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
9/30/2022 - 9.30 TOWN UPDATE Dear Fairfielders, Despite summer coming to a close and the cold weather approaching, the Town still has many fun community activities for residents to enjoy. You can view these family-friendly events toward the bottom of this email under "Save the Dates." I hope our residents who celebrated Rosh Hashanah this week have a very happy and healthy sweet New Year. Between the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the 10 days of Atonement, which are an opportunity for repentance, reflection and change. The high holidays are the most religious time for Jewish people throughout the world, and I wish those celebrating here in Fairfield an easy fast this Yom Kippur. GROUND BREAKING I was excited to participate in the long-awaited ground breaking of the Fairfield Metro Project. I was on the RTM when the Town entered into the tripartite agreement with the state and developer to create a transit-oriented development a little more than twenty years ago. This long overdue project will deliver extensive commercial opportunities that are needed in Fairfield, as well as a hotel and residential buildings. The Town is looking forward to working with the new developer to complete the project that was part of this tripartite agreement so many years ago. I look forward to this formerly contaminated brownfield site being repurposed and the increased tax revenue it will bring to our Town. There are beautiful trails around the property and easy access to the Metro North train stations. This project was part of our Town's TOD Study conducted in 2019. Once the property is developed, the value of the property will increase, which will ultimately help alleviate the tax burden on residential homeowners. You can read more about the development in the Fairfield Patch and Fairfield Citizen. Photos by Dariusz Terepka TOWN GOVERNMENT NEWS PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC INPUT The Town of Fairfield is re-launching its effort to update its Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), which was delayed by the pandemic. The Plan guides the Town in making decisions related to housing, economic development, transportation, infrastructure, facilities, open space, and both historic/cultural and environmental resources. Residents, business owners, students and other stakeholders have been actively involved in this process and can continue to help craft the 10-year plan by participating in an exciting and interactive online workshop: www.fhistudio-apps.com/fpocd/ The workshop is an opportunity for people to re-examine their prior input and to add any new insights for goals for the Town that they may have gained such as: Identify the Town’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats Prioritize goals Identify locations for preservation, enhancement, and transformation Share ideas for new projects and policies An update of the Plan is required every ten years and the last Plan was adopted in 2016. The Town has engaged FHI Studio as the consultant team to lead this effort to complete work the Town began with community-wide workshops in the winter of 2020 pre-pandemic. The update is expected to continue through 2022 and will culminate in a 2023 Plan. The POCD will establish goals by identifying future economic development growth opportunities in Fairfield’s commercial districts, such as around major train stations, expanding housing options to retain seniors and attract young professionals; and outlining major infrastructure investments needed for future wastewater management, drainage, transportation and sea level rise mitigation. There will be multiple opportunities for public participation in the Plan update both virtually and in-person. The initial opportunity is an interactive online workshop/survey for residents to provide input and feedback regarding the Plan goals and strategies. This workshop will be open through October 16, 2022. Those who want to stay informed about the plan can sign up for updates here: https://forms.gle/xSWdS3mK8Fc5Jpae9 SIDEWALKS The Town of Fairfield is among 77 Connecticut municipalities that will receive infrastructure improvement funding through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP). Investing in a pedestrian-friendly Fairfield has been a priority for my administration which is why we recently commissioned an engineering consultant report detailing the condition and construction characteristics of sidewalks throughout Fairfield that would benefit from rehabilitation. The project we received STEAP funding for will install, repair and replace sidewalks in Fairfield, focusing on Round Hill Road from Barlow Road to Post Road (US 1) and Reef Road from Nichols Street to Fairfield Beach Road. This project will fill in gaps, provide a continuous pedestrian gateway to downtown from essential