AUGUST IN NEW FAIRFIELD VOLUME 2, ISSUE 8 || AUGUST 2023

In 8 B.C., the first Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar, was honored by the Roman senate, by changing the name of their month Sextilis to Augustus.

August has two supermoons this year. A supermoon is a full Moon when the Moon is at its nearest point to the Earth and it seems very large and bright. The Full Sturgeon Moon (the giant sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain are most abundantly caught at this time of summer) will take place on August 1st. The second full moon of August, the Blue Sturgeon Moon (so named because a moon is a blue moon when it is the second full moon in the month) will occur on August 30th and will be the biggest supermoon of the year!

The Perseid Meteor Shower will peak on the night of August 12th and before dawn on August 13th. Every August, the Earth passes through the debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle. Viewing is best at dawn, when moonlight is absent.

The First Selectman's View from Town Hall

Hurricane Preparedness

Although Atlantic Hurricane Season began on June 1, we are now entering the “heart” of the season in New England, the months of August and September. Southern New England is subject to coastal flooding, widespread wind damage and small stream and river flooding during hurricanes and tropical storms. Since 1900, 39 tropical systems have impacted Connecticut – 25 hurricanes and 14 tropical storms.

As we learned in May of 2018 and during Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020, it is not uncommon for New Fairfield residents to be isolated and without power for an extended period of time following a severe weather event. In preparation for a hurricane or tropical storm, the National Weather Service recommends having enough food, water, and other supplies on hand to last for 72 hours. A basic emergency kit should include:

-Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

- Food - at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

- Battery - powered or hand crank radio

-Flashlight

-First aid kit

- Extra batteries

-Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

-Fuel for generator and cars

-Supplies as needed for children and/or seniors

You may also consider:

- Prescription medications

- Non-prescription medications, such as pain relievers and allergy medication

-Glasses and contact lens solution

-Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes

-Pet food and extra water for your pet

The National Weather Service also recommends having a family emergency plan which includes:

- A plan for receiving emergency alerts and warnings

- A shelter plan should you be displaced by the storm

- A family communication plan

- Plans to address medical needs, prescription medications and equipment, and accommodations for pets

If you have not signed up for the “Alert Now” system to receive notification from the Selectman’s Office regarding weather alerts and emergency response, I encourage you to fill out the form on the Home Page of the Town Website, www.newfairfield.org. Following a significant weather event, I use “Alert Now” to provide information on road closures, power restoration and shelter services. You may choose to receive notification by land line phone, cell phone, text and/or e-mail. Finally, if you or a family member has special medical needs and an extended power outage could impact their care, please contact the New Fairfield Director of Emergency Management at 203-312-5723 to complete a “Medical Disability or Special Assistance Notification Form.” This information will remain confidential but will alert emergency responders to your needs.

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TAXES ARE DUE

A Notice from the Tax Collector, Shareen Langdon

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PAVING UPDATE

The Route 37 and Service Road 850 paving project has been delayed due to the weather. DOT has provided a new schedule indicating that paving will begin on Monday, August 7, 2023 and be completed by Tuesday, August 22. Please be prepared for delays and lane closures during this time frame.

LANE CLOSURE INFO: Motorists can expect delays and one lane alternating traffic. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone. The regular work schedule for this project is 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Monday - Friday).

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NOTARY SERVICES

Please note that as of September 1, 2023, there will be a charge for Notary Services at the Town Clerk's Office

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National Connecticut Day

August 10, 2023

Connecticut is derived from the Algonquian word 'Quinnehtukqut', which means 'land on the long tidal river.'

On January 9, 1788, Connecticut became the 5th state and adopted the United States Constitution.

Connecticut, has so many beautiful parks, waterfalls, hiking trails, beaches, lakes, and museums. It ranks among one of the best states for quality of life. We are home to Yale University, Mystic Seaport (the largest maritime museum in the world), home to the Pez factory, and the "insurance capital of the world-Hartford."

The State Motto, which is on the state flag in Latin, translates to "he who transplanted still sustains." The state flower is the mountain laurel, the american robin is the state bird and the white oak is the state tree.

SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE SENIOR CENTER IN AUGUST

-Hand and Upper Extremity Management: Thursday, August 3 at 2:00 p.m.

