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
1/20/2023 - 1.20 TOWN UPDATE Dear Fairfielders, On Monday, January 16th, we honored Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy by reflecting on the values and principles he stood for that united people of all ethnicities, religions and backgrounds. Dr. King once said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." I am thankful to live in a country where we can celebrate leaders like Dr. King, whose work and sacrifice brought long-lasting change for generations. We still have a great deal of work to do, and we all have a part to play. I hope we can all come together in this New Year with a renewed focus on what unites us instead of what divides us. Since we haven't sent a Town update since December, there is a great deal of important information below. Please feel free to use the quick links below to access the topics most important to you. Highlights in this week's newsletter: Penfield Pavilion, Fill Pile & Criminal Cases Board of Education & Town Budget Town Property Assessments Tax Relief for Senior & Disabled Homeowners The Future of Recreation in Fairfield Rooster River Update Fairfield Chamber Economic Outlook Breakfast AED & First Aid Training Free Tax Assistance Help with Utilities TOWN GOVERNMENT NEWS STATE OF THE TOWN ADDRESS On Monday evening at 8:00 PM, I will be giving my State of the Town address before the RTM. You can watch it live on FairTV. PENFIELD PAVILION & CRIMINAL COURT PROCEEDINGS I was invited to discuss my reaction with Melissa in the Morning on WICC regarding the recent articles in the CT Post and the Patch noted that the Fill Pile and public corruption scandal could be one of the longest and most complex criminal trials in the state’s history. You can listen to the full interview by clicking here. The Town has been in discussions with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the past year and is waiting on final approvals from all the state and federal regulatory agencies before moving forward with plans to address the Notices of Violation at Penfield Pavilion and the Fill Pile site. There continues to be a great deal of speculation and some misinformation surrounding the FEMA Notice of Violation (NOV) and concerns about the directives to fix Penfield Pavilion, especially for residents who live in the beach area. I certainly understand the frustration which is why I am working to plan a Town Hall meeting where I asked a representative from FEMA to be present to answer questions from residents. I have asked Congressman Himes to assist in this effort and hope to have more information for our community soon. I am asking that FEMA defend and explain their regulations directly to residents. Yesterday, I had a nearly two-hour meeting with members of FEMA and the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) which also have jurisdiction over coastal areas. We shared lists of questions from the community, the Flood & Erosion Control Board, Fairfield Beach Residents Association, elected officials and others. We also discussed outstanding issues, and again, asked for FEMA's participation in a Town Hall meeting. FEMA is going to review all the questions and work with my administration to put together answers and schedule the Town Hall meeting. I think it is important to know for residents who are frustrated with FEMA that they sent letters to the former First Selectman advising that the pavilion was being constructed against FEMA regulations, and to halt construction. The Town has determined that the failure to comply with FEMA guidelines during the last rebuilding of Penfield Pavilion was due to the misfeasance of the former First Selectman in concert with criminal defendants and former employees. After careful review, it has been determined that the retained engineering and FEMA consultants were not considered responsible for the actions of these players who essentially chose to ignore or override their recommendations. On behalf of the Town’s taxpayers, I have been incredibly frustrated by the time and resources that have been and will continue to be utilized on this entire situation. In addition, tens of millions of taxpayer dollars have been wasted cleaning up this mess that could have been used for many other much-needed projects in Town. I truly share our community's concerns and I am trying to do right by the Town to avoid further repercussions and expenses. TOWN BUDGET Education advocacy was the hallmark of why I became involved in public service in 1999. I place great importance on ensuring Fairfield’s children receive the best education while also being cognizant that we have to keep the Town's spending under control. It has been a pleasure getting to know Fairfield's new Superintendent, Michael Testani, who has a fresh perspective overseeing Fairfield's Public Schools. I am grateful he came in and immediately acknowledged the labor shortage which is impacting the classroom. With that recognition, he took corrective action to address the issue of underpaid paras working in our schools, who were long overdue for fair compensation. Board of Education Budget Mr. Testani presented his proposed budget to the Board of Education last week with a 4.09% increase. The School side of the budget makes up nearly 66% of the Town’s total budget. The increase to the education budget equates to $8.2 million totaling a $211 million budget for 