Dear Fairfielders,
I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday with family and friends. The annual Fireworks Celebration serves as an opportunity for the entire community to come together in celebration of our nation's birth.

I want to publicly share my sincere appreciation to the Fairfield Parks & Recreation, Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments, the Stratfield and Southport Volunteer Fire Departments, and Fairfield's Certified Emergency Response Team (CERT) Fireworks Team for their outstanding commitment to making our Fireworks event enjoyable, safe, and memorable for all residents to enjoy.

It takes a lot of planning, organizing, and boots on the ground to put on a safe and orderly town sponsored event.  They all did an awesome job for our community.

Scott Bartlett, Fairfield’s former public works superintendent who was found guilty in connection with illegal dumping of contaminated soil from Owen Fish Pond, will be sentenced at 2pm on Monday, July 24^th. 

Since I took office, members of our community have reached out to me asking for information on how to share their thoughts with the Court as the cases moved through the justice system.  As with any sentencing, members of the public may share victim impact statements for the Court’s consideration.  If you would like to submit a victim impact statement, you can mail it directly to:

The Honorable Judge Tracy Lee Dayton
Fairfield Judicial District Courthouse
1061 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604

Or by email to Judge Dayton, c/o Town Attorney Jim Baldwin, jbaldwin@fairfieldct.org. 

Members of the public can also attend the sentencing hearing in Courtroom 3-A, Bridgeport Superior Court, 1061 Main St.

The main Fill Pile criminal case is currently scheduled to begin in early September.  I will provide updates to the community as we receive more information about trial dates.

REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING (RTM) - ORDINANCES
I want to share an update to the last newsletter regarding the ordinances being discussed at the RTM.  The ordinance establishing a Fair Rent Commission, per state statute, was adopted by the RTM at its June 26th meeting. The ordinance language can be found here. The proposal to adopt changes to the existing Noise Ordinance was postponed to the August meeting of the RTM.  You can read the proposed changes here.  

To watch the RTM meeting on both ordinances, click here. 

If you have an opinion to share on matters before the RTM you can reach out to the full RTM via e-mail: rtm@fairfieldct.org.

The 2022 Grand List property tax bills were due on July 1, 2023.  To look up your tax bill and pay online, click here. Any payments with an original bill coupon can also be made at any M&T Bank location.  You do not need to be a customer. 

Please note that according to State Statute tax payments due July 1st have a 30-day grace period until August 1st.  Interest begins to accrue on August 2nd at a rate of 1 1/2% per month (3% initially) dating back to July 1, 2023.

Click here to read Frequently Asked Questions regarding tax payments.

I hope you join me in welcoming the newest members of the Fairfield Police Department: Evan Strausser, William Brady, and Connor Greene.
 
They will begin training at the Connecticut Police Academy. We're confident they will thrive and gain the skills necessary to serve and protect our community with the utmost dedication. Upon completing their academy training, Evan, William, and Connor will join experienced Fairfield officers on the road in a field training and evaluation program. This hands-on experience will further prepare them for their future roles as officers.

I join our community in feeling deep sadness for the loss of one of our residents in a tragic road accident.  My heartfelt condolences are with the Raveis family.

Meghan was a beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend whose loving heart was felt by those around her.  She was a model of devotion to her family, friends, and interests which brought communities together and advocated on behalf of those in need. 

If you would like to make a donation in Meghan's memory, you can do so here: Raveis Charitable Fund.

Last year, I wrote about the commendable efforts of Andrew Fuller, a student at Fairfield Warde High School. Andrew worked towards raising funds for the installation of defibrillators at Fairfield's beaches. His goal was to raise awareness about the crucial role these life-saving devices play in our community.

In March of last year representatives from Bridgeport Hospital and Yale-New Haven Hospital's Center for Injury and Violence Prevention presented Andrew with a significant contribution in the form of a substantial check. The amount, exceeding $4,000, was utilized to purchase two AEDs for the town of Fairfield.

Collaborating with the Fairfield Parks & Recreation Department, as well as the Police and Fire Departments, Andrew successfully organized this project, resulting in the permanent installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at both Jennings and Sasco beaches.

I was so happy to be a part of a ribbon cutting ceremony at Jennings Beach commemorating this life saving installation.  I want to thank Andrew for his dedication to this effort, as well as our incredible Parks and Recreation, Police, and Fire Departments, Paul Possenti, Executive Director of Emergency Services for Bridgeport Hospital, and Nick Aysseh, from Yale New Haven Hospital’s Center for Injury and Violence Prevention for helping to make this all a reality.

Kudos to the Shellfish Commission and Conservation Department for their steadfast commitment to protecting shellfish habitats and increasing shell fishing opportunities for Fairfield residents.
 
It was great fun to see so many members of our community, young and old, enjoying the Free Clam Clinic. These opportunities only happen when good people step up to volunteer their time and is part of what makes Fairfield so special. 
 
Special thanks to Shellfish Chair John Short, Vice Chair Timothy Macklin, commission members, Cynthia Wakeman, Todd Koehnke, Lisette B. Enhoffer, Sean Cowan, and chowder master, Bruce Kueffner, our conservation department Director Tim Bishop, conservation staff Sarah Neafsey, Tom Coarse, Joanne Moura, Heather Harrison and all the volunteers who partnered with the commission to make the Clam Clinic a success.
  
