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
4/29/2022 - 4.29 TOWN UPDATE Dear Fairfielders, Fairfield's Town budget funds all government services and amenities our 61,000 residents receive or use including our Police, Fire, Public Works Departments, our schools, and many more that make Fairfield the desirable town we love to live in. The amount the town spends on all of these services ultimately determines the taxes we will pay. Having served on the Board of Education for six years, on the RTM for two terms, as State Representative for nine years, and First Selectwoman for over two years, I have a unique understanding of both the Town and School operations, and what is necessary to maximize efficiencies in government while providing the best services. My administration has worked very hard to keep the mill rate increase under 1%. During my first budget we delivered a no tax increase budget when the pandemic hit, a .71% in 2022, and I proposed another less than one percent increase (.98%) for this year's budget that was passed by the Board of Selectmen. However, after the Board of Finance's final deliberations and on a 5-4 vote, the mill rate increase would go from .98% to 1.29%, with an assumed increase on the tax collection rate, that will be set by the BOF on Thursday. On Monday night, the RTM will cast the final vote on the Town budget, and then on Thursday night, the Board of Finance will set the mill rate. Your voice matters in this process. Residents of our Town are still recovering from the financial impact of COVID and current high inflation rates. Our community is also dealing with last year's revaluation, which reduced home values for some, decreasing their tax bill, but also resulted in higher home values for others, which ultimately increased their property taxes. I believe the budget I proposed and that passed the Board of Selectmen, was mindful of those economic concerns while providing a budget that maintains and improves services for all members of our community, young and old. As I shared in my April 1st newsletter, in all my years of service to our Town I have never witnessed a BOE budget fly through the Board of Finance without a single change. I reduced the requested 10.4 million dollar increase from a $202.5 million budget that makes up 66% of the Town's total spending, because I have real concerns about increasing costs for our residents. During the Board of Finance budget meeting, on 5-4 votes, significant changes were made to the Town side of the budget. Department Directors impacted by the BOF cuts have filed appeals with the RTM, which is allowed for by the Town Charter. The Chief Fiscal Officer has filed an appeal for the $350,000 cut to the contingency fund. The HR Director has filed two appeals to restore the Assistant HR Director position, who handles risk management: $118,000 to Human Resources Department $850,000 appropriation to the Risk Management Fund The special appeal meeting of the RTM will take place on Monday night at 6:30 PM, before the budget vote at 8:00 PM. I am also particularly concerned that due to the state's minimum budget requirement statute, the Town will now be obligated to include this new baseline number of $202.5 million when building next year's budget. This will make it much more difficult for me to deliver a town budget that includes a lower tax increase next year while delivering the same level of town services. I hope the RTM will consider making some reduction to the $10.4 million BOE increase. ACTION ITEMS: If you would like to share your opinion on the town budget or the appeals department heads have filed, you can contact your RTM representatives. - Send an email to all RTM members at rtm@fairfieldct.org - Or look up your district representatives here to email them individually - Listen live and/or participate at the appeal meeting on Monday night 6:30 PM and follow using the agenda - Listen live and participate at budget vote meeting Monday night at 8:00 PM and follow using the agenda TOWN GOVERNMENT NEWS 8-30G | AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN FAIRFIELD A proposal for an 8-30g apartment building on Unquowa Road is the latest in a series of proposals that have been filed under the State Statute and has caused great concern for our community. As the centerpiece of our downtown, I think we can all agree this location deserves a building that fits in with the character of this historic area. Residents will be able to share their thoughts on this potential development during a public hearing with the Town Planning and Zoning Commission. A hearing date is yet to be scheduled, however you can sign up for agenda alerts for the TPZ Commission by signing up for their agendas here. Unfortunately, local zoning regulations can be overridden under the 8-30g state statute. I spent many years in the State Legislature as Ranking Member of the Housing Committee, working to make meaningful amendments to this statute. The majority in Hartford was and remains adamantly opposed to any substantive changes. I also submitted testimony in March on a related bill in the CT General Assembly that articulates my thoughts on this issue here. I have been working with our Director of Community and Economic Development, Mark Barnhart, and