2023-2024. You can watch the presentation here and find links to his presentation here. Budget Process For those residents who are not familiar with how the Town's budget process works or those of you who are newer to Town, it begins with the school district presenting its budget to the Board of Education, who ultimately vote on a final education budget that is then sent to the First Selectperson. As the Chief Elected Official in Fairfield, I must make tough decisions when incorporating both the town and education budgets to ensure that our government is providing top-level service while keeping a close eye on the tax rate. Once my administration has a complete budget, I will present it to the Board of Selectmen for discussion and a vote. I then present the revised budget to the Board of Finance who can make additional changes in the form of cuts or additions, then the budget process goes to the RTM, who can only make reductions. Next Steps In the last several weeks, I have spent the majority of my time meeting with the Town's department heads to go over their departmental budget proposals. I will continue that process over the next several weeks and then will work with my team to craft a final budget, which will be presented to the Board of Selectmen on February 21st. I will include updates in my Newsletter throughout the budget process to keep you informed. If you're interested in watching the Board of Education budget meetings, you can follow that process here. I will post the Town budget meetings when they begin at the end of February. CAPITAL PLAN WORKSHOP This past year I implemented a bonding cap to control the amount of Town borrowing, and in conjunction, launched a bipartisan Capital Plan Working Group with members from the Board of Finance, RTM and Board of Education leaders to work with my administration to assess and prioritize the many competing needs of the Town, WPCA and Board of Education. Over the course of eight public meetings, this group has heard from department heads and explored many projects from sewer infrastructure to flood prevention, dog parks, new schools, pickleball courts and many more. I decided to take a different approach than has been done in the past to share all capital projects over a longer period of time, so the Town is aware, and in order to increase transparency related to the capital needs of our Town. I believe it is important for our residents and boards to be aware of everything identified and weigh in on what priorities I should move forward. Our last meeting concluded yesterday, where the group was able to reach a consensus about what the conceptual plan will look like. You can watch the meetings and view the back up: fairfieldct.org/capital-plan-working-group. On January 31st, I will present the plans and information at a Capital Planning Workshop. The backup for this meeting will be posted to the same website early next week. TAX RELIEF FOR SENIORS & DISABLED HOMEOWNERS The Assessor’s Office is accepting applications for the Town and State Senior and Disabled Homeowners Tax Relief Programs between Wednesday, February 1st, and Monday, May 15th. The general guidelines for the program are as follows: At least one applicant must be 65 as of December 31, 2021, or totally disabled as determined by the SSA. Must own a residential property as of October 1, 2021, and reside in it for more than 6 months a year. Meet the income guidelines for the state and or Town programs. Persons must have a qualifying total asset value (QTAV) not exceeding $650,000. For more information, please visit the website at fairfieldct.org/taxrelief or you can contact the Tax Assessor's Office at (203) 256-3110. THE FUTURE OF RECREATION IN FAIRFIELD I want to thank the Parks & Recreation Commission and the leadership of Anthony Calabrese for taking the initiative to undergo a master planning process. I have always been a proponent of long-term planning, so our community knows what projects the Town is considering whether out of necessity or to improve services. I also want to thank all the residents who provided public input throughout this process. The survey results showed our communities strong passion for more pickleball courts, improved athletic fields and a dog park that were top of the list. There are so many great ideas included in these plans for our resident's consideration. Even though you may not live directly near one of the many locations identified by the consultants, all recreation and open spaces should be accessible and enjoyed by all our residents. While the Master Recreation Plan is a mix of inventory and ideas, it’s still a conceptual plan where some items are easy to implement and others identified would need to go through the normal vetting process with the Parks & Recreation Commission, the town administration and the funding bodies, all with lots of public input along the way. For those who want to listen to the presentation from the consultant who assembled the plan, please click here. To view the full plan, click here. Kenneth Dalling Gazebo BIGELOW CENTER & SOCIAL SERVICES Please click here to open the February 2023 Bigelow Center for Senior Activities newsletter. AARP Tax Help: AARP Foundation is again offering free, in-person tax prep services. Appointments for hour-long sessions with trained, certified volunteers will be available on Mondays and Wednesdays, between 9:00 AM and noon, starting February 6th – April 12th. Although this service is geared toward seniors with limited incomes, AARP volunteers will assist anyone of any age. Volunteers do not have access to your prior year's information. Call (203) 256-3166 to make an appointment. Appointments fill up fast. Check out the Social Services Winter Newsletter for various programs addressing financial assistance programs; information for Veterans; career development; and mental health help. ROOSTER RIVER FLOOD MITIGATION The Town of Fairfield and the City of Bridgeport are working together to remove impediments to flow along the Rooster River in the Lynnbrook neighborhood. This will include trash, debris, logs and low-hanging branches. Work is scheduled to begin within the month, pending favorable weather conditions (firm, dry ground) and obtaining at least one more temporary easement from a neighbor. Last week, our Department of Public Works (DPW) and Engineering Department met with neighbors to discuss project updates and encourage residents to give the Town these necessary easements. As of Wednesday, the Town still has only three easement permission paperwork for the entire Rooster River neighborhood. Many more permissions for easements are needed to ensure the Town can gain access to conduct this important work that will help to reduce flooding in these neighborhoods. You can download a copy of the easement for Lynnbrook and Melville-Nordstrand on the Engineering website. By way of an update on the detention areas, which was a part of the ARPA funding, the four permits that have been submitted are being reviewed by State and Federal agencies (CT DEEP and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), which, unfortunately, by law, have until July-October to review and issue permits. The Engineering Department is trying to expedite this process. As for the open space property at 150 Villa Avenue, which the Town acquired using ARPA funding, the Town is working with a consultant on design and is looking for grant opportunities for restoration, removing sections of pipe, and some detention and removal of invasive species. We will continue to provide updates on these projects. TOWN GIVEN AWARD FOR PLANNING DESIGN The Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association (CCAPA) recognized eight projects and people for their outstanding contributions to Connecticut planning practice. I am proud to announce Fairfield has been awarded the "Engaging with Graphics Award" for our efforts in the Post Road Circle Study. The Post Road Circle Study developed a new vision for a key gateway in our Town involving US Route 1 and CT Route 130. The Post Road Circle Study managed to distill large amounts of both quantitative and qualitative information, communicate this information effectively, and produce viable solutions for this complex gateway. The thoroughness, attention to detail, and communication strategy throughout the process enabled this project to achieve community consensus on a new vision for a “peanut roundabout,” the preferred alternative, and serves as a master plan for future improvements. This study is worthy of recognition for many reasons, but mainly because it exemplifies how a municipal engineering project can successfully engage community members by establishing a strong vision, demonstrating efficacy through ground-breaking technical evaluation, and building community support with engaging visual models. I want to thank the members of our community who have assisted in this process by participating in public meetings and responding to surveys. This project is critical to improving safety for pedestrians and drivers. The Town is now working to secure funding for a detailed final design of the project. TOWN PROPERTY ASSESSMENT NOTICES In accordance with state statute, the Tax Assessor's Grand List will be signed on January 31st. Any Real Estate valuation that has increased and all Personal Property Accounts will have a notice of the new valuation mailed out on February 1st. State law requires appeal applications to be received in the Assessor's Office no later than Monday, February 20th, but since the 20th is a holiday this year the deadline is even shorter on February 17th. All appeals, except commercial or industrial properties where the value is in excess of $1,000,000, received by February 17th will be granted a hearing with the BAA in the month of March. Motor Vehicles can be appealed at the September meeting of the BAA which is exclusively for motor vehicles. Residents can apply for a formal appeal before the Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA). The applications to do so are posted online here with additional detailed information here. Property Record Cards, more commonly known as Field Cards, provide a description of real property and contain information such as owner, dwelling and land information and valuation (appraised and assessed) information. Summary Property Record Cards are available online. Please click here for more information on Property Record Cards. Check back for updates on the appeal process at fairfieldct.org/baa. WELCOME NEW PURCHASING DIRECTOR Fairfield's new Purchasing Director, Adam Tulin, began his position with the Town this month. Adam comes to us from the City of Meriden, with many years of municipal experience prior to his position as a seasoned Purchasing Officer for the city. The Town is thrilled to welcome Adam to