Dr. Benjamin Clippinger, Hand Specialst and Dr. Robert Dohner, Shoulder and Sports Medicine Specialist from Orthopedic Specialists of CT will be here to talk about conditions affecting function, surgical and non-surgical management and the next steps to improve function.

-Senior Scams: Wednesday, August 9 at 1:00 p.m.

This educational seminar will educate you on knowing the danger signs of being scammed. In today's society, many seniors become prey because of their vulnerability. We will examine the different types of scams that seniors are prone to.

-Grandparents Ice Cream Social: Thursday, August 10 at 1:00 p.m.

We will be hosting a special afternoon for grandparents and their grandchildren. The magician Gene Thompson will be here to do his magic show and lots of fun games and chances to win prizes. Be sure to call today to schedule a “play date” with your grandchildren or the young friend who wishes you were their grandparent. Then call 203-312-5665 to make your reservation with the Senior Center so we can have enough ice cream for you.

-Lecture: The Greatest Sitcoms: Thursday, August 24 at 1:00 p.m.

Award-winning author and pop culture historian Marty Gitlin hosts this enlightening presentation based on his book, The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time. He is the only author to actually rank the best of the best, including I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, The Andy Griffith Show, Get Smart, All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cheers, Seinfeld, The Golden Girls, Frasier and The Big Bang Theory. If this sounds like fun, it is!

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New Fairfield Historical Society

The New Fairfield Historical Society held an open house at the Little Red Schoolhouse recently and photographer Lee Scott captured many amazing photos, which will be featured in this newsletter.

PAINT THE TOWN PURPLE

New Fairfield will be participating in the 2nd Annual Paint the Town Purple from September 9-16th to raise awareness about Alzheimer's Disease.

The week will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Town Hall on September 8th at 10:00 a.m. Association representatives will be at New Fairfield Day on September 9th and you can stop by and visit their booth to obtain more information about the disease and see what you can do to be involved.

On Monday, September 11th, the Senior Center will host a Memory Game at 1:00 p.m. On Tuesday, September 12th, the Library will host 'Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body' at 6:00 p.m. and on Thursday, September 14th, the Senior Center will host an educational program, 'Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia' at 1:00 p.m.

In addition, many Town businesses will be participating, each in their own way-make sure to check them out!!!

There will be two Alzheimer's Association Walks to End Alzheimer's in the New Fairfield area-New Milford on Saturday, September 30th and in Norwalk on Sunday, October 8th. You can register below:

There are many opportunities for you to learn about this dreadful disease and to participate-PLEASE DO!

HRRA Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event

Saturday, September 9th from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Miller-Driscoll School-217 Wolfpit Road, Wilton, CT.

Other upcoming Drop-Off Events

-October 14, 2023 - New Milford John Pettibone School, Pickett District Road, New Milford - 9a.m. – 2p.m.

-November 4, 2023 - Brookfield Brookfield High School, 45 Long Meadow Hill Rd, Brookfield - 9a.m. – 2p.m.

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Food Pantry Needs for August

Thank you for your continued generosity to fill the Food Pantry to help New Fairfield residents. Some items are needed to replenish the shelves-please consider helping out by donating an item or items needed. Thank you.

Please contact the Social Services Department at 203-312-5669 to arrange to drop off a donation or if you are in need of services.

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Important Information for Veterans from New Fairfield Social Services

Save the Date

Groovin' in New Fairfield

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Library Newsletter

The Library has its own newsletter and you can subscribe to it here:

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Senior Center

Take a look at the Senior Center's beautiful website where you can find out about programs, events and all that the New Fairfield Senior Center offers, as well as their newsletter:

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Events Calendar

Town events can be found on our Events Calendar. If you have a Not-for-Profit fundraising event to be held in town-please send us the information and flyer to be included on the Events Calendar.

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Meetings Calendar

The calendar for the Town of New Fairfield board and commission meetings can be found at www.NewFairfield.org or by clicking the button below:

Please join us at our meetings to find out what is going on in New Fairfield in further depth. The calendar will let you know if the meeting is in person or will provide the Zoom link, if it is remote. We look forward to you attending the meetings and welcome your participation.

Thank you for reading the New Fairfield Newsletter.

If you are a New Fairfield not-for-profit organization and would like to include an event in the newsletter, please contact us at: jgreen@newfairfield.org.

Town of New Fairfield, 4 Brush Hill Road, New Fairfield, CT 06812

www.NewFairfield.org