locations, and update other sidewalks leading to the downtown area, emphasizing Reef Road, a key artery connecting the beach and popular residential neighborhoods to the downtown. Any time a resident or visitor opts to walk or to combine walking with public transportation as an alternative to using a car, we all enjoy a positive environmental impact and a boost to community health and wellness. To read more about the anticipated STEAP Grant, you may do so in the Fairfield Patch. ELECTION DAY SIGNS ON TOWN PROPERTY I want to take this opportunity to remind residents Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 8th. Candidates, political parties and the public have been advised by law enforcement that no signs, including campaigns, businesses and nonprofits are permitted on public or Town property and should only be placed, with permission, on private property. I receive regular complaints from residents about the numerous signs placed on Town property, especially on islands and intersections in the sight lines of motorists. We recommend anyone wanting to promote a charity event, candidate or business ask permission from businesses or homeowners to place a sign. In accordance with zoning ordinances, signs cannot be affixed with ties, rope, or string to mailboxes, street signs, or stop signs. ABSENTEE VOTING If you will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day – November 8, 2022 – you may vote by absentee ballot. Absentee Voting is permitted in the State of Connecticut for any of the following reasons: Physical disability Illness Absence from town of residence Religious tenets which forbid secular activity Active US Military Connecticut does not participate in Early Voting. In order to vote absentee, you must meet one of the criteria listed above. Absentee voting in Connecticut is a two-step process. A completed and signed Absentee ballot application must be filed with the Town Clerk before a ballot is issued. Absentee ballots will be mailed beginning October 7th. The Town Clerk’s Office will be open on Saturday, November 5 for absentee balloting from 9 – 12 noon. Applications may be filed in person, by mail, ballot dropbox or by e-mail. If filed by e-mail, the original, signed (wet-ink signature) application must be returned with the ballot, or by mail, to the Town Clerk's Office, 611 Old Post Road, Fairfield 06824 by Election Day for the ballot to be counted. Please be aware that some campaigns are sending unsolicited absentee ballot applications to likely voters. The Town Clerk’s Office does not send absentee ballot applications unless requested. If you plan to vote in person on Election Day, you can destroy the application. Polls will be open from 6 AM – 8 PM. TOWN CHARTER Residents will have an opportunity to cast their vote on proposed changes to the current Town Charter in this year’s election. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022. The Proposed Charter, which was approved by the Board of Selectmen on August 11, 2022, can be found here. To view a Redline Version of the Proposed Charter, the current Town Charter and all recordings and minutes of the Charter Revision Commission, please click here. MESSAGE FROM THE TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE The 1st half Sewer Use Taxes and 2nd quarter Real estate taxes become due on October 1, 2022 and the last day to pay timely is Tuesday, November 1, 2022. On November 2, 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 October 1, 2022. You may pay by check or cash in person. The Tax Office is open to the public, no appointment is necessary. Any original tax bill can be paid at any M&T bank branch location between October 1st and November 1, 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. 8-30G | AFFORDABLE HOUSING In a report that was released last week, Fairfield ranked 4 on the list of best affordable housing plans in Fairfield County. In case you missed it, my op-ed on 8-30g was published in the CT Post a few weeks ago. You can read it here. This state statute remains a very important issue for our residents and I will continue to speak out for common sense changes our state legislature should make. Recently, I was invited to speak on WICC's Melissa in the Morning to address the 8-30g Statute. You can listen to the segment here. EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION Congratulations to Kathleen Muldoon from the Town Clerk’s Office who has achieved Certified Connecticut Town Clerk (CCTC) status. Pictured are Kathleen Muldoon receiving her CCTC from Interim Secretary of State Mark Kohler and Certification Chair Ashley Flynn-Natale. VACANCIES ON TOWN BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS I have made it a priority to highlight volunteer opportunities for our community through my newsletter. It has been encouraging to see so many residents filling out forms to serve on one of our many