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
2/3/2023 - 2.3 TOWN UPDATE Dear Fairfielders, Over the last several weeks, I have spent the majority of my time focused on next year's budget, meeting with the department heads and my administrative team to set priorities for the next year. I will present my budget proposal before the Board of Selectmen on February 21st and will keep residents updated throughout the process through my newsletter. To view the full budget schedule for the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting, click here. Since my last Town Update, I had the pleasure of delivering my State of the Town Address before the Representative Town Meeting. I also spoke at the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook breakfast on Wednesday morning. After I shared information on Fairfield's economic outlook and business climate, our Community & Economic Development Director, Mark Barnhart, provided a more detailed analysis of current and future projects, which was followed by a very informative presentation from economist Luke Tilley. Highlights in this week's newsletter – click to skip down to the section of interest: Town Property Assessments Tax Relief for Senior & Disabled Homeowners Free Tax Assistance Know Your Numbers Free Screening | Heart Health Free Disaster Response Training Flooding Study of Fairfield Underpasses Rise in Scams Targetting Seniors TOWN GOVERNMENT NEWS OUTDOOR DINING The Economic Development Commission made an application with full support of my administration and the planning departments, to expand Fairfield's outdoor dining regulations. Last week, our Town's Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously voted to approve the application. Our residents have come to enjoy expanded outdoor dining, and we want to support our restaurants, which have found outdoor dining to be critical to their survival throughout the pandemic. Thank you to our Economic Development Commission for making the application and pushing to help our restaurants. I welcome this positive change as it allows restaurants to expand the size of their outdoor dining space without requiring them to provide additional parking while allowing for more people to enjoy their dining experience during any season. Our local business' success is Fairfield's success. You can read more about these changes in the Patch. TAX RELIEF FOR SENIORS & DISABLED HOMEOWNERS In our efforts to assist low-income seniors and 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 Assessor’s Office will be closed on February 20th and April 7th. 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. TOWN PROPERTY ASSESSMENT NOTICES In accordance with state statute, the Tax Assessor's Grand List was signed January 31st. Any Real Estate valuation that has increased and all Personal Property Accounts will receive 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. Any Appeal Application will need to be received in the Assessor’s Office by February 17th Postmarks cannot be honored. In an effort to ensure residents have the opportunity to get their Appeals in on time, we created an email address to accept applications electronically at assessor@fairfieldct.org. All appeals 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. Please note that the PDF version of the field cards found on the Vision site will be updated after the signing of the Grand List but will take at least a full week, please look at the date in the upper right corner, if it is dated 2023 it represents the current value You can check back for updates and information posted at fairfieldct.org/taxassessor. UI TREE TRIMMING FOR 2023 This spring, UI will begin pruning and removing trees as part of the Utility Protection Zone Program. Residents will be notified prior to any work being conducted. The list of streets can be found here. For more information, visit UI's website here. Work planners from UI, Nelson Tree Service, Lewis Tree Service and Asplundh Tree Experts will be canvassing neighborhoods and contacting residents in early spring. FLOODING STUDY OF FAIRFIELD UNDERPASSES The Connecticut Institute for Climate Resiliency and Adaptation (CIRCA) and the Town of Fairfield are collaborating on a planning level to study to investigate solutions to persistent flooding problems at four underpasses that cross under the New Haven Line in Fairfield. Flooding in these locations occurs following heavy rainfall and can be exacerbated when combined with a high tide. These underpasses are key north/south connections between the Town’s shoreline and interior sections. CIRCA will be hosting the first of three engagement events on Thursday, February 23rd, at 7:00 PM, using the Teams webinar platform. This event will be an opportunity for residents to meet the study team, learn about CIRCA and the scope of Fairfield's pilot project, and provide feedback about your experience with flooding downtown and at these underpasses. I encourage you to register here. TOWN SEEKING RECORDING SECRETARIES FOR BOARDS/COMMISSIONS The Town of Fairfield is seeking recording secretaries to take minutes for some of our Boards and Commissions. Typically, a recording secretary attends a meeting about once a month – either in person or virtually – and records basic information such as who attended, the time the meeting was called to order and adjourned and any votes. The recording secretary, who works with a board member, submits a draft and final minutes to the Town Clerk. The recording secretary may be asked to set up meetings if they are held in person as well as send agendas and any backup to members with the help of the Chairperson. A tutorial is available if needed. If you are interested in applying or wish to learn more about this paid position, please contact Jennifer Carpenter in the First Selectwoman’s Office at jcarpenter@fairfieldct.org. 