May is here! The trees and the flowers are in bloom and the Town is filled with color! The days are getting warmer and there is daylight in the evening! The singing and chirping of the birds is welcome music to our ears! We feel renewed and eagerly anticipate being outside in the fresh air for the coming months. May is a happy month!!
The First Selectman's View from Town Hall
The Board of Selectmen have set the date of Wednesday, May 10 for the Annual Town Meeting. Those eligible to vote at the Town meeting will set the date for the machine vote on the 2023 – 2024 budget. Statute dictates that the vote must be held “not less than 7 days or more than 14 days” after the Annual Town meeting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday, May 29, 2023
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, when we honor the men and women of the United States military who lost their lives defending our country for the freedom that we are able to enjoy.
Excerpts from "A Proclamation: Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day 2022", signed by President Biden:
"On Memorial Day, we remember the patriots who gave their lives in the service of America, in the service of freedom, and in the service of justice. They made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our Constitution and our democracy. We are free because they were brave, and we live by the light of the flame of liberty they kept burning. They are all heroes, and our Nation is forever grateful.
Those who wear the uniform of the United States Armed Forces know the pride of service and what it means to dedicate themselves to a cause greater than themselves. These women and men put their lives on the line for an idea — the idea of America. They are the best of us. On this day, as we honor the fallen angels who consecrated this great Nation and the ideals that we stand for with their blood, we rededicate ourselves to the unending work of bringing our country ever closer to that more perfect Union for which they died."
"In honor and recognition of all of our fallen service members, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer and reflection. The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance."
*****
On May 29th, let us all take a moment to join together and remember those who gave their lives serving our country.
*****
New Fairfield Veterans Association
There will be a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, May 29th at 11:00 a.m.
~~~~~
MEET OUR NEW TAX DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES:
WELCOME TO NEW FAIRFIELD’S NEW TAX COLLECTOR
A warm welcome to Shareen Landon, New Fairfield’s New Tax Collector!
Shareen brings a wealth of experience to the position. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Western Connecticut State University and has worked in public accounting, auditing and banking, including her own bookkeeping business. Her accounting and finance knowledge is immense and she is a great asset to the Tax Department and has quickly become a member of the Town Hall family.
Shareen is a lifelong New Fairfield resident and graduated from New Fairfield High School, as have her three sons, Michael, Joshua and Matthew. She and her husband, Scott, will be married 30 years in October.
In her “spare “ time, Shareen has been an avid volunteer with the PTO, and served as Treasurer of the Diamond Club and Post Grad (as well as Post Grad Chairman.) She loves spending time with her children, as well as her cat, Milo, dog, Kenzie and grandpups Benji and Otis.
We look forward to working with Shareen and she looks forward to meeting you when you come in to ask questions or pay your taxes.
*****
WELCOME TO NEW FAIRFIELD’S NEW DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION ASSISTANT
We, also, welcome Nancy Jagemann, New Fairfield’s new Delinquent Tax Collection Assistant!
Nancy joins the department with extensive experience in customer service and working with the public.
She moved to New Fairfield in 1998 from Hawthorne, New York and she has three children, all New Fairfield High School graduates, and one amazing granddaughter. When her children were in school, Nancy spent much of her time volunteering to help their soccer, wrestling, lacrosse and cheer teams.
When not at work, Nancy enjoys spending time with family and friends and cooking, gardening and sports. She hikes the many trails in the area-Pine Hill, Pootatuck, Squantz, Sweetcake and Candlewood Lake, and likes spending time with and loving her dogs.
Nancy thinks that New Fairfield is a gorgeous area and she feels fortunate to live here and we are fortunate to have her working in Town Hall!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CONSTRUCTION NOTICE
Wood Pole Guide Rail Upgrade Project
The Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced that the Guide Rail Upgrades project will be performed on Route 39 and Service Road 839 (Milltown Road), New Fairfield/Danbury.
The project consists of upgrading existing wood pole rail systems to current standard systems on route 39 and Service Road 839. Location is between Route 37 and the Danbury town line. The upgrades are scheduled to begin on or about Monday May 15, 2023 and continue thru Monday July 10, 2023. No work will be performed on the day before or the day after the Memorial Day and July 4th Holiday.
Motorists can expect lane closures on Route 39 and Service Road 839. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone. The regular work schedule for this project is 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Monday – Friday). Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSING PLAN INFORMATIONAL MEETING
The Housing Opportunities Committee will be holding two informational meetings to learn about and discuss New Fairfield housing needs:
-Monday, May 8th at 12:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. Please RSVP to: SeniorCenter@New Fairfield.org
-Tuesday, May 9th at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom-please register here:
*****
New Fairfield Residents Housing Needs Survey
Please take a moment to fill out the survey and add your input
Last year the Board of Selectmen created the Housing Opportunities Committee to look at the need for a wider variety of housing in New Fairfield. We are working on a plan to address the housing needs of current and future residents and workers in New Fairfield as required by State statute. This Housing Plan will lay out strategies that the town can take over the next five years to address these housing needs while still protecting the qualities we love about our town.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sip & Stroll
Saturday, May 20th
4-8 p.m.