Boards and Commissions in Town. Please visit https://fairfieldct.org/vacancies for a full list. If you would like to be considered to serve on a board, please send a resume (or short bio) and a completed questionnaire to the Office of the First Selectwoman. You can submit them one of two ways: Use our Online Boards and Commissions Interest Form; or Submit your resume and a completed questionnaire to the Office of the First Selectwoman *All appointees must be registered voters in Fairfield. SEEKING PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS The Town of Fairfield is looking to locate and recognize WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, OEF, OIF and other Purple Heart recipients, Gold Star families and families of deceased Purple Heart recipients. There are many Purple Heart recipients and families in our community. We would like to recognize and celebrate each one at an upcoming Veterans Day Celebration on November 10. Details to follow. To submit a name, email Veterans@fairfieldct.org or call Julie DeMarco, Human Services Department, (203) 256-3169, to share the name of a Purple Heart recipient. FAIRFIELD'S FIRST RESPONDERS FAREWELL & THANK YOU I was able to work very closely with Assistant Fire Chief Scott Bisson through his role as the COVID-19 Pandemic Operations Section Chief and the Department COVID-19 Safety Officer. His leadership throughout the pandemic was vital to our emergency management team in keeping our Town safe and operational. Scott was also instrumental in contact tracing, PPE management, tracking, tracing and testing, and vaccination management. In addition to his work during COVID, his 31 years of outstanding and tireless service to the Town helped to ensure the safety of every member of our Fire Department and all our residents. The Town wishes to thank Scott, a devoted public servant, for his hard work and dedicated years of service, and much success and happiness in his new role as North Haven’s Deputy Fire Chief of Operations. FAIRFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT Throughout Lieutenant Michael Paris' 20 years of service to the Town of Fairfield, he has maintained the remarkable ability to connect with residents. Lieutenant Paris has served as a Telecommunicator, Patrol Officer, Honor Guard Officer, Crash Investigator, Traffic Enforcement Officer, Hostage Negotiator, Grant Writer, Field Training Officer, Union President, Investigator and FBI Task Force Officer. He has demonstrated a solution-driven mindset, contagious optimism, professionalism and technical expertise, making him a leading example in the law enforcement community. I want to congratulate Lieutenant Paris on a well-deserved nomination to the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut for his exemplary passion and commitment to the residents of Fairfield. THANK YOU FAIRFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT I want to acknowledge the work anniversaries for members of the Fairfield Fire Department. I sincerely appreciate their dedication to our community. Please click here to view the recent work anniversaries. POLICE SUNSET 5K This year’s Fairfield Police Sunset 5K was a huge success! The Police Department and the Town thank Fairfielder Eric Johnson and the team at MONECO Advisors for their support and sponsorship. The Fairfield Police Foundation recently accepted a check for a portion of the proceeds. We appreciate residents for their support and generosity and are looking forward to next year's event. To learn more about the Fairfield Police Foundation, please click here. FAIRFIELD POLICE & FIRE SUPPORT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS The Fairfield Fire and Police Departments are supporting the Norma Pfriem Breast Center along with Aquarion Water Company. Aquarion is the center's Cheer Mobile Sponsor, while the Police Department has provided one of its cruisers to partake in the Pink Pledge, which is hosting its pep rally today, September 30th. I am excited to see the Fire Department's banner proudly hanging and the cruiser around Town representing this important cause. COMMUNITY NEWS TRANSPORTATION SURVEY The Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG) is developing the 2023-2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for the Greater Bridgeport and Valley region. The MTP is a federally required document that identifies opportunities to improve mobility for people in Fairfield and throughout the region, from 2023 to 2050. A critical component of the planning process is to provide opportunities for community members to inform the plan. A brief survey is available here until November 1, 2022. A Spanish-language survey is available here. By sharing your ideas and opinions about how to improve the safety and efficiency of your community’s transportation system, you will help guide elected officials when they make decisions about