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
10/21/2022 - 10.21 TOWN UPDATE Dear Fairfielders, Today, the funerals were held for Lt. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt. Alex Hamzy. Police Officers from around the country traveled to Connecticut to pay their respects to their fallen brothers. The Town of Fairfield joins them in mourning the tragic and senseless loss of these young officers. I want to share my deepest sympathies to the families left behind, the Bristol Police Department and law enforcement everywhere. It's a difficult time to put on a uniform. I hope you will join me, as citizens who rely on the blanket of safety law enforcement provides, in expressing sincere appreciation for what they do each day. HONORING OUR FALLEN The Fairfield Police Foundation and the Town of Fairfield are coordinating a fundraising effort to benefit the Bristol Police Department and the Bristol Police Heroes Fund. On October 12, 2022, the City of Bristol and the Community at large faced the terrible loss of two officers and another officer who sustained serious injuries while responding to a disturbance. Lieutenant Dustin DeMonte, Sergeant Alex Hamzy, Officer Alec Iurato and other First Responders had their lives changed forever on this day while answering the call to Protect and Serve. The Bristol Police Heroes Fund has been created through the Thomaston Savings Bank and will be used to aid and assist families after tragic events such as what happened on October 12th. 100% of donations collected will benefit the Bristol Police Department and the Bristol Police Heroes Fund. If you’d like to contribute to Fairfield’s fundraising effort, go to: fpdct.com/supportbristolpolice The Tunnel to Towers Foundation pays off mortgages for the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty and leave behind young children. The Foundation announced they will pay off the mortgage on the home of fallen Connecticut Lieutenant DeMonte. Please click here to donate to the foundation in honor of the fallen. FALL IN FAIRFIELD I hope you are enjoying the beautiful fall New England weather. This week's newsletter features quite a few Town service updates, leaf pick up, food and shellfish recycling, and all the Halloween happenings you and your family can enjoy this month. Please note that Restaurant Week starts on Monday, so I hope you will enjoy dining at one of our fantastic participating restaurants. I had fun joining Star 99.9's Kevin Begley and Bankwell Vice President Mike Pida to talk about Fairfield's Restaurant Week at one of Fairfield's newest restaurants, Isla & Co. Click below to watch the interview. TOWN GOVERNMENT NEWS MENTAL HEALTH & POLICING I’m happy to share that on Tuesday night the Board of Finance unanimously approved, among other things, a new licensed clinical social worker to work under the Fairfield Police Department in collaboration with the Crisis Intervention Team and the Juvenile Review Board. I’ve met with these stakeholders over the past few months regarding the dramatic increase in mental health calls the Town of Fairfield has experienced since the pandemic. I know this new position will make a difference in our community. You can watch the presentation below from Captain Eddie Weihe, Detective Beth Leetch and Human & Social Services Director Julie DeMarco. I am proud of how these departments came together with our Youth Services Bureau under Parks & Recreation, with a meaningful and collaborative solution to better serve our community. CHARTER REVISION The Charter Revision Commission (CRC), a group of resident volunteers, spent the last year carefully reviewing the Town's charter, hearing from residents, elected officials, members of boards and commissions, experts in municipal government and Town employees, during 28 CRC meetings. The Board of Selectmen held an additional nine meetings, totaling 37 public meetings throughout the year-long process. All of these meetings have been posted on the commission website for the public to review. I shared information on the process with links to all meetings in my newsletters and there were many articles in the local press. This culminated in the most transparent and collaborative process in our Town's history to revise Fairfield’s 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. Per state statute, the Town Clerk has written and released the "explanatory text" of the charter revisions, which was authorized by the RTM and approved by the Town Attorney. I sent an update earlier this month, which you can read here. FALL LEAF PICKUP Visit www.fairfieldct.org/leaves for more information. FOOD WASTE DROP-OFF PROGRAM The Town of Fairfield is starting a new food waste program. Residents with a valid sticker can drop off their food waste at no charge at the Town Transfer Station beginning October 17th. Please stop at the scale house for a ticket. Food waste must be placed in a BPI-certified compostable bag. These bags can be purchased online as well as several local grocery stores. Acceptable materials for drop-off composting: Fruit scraps and peels (remove stickers and ties) Vegetable scraps Coffee grounds/filters Tea bags (remove staples) Eggshells Nuts Meat, poultry including bones Dairy Products Fish scraps including shellfish and bones Bread, pasta and grains No liquids No packaging For more information, please contact sustainablefairfieldtaskforce@gmail.com. FAIRFIELD SHELLFISH COMMISSION