the Affordable Housing Committee, to increase the Town's own affordable housing stock. To that end, the Town recently acquired a small, privately owned lot abutting Tunxis Hill Park utilizing monies from the Housing Trust Fund. The plan is to build two duplexes on this property, so we can work toward the goal of increasing the Town's total affordable housing units. The Town will be using the Housing Trust Fund to acquire additional properties to assist in the effort to reach a moratorium, which would provide a four-year reprieve from having to approve new 8-30g applications. AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN The Affordable Housing Committee finished its work updating the Town’s Affordable Housing Plan in advance of the June 2022 State Statutory Deadline. Since the last Plan was adopted in 2014, the Town has added more than 150 new affordable housing units and closed the gap to within 45 points of the 433 points needed to qualify for a temporary moratorium under Connecticut General Statute, 8-30g. The purpose of the Affordable Housing Plan is to outline goals and strategies to facilitate the development of affordable housing and housing options in Fairfield plus offer guidance on how best to achieve these goals. The State considers housing affordable if total housing costs do not exceed 30% of household income for persons or families whose annual income does not exceed the lesser of the Statewide or area median income (AMI). At present, a family of four making less than $80,480 per year or an individual making less than $56,336 per year is considered low-income and could qualify for affordable housing in Fairfield. The Affordable Housing Committee has conducted an online housing survey, which garnered 1167 responses; conducted two joint planning workshops with the Town Plan & Zoning Commission; and held virtual informational sessions with various civic and stakeholder groups including the Fairfield Rotary Club, Fairfield Senior Advocates and the Fairfield County Center for Housing Opportunity, among others. The Affordable Housing Committee is now inviting comments on its proposed Affordable Housing Plan, a draft copy, which can be found here. An Executive Summary, which provides an overview of the proposed strategies contained in the Plan can be found here. The Affordable Housing Committee will conduct a public hearing on May 11, 2022, at 7:00 PM in the Board of Education Conference Room, which you are cordially invited to attend. More information here. CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION The Charter Revision Commission held a special meeting on April 25th. The Commission discussed our form of government, Department issues, qualifications, Term of Office and “For Cause” standard, the Town Attorney/Assistant Town Attorney, DPW/WPCA Alignment, and Police, Fire, Conservation and Tax. You can view the full discussion here. The next meeting will be May 12th. Check the CRC website for any updates. ELECTRIC SCOOTER PILOT The Board of Selectmen authorized last Monday a pilot program with Bird Rides, Inc. to operate a stand-up electric scooter sharing system within the Town of Fairfield. I believe the program is worthy of consideration as it can reduce traffic downtown and allow pedestrians or those without vehicles greater accessibility. I realize there would be questions and concerns surrounding a new program like this, so I look forward to seeing how it works during the pilot and hearing feedback from residents. You can watch the discussion from the BOS meeting here. MESSAGE FROM THE TOWN TAX COLLECTOR Fourth quarter Real Estate taxes, and second installment Sewer Use taxes become due on April 1, 2022 and the last day to pay timely is Monday May 2, 2022. On May 3, 2022 statutory interest accrues at an initial rate of 3%. Per State Statute interest accrues at 1.5% per month from the original due date of April 1, 2022. You may pay by check or cash in person. The Tax Office is open to the public, no appointment necessary. Any original tax bill can be paid at any People's Bank branch location between April 1st and May 2, 2022. You do not need to be a customer. For more details on payment options, penalties and contact information, view the Legal Notice or contact the Tax Collector's Office. FAREWELL & THANK YOU Town Assistant Engineering Manager Laura Pulie is retiring after 37 outstanding years of service to our community. In 1985, Laura, a pioneer as a young female in the Civil Engineering field, joined the Fairfield Engineering Department where she has been an invaluable employee whose expertise and hard work helped make hundreds of projects a success. Among Laura’s many accomplishments, she has successfully obtained FEMA reimbursements on flood mitigation projects, designed storm systems, resolved thousands of drainage complaints, obtained several hundred permits and numerous grants, assisted in environmental cleanups, and made culvert designs and repairs. Laura’s expertise has helped protect and enhance the Town’s beautiful waterfront areas in several ways, including tide gate repairs, jetty restoration, the Fairfield Beach Road turnaround sea wall, road reconstruction and pumping station. I hope you join me in wishing Laura a happy and healthy retirement. She will be