where and how to invest in the transportation system in the future. More information about MetroCOG, the role of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Metropolitan Transportation Plan can be found here. To comment, please click here. Please Meghan Sloan, Planning Director at msloan@ctmetro.org for any questions. CONSTITUTION WEEK On Wednesday, September 21st, I was happy to present a proclamation to the Eunice Dennie Burr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), declaring September 17th – 23rd as “Constitution Week” in the Town of Fairfield. Constitution Week is the commemoration of America's most important document, the Constitution of the United States of America. This celebration of the Constitution was started by the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1955, DAR petitioned Congress to set aside the week annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The goals of the Constitution Week celebration are to emphasize citizens' responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution, inform people that the Constitution is the basis for America's great heritage and the foundation for our way of life and encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787. Pictured: Claire Abate, First Selectwoman Brenda L. Kupchick & DAR Regent, Dr. Kim Stevens GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD I was honored to attend a ceremony on Saturday, September 17th for Sage Garver of Girl Scout Troop 30133, for recently earning the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouts. This award is given out to less than 6% nationwide of all girls and recognizes those who demonstrate extraordinary leadership that has a sustainable impact in their communities and beyond. The Gold Award requires at least 80 hours of researching issues, assessing community needs and resources, and building a team, all of which Sage has excelled at. Under the guidance of Sage’s long time troop leader, Marylynn Iorfino, Sage worked with the Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS) to create a virtual trail tour for visitors of the Roy and Margot Larsen Sanctuary. The tour, which is accessible from the CAS app and website, guides visitors through the sanctuary’s main trail with stops featuring videos of Audubon employees talking about the ecosystem and graphics to show where these points of interest are located. Sage recorded and edited all the media and used her graphic design skills to create the location graphics. In addition to the Gold Award, Sage has worked hard to receive the Silver Award, which involved her refurbishing the garden at Osborn Hill Elementary School. Sage is an impressive young woman and I look forward to seeing what she’s going to achieve next. Fairfield Daisy Troop Genna Garver (Sage's mom), Sage's Stepdad & Grandmother GIRL SCOUT SILVER AWARD I want to share the accomplishments of ninth-grade Girl Scout Cadettes of Troop 30223, Ayla Eyikan and Teagan Weber, who have taken their concern for the environment by writing and illustrating a book about climate change. Their book, Suzy Speaks Up, follows a young girl on her globe-touring vacation where she not only has an amazing adventure but simultaneously begins to question things that may be impacting our planet. It is a simple story that has a very accessible message for kids, touching on big topics like air pollution, deforestation, and rising sea levels, in a picture book format. Ayla and Teagan felt if very young kids are even a little bit aware of the impact our choices have on the environment, they may form Earth-friendly habits early in life. Teagan and Ayla hosted an afterschool meeting at Mill Hill Elementary School in Southport on September 22th inviting Library Media Specialists from all eleven elementary schools in Town, to hear about their project, their book and their intended goal. Each library received a copy of the girls’ book and will feature it, along with related activities, each April, the month of Earth Day. GREENFIELD HILL GRANGE The Greenfield Hill Grange was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 and has finally obtained its plaque. On September 24th, I had the honor of joining members of the Grange to install their plaque. The plaque is now proudly displayed on their front door for visitors to admire when they stop by. Thank you, Lori Golias, Lady Assistant Steward of the Greenfield Hill Grange, who took the initiative to apply for the designation. Photos by Greenfield Hill Grange #133 GREEN TEAM | FAIRFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS The Green Team's Mission is to promote a consistent standard of sustainable practices across all sixteen Fairfield public schools. They aim to reduce environmental impact and cost, improve the health and wellness of students and staff, and provide educational opportunities that align with the curriculum. Below