Shellfish permits can be obtained here.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS

I had the pleasure of joining the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce for its 77th Annual Awards & Recognition Dinner to honor amazing people, the work they do, and the organizations they represent.

The Town is very appreciative of these deserving award recipients who represent the very best of what our community has to offer and are vitally important to the foundation of what makes Fairfield a special place to live, work and visit.

Economic Impact Award: Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University.
Company of the Year Award: Pet Pantry, Adam and Ari Jacobson, owners.
Non-Profit of the Year Award: Team Woofgang & Co. – accepted by Kelly Maffei, Co-Founder & Amiee Turner, Executive Director.
Volunteer of the Year Award: Nicole Kelman, Founder, New England Education Consultants.
Outstanding Achievement Award: FELO (Fairfield Emerging Leaders Organization).

Special thanks to Chamber President Beverly Balaz for all her hard work and continued efforts in making Fairfield a vibrant community. I enjoyed being able to offer remarks about the awardees. 

Fairfield’s 130th Annual Independence Day Ceremony sponsored by the United Veterans of Fairfield was held on July 4th on the Town Green in front of the Old Town Hall.  What an amazing opportunity to have been able to attend this historical event that included Owen Daly, Theo Keitt, River Peterson, Liam Cadavid, and Stephen Petrosino from the Fairfield Teen Theatre reading the Declaration of Independence, along with refreshments and a Fallen Soldier table display provided by the Eunice Dennie Burr Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).

I believe reading the Declaration of Independence is valuable for everyone as a reminder of our founding fathers who forged this crucial document that framed the greatest country we are blessed to live in. 

Photo Credit:  Fairfield Hamlet Hub

FARMERS MARKETS | SEASONAL

GREENFIELD HILL FARMERS MARKET 
Located at 65 Hillside Road, the Greenfield Hill Farmers Market will be open Saturdays from 10:00am to 1:00pm now through October.  Be sure to stop by to check out their many local vendors.

DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET 
Fairfield Farmers Market and the Town of Fairfield are happy to announce that popular summer Farmers Market is back. The Market will be held every Sunday 10AM-2PM, rain or shine, on Sherman Green. Over 30 local farms and small batch food producers will participate. For more information, including a list of venders, please visit the Fairfield Farmers Market webpage.

FAIRFIELD POLICE SUNSET 5K | JULY 19
The Fairfield Police Department will be hosting its 5th annual Sunset 5K on Wednesday, July 19th. Registration and sponsorships are open! More information can be found here. All proceeds benefit the Fairfield Police Scholarship Fund and the Fairfield Police Foundation.

OPERATION HOPE TAG SALE | AUGUST 12 
Operation Hope is excited to hold its annual Town-Wide Tag Sale on Saturday, August 12, 9am-3pm, rain or shine. They are seeking Tag Sale hosts. Get all the details, sign up and read the FAQs here. Thank you for lending a hand, and especially for opening your home and heart to help Operation Hope end hunger and homelessness, one person at a time.

CENTER FOR FAMILY JUSTICE EVENT| SEPTEMBER 6 
The Center for Family Justice will hold its 26th Annual Speaking of Women event on Wednesday, September 6, at The Waterview, 218 Roosevelt Drive, Monroe, CT. Registration begins at 11am, followed by a 12pm Program start.  This year's featured survivor is Chanel Miller, artist and author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, "Know My Name."   For more information click here. To purchase event tickets click here.

Please note that both branches of Fairfield Public Library are now CLOSED ON SUNDAYS through Labor Day.

To learn more about upcoming Fairfield Public Library programing, click here.

720 Pequot Avenue/Southport

Pequot Library offers an exciting lineup of programs for all ages, all of which are free and open to the public.  Please click here for more information.  The library is in the final stretch of its Spring 2023 Campaign, with a goal of raising $85,000. Please consider making a contribution today by clicking here.

FAIRFIELD MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER 
370 Beach Road

To learn more about the activities of the State Legislature visit: cga.ct.gov.

For questions on state legislation, reach out to your State Senator and State Representative. You can find their contact information here.

New Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations (IWWR) took effect July 1 

To learn more, click here. To read the regulations click here. To learn more about the new permit fees click here. To see a compare and contrast between the old and new fees click here.

FAIRFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT/POWER OUTAGE NOTIFICATIONS
You can receive real time updates on power outages specific to your home or business by registering to receive text messages regarding Outages, Restoration Times and Power Restored Confirmation.   It is easy to register online or by text. Click here for more information from the Fire Department. 

PARKS AND RECREATION - BEACHES
Beach stickers are available from the Parks & Recreation Department. The guards at the beaches cannot accept receipts in lieu of beach stickers. Parking restrictions began May 27th and remain in effect until Labor Day. Violators are subject to ticket and/or tow. Please take notice of all posted parking signs.  Lifeguards will be on duty at the beaches daily from 10am to 6pm at all beach sites. Lifeguards will be on routinely at Lake Mohegan from 10am to 8pm, from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.