greatly missed in Town Hall. INTERN RECOGNITION It has been a pleasure having Katlyn Herman working as a part-time intern in my office since January. Katlyn will be graduating from Fairfield University next Spring with a Bachelors in Communications. I want to thank Katlyn for all of her hard work these past few months, and I look forward to seeing what she does next. I wish Katlyn success as she finishes her undergraduate degree. FAIRFIELD COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES PARTNERS WITH SACRED HEART The newly-established Commission on disAbilities is pleased to announce a partnership with graduate students in the Occupational Therapy Program at Sacred Heart University. The Masters-level students are conducting a Town-wide needs assessment of services in Fairfield for adults with disabilities ages 18 and older. The survey is available on SurveyMonkey and requires approximately 10 minutes to complete. All input from residents will remain confidential and will help our Committee set priorities for future work, which is vital to achieving our mission. Please click here to take the survey. COMMUNITY NEWS BIGELOW TEA INNOVATION TO BOLSTER TOWN AND STATE It’s always exciting to celebrate investment in our Town. I was especially proud to welcome Governor Lamont to celebrate our hometown company Bigelow Tea. I know our community feels the same pride I do in having this amazing company located within our borders. Bigelow not only produces the best tea on the planet, it is a company that invests in its employees who are like family and also gives back so much to our community. Bigelow Tea announced that it has invested $2 million to enhance its Fairfield facility with a 15 station robotic palletizer that includes three palletizing robots, two robotic vehicles, and an automated stretch wrapper. I wish this family-owned business much success and appreciate that I was invited to take a tour of the upgraded facility and celebrate this exciting new innovation. You can read more about Bigelow's investment here. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAPTAIN CARROLL The highlight of last week was joining the Fairfield Police Department for a fun surprise visit to honor Lt. Colonel and Retired Police Captain Pat Carroll on his 99th Birthday where Chief Kalamaras presented Captain Carroll with a brand new Captain's badge. A lifelong Fairfielder, Pat is a World War II Veteran who remained in the U.S. Army Reserves until he retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel. After 30 years at the Fairfield Police Department, where he was the second person from the Department to attend the FBI National Academy, Pat retired as Captain. An esteemed member of our community, Pat also served as a popular and well-respected Southport Harbor Master for 22 years and honorably served as Master of Ceremonies for the Fairfield Memorial Day Parade for more than 20 years. Happy Birthday Captain Carroll! HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION Since 1986, the Fairfield Harbor Management Commission (FHMC) has had principle responsibility for guiding Southport Harbor’s beneficial use, safety and conservation. The FHMC announced it will collaborate with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in a three-year water quality data collection and research effort in Southport Harbor and Sasco Creek. The investigation, in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), is aimed at expanding scientific knowledge of water quality issues along the Fairfield shoreline and in several other coastal Connecticut communities. For more information on the ongoing research, please visit USGS, a recent article, or visit the Town website for the full announcement. AQUARION CHANGES WATERING GUIDELINES FOR RESIDENTS Aquarion made a presentation before the Board of Selectmen about this change and you can listen to that discussion here. FAIRFIELD GIRL SCOUTS VISIT FIRE DEPARTMENT Daisies and Brownies from Troop 30176 (Holland Hill School) visited Station 2 to learn about fire safety. The Daisies earned their “respect authority” badge and what to do in an emergency. The Brownies learned about smoke detectors, “stop, drop, and roll”, and making a family emergency plan to earn their Safety Pin. NATIONAL THERAPY ANIMAL DAY The Town of Fairfield has proclaimed April 30th as National Therapy Animal Day in honor of Pet Partners. Pet Partners was the first comprehensive, standardized training in animal-assisted activities and therapy for volunteers and healthcare professionals. Established throughout the United States, Pet Partners therapy animal teams make millions of visits each year to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices. Their exceptional therapy animals partner with human companions to bring comfort and healing to those in need. For more information on Pet Partners, please click here, or click here to find a Pet Partner in your area. FIT CLUB JIU-JITSU It’s always exciting to welcome a new business to Fairfield, especially to cut the ribbon for a local business opening a second location! Fairfield wishes Fit Club Jiu-Jitsu much success. You can visit them at 1494 Post Road or check them out online at www.fitclubct.com. Photo by Mike Lauterborn of HamletHub FAIRFIELD THEATRE