his new role, and I look forward to working with him in this critical role. FAREWELL & THANK YOU Town Purchasing Director Gerald Foley is retiring after seven years of service to our community. In April 2016, the Town was fortunate to welcome Gerald to the position of Purchasing Director, which he has served with distinction. Many in Town Hall will miss his warm smile and genuine personality. Some of Gerald’s many responsibilities include establishing policy and systems for purchasing goods and services used by the Town and Board of Education (BOE) and managing all annual capital budget purchases totaling roughly $35,000,000 for the Town and BOE, plus $30,000,000 in Operating I Maintenance purchases for the Town and BOE. Gerald’s depth of knowledge and expertise was also essential to the bidding and contracting for construction and renovations to Town schools and buildings, bidding and buying numerous facility and security improvement projects and many other important responsibilities to achieve better pricing and use of resources for the Town. Many nights, Gerald was the last one to leave the building. I wish Gerald and his family much happiness and good health as he settles into his well-earned retirement. DEPUTY FAIRFIELD & SOUTHPORT HARBOR MASTER POSITION OPENING The Fairfield Harbor Management Commission is now accepting resumes for the position of Deputy Fairfield and Southport Harbor Master. Information concerning this position and a description of the job functions can be found here. A "CHANGE" AT THE TRANSFER STATION Please note that as of February 1st, the Town of Fairfield Transfer Station will no longer accept coins. Forms of payment accepted are cash (bills), checks, credit cards, debit cards and mobile payments. FAIRFIELD'S FIRST RESPONDERS HONORING BELOVED FAIRFIELD ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER At the Fairfield Police Commission's January 11th meeting, I had the privilege of honoring Fairfield’s long-time Animal Control Officer (ACO), Paul Miller for going above and beyond the call of duty, which he does regularly. Paul Miller has honorably served the residents of the Town of Fairfield as an Animal Control Officer since January 22, 1990. On April 22, 2022, patrol officers responded to an emergency medical call for service. An elderly fall victim, Dominic D’Agostino, was located on his living room floor where it appeared he had been for a very long period of time. A barking dog protecting Mr. D’Agostino had to be coaxed into the bathroom so that emergency medical personnel could tend to Mr. D’Agostino who required hospital transport for evaluation and treatment. Due to Mr. D’Agostino not having any next of kin or family within our area, ACO Miller responded to the residence to take possession of Mr. D’Agostino’s dog for safekeeping. ACO Miller was contacted by Bridgeport Hospital Nurse Christina Lawson to try to set up a hospital visit between the dying dog owner and his beloved female tan lab mix. ACO Miller brought Mr. D’Agostino’s dog to the Bridgeport Hospital Intensive Care Unit where he and Nurse Lawson escorted the dog to D’Agostino’s bedside for their reunion. On November 14, 2022, ACO Miller received a $50,000 check from the estate of Mr. D’Agostino who had named the Town of Fairfield Animal Control as a beneficiary under his Last Will and Testament. We are very grateful to Paul Miller for his thoughtful actions in fulfilling a resident’s wish to see his cherished dog one final time. I thank Mr. Miller for his efforts that were a contributing factor in our Town’s Animal Shelter receiving this very generous donation. FAIRFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT On January 5th, the supervisory personnel of the Fairfield Fire Department (Lieutenants and Assistant Chiefs) participated in a Leadership Development seminar at the Fairfield Regional Fire Center led by nationally-known Deputy Chief Frank Viscuso, author of five books, including the bestseller, “Step up and Lead”. I think additional training is always valuable, and I appreciate the members of our Fairfield Fire Department for participating in an informational seminar on leadership. FAIRFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT I want to congratulate Officer Nick Ardizzone and K9 Bolt who have completed their basic training course and are now certified as a Police K9 team. Officer Ardizzone and Bolt are certified in tracking, building searches, suspect apprehension, and narcotics detection (no marijuana). I am very excited about this new addition to our Police Department and welcome Bolt to the Town of Fairfield! NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY The Town of Fairfield proudly celebrated January 9th as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Law enforcement in Fairfield was first organized in the year 1661, with the appointment of the first Town Marshal. The standing Police Department was created by Town Ordinance in 1930 with seven officers to protect and serve the citizens of Fairfield. Today, dedicated sworn officers, special officers, telecommunicators, animal control officers, administrative support, and marina guards protect and serve the Town of Fairfield. Fairfield’s Police put on a badge each day knowing they may face extremely dangerous situations while carrying out their duties and for this, we recognize and extend sincere gratitude to the men and women in blue. On