are recent tips they have shared in our schools. For more information contact Meghann McKale at fptacsustainability@gmail.com. RATE CASES Aquarion Water Rate Case There has been a recently-filed rate case of the Aquarion Water Company before the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). I have submitted comments to the PURA Executive to express my opposition, which you can view here. I encourage residents to voice their opinions at the following meetings below: Thursday, October 6, 2022, at 5:30 PM VIRTUAL MEETING Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at 7:00 PM VIRTUAL MEETING On September 8th, the first public hearing was held in person, with many in attendance opposed to this increase. You can read the article in the CT Insider covering the topic here. Aquarion is proposing an inclining block rate structure for single-family, residential customers. This tiered approach would result in smaller increases for efficient/average-use customers. Inefficient/high-use customers would see a larger increase at the top two rate tiers. UI Rate Case United Illuminating has filed a motion to amend its rate schedule. This rate increase would raise an individual's total bill by 4.9% per year regardless of their rate class. PURA has scheduled four public comment hearings in this proceeding that I recommend residents attend: Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 5:30 PM IN-PERSON at Edward Smith Library, Schafer Community Room, 3 Old Post Road, Northford, CT 06472 (directions) Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 5:30 PM IN-PERSON City of New Haven City Clerk Hearing Room, 200 Orange Street, New Haven, CT 06510 (directions) Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 12:00 PM VIRTUAL MEETING Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 7:00 PM VIRTUAL MEETING COMMUNITY EVENTS BIGELOW COMMUNITY CHALLENGE This past Sunday was a beautiful day for Bigelow Tea to host its 35th annual Community Challenge. The fundraiser included a 5k run, 3k walk and kid's fun run. Proceeds from the fundraiser went to 23 local charities in need. The Town of Fairfield is grateful to Fairfielder Cindi Bigelow for organizing this community event each year and always supporting our local businesses and charities. You can sign up early for next year's event here. Cindi Bigelow UPCOMING EVENTS JOIN US TONIGHT ON SHERMAN GREEN! MILL RIVER WETLAND COMMITTEE Community Clean-Up Join the Mill River Wetland Committee (MRWC) clean-up on Saturday, October 1st from 12:00 – 1:30 PM. The MRWC will be cleaning up the Mill River Open Space area to prepare for our public River-Lab sessions. Sign up here. MRWC is seeking volunteers in a variety of positions. Contact Lynn at Engage@mrwc-fairfield.org for more information. FAIRFIELD FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL The Friends of Fairfield Public Library is pleased to announce that the Fairfield Food Truck Festival returns in 2022, this time partnering with the Town of Fairfield for an expanded event featuring concert performances, attractions and more family fun. The Festival will take place Sunday, October 2nd from 11 AM – 6 PM at Jennings Beach. The rain date is October 9th. The Fairfield Food Truck Festival has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Fairfield Public Library since debuting in 2017. All proceeds from the Festival are used to fund community-facing programs and initiatives at the library, such as a new public-address system for the Rotary Room and the mobile computer lab. COFFEE WITH A COP There are more upcoming events you can see by scrolling down below. BUSINESS FAIRFIELD WELCOMES MINISTER PRESIDENT DI RUPO OF BELGIUM I was honored to welcome Wallonia Minister-President Elio Di Rupo of Belgium to the Town of Fairfield last Tuesday, where he visited Atelier BE Chocolat. Minister-President Di Rupo was among the foreign leaders gathering in New York this week for a session of the United Nations General Assembly. Minister-President Di Rupo praised the work being done by Belgian entrepreneurs in America and congratulated BE Chocolat on its success. Thanks to this visit, Atelier BE Chocolat will become an ‘Ambassador of Wallonia’ and get access to a network of businesses and resources that will help them grow. Minister-President Di Rupo’s visit concluded with the inauguration of a large mural photograph ‘Vue du Ciel” by Belgian artist Antoine Rose, who came from Belgium for the occasion and can be seen in the Atelier. Sylvie Fortin (owner), Minister-President Elio Di Rupo, Belgian artist Antoine Rose, First Selectwoman Brenda L. Kupchick & Benoit Racquet (owner & Belgian Master Chocolatier) CAMORO SALON The Town officially welcomed Camoro Salon (located at 175 Rennell Drive) to Southport! Community & Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart joined owners Danielle and Elie Camoro for a ribbon cutting on