COMPANY The Town of Fairfield congratulates the Fairfield Theatre Company on celebrating its 10th ENCORE Gala anniversary this year! The Town appreciates the FTC for the renowned arts and culture it brings to our community. If you wish to support this vibrant arts institution and attend its gala in the FTC Warehouse, please click here for more information. FAIRFIELD GARDEN CLUB On Monday, I issued a proclamation to the Fairfield Garden Club establishing April 26, 2022 as Frederick Law Olmsted Day. The Town of Fairfield proudly honors the 200th birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted who was an author, journalist, public official, urban planner, and founder of American landscape architecture. More information on the Fairfield Garden Club can be found here. From left to right: Virginia Lynch Dean, Laura Meyer, Carolyn Stubbs, Claire Van de Berghe, Co-President, First Selectwoman Brenda L. Kupchick, Candace Wagner, Co-President, & Barbara Geddes Wooten COMMUNITY EVENTS HOLOCAUST COMMEMORATION Thank you to the Town of Fairfield Holocaust Committee for an incredibly moving and inspiring evening remembering the victims of the Holocaust. It was an honor to hear Dr. Leon Chameides, a Holocaust child survivor, share his story at the 37th Annual Holocaust Commemoration on April 27th. Dr. Chameides immigrated to the United States in 1949 after seeking refuge in Lviv, Ukraine during World War II. He spent 30 years in Hartford as a successful Pediatric Cardiologist. He is the author of two books, most notably Strangers in Many Lands, which details his experiences during World War II. I was deeply moved by Dr. Chameides story of his childhood and escape from the Nazis, as I am sure everyone in attendance was as well. Never forget. Never again. Please click here to read the proclamation issued at this important event and a wonderful article on it here. Reverend David W. Spollett and Dr. Leon Chameides First Selectwoman Brenda L. Kupchick Photos by Brian A. Pounds GREENFIELD HILL DOGWOOD FESTIVAL I am excited to announce that after three years, Fairfield's annual Dogwood Festival will return this spring. The Town of Fairfield will be celebrating its 85th annual Dogwood Festival from May 7th to May 8th, hosted by Greenfield Hill Congregational Church. The event will take place that Saturday from 10 AM – 5 PM and continue on Sunday from 11 AM – 5 PM. Join Greenfield Hill Church for a fun-filled day of food, music, activities for the kids, and arts & craft vendors! It is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beautiful spring weather and admire the Town's historical Dogwood trees. For more information please click here, or you can view the event schedule here. ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION I was happy to join Brownie Troop 30447 today at Riverfield School to issue them a proclamation declaring Arbor Day and help plant four dogwoods and one elm tree for the Troop’s Take Action Project, which is improving the overall quality of the school’s playground. The Town is very grateful to Tree Warden Jeff Minder, the Fairfield Forestry Committee, the Fairfield Department of Public Works, the Sustainable Fairfield Task Force, all of our garden clubs, the Burr Gardens Advisory Committee, DEEP and its State Forester, Aspetuck Land Trust, the Connecticut Audubon Society and Birdcraft Museum, Connecticut Arborists, Sustainable CT, CTPA, the Arbor Day Foundation, and all our residents who plant and maintain trees that make our community so beautiful. WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES What an amazing turn out in Fairfield and from our surrounding communities, Sacred Heart University and Fairfield High schools for the 10th annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes”. Why is Walk a Mile in her Shoes important? It’s important because this event brings people of all ages, races and genders together to raise awareness of the domestic violence in all forms. After a two year pause due to COVID, it was really good to join together to show our support for victims of domestic violence on this 10 year anniversary of the walk. Thank you for Deb Greenwood and her amazing staff at the Center For Family Justice, Sacred Heart President Dr. Petillo, Director of Public Safety at Sacred Heart and former Chief of Police Gary MacNamara and the Fairfield Police Department! BEACH BUNNY 5K Saturday, April 16th, Fairfield Parks & Rec hosted its 1st Annual Beach Bunny 5K race at Jennings Beach. It was a great event for the community to get together over the holiday weekend. Kudos to the Parks & Recreation Department for always coming up with fun recreational events for our community to enjoy. FAIRFIELD'S GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUES It was fun to join the Fairfield Girls Softball Leagues kick off the season at Denise Dougiello Field. Wishing the girls a fun and successful season of softball. FAIRFIELD EAGLE SCOUTS This past Sunday I was joined by Senator Tony Hwang, Representative Laura Devlin and Cristin McCarthy Vahey and Judge Kate Neary Maxham, I had the privilege of reading a proclamation in honor of Andrew Cimmino (Regis '23), Andrew Rhoades (Warde '22), and Thomas Nardone (Prep '23) for earning the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. Congratulations