SHELL RECYCLING COMMUNITY DROP-OFF The Fairfield Shellfish Commission has been running a successful oyster and clam shell recycling program with local restaurants for over seven years. To date, we have recycled over 79,000 pounds of shell which would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. We are very excited to announce that we now have our first community drop-off site! It's located in front of the Conservation Workshop at 265 Richard White Way. Just look for the large, red recycling bin. Anyone can stop by any time and drop off their used oyster or clam shells in the red bin. The recycled shells are transferred to our shell collection site, where they cure for a least six months to kill off any bacteria or unwanted organisms. Once the shells have cured, they are returned to our local waters by the Shellfish Commission, where they are used for ongoing restoration projects to help rebuild oyster reefs and grow more oysters. NOTICE OF NON-COLLECTION In the coming days, the Solid Waste and Recycling Department will be stepping up the enforcement of keeping Fairfield’s recycling stream clean. This sticker, a Notice of Non-Collection, will be placed over residents’ blue recycling toters and then turned to face the opposite direction so that haulers know not to pick up the contaminated contents. Contamination prevents large batches of material from being recycled. Recyclables become contaminated when items are placed in the wrong bin, a dirty food container gets into the recycling, or recyclable items are mixed with trash or other non-recyclables. The Town of Fairfield is committed to Single stream recycling, the most viable and cost-effective way to convert waste into reusable material. Questions can be directed to (203) 256-3163, or https://www.fairfieldct.org/solidwaste. 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 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. The Town Clerk’s Office will be open on Saturday, November 5th for absentee balloting from 9 – 12 noon. 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 Applications may be filed in person, by mail, ballot dropbox or 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. 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. Please note, your polling location may have changed. Click here to check your polling location. You can view the sample ballot for November's election here. COMPLETE THE SURVEY BY OCTOBER 30! Launched last week, the Town of Fairfield is re-launching its effort to update its Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). 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 are invited to participate in the online survey workshop here. 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. Residents who want to stay informed about the plan can sign up for updates here. 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. The Town of Fairfield is hiring for several positions including in the HR Department, a Licensed Social Worker, Director of Purchasing and more. Click to view the current openings. HALLOWEEN IN FAIRFIELD 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 PUBLIC LIBRARIES Parents of children ages 0-5 can bring their little ones to a Halloween Parade around and through Main Library on Monday, October 31st. Come in costume and bring your trick-or-treat bag! Please register for ONE of two sessions – 10:00 or 10:45 AM – through the Library’s online calendar or by calling (203) 256-3161. Space is limited so reserve your spot early! Do you have the spookiest house in Fairfield? The Fairfield Parks & Recreation is hosting a Halloween House Decorating Contest! Send the department your frightful photos of your spooky house to enter to win Fairfield Parks & Recreation swag for you and your family. To enter, send your photos to Chelsea at cseres@fairfieldct.org. The contest winner will be announced on Halloween! Venture into the upside down to save Hawkins and the world in this after-hours scavenger hunt through the library stacks at the Fairfield Public Library today, October 21st, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. 80's attire is encouraged! Pizza will be served. Don't forget your flashlight. This event is open to individuals in Grades 6 – 12. Registration is required and this event is now sold out – I hope those of you attending enjoy this adventure! There is a waitlist if you would like to get on it. LEGENDS & HAUNTING 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 & Saturday, October 29th here. 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, click here! As Halloween approaches, the Fairfield Police Department would like to share the following safety tips to help residents and trick-or-treaters celebrate safely this season. Costume Safety Picking a great costume is an exciting part of Halloween preparation, and the Fairfield Police Department encourages parents/guardians to consider these tips while choosing a costume: All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant. Any props should be soft, and no part of the costume should impair vision or movement. Wear sturdy shoes and temperature-appropriate clothing under the costume. If children will be allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them a flashlight or glow sticks to ensure they are visible to drivers. When buying Halloween makeup, make sure it is nontoxic and always test it on a small area of skin first. Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation. Trick-or-Treating Safety According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be struck by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. To help prevent such a tragedy, parents and trick-or-treaters are urged to consider these tips before heading out: A responsible adult should accompany young children on neighborhood rounds. If older children or teenagers are going out alone, plan and review a route that you feel is safe and acceptable for them to follow. Agree on a specific time older children and teenagers should return home. Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car. Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends. Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home. Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street. Always look both ways before crossing the street. Driving Safety The Fairfield Police Department would also like to offer safety tips for those who plan to be on the road during trick-or-treating hours: Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully. At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing. Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween. The Fairfield Police Department wishes everyone a safe and happy Halloween season! COMMUNITY NEWS KIWANIS FIELD OF VALOR? To honor our Military Veterans and those men and women actively serving our country, the Kiwanis Club of Fairfield is hosting its 6th annual Field of Valor by displaying U.S. Flags. The Field of Valor will include more than 200 full-size (3'x5') American flags and will be on display to commemorate Veterans Day on November 11th. This display will be created in Jennings Park (adjacent to Hansen's Florist and across from Bob's Shopping Center) from November 6th through the 19th. To purchase a flag in honor of a veteran or someone currently serving, click here for more details. THE TUCKER FUND The Town of Fairfield proudly celebrates and thanks The Tucker Fund, Inc. for generously donating over $18,000 to the Fairfield Conservation Department to fund the building of a bird viewing platform on a newly-acquired open space, the Oldfield North Marsh. Three years after initiating this important project, the Tucker Fund constructed the bird viewing platform this summer that offers a shelter for bird viewers to observe wildlife at close quarters without disturbing their habitat. The Tucker Fund was created to remember Tucker Secrist, a bright, gifted, and kind friend and to honor his love for the outdoors and his hometown of Fairfield. The Fund’s mission is to preserve, protect, and revitalize our community’s natural spaces for current and future generations. Since its inception four years ago, this inspiring non-profit has held community events that bring together the countless people who knew and loved Tucker and has raised thousands of dollars for environmental projects throughout Fairfield County. The fund has also donated toward the restoration of Hoydens Hill open space to a native grass and wildflower meadow, planting pollinator gardens behind the new H. Smith Richardson Golf Course Clubhouse, supported the Connecticut Audubon Larsen Fragrance Loop Restoration and aims to restore, revitalize and enhance the heavily used Jennings Beach entryway by creating ecological resilience and sustainability that provide valuable coastal habitat. BURR GARDENS POND RESTORATION The Department of Public Works has begun work at the reflecting pond at the historic Burr Mansion, using the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the Federal Government. The Burr Homestead Gardens are a magnificent representation of Fairfield's rich history. The Burr Mansion and its gardens hosted many founding fathers of our country, including George Washington, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams and Aaron Burr. A grant of $25,000 to the Burr Gardens Advisory Committee in support of site improvements will launch their matching funds campaign. This will kickstart some of the necessary improvements to the gardens outlined in the Town-approved master plan. FRIENDS OF THE FAIRFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY I was honored to celebrate with the Friends of the Fairfield Public Library on Tuesday to commemorate October 16-22, 2022 as the 17th Annual National Friends of Libraries Week. The Friends of the Fairfield Public Library is dedicated to enhancing the partnership between the Fairfield Public Library and the community, and raising money to provide the resources for additional programming, much-needed equipment, support for children’s summer reading, and special events throughout the year. The Friends understand the critical importance of well-funded libraries and advocate to ensure that our library gets the resources it needs to provide a wide variety of services to all. I thank The Friends for donating their time and commitment to the library for the betterment of our community. UPCOMING EVENTS The 11th annual Fairfield Restaurant Week will make its return on Monday, October 24th, and run through Sunday, November 6th. Over two dozen restaurants are participating in this year’s culinary event! To view participating restaurants and sample menus, please click here. HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS Human trafficking affects 25 million people around the world. The crime is a violation of a victim's rights through coercion and