Friday, September 23rd. SMILE ARK The Town also welcomes Smile Ark Pediatric Dentistry (located at 2480 Black Rock Turnpike) to Fairfield! Community & Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart and Fairfield Chamber of Commerce President Beverly Balaz joined Dr. Eunice Lee for a ribbon cutting on Thursday, September 29th. I join Fairfield residents in sending caring thoughts and prayers to all those affected by Hurricane Ian. Brenda L. Kupchick Fairfield First Selectwoman FLU VACCINE The Flu vaccine will be administered on: Thursday, October 13th from 10 AM – 7 PM Friday, October 14th from 10 AM – 5 PM The clinics will take place at the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities in the Cafeteria located at 100 Mona Terrace, Fairfield. No appointments are necessary. The flu vaccine will be available, while supplies last, in injection form only for people 3 years and older. High Dose is also available for those over the age of 65. The Pneumonia vaccine will also be available for those over the age of 65. Medicare Part B, Connecticare, Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, United HealthCare, and Oxford are all accepted and there is no co-pay. The out-of-pocket price for the Flu vaccine is $30, the High Dose vaccine is $65 and the Pneumonia vaccine is $65. This is a CASHLESS clinic, credit cards and checks will be accepted. COVID-19 UPDATE The CDC uses “Community Level” indicators, which focus on the presence of severe illness as indicated by hospitalization-related data to determine prevention steps. Please visit the CDC website for the current level of Fairfield County. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for oral COVID-19 medications. For a list of Test to Treat locations in Fairfield, please visit the Test to Treat website. If you have any questions, please speak with your primary care physician. For COVID testing in the area, please visit our website. To access free COVID testing at one of the state-sponsored testing sites, please click here. For vaccination locations, there are numerous sites available in Fairfield and nearby, as well as daily walk-in clinics in many Towns. The bivalent booster has been approved by the FDA under EUA. The Health Department has been conducting bivalent booster clinics and are working on setting additional clinic dates. Please continue to check our social media accounts and our page for updated information here. SAVE THE DATES Fairfield Restaurant Week will make its return on Monday, October 24th, and run through Sunday, November 6th. Full-service restaurants wishing to participate should contact Mark Barnhart, Director of Community and Economic Development, at (203) 256-3120 or mbarnhart@fairfieldct.org for more information. PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR MORE INFORMATION FAIRFIELD MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield and Quinnipiac University will present the exhibition, An Gorta Mór: Selections from the Collection of Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum, from September 17th – October 16th at the Fairfield Museum and History Center. The exhibition will feature pieces from Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum, which has the world’s largest collection of art related to the Irish Famine. The famine took place from 1845-52 and was the greatest social tragedy, in terms of morality and suffering, that Ireland has ever experienced. The selections on exhibit range from ones created at the time of the Great Hunger in the mid-19th century to contemporary reflections of this period in Irish history. Walking Tour Don't miss the Fairfield Museum and History Center's Town Hall Green walking tour on Saturday, October 15th from 10 – 11:30 AM. You'll learn about a Native prehistoric village, the 1639 Town center, witch trials, the Revolutionary War battleground, and the Burr Homestead, where John Hancock married Dorothy Quincy. These stories, and more, await a fascinating journey through time. Visit their website to register in advance of the tour! Legends & Hauntings Tours Reawaken Fairfield’s history on the Legends and Hauntings tour in the town’s centuries-old Burying Ground. As you walk among the ancient gravestones of the Old Burying Ground, prepare to be greeted by spellbinding characters such as Eunice Burr, Samuel Smedley, and Goody Knapp, who was convicted of and executed for witchcraft in 1653. Registration is open for Thursday, October 27th, Friday, October 28th & Saturday, October 29th here. THE ROAD TO BUSYTOWN EXHIBIT OPENING CELEBRATION The Fairfield Museum is excited to present a delightful and immersive exhibit on beloved children’s book author and illustrator Richard Scarry. This interactive, multi-generational exhibit will allow visitors to jump into the ever-vibrant “Busytown” and visit favorite characters such as Huckle Cat and Lowly Worm as they make