to the scouts, troop leaders and parents of Troop 90 for all of their dedication to these find young men. HAVE DOCUMENTS THAT NEED SHREDDING? Bring boxes or bags of any documents you want to shred on-site. All the paper that is shredded is properly recycled. Open to Residents and Non-residents on April 30th, rain or shine. All money raised benefits the Fairfield Police Cadets. ($10 per Banker/copy box) The event is first come first serve and lasts until the truck is full. This usually happens around 11:30 AM. Why should you shred your documents? Some documents have personal information that can be used in identity theft. Why do the Police Cadets host this event? As part of their educational curriculum, Cadets learn about identity theft and host this event as a means to help the community prevent themselves from becoming victims. Additionally, all proceeds go directly to the program for training and equipment. I'm heartbroken that Fairfield lost one of its favorite sons this week, Charlie Capalbo, after his five-year battle with cancer. Charlie spent years in and out of hospitals battling this terrible disease, but never without the unwavering support of his family, friends, and our community. I hope you will take a moment to read Charlie's family's tribute here or watch the News 12 tribute here. Please keep the Capalbo family in your prayers. May God hold Charlie in the palm of his hand. Sincerely, Brenda L. Kupchick Fairfield First Selectwoman COVID-19 UPDATE The CDC has changed from community transmission indicators to a community indicator based on hospitalization data. CT is currently rated as "low," as is Fairfield County. For vaccination locations, there are numerous sites available in Fairfield and nearby as well as daily walk-in clinics in many Towns. There are 10 COVID testing sites in Fairfield under contract to offer no-cost testing to CT residents. The Health Department will be hosting a booster clinic at the Public Health Nursing Office, 100 Mona Terrace (behind the Bigelow Center). Appointments can be made on VAMS and you can click here to go the VAMS website. Thursday, May 5th, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Moderna Only. APRIL UPDATES MIA'S MISSION FOR UKRAINE I received a lovely handmade sunflower pin from a North Stratfield second-grader, Mia Iannacone who stopped by Town Hall with her Mom. Mia decided to put her lesson at school of being a good citizen into action by painting sunflower pins to raise funds for the people and animals in Ukraine. It’s acts of kindness like this in our community that are helpful and welcome reminders why public service is so important to me. Money raised will go to Save the Children and/or Humane Society International. If you would like to support Mia’s efforts to help Ukraine, you can donate here. UKRAINE MOTHER'S DAY FUNDRAISER The Kiwanis Club of Fairfield’s 2022 Mother’s Day Flower Sale proceeds will benefit the mothers and children of Ukraine. The mission of Kiwanis is to change the world – One Child, One Family and One Community at a time. Residents can support this cause by purchasing floral arrangements for your loved ones here. Pick up for these arrangements will take place on Saturday, May 7th from 9 AM until 12 PM at 39 South Benson Rd. FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY WELCOMES NEW COACH Carly Thibault-DuDonis was recently named Head Coach of Fairfield University's Women’s Basketball Team. I hope you join me in congratulating Carly on her new position with the team and wish her success in her new endeavor. BIRD FEEDING HALT 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. 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, residents should call the police department at (203) 254-4800. For a list of simple steps to avoid conflicts and problems with black bears, please click here. COMMUNITY CLASSES Community classes are to be held at the Fairfield Regional Fire School, 205 Richard White Way. If you have questions regarding any of these courses, please contact (203) 254-4708, or email frfs@fairfieldct.org. Heartsaver Layperson CPR/AED Certification Tuesday Evening, May 31st 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM or Saturday Morning, November 27th 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM $50 per student BLS Healthcare Provider CPR/AED Saturday Morning, August 27th 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM $90 Per Student PLEASE CLICK ABOVE IMAGE FOR DETALS ON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES PLEASE CLICK ABOVE IMAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION HEALTHY KIDS DAY / FAIRFIELD'S EARTH DAY CELEBRATION Join Families and Children of All Ages to Celebrate Earth Day and get our kids moving, learning and creating healthy habits. Plant and seed giveaways, compost, invasive plant & pest, pollinator pathway information as well as energy efficiency, EV display, Fire Safety trailer, hands-on science activities for the kids and so much more! FREE! No registration required. The event will be held Saturday, April 30th 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Fairfield YMCA, 841 Old Post Road. 2022 BIKE RODEO There aren’t many ways to get around that are “greener” than biking! Presented