National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and every day, Fairfield supports and recognizes all those who stand on the front lines and continue to make our community safe. I encourage our residents, including children, to show their appreciation to our Police Department by either sending an email, note or simply saying thank you when you see an officer on duty. Emails can be sent to the Department’s Public Information Officer, Lieutenant Mike Paris, at mparis@fairfieldct.org and written correspondence can be sent to Police Chief Robert Kalamaras at the Fairfield Police Department, 100 Reef Road. COMMUNITY NEWS SOUTHPORT HARBOR DREDGING While the journey has its challenges, there’s been progress towards the goal of dredging and removing the sandy sediment building up on the eastern shore of the entrance channel of Southport Harbor, an increasing concern to boat owners according to the Fairfield Harbor Management Commission (FHMC). Maintenance dredging has been delayed in recent years by lack of federal funds, but earlier this year, the Army Corps of Engineers informed the FHMC that Southport Harbor is now included on the list of dredging projects that will receive funding through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2022. While the dredging planning and environmental approval process takes longer than all of us would like, the result will ultimately be a safe, navigable Southport Harbor achieved in an ecologically balanced manner. That's something all of us will be able to enjoy whether we're on the water or along the shoreline of this exquisite Town treasure. Please click here for a helpful presentation summarizing Southport Harbor’s history, as well as other relevant harbor information. You can also read more about the plans in the CTInsider. FPS GREEN TEAM SUSTAINABILITY TIP OF THE WEEK NORMA PFRIEM BREAST CANCER CENTER It has been a pleasure and an honor to work closely beside the Norma Pfriem Breast Cancer Center in their fight for a cure, and I truly appreciate the Center recognizing Fairfield for our continued support of their cause. The Center is recognized for its medical excellence and compassionate and complete care in providing screening, diagnosis, and other life-saving programs and services to all women and their families regardless of their ability to pay. Norma Pfriem has served more than 40,000 women and their families since 1999, including over 20,000 women in need without insurance or underinsured, through its medically underserved initiative. The Center especially holds a strong presence in Fairfield, placing life-saving healthcare options within reach of all our residents. This past September, Norma Pfriem and the Fairfield community joined together to kick off the Pink Pledge 2022 Pep Rally in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. It was heartwarming to see our community come together in support of this important cause. I wish continued success to Dr. Donna Twist and the dedicated staff, physicians and care providers of the Norma Pfriem Breast Center, as well as the numerous volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to support the Center’s mission. Kristen Staikos & Meghan McCloat, 2022 Pink Pledge Co-Chairs LITHIUM-ION BATTERY SAFETY With the use of Electric Mobility Devices on the rise, the Fairfield Fire Department would like to offer a few safety tips to help keep you and your family safe. If your device’s battery should need to be replaced, please make sure to follow these safety guidelines: Batteries should not be discarded in the trash, to do so is dangerous and can cause a fire. Do not put batteries in your home recycling bin. Batteries should be removed from the device that they power and brought to a recycling center. Individually bag batteries or tape ends before disposing. Lithium-Ion Batteries can be brought to the Town of Fairfield Transfer Station for recycling. The Town Transfer station will accept Non-Rechargeable Batteries, Lithium-Ion Batteries, Rechargeable Batteries and Car Batteries at no charge for Fairfield Residents with a valid Beach/Transfer Station Sticker. Home Depot will accept batteries from items that were purchased at their store. There are commercial companies that can be called to pick up Lithium-Ion Batteries at your home or facility. These can be found on the internet by searching Lithium-Ion Battery Recyclers. The Fire Department urges everyone to be smart and stay safe. UI RAILROAD TRANSMISSION LINE REBUILD PROJECT The United Illuminating Company (UI) is proposing to remove UI’s existing 115-kV lines and infrastructure from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) railroad catenary structures that span the Metro North (MNR) tracks in both Fairfield and Bridgeport. Along approximately 7.3 miles of the MNR tracks, the 115-kV lines will be removed from about 100 catenary structures and rebuilt on single or double-circuit monopoles, which will be located within or near the CT DOT-owned railroad corridor. In Fairfield, the new monopoles will be located south of the MNR tracks. The project will also provide an upgrade to connections at four UI substations, all located in Bridgeport. These transmission line upgrades will help maintain system reliability, promote climate resiliency, preserve safety within and adjacent to the transmission lines and provide technological enhancements to legacy system equipment. The public and