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. STATE LEGISLATION The State Legislature is in session and during this month there will be many public hearings for proposed bills. You can see the weekly schedule, sign up to track bills, watch live and learn how to submit testimony for or against any bill through cga.ct.gov. This time of year, I typically include links to specific bills that I feel will have a negative or positive impact on Fairfield. Stay tuned in future newsletters for more information. For questions on pending station legislation, reach out to your State Senator and State Representative. You can find their contact information here. FAIRFIELD'S FIRST RESPONDERS THE TOMMY FUND FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER On January 29th, the Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation presented the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer with a donation of $36,000 raised from the 2022 “Santa Express.” Through their partnership over the last seven years, they have raised $150,000 towards supporting childhood cancer patients and their families receiving care at the Tommy Fund Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Center, Smilow Cancer Hospital. The fire trucks make this event especially fun for our community and the Town is always happy to support the efforts of the charitable foundation. I want to thank Tommy Fund board member Lieutenant Bob Smith, president, Lieutenant Jeff Pinckney, treasurer, Fire Fighter Chris Eidam, trustee, the Fairfield Fire Fighters Association IAFF 1426 and our entire Fairfield Fire Department in supporting this important cause. RISE IN SCAMS TARGETING SENIORS Senior Scams have been reported to the Fairfield Police Department and oftentimes, these scams come in the form of a telephone call. Scammers have many creative ways to solicit banking and/or social security information. Please make sure to never give bank account or social security numbers to anyone who contacts you via email or text. The police have also identified that scammers will claim to be the elderly person’s grandson/granddaughter and will inform them that they have been arrested overseas or while on vacation and are in need of funds for bail. These callers will ask the elderly person to withdraw a set amount of money from their bank account and will give them a venue for pickup. Sometimes they will have them purchase gift cards and reply to them with the account number and we have seen a recent case where someone came to the home to pick up the money. It should be noted that police departments will never ask for money in the form of gift cards for bail. Furthermore, all transactions for bail are done directly at the police department. If there is ever doubt, please contact the Fairfield Police at (203) 254-4800 for advice. Our officers are committed to protecting our elderly citizens and will prosecute those responsible for these scams to the fullest extent of the law. Have you been the victim of fraud? Received a message demanding immediate payment and aren’t sure if it’s legitimate? Have you or your loved one been the victim of abuse or neglect? Do you need help accessing benefits or assistance? If so, contact the Elder Justice Hotline at 1-860-808-5555 and staff can connect you to agencies who are available to help. The hotline will be staffed by the Attorney General’s Office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The Elder Justice Hotline is a new resource intended to connect individuals seeking information to the appropriate state agencies. Additional information on how to report elder abuse can be found at Social Work Services. To file a consumer-related complaint directly with the Attorney General’s Office, please use the link below or call the Elder Justice Hotline at 1-860-808-5555 for further assistance. You can find out more information and sign up for scam alerts on the Federal Trade Commission website. COMMUNITY NEWS BLACK HISTORY MONTH This week kicks off the start of Black History Month, allowing us the time to reflect on influential individuals who have made a positive impact on our country. Throughout the month of February, it is important to remember historic events and figures who have played a prominent role in American history. Constance Baker Motley was one of the many important people that was born in our home state of Connecticut. Motley was born in 1921 in New Haven and was the first African American woman to argue a case before the state court and to serve as a federal judge. To learn more about the historic Black individuals who called CT home, you can read this article. To view upcoming events in Connecticut, please click here. Along with our Fairfield Public Library, I encourage you to read and celebrate the trailblazers, leaders and icons found within the Black community from the past and the present, not only throughout the month but also throughout the year. There are many books at the Library to support this endeavor. Just grab one off their display, ask the staff for a recommendation or put one on hold from their curated booklist of fiction or