by the Fairfield Police Athletic League (PAL), Town of Fairfield Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee and local Cub Scout packs, this event is designed to educate local youth on the basics of bicycle and road safety. It will feature a training course with areas to learn proper riding techniques, helmet fitting and inspection, and equipment repairs. Kids will receive bike safety education materials, reflectors, and other safety equipment. Helmets will be inspected to ensure a proper fit; if needed, riders will be given new helmets free of charge. The event will take place Sunday, May 1st from 9 AM – 12 PM at Jennings Beach Parking Lot. If you are interested in participating, please visit the Fairfield Patch for more information. HOWARD JACOBSON SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY The Cable Advisory Council of Area 2 (CAC) will bestow two new scholarships in memory of former longtime Chairperson Howard Jacobson. One high school and one college student studying film, mass communications, and television or media studies will receive $1000 to help further their studies. CAC, which serves the Towns of Fairfield, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, Orange, and Woodbridge promotes quality Community Access Television. The Council is an ongoing asset for Cable Area 2 with the support of Altice/Cablevision. For more information about eligibility or how to apply, please email info@cacarea2.com. FAIRFIELD ROTARY'S ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC It’s time to hit the links… The Fairfield Rotary Club announces its 34th Annual Golf Tournament at Brooklawn Country Club on May 16th. Information about Sponsorship, Team sign-up, and Individual sign-ups can be found on the Fairfield Rotary website www.fairfieldrotary.org under 34th Annual Golf Tournament. All prices include greens fees, cart, lunch on the course and heavy appetizers after golf. To Register – go to www.fairfieldrotary.org and look for the Annual Golf Tournament, for details. Events like this one help to provide grants and scholarships as well as support for humanitarian projects locally and around the world. So, please consider supporting this excellent cause by joining our golf outing this year. For more information contact: Bill Llewellyn at (203) 400-3111 or at bill@universalprinting4u.com FAIRFIELD POLICE SUNSET 5K The 4th Annual Fairfield Police Sunset 5k – Presented by MONECO Advisors, is scheduled for July 20th at 6:00 PM. This Town favorite and family friendly event will be held at picturesque Penfield Beach, followed by a food truck rodeo. Come run, walk of just cheer on the crowd, all are welcome! Proceeds from the race will benefit the Fairfield Police Union Scholarship Fund & The Fairfield Police Foundation. For more information, to sign up or consider sponsorship, please click here. TOWN SERVICES BIGELOW CENTER FOR SENIOR ACTIVITIES Fairfield senior center's mission is to provide services and programs for older adults that promote well being, support independence, and encourage involvement in community life. To become more involved with local activities and stay informed on news surrounding the Senior Center, you can view their Newsletter. SOCIAL SERVICES The hardest part of getting help is reaching out. 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 or to schedule an appointment. For more additional information and resources, social services offers a comprehensive newsletter with various programs addressing career development, service members, and housing here. FAIRFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARIES Both branches of Fairfield Public Library are open the following hours: Monday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 – 5:00 PM. The Library will be closed on Sunday, May 29th, and Monday, May 30th, in observance of Memorial Day. Book Donations Needed! Friends of Fairfield Public Library welcome your gently-used books for their ongoing book sale at Main Library (no textbooks, please). Donations can be brought to the Friends’ Book Room on the first floor of Main Library during regular Library hours. Ongoing Events at FPL: April 9th – June 4th, Bruce S. Kershner Art Gallery Exhibit: “Kaleidoscope”. The Kershner Gallery’s latest exhibit at Main Library features the work of local artists Patrick Burhenne, Katya Lebrija, and Jill Harrington Nichols. Stop by the Gallery anytime during regular Library hours. Wednesday evenings, April 27th – June 15th, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM – “Am I the Only One? Helping Parents/Caregivers Adjust to a Post-COVID World.” Fairfield Public Library and Fairfield Counseling Services have partnered to offer eight weeks of workshops led by licensed behavioral professionals at Main Library. Topics will include handling stress and increasing motivation, starting the conversation with your LGBTQ+ child/teen, and achieving a healthy work/life balance, among others. Registration is recommended but not required; check our online calendar for specific dates and topics. Coming in May: Friends of Fairfield Public Library will host their annual Literary Luncheon at the Patterson Club in Fairfield on Wednesday, May 18th, from 12 PM – 3:00 PM. This year’s featured guest is Jennifer