all interested parties were invited to attend a meeting last week to ask questions or comment on the proposed project. Once the application is filed, the Connecticut Siting Council will review and a public comment session will be held. The presentation and handouts from the public meeting are linked below: Fairfield to Congress Fact Sheet Fairfield to Congress Railroad Transmission Line Project Presentation Project FAQ Design with the Community Mind HELP A NEIGHBOR! LOOKING FOR STUDENT VOLUNTEERS FOR SHOVELING FOR SENIORS Fairfield Social Services is gathering names of student volunteers for our Shoveling for Seniors programs. If you know of middle- and high-school students who might be interested in helping a senior or neighbor with disabilities, would you please send them our way? It’s a great service opportunity. Click here for information about volunteering, and parent permission slip for students to register. As soon as we have a list of volunteers ready to help, we’ll provide information on how to register for shoveling. Please do not call Social Services to register for a list of shovelers at this time. COMMUNITY EVENTS SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY It's hard to believe that two short years ago, I attended the ground breaking ceremony for the Sacred Heart University Martire Family Hockey Arena, and last Saturday I was able to attend their inaugural hockey game. It was a big night for Fairfield at Sacred Heart's ceremony, and it filled me with joy watching our community enjoy this amazing state-of-the-art arena right in Town. I want to highlight the hard work of everyone involved, including Sacred Heart President Dr. Petillo for his vision and the Martire Family for their generosity. I also want to give a special shout-out to our Town Departments, Police, Fire, Zoning, Building and Conservation, for their oversight and strong work ethic ensuring our Town is moving forward. ONE BOOK ONE TOWN Last Tuesday, I was happy to join the library in their announcement of the 2023 One Book One Town – "I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye" by Ivan Maisel. It is an honest and emotionally deep memoir in which Ivan reflects on the loss of his dear son Max to suicide, the impact of grief on family and community, and the painful journey which brings Ivan to a place of seeing grief as an expression of love. What Ivan and his family experienced was felt throughout the entire community. For this reason, the existence of this beautiful memoir presented itself as an urgent and unique opportunity to bring an essential conversation to the forefront. It's especially meaningful that the book was written by a Fairfield resident. I started reading “I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye” last week and while difficult to read a family’s pain of the loss of child, I think it’s important for society to acknowledge mental illness and depression are no different than a physical illness and to have a better understanding and compassion. Fairfield began the community reading initiative called One Book One Town in 2008, and every year since then, a group of librarians, teachers and community volunteers gather to select a book and create a slate of unique and interesting programs for our Town. UPCOMING EVENTS ECONOMIC OUTLOOK BREAKFAST You can join the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce for its annual Economic Outlook Breakfast on February 1st, sponsored by M&T Bank. You are invited to hear guest speakers Economist Luke Tilley, Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart and myself share our perspectives on the national, regional, state and local economy for 2023. I have enjoyed speaking with our local businesses at this event for the last three years about Fairfield’s progress and why I believe Fairfield businesses' success is all of Fairfield’s success. A buffet will be served from, 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM, followed by presentations and a Q&A at the Brooklawn Country Club. For more information and sign up, click here. Please RSVP by January 26th. THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION NEW ENGLAND FAMILY CONFERENCE February 3rd: A One-Day Conference for Individuals Living with Dementia February 4th: A One-Day Conference for Family Caregivers Please click here for more information. COMMUNITY SAFETY 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. As our nation watched in disbelief as Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin collapsed due to a sudden cardiac arrest, we were also able to witness the lifesaving impact of emergency CPR. I hope this event reminded our citizens how incredibly important CPR training is and the difference it could make in saving someone's life. I encourage all our residents who have not been trained to take this opportunity and sign up for the class below. Layperson CPR/AED & First Aid Certification Saturday, February 4th CPR & FIRST AID: 9 AM – 4 PM $100 per student CPR/AED ONLY: 9 AM – 12 noon 50 per student FIRST AID ONLY: 1 PM – 4 PM $75 per student (includes textbook and AHA Certification Card) Stop the Bleed Workshop Sunday, February 5th 9 AM – 11 AM (Free) POWERED UP: A HEALTHY GAMING PILOT Fairfield CARES is offering a pilot program to educate parents and kids in 4th – 6th grade on Healthy Video Gaming. This program will be facilitated by Dr. Annalise Caron (child/adolescent clinical