their way through the world. To celebrate the exhibit, we will be hosting an opening celebration on Saturday, October 8th from 10 AM – 2 PM. Families and friends of all ages will have a chance to explore different “things that go” as part of a special Touch-a-Truck, take a picture with Huckle Cat, make a Lowly Worm paper doll while exploring what community means, and enjoy an ice cream from Saugatuck Sweets. Visit the Fairfield Museum’s website for more event details and be sure to check out the exhibit, on view from October 7, 2022 through April 30, 2023. PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR MORE INFORMATION THE ENCHANTED CASTLE The Enchanted Castle, presented by the Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County, is a family-friendly event that will take place October 26th – 30th at the Burr Mansion! Attendees will get to walk through each decorated room and listen to a story performed by live characters from Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast and Aladdin. To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit enchantedcastle.org! HALLOWEEN ON THE GREEN The Fairfield Museum, in partnership with Fairfield Parks & Recreation and Experience Fairfield, is excited to present the 6th annual Halloween on the Green event on Sunday, October 30th from 12 – 4 PM on the Museum Commons. This free family event will feature trick-or-treating, giveaways, displays in the historic buildings, food vendors, a bounce house, and much more. Get your family costumes ready! FAIRFIELD HARVEST MARKET Join us Saturday, October 15th, rain or shine from 10 AM – 4 PM for the annual Harvest Market located on Old Town Hall Green. The Fairfield Harvest Market features 70+ vendors offering artwork, crafts, pet products, jewelry, upcycled and rustic furniture, home décor items and beauty products. Food trucks and vendors from the weekly Fairfield Farmers Market will be there too. A Dog Halloween Costume Parade will start promptly at noon. Line-up will begin at 11:45 AM. Dress your fur baby in their Halloween costume to parade along Old Post Road. FAIRFIELD FARMER'S MARKET The Fairfield Farmer's Market on the Sherman Green is open on Sundays from 10 AM – 2 PM until October 9th. The Greenfield Hill Farmer's Market is open Saturdays from 10 AM – 1 PM until October 29th. For more information, please click here. SEPTEMBER UPDATES FAIRFIELD BEACHES UPDATE The Town's Department of Public Works will begin winterizing all the beach bathrooms and park comfort stations on October 17th. Penfield I bathroom, located on the lifeguard side, will close for the season on November 1st. AQUARION INFRASTRUCTURE WORK Aquarion Water Company continues to perform essential work on water infrastructure in Fairfield necessary to ensure continued system reliability. On September 6th, construction of a pressure-reducing facility replacement project began at the intersection of Governors Lane and Bronson Road in Fairfield. This infrastructure upgrade is part of an ongoing program to improve Aquarion’s water distribution system and to ensure the highest quality water and service. The project is designed to maintain water main pressure and fire flow capacity in the greater Bridgeport area and is expected to be completed in April 2023. For any questions regarding the infrastructure work, please click here. INVASIVE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) adults are out this time of year. If you confirm a population on Town property, please notify this Department at (203) 256-3071. Information related to the SLF from CTDEEP is available here, and from USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, here. The Conservation Department has been in correspondence with the U.S. Forest Service, CT Agricultural Experimental Station (CAES) and the Town's Tree Warden regarding the SLF. An informative flyer from the CAES can be found here. OPERATION HOPE | FOOD PANTRY Operation Hope’s Food Pantry is open all Summer to all Fairfield residents on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and Thursday from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Items can be dropped off at 636 Old Post Road between 9:15 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. During the month of September, Operation Hope is in need of the following items: Cookies & Crackers Deodorant Soap & Body Wash Paper Towels & Toilet Paper Tissues & Napkins Shampoo & Conditioner Canned Dog Food Canned Fruit Chili, Stew & Chef Boyardee Honey & Jelly Coffee & Hot Chocolate Juice & Juice Boxes Clam Chowder & Vegetable Soup Pancake Mix & Syrup Thank you for considering a donation to help them feed our hungry neighbors! 