picture books here. REMEMBERING JOHN "BUBBIE" LEAHY It is with great sadness that I share the passing of John "Bubbie" Leahy, retired Chief Fiscal Officer (CFO) for the Town of Fairfield. John retired after 30-plus years as CFO for Fairfield, where he was well respected and admired. I had the pleasure of working with and getting to know John when I served on the RTM while he was the CFO for the Town. John also enjoyed playing golf with his many buddies at the H. Smith Richardson Golf Course. He will be truly missed by his wife, Pat, two children, four grandchildren and all of the lives he touched. SEEKING A FUREVER HOME Meet Harry and Lloyd, two Beagle brothers that are currently awaiting their ‘furever’ home at the Fairfield Animal Shelter. They are 1-year-old intact males that were found approximately four weeks ago on Park Avenue in Fairfield, and no one has come for them. Both are friendly, playful and in need of a loving family to welcome them into their home. It appears the boys will need basic House training. If you are interested in these two sweet young pups, please contact Fairfield Animal Control or go to fpdct.com/animalcontrol for more information. You can also call (203) 254-4857. FPS GREEN TEAM SUSTAINABILITY TIP OF THE WEEK 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 SUSTAINABLE TASK FORCE I was honored to recognize the Sustainable Fairfield Task Force for all the hard work they put in towards Fairfield's sustainability goals. The night was generously hosted by the Fairfield Museum & History Center where many Fairfielders, department heads, and elected officials gathered to celebrate their integral role in supporting our collective sustainable efforts. In sustainability fashion, the task force donated all leftovers from the event to Operation Hope of Fairfield. The plates, cups and napkins used were provided by VerTerra and collected by Action Waste Solutions to be composted, leaving nothing to go to waste! I am proud of their forward thinking and look forward to seeing what the task force accomplishes in 2023. UPCOMING EVENTS HONORING CHARLIE CAPALBO Charlie Capalbo was a Fairfield ice hockey goalie who touched the lives of everyone he met. Charlie demonstrated extraordinary courage, resilience and inspiration throughout his battles with cancer that inspired and will continue to inspire those who are also affected by childhood cancer. Our community rallied behind him with their encouragement, prayers and goodwill showing Charlie he was never alone. On Saturday, February 18th at 8:00 PM, #30 will be retired in his honor at the Wonderland of Ice in Bridgeport. The Fairfield Coop Team invites everyone in the Fairfield community to join us in honoring Charlie and the inspiration he was both on and off the ice. The ceremony will be followed by the Fairfield Coop team taking on the Greenwich Cardinals immediately after. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students at the doors. THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION NEW ENGLAND FAMILY CONFERENCE February 4th: A One-Day Conference for Family Caregivers Please click here for more information. FAIRFIELD HEALTH DEPARTMENT | KNOW YOUR NUMBERS February is Heart Health month, and the Fairfield Health Department is celebrating by urging all residents to make sure they ‘know their numbers’, key markers of heart health like blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. By keeping those numbers within a healthy range, you can greatly improve your heart health and reduce your risk for heart disease. The Fairfield Health Department will be hosting three FREE “Know Your Numbers” testing and informational screenings. The dates, times, and locations are below: February 8th: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Public Health Nursing Office February 15th: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Public Health Nursing Office During these screenings, a Fairfield Public Health Nurse will conduct a simple blood test to determine an individual’s A1c, blood pressure and body weight. The tests should only take about 10 minutes. Appointments are required for these screenings. Screening is for adults only ages 18 years and older. For more information or to make an appointment please contact the Public Health Nursing Office at (203) 256-3150. Julie McCullough RN and Fairfield resident at the Know Your Numbers Screening CERT TRAINING CLASS The Fairfield Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is offering free disaster response training beginning Saturday, March 4th. CERT volunteers have been extraordinarily helpful in many different areas for our community. For example, these trained volunteers were crucial during the pandemic. This is a great opportunity to volunteer for your community. Attendees are trained in personal preparedness and guidance is also shared so you can care for yourself and your loved ones in the event of a major emergency or disaster. The Connecticut Division of Emergency Management, Homeland Security, and FEMA developed the training and, upon completion of the course, participants are eligible and invited to join the Fairfield CERT team. 2023 CERT training begins March 4th, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, and runs for five consecutive Saturdays ending April 1st. Classes are held at the Fairfield Regional Fire School Classroom, 205 Richard White Way, Fairfield. Attendance at all classes is required. The training is free and open to those 18 and older. Register