psychologist) in conjunction with the CT Council on Problem Gambling. The kick-off zoom based meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 31st at 7:30 PM. Both kids and their parents can attend this virtual meeting with Dr. Caron. If you are interested, please sign up through this link. BUSINESS FAIRFIELD RESIDENT LAUNCHES APP It is always exciting to hear about new projects, especially when it is happening in our Town. Fairfield resident Andrea Caldwell is an event planner who has taken events to a new level with her creation of the app "Gowzon". This app revitalizes the way you can find events that interest you in Fairfield. Andrea partnered up with a local developer to make the app a reality. Gowzon is a free search engine residents can use to find fun events in the area. In the coming months, Andrea hopes to expand the app throughout the rest of Fairfield County. You can read more about Gowzon in the CTInsider, or download it in the App Store today. GEORGE BILLIS GALLERY Originally a New York Gallery established in 1997, with another location in Los Angeles, the George Billis Gallery decided to move to Westport due to COVID in 2020. We now welcome the gallery to Fairfield as of January 2023. The Gallery features work by both national and international emerging and established artists, and I am excited about the expansion of our Town's art culture. Jeffrey Vaugh, Morning Light Jeffrey Vaugh, Flowering Dogwood I hope you will take the time to view the information below, which includes new information and resources. Have a lovely weekend. Brenda L. Kupchick Fairfield First Selectwoman JANUARY UPDATES FAIRFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY OFFERS FREE TAX ASSISTANCE Fairfield Public Library will once again be offering free tax preparation help to patrons through the services of AARP/VITA/IRS Volunteer Tax Assistance Program. On Tuesdays from January 24th – April 18th, patrons can seek assistance at Fairfield’s Main Library between the hours of 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM. This service is especially suited to seniors and low-to-moderate-income households. No appointment is necessary; patrons will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis. For those who prefer virtual assistance, tax counselors will also be online here; a Smartphone, tablet with a camera, or computer with a scanner will be needed. Patrons appearing for in-person assistance will need: a government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license, US passport, CT State ID card); Social Security cards for ALL household members, and any necessary tax documents, such as W-2 forms and past tax returns. Please note that masks are preferred but not required to be worn in the tax preparation room, and patrons are asked to bring no more than ONE additional person with them. Health safety protocols are mandated by the Town of Fairfield and are subject to change. HELP WITH UTILITIES United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas, Operation Fuel and Alliance for Community Empowerment are hosting an Outreach Event for customers on Wednesday, January 25th. Customers will be able to: Speak one-on-one with representatives from United Illuminating (UI) and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG) to discuss hardship and assistance programs you may qualify for, including the Bill Forgiveness Program (UI), the Matching Payment Program (SCG), Payment Arrangements, and more. Qualifying customers can enroll in assistance programs on-site with the help of UI and SCG customer service representatives. Customers will be able to apply in person for CEAP (Connecticut Energy Assistance Program) through Community Action Agency – Alliance. Customers will be able to apply in person for Operation Fuel. Please click here for information. FAIRFIELD MUSEUM & HISTORY CENTER Over the past decade, the Fairfield Museum has worked with National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program, Southport residents, Native American consultants, and professional archaeologists to document and better understand the final battle of the Pequot War that occurred in 1635 at Munnacommuck (Pequot) Swamp—an area adjacent to and including the present day Southport Park. That battle was the catalyst for the European settlement of Southport and Fairfield. Archaeological fieldwork in 2017 and 2018 led to the discovery of nearly a hundred battle-related artifacts. Many of those artifacts will soon be on display in the Fairfield Museum’s updated “Creating Community” exhibition, opening May 1st. The next phase of the project includes nominating the core areas of the Pequot Swamp battlefield to the National Register of Historic Places. Nomination to the National Register of Historic Places honors the important history of this site, but will not impose restrictions or burdens on private landowners within the battle site. Fairfield Museum and Sasquanaug will be co-hosting a public information session and Q&A on the National Register of Historic Places process on Thursday, January 26th from 6 – 7 PM at The Southport School. CTLCV ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT The CT League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) is hosting the annual 2023 Environmental Summit at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford, CT on Tuesday, January 24th from 