commercial exploitation. Traffickers often study their victims and prey on their vulnerability. Click to read more about signs to spot human trafficking. There are more upcoming events you can see by scrolling down below. BUSINESS It's always exciting to welcome and support new businesses in Fairfield. Our local business' success is Fairfield's success. DOGTOPIA A brand new full-service doggie daycare, boarding facility and spa has opened at 1401 Kings Highway. It's a wonderful new addition to Town for dog owners. I hope you will stop in and check them out. TREK BICYCLE Today, we officially welcomed Trek Bicycle to 2266 Black Rock Turnpike. The store, which opened two months ago, sells TREK bikes, gear and accessories across a broad price range and repairs and services any make or model of bike. Photos by Mike Lauterborn I hope you have a safe and fun Halloween! Brenda L. Kupchick Fairfield First Selectwoman SAVE THE DATES MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY CARNIVAL The McKinley Elementary School PTA is excited to host its eagerly-anticipated Carnival this October! This fun-for-all-ages event will offer families traditional and affordable entertainment and carnival treats that all can enjoy close to home. The Carnival will run Friday, October 21st through Sunday, October 23rd in the Jennings Beach parking lot. Parking and admission are free. Wristbands for the special price of $30/each will be sold each day of the Carnival so kids and adults can enjoy unlimited rides all day and night. Single tickets will also be available for purchase. Coffee and caffeinated treats will be available from Cafe Piccolo on Saturday and Sunday, 1 – 5 PM. Click here for details and the latest info. FAIRFIELD FARMER'S MARKET The Greenfield Hill Farmer's Market is open Saturdays from 10 AM – 1 PM until October 29th. For more information, please click here. The Fairfield Farmer's Market on the Sherman Green is closed as of October 9th. OCTOBER UPDATES 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 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 new bivalent COVID booster has been approved and the Health Department has held several bivalent booster clinics. There will be additional clinic dates so please continue to check the Health Department social media accounts and webpage for updated information here. MESSAGE FROM THE TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE The 1st half of Sewer Use Taxes and 2nd quarter of 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. 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 meeting below: 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 (UI) 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: 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 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 October, Operation Hope is in need of the following items: Pasta Sauce & Tomato Paste Honey & Jelly Baking Mixes & Jell-O & Pudding Pasta & Rice Side Dishes Canned Chicken (& other meats) Pancake Mix & Syrup Cookies & Crackers Peanut Butter Oatmeal & Cereal Canned Fruit Deodorant & Shaving Supplies Paper Towels & Toilet Paper Cleaning Products Chili & Stew Ensure & Boost Ramen & Ramen Cups 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 Tuesday Evening, November 15th 7:00 PM – 10:00 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. From October 15 – December 10, 2022, the public can view the new show from the Bruce S. Kershner Art Gallery, “Moving Lines.” This show features the work of Charles Douthat and Mary Manning and can be viewed during regular Library hours at Main Library. There will be an opening reception for “Moving Lines” on Thursday, October 27th, from 5:30 – 7:30 PM; the artists will speak at 6:15 PM. All are welcome. 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. Coming in November: Friends of Fairfield Public Library Big Fall Book Sale! Save the dates of November 18th – 20th to browse through over 10,000 books and other items at Main Library and buy at bargain prices (most $1-$2). More information to come! 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). PREVIOUS UPDATES: October 14 Charter Explanatory Text September 30 September 16 8-30g Op-Ed Archives Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive my update directly here. Archives
Contamination prevents large batches of material from being recycled. Recyclables become contaminated when items are placed in the wrong bin, a dirty food container gets into the recycling, or recyclable items are mixed with trash or other non-recyclables.
The Town of Fairfield is committed to Single stream recycling, the most viable and cost-effective way to convert waste into reusable material.
Questions can be directed to (203) 256-3163, or https://www.fairfieldct.org/solidwaste.
KIWANIS FIELD OF VALOR? To honor our Military Veterans and those men and women actively serving our country, the Kiwanis Club of Fairfield is hosting its 6th annual Field of Valor by displaying U.S. Flags. The Field of Valor will include more than 200 full-size (3'x5') American flags and will be on display to commemorate Veterans Day on November 11th. This display will be created in Jennings Park (adjacent to Hansen's Florist and across from Bob's Shopping Center) from November 6th through the 19th. To purchase a flag in honor of a veteran or someone currently serving, click here for more details.
I hope you have a safe and fun Halloween!