online at Fairfield Parks and Recreation - CERT Training. For more information, contact Norma Peterson, Fairfield CERT Liaison, at citizencorps@optonline.net. FAIRFIELD CARES | COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES Free Narcan Training: Take advantage of free Narcan training provided by Fairfield AMR open to all members of the community. Each registered participant aged 18 and up will receive a free opioid overdose reversal kit. Join them in person at the Fairfield Woods Branch Library from 6:00 – 7:30 PM every third Thursday of each month. You may register here. Steered Straight: Join Michael DeLeon on February 15th from 7:00 – 8:00 PM at Fairfield Warde High School. Michael will share his personal journey with addiction through which he found his passion to educate today's youth to stay on the right path when it comes to serious life issues, especially drugs. FAIRFIELD MUSEUM & HISTORY CENTER | UPCOMING EVENTS Friday, February 17th – Things that Go Saturday, February 18th – Drawing with Huck Scarry Sunday, February 19th – Family Workshop: Fancy a Tyrolean Hat? Wednesday, February 22nd – History Bites: These Walls Can Talk BUSINESS It's always exciting to welcome and support new businesses in Fairfield. Our local business' success is Fairfield's success. LUX HAIR STUDIO I want to wish congratulations to Lux Hair Studio on their new location! You can visit them at 1997 Post Road in Fairfield. MODERN FOCUS OPTOMETRY The Town welcomes Modern Focus Optometry to Fairfield! You can visit their website to make an appointment or visit Dr. Sostilio and his team at 2379 Black Rock Turnpike. A blast of arctic air is moving into Connecticut and temperatures are expected to plummet Friday (2/3) and Saturday (2/4). At times, temperatures will reach the single digits. Governor Lamont directed the state's severe cold weather protocol to be activated beginning Thursday afternoon. This protocol triggers a series of requirements to ensure that shelter is available for anyone in need. Anyone seeking a place to stay warm is urged to call 2-1-1 to find nearby locations, and transportation can be provided if necessary. The Fairfield Fire Department shares the following tips: Aquarion Water Company provides tips on how to prevent frozen pipes. Don't forget to sign up for alerts on their website. I hope you have a lovely weekend and stay warm! Brenda L. Kupchick Fairfield First Selectwoman FEBRUARY UPDATES FUND TO ASSIST RENTERS FROM BEING EVICTED FROM HOMES DUE TO OVERDUE RENT The Connecticut Department of Housing has launched a new fund to assist renters who are on the verge of being evicted from their homes due to owing past due rent. Utilizing $12.5 million in funding from UniteCT and the Rent Bank, the Eviction Prevention Fund will provide households with up to $5,000 to pay off past-due rent with their current landlord. To apply, tenants must call the UniteCT Call Center at 1-844-864-8328 to be screened for eligibility. Eligible applicants will receive direct assistance from a local UniteCT Resource Center, where they will complete the application. If a tenant requires but does not have legal representation, access to mediators at Quinnipiac University’s Center on Dispute Resolution will be provided. Launched in early 2021, UniteCT has served as the state’s premier program providing rent and utility assistance for households financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. UniteCT has been funded by several streams of emergency allocations released by Congress, including the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act. It provides qualified households with payments for up to 12 months of rental and electric arrearage assistance. Payments are typically made by the state directly to landlords and utility companies on behalf of tenants. To date, UniteCT has provided assistance to more than 11,300 landlords on behalf of 47,939 households that received nearly $330 million dollars in back rent, 95% of whom earn below 50% of their town’s area median income. Among those households, roughly 1,100 tenants had active eviction proceedings within the court system, and the UniteCT assistance helped the tenant remain housed and prevent the eviction. 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. 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 – 4:00 PM to purchase. 2023 BEACH STICKERS The 2023 Beach/Transfer Station Stickers 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 no longer accept 2022 stickers. 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 February, 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. Saturday, February 4th, is “Take Your Child to the Library” Day! From 12:30 – 4:30 PM, drop by with your child and enjoy a variety of activities at Main Library: oversized games—including Jenga and Connect 4, giant Tic-Tac-Toe, both in-house and take-home crafts, and at 2:00 PM, a special drumming playshop for kids in grades K-5 with a parent! (Please register for this event) At Fairfield Woods Branch, create your own waterless snow globe while supplies last! And at both libraries, make sure to sign up for our Winter Reading Program—“All the Feels”—and try your hand at our scavenger hunt! For the second year in a row, the Library invites adult patrons to join its year-long reading challenge–renamed “Genre Challenge”—which began 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. For full rules and more FAQs, visit our website. 