Weiner, author of The Summer Place. Cost is $100 per person; see our online calendar for a link to purchase tickets. The Friends of the Library will also hold their BIG spring book sale from May 20th – 22nd in the Rotary Room at Main Library. Stop by and select from thousands of books, DVDs, and other items, most priced between $1 – $5. Hours are Friday, May 20, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Saturday, May 21, 1:00 –4:30 PM, and Sunday, May 22nd, 1:00 – 4:30 PM. All proceeds benefit the Library. On Sunday, May 22nd, enjoy the music of our latest Soundwaves concert, “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM in the Memorial Room at Main Library. Violinist Katie Lansdale and pianist Max Levinson will perform. Free to all; light refreshments will be offered. Registration recommended. The Library continues to offer a mix of in-person and virtual programming at both locations for children, teens and adults. Please view our online calendar of events on our website (www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org) to see the offerings and reserve your spot! Fairfield Public Library offers 24/7 access to its digital collection of books, music, magazines, movies and databases. Information services are available in person, by phone (203-256-3160), by email at eref@fplct.org, and via text messaging (text askfplct to 833-232-4100). PEQUOT LIBRARY We are open for browsing! Visit Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 6 PM, Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM, and Sunday Noon – 4 PM. Drop in during browsing hours to check out items from our circulating selection, see our latest exhibit in the Perkin Gallery, or view treasures from our Special Collections. Now on view: [Her]story - Women's Roles Through History Dating from the 1700s forward, holdings from Pequot’s Special Collections reveal the evolution of roles women have held and hold. The selected items will uncover the impressive accomplishments made by women and show connections to Pequot Library over time, featuring local and national figures such as Mary Hull Wakeman, Mabel Osgood Wright, and Amelia Earhart. Join Pequot Library for a walk through [her]story from Colonial America, the Gilded Age, Women’s Suffrage, World War employment, and to modern professional life. Looking at a girl’s life then and now will tell a story of fluid educational and social norms. Follow visionary women through text and visual representations to witness their strength and resilience, as they move from atop a pedestal to protest, lead, and love. For more programming, visit Upcoming Events – Pequot Library 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. FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR HOME REPAIRS Spring showers bring…home repairs? If you’re a Fairfield homeowner dealing with a leaky roof or if you’re needing to make other repairs to your home, the Community & Economic Development Department may be able to help. Eligible homeowners can receive up to 60% of the total project cost, up to a maximum of $15,000 per qualified applicant, per year. Financial assistance is provided in the form of a special, no-interest loan that is repaid when the owner sells, refinances, or transfers the property. Eligible home improvements include exterior painting, siding, or roofing projects; installation of new or replacement storm windows and doors; lead-based paint or asbestos abatement projects; installation of replacement boilers or hot water heaters; heating, plumbing, or electrical improvements to address code deficiencies and modifications to accommodate persons with disabilities. Applicants must be income-eligible and a current Town of Fairfield homeowner to participate in this program. Certain other restrictions do apply. For additional information, please contact Sonia Hine at the Office of Community & Economic Development via email at shine@fairfieldct.org or by calling (203) 256-3120. OPERATION HOPE 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 AM to 12:00 PM and Thursday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Please let us help you with groceries and other basic necessities! PREVIOUS UPDATES: April 14 April 1 March 18 March 4 Budget Update Archives Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive my update directly here. Archives
MESSAGE FROM THE TOWN TAX COLLECTOR Fourth quarter Real Estate taxes, and second installment Sewer Use taxes become due on April 1, 2022 and the last day to pay timely is Monday May 2, 2022. On May 3, 2022 statutory interest accrues at an initial rate of 3%. Per State Statute interest accrues at 1.5% per month from the original due date of April 1, 2022.
You may pay by check or cash in person. The Tax Office is open to the public, no appointment necessary.
Any original tax bill can be paid at any People's Bank branch location between April 1st and May 2, 2022. You do not need to be a customer. For more details on payment options, penalties and contact information, view the Legal Notice or contact the Tax Collector's Office.
Thursday, May 5th, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Moderna Only.
BLS Healthcare Provider CPR/AED Saturday Morning, August 27th 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM $90 Per Student