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 Thursday Morning, November 17th 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM $50 per student FAIRFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARIES Please note: Both branches of Fairfield Public Library are open from Noon – 5:00 PM on Saturdays, and from 1:00 – 5:00 PM on Sundays. Other hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Fridays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The Fairfield Food Truck Festival returns on Sunday, Oct. 2nd at Jennings Beach (rain date Oct. 9th). This year, the Friends of Fairfield Public Library will partner with the Town of Fairfield for an expanded event featuring concerts, attractions, and of course, over 20 food vendors. Bring the family or meet friends between 11 AM – 6 PM and enjoy a day at the beach! Through October 8, 2022, the public can view the current show from the Bruce S. Kershner Art Gallery Committee at Main Library. “Poetic Journey” features the work of local artists Kristen Ambrosi, Zvi Goldman, and Steve Magee; the exhibit can be viewed during regular Library hours. The Gallery’s next show, “Moving Lines,” will open on October 15th. New at both Main Library and Woods Branch: solar-powered device-charging stations! Sprint stand-up charging stations have been installed outside of both libraries, providing power for smartphones, tablets, and other handheld devices. They are equipped with LED lighting, a tabletop, and USB/USB-C charging outlets and can be accessed by library users even if the building is closed or there is a power outage. Purchase of the outdoor charging stations, as well as additional Library acquisitions such as mobile shelving units, was made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), administered by the Connecticut State Library. 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 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 closed on Sundays from July on. 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: The Lure of the Garden: The Enduring Desire to Work and Shape the Land Whether for pleasure or practicality, humanity’s relationship with the soil has sustained since we quite literally planted roots as a species over 6,000 years ago. The Lure of the Garden invites visitors to explore the enduring desire to shape and cultivate the land, from the propagation of the “three sisters” – corn, beans, and squash – by Native Americans, to garden clubs, war-era Victory Gardens, and community and pollinator gardens. With materials dating back to the 1500s, the Monroes and the Wakemans, founders of the library, sought to curate a collection that would be democratic — of use to all classes of society from the financier to the farmer. Pequot Library’s Special Collections reflect the changing tastes, styles, and purposes of gardens, as well as their enduring lure. (On view in the Pequot Library’s Perkin Gallery from June 23, 2022 – February 5, 2023). 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. PREVIOUS UPDATES: September 16 8-30g Op-Ed September 2 August 19 August 5 Archives Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive my update directly here. Archives
You may pay by check or cash in person. The Tax Office is open to the public, no appointment is necessary.
Any original tax bill can be paid at any M&T bank branch location between October 1st and November 1, 2022. You do not need to be a customer.
Under the guidance of Sage’s long time troop leader, Marylynn Iorfino, Sage worked with the Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS) to create a virtual trail tour for visitors of the Roy and Margot Larsen Sanctuary. The tour, which is accessible from the CAS app and website, guides visitors through the sanctuary’s main trail with stops featuring videos of Audubon employees talking about the ecosystem and graphics to show where these points of interest are located. Sage recorded and edited all the media and used her graphic design skills to create the location graphics. In addition to the Gold Award, Sage has worked hard to receive the Silver Award, which involved her refurbishing the garden at Osborn Hill Elementary School. Sage is an impressive young woman and I look forward to seeing what she’s going to achieve next.
I join Fairfield residents in sending caring thoughts and prayers to all those affected by Hurricane Ian.
This infrastructure upgrade is part of an ongoing program to improve Aquarion’s water distribution system and to ensure the highest quality water and service. The project is designed to maintain water main pressure and fire flow capacity in the greater Bridgeport area and is expected to be completed in April 2023. For any questions regarding the infrastructure work, please click here.
Information related to the SLF from CTDEEP is available here, and from USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, here. The Conservation Department has been in correspondence with the U.S. Forest Service, CT Agricultural Experimental Station (CAES) and the Town's Tree Warden regarding the SLF. An informative flyer from the CAES can be found here.