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, from 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM. In-person help is on a first-come, first-served basis; the virtual option can be accessed here. Please call (203) 256-3160 for more information. Until February 11th, the public can view the current exhibit at the Bruce S. Kershner Art Gallery at Main Library during regular Library hours. “New Beginnings…After the Pause” is a community art show featuring the work of 60 area artists working in various mediums. Visitors have voted on their favorite pieces; stop by and check out the first, second and third-place winners! Coming on February 18th is a new installation, “Moon Dance.” Celebrate Valentine’s Day a couple of days early at our latest Soundwaves concert, sponsored by The Friends of FPL at 2:00 PM on Sunday, February 12th. “Belgian Chocolate: Romantic Rhapsodies for Violin and Piano” will feature pianist Marija Stroke and violinist Katie Lansdale performing selections from Cesar Francke, Claude Debussy and others. Light refreshments and a chance to meet the musicians will follow. Please register. 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 On February 4th between 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Pequot Library celebrates Take Your Child to the Library Day. Children can sign up for a 15-minute slot to read to Coco, the Library's bunny and reading ambassador, browse the books in our collection, learn about upcoming programs, and take home their very own library cards. On February 8th at 11:00 AM, join a book group called Uncovering Shakespeare: From Folio to Fiction. Explore the Bard's plays by viewing their earliest publication within the folios and reading and comparing his original works and their modern interpretations. The discussion this month focuses on Macbeth by Jo Nesbo. Be sure to visit Pequot Library to view one of the library's 17th-century Shakespeare folios, on display in the Reading Room. The Sowing Bee with Fairfield Pollinator Pathway invites participants to take home their own Milk Jug Greenhouses. Leave it outside until spring and reap a dozen or more native seedlings to start in the garden. This program takes place on February 11th at 12:00 PM. Magician, balloon sculptor, flea circus ringmaster and funny storyteller Ed Popielarczyk appears for a magical Valentine’s Day performance at 4:30 PM. This program is intended for children ages three or older. Adults are invited to the library on February 15th at 12:00 PM, when Play with Your Food presents irresistible short playreadings, lively talkbacks with the actors and director, and delicious boxed lunches from popular local restaurants (to stay or to go). Play with Your Food programs require a ticket; all of the other programs mentioned are free and open to the public. There's no admission charge to visit Pequot Library. For more information visit www.pequotlibrary.org. COVID-19 UPDATE 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: January 20 2022 Year in Review December 16 December 2 November 18 Archives Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive my update directly here. Archives
RISE IN SCAMS TARGETING SENIORS Senior Scams have been reported to the Fairfield Police Department and oftentimes, these scams come in the form of a telephone call. Scammers have many creative ways to solicit banking and/or social security information. Please make sure to never give bank account or social security numbers to anyone who contacts you via email or text. The police have also identified that scammers will claim to be the elderly person’s grandson/granddaughter and will inform them that they have been arrested overseas or while on vacation and are in need of funds for bail. These callers will ask the elderly person to withdraw a set amount of money from their bank account and will give them a venue for pickup. Sometimes they will have them purchase gift cards and reply to them with the account number and we have seen a recent case where someone came to the home to pick up the money. It should be noted that police departments will never ask for money in the form of gift cards for bail. Furthermore, all transactions for bail are done directly at the police department. If there is ever doubt, please contact the Fairfield Police at (203) 254-4800 for advice. Our officers are committed to protecting our elderly citizens and will prosecute those responsible for these scams to the fullest extent of the law.
Have you been the victim of fraud? Received a message demanding immediate payment and aren’t sure if it’s legitimate? Have you or your loved one been the victim of abuse or neglect? Do you need help accessing benefits or assistance? If so, contact the Elder Justice Hotline at 1-860-808-5555 and staff can connect you to agencies who are available to help.
The hotline will be staffed by the Attorney General’s Office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
The Elder Justice Hotline is a new resource intended to connect individuals seeking information to the appropriate state agencies. Additional information on how to report elder abuse can be found at Social Work Services.
To file a consumer-related complaint directly with the Attorney General’s Office, please use the link below or call the Elder Justice Hotline at 1-860-808-5555 for further assistance. You can find out more information and sign up for scam alerts on the Federal Trade Commission website.
I hope you have a lovely weekend and stay warm! Brenda L. Kupchick Fairfield First Selectwoman