestrians and cyclists on the road Reduce speed when encountering pedestrians and cyclists Look for cyclists when opening doors. Give cyclists at least 3 feet of space Connecticut is a yield State regarding pedestrians in crosswalks Never drive under the influence of alcohol or other substances that impair the operation of a motor vehicle Pedestrians ALWAYS face traffic, it’s the law because it’s safer Walk/run single file Make sure you’re visible Keep your dogs on a short leash Don’t cover your ears so you can’t hear Cross the street safely, use a crosswalk whenever possible Cyclists Ride with the traffic flow Obey all traffic laws Ride single file if riding with others Yield to traffic when appropriate Don’t cover your ears so you can’t hear Be predictable Stay alert at all times Look before turning Watch for parked cars GET INVOLVED! TOWN BOARD AND COMMISSION VACANCIES You can also visit our Boards and Commissions page to learn more about roles and responsibilities: https://fairfieldct.org/boards Interested in giving back to our community? Want to have a voice in shaping Fairfield? The Town relies on the hard work of citizen volunteers who are appointed to provide guidance and governance on various Boards and Commissions. The list of vacancies for Boards and Commissions are on the Town Website. Be sure to check back often as the list is updated as positions become available: https://fairfieldct.org/vacancies To learn about the application process, please click here: https://fairfieldct.org/appointmentprocess 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. How to sign up? Click here. PREVIOUS UPDATES: July 30 July 16 July 2 June 18 June 4 May 21 Archives Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive my update directly here. Copyright © 2021 Town of Fairfield, All rights reserved. 203.256.3030 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. Archives
Your kit will include:
This kit can save you money by finding potential leaks and reducing water usage. This follows up with the Sustainable Fairfield Task Force's prior newsfeed article, which noted that starting in 2021 Fairfield is voluntarily asked to reduce its outdoor watering usage and in 2022 is REQUIRED to reduce is outdoor watering usage.
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.