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM. This event brings together lawmakers, advocates, and the general public for informational briefings on key environmental issues for the 2023 legislative session. This event is a great way to network with different environmental groups and legislators from across the state. You can find more information and register to attend or Livestream this event here. This will be a great event highlighting important environmental issues in the state as well as a chance to meet and network with lawmakers and advocates. There is also a discounted registration rate for people under 25 years old. 2023 FISHING LICENSES As of December 1st, the 2023 Fishing Licenses are available. Don't miss one day of potential fishing. Get yours now online or stop by the Town Clerk’s Office Monday through Friday 8:30 AM – 4 PM to purchase. 2023 BEACH STICKERS HAVE ARRIVED The 2023 Beach/Transfer Station Stickers have arrived and are currently available for purchase/renewal. Please take a moment to RENEW your sticker online for 2023. You can also renew by fax, mail or in person at the Parks & Recreation Office. Please note, the solid waste transfer station will accept 2022 stickers through the end of December. OPERATION HOPE | FOOD PANTRY Operation Hope’s Food Pantry is open all Winter 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 January, Operation Hope is in need of the following items: Dish Soap Paper Towels Sponges Cleaning Products Flushable Wipes Canned Meat Clam Chowder Stew Chili Sugar Cooking Oil Honey Quinoa, Couscous & Healthy Grains Glucerna Ensure & Boost Thank you for considering a donation to help them feed our hungry neighbors! FAIRFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARIES 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. For the second year in a row, the Library invites adult patrons to join its year-long reading challenge—renamed “Genre Challenge”—beginning January 1st. Each month participants will be encouraged to choose a book from a genre such as Fun in the Sun (beach reads), Short Stories, and Screen Gems (book-to-movie or -TV adaptations). Journals will be provided to keep track of your reading and occasional meet-ups will be scheduled throughout the year. Children and families can participate in our Winter Reading Program—“All the Feels”—from January 3rd to February 18th. For full rules and more FAQs on either program, visit https://fairfieldpubliclibrary.org/winter-reading/. On Thursday, January 19th, at 6:30 PM, Main Library will host a screening of the powerful documentary The Street Project, directed by Emmy-winner Jennifer Boyd. The film tells the inspiring story of a global, citizen-led fight to make our streets safer. A panel discussion with members of The Real Hartford blog will follow. On Tuesdays from January 23rd through April 18th, IRS-certified volunteers will provide free tax preparation assistance to seniors and low-income households at Main Library, either in-person or virtually. Appointments can be made for in-person assistance by calling (203) 256-3160; the virtual option can be accessed via https://simplifyct.org. Until February 11th, the public can view the current exhibit at the Bruce S. Kershner Art Gallery at Main Library. “New Beginnings…After the Pause” is a community art show featuring the work of 60 area artists working in various mediums. The exhibit can be seen during regular Library hours. 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 Pequot Library's calendar teems with activities, most of which are free and open to the public. Join us at 5 PM on January 20th for Family Movie Night | Frozen Friday. Children can wear their pajamas and bring a blanket and their favorite stuffed animal friend. This event is co-sponsored by The Sasquanaug Association. On January 31st at 1 PM, join us for a digital talk with Randall Munroe as he discusses his new book What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions. Filled with eye-opening science, boundless curiosity, and Randall’s signature stick-figure comics, What if? 2 provides his best answers yet to the weirdest questions you never thought to ask. This program is produced in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. Another treat for the children (grades 3 – 5): on February 1st at 4:30 PM, learn about WWI-era victory gardens from the historical materials on display in our The Lure of the Garden: The Enduring Desire to Work and Shape the Land exhibition and then try pickling, an easy way to preserve garden harvests today. Each participant will bring home a jar of refrigerator pickles and a WWI-style certificate of recognition for helping save food. Finally, check out our many ongoing regular programs, including our Monday morning Write-in with Gabi Coatsworth and our Thursday Pequot Purls knitting club. Click here to view our full schedule and register. COVID-19 UPDATE All US households are now eligible to order 4 more free at home covid test kits. To do so visit www.covid.gov/tests. 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. PREVIOUS UPDATES: 2022 Year in Review December 16 December 2 November 18 Fill Pile Court Update Archives Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive my update directly here. Archives
I hope you will take the time to view the information below, which includes new information and resources. Have a lovely weekend. Brenda L. Kupchick Fairfield First Selectwoman