Register for this fantastic annual event in downtown New Fairfield! You can see what all of our local businesses have to offer while you sip on a glass of wine and meet up with friends and neighbors.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Fine Arts Boosters of New Fairfield, Inc.
Clothing Collection Fundraiser
May 6th, 10:00 a.m-1:00 p.m.
New Fairfield Middle School
If you have any questions, please contact Eileen or Fran at nfhsfab@gmail.com.
HRRA Household Hazardous Waste & Electronic Waste Drop-Off Event
Saturday, May 13th
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Newtown Public Works-4 Turkey Hill Road-Newtown
For more information, click below:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Reminder from the Assessor's Office:
Filing for Tax Relief must be done by May 15, 2023. Contact the Assessor's Office for more information at: assessor@newfairfield.org or call them at 203-312-5625.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Preserve New Fairfield Strawberry Festival
More information to come and on the PNF website (PreserveNewFairfield.org):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Fairfield Social Services Food Pantry
The New Fairfield Social Services Department Food Pantry relies on the generosity of the New Fairfield residents to help keep it stocked for residents who may need items. Please see the list below for what is currently needed - thank you so much for your donations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Message from the Fire Marshal
Outdoor cooking season is upon us! Cooking fires are a leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Before you use your grill this year, check the propane hose for cracks or damage from animals. Grease that has dripped onto the propane supply hose can be inviting for small animals to chew into the hose. Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.
Clean the grill of excess grease; always use a propane tank that is within date. If using a charcoal or wood fueled grill, never use accelerants that are not specified for grilling to ignite the fuel. The grill should be well placed away from the home, deck railings, under eves, overhanging branches, plants, etc. Keep kids and pets away from grills and never leave a lit grill unattended.
Follow the Town of New Fairfield Fire Marshal’s Office on Facebook for more fire prevention tips and news.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health is something everyone should care about. The Prevention Council and Postvention Information Network have provided the following information about the positive impacts spending time outdoors and in nature can have on our mental health.
If you would like further information, you can find it on mhanational.org or click below:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May is also Skin Cancer Awareness Month
While enjoying your time outdoors, be sure to protect yourself from the sun. If you notice anything unusual on your skin, be sure to see a board-certified dermatologist and get it checked out!
TICK SAFETY
Ticks are prevalent this time of year. Be sure to educate yourself on the best protection from tick bites and the diseases that they can carry and transmit to you.
You can find more information about ticks and prevention on the CDC website:
or ct.gov
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Funds Are Still Available for Qualified Homeowners Who Need Costly Repairs for Their Homes
IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF FUNDS TO HELP REPAIR YOUR HOME, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION:
You can find more information, the application and information packet on NewFairfield.org under "Our Town" or you can click the button below:
Please Do Not Feed the Wildlife
The wildlife that we see in New Fairfield do not need to be fed by you, even though you have good intentions and want to help them. They have specialized diets and their bodies are able to adapt to the winters without much food. You can actually harm them and they can become malnourished and die when fed the wrong foods. In addition, leaving food out can also attract bears and other animals that may not be friendly.
Advice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
-Help keep wildlife wild and healthy. Wildlife Services encourages you to avoid feeding wildlife such as ducks, geese, gulls, raccoons, deer, squirrels or coyotes. One way you can help reduce wildlife conflicts with people is by not feeding wildlife near human populations and in parks.
-Animals accustomed to people often lose their fear of people and can become aggressive. Those that become too aggressive may have to be destroyed to protect people and property.
-Many people enjoy living near and watching wildlife. You can help keep animals wild by keeping the following tips in mind.
-Do not encourage wildlife by feeding or leaving food for them.
-Don't allow bird food to accumulate on the ground.
-Don't place food scraps in gardens or compost bins, and use a closed compost bin.
-Keep pet food and water containers indoors, especially at night.
-If you have fruit trees, harvest or dispose of fruit when it is ripe.
-Use metal or durable plastic trash containers with tight fitting lids.
-Enjoy viewing wildlife at a distance. Respect their space and remember they are wild animals that should stay wild.
The best way to be kind to and help the wildlife that share our town is to enjoy their beauty from afar. Let them find their own food that they instinctively know is good for them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deck Safety Month
May is deck safety month. We look forward to spending more time outside relaxing, barbecuing and entertaining on our decks. This is a good time to inspect your deck for signs of wear, damage and to perform maintenance to avoid any accidents or injuries and collapse of your deck.
The North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) has provided the following 10-point checklist to visually inspect your deck:
You can find additional deck safety information at:
You can also contact a licensed home inspector to take a look at your deck and advise you as to its safety and if any repairs should be made.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parks & Recreation Department
The Parks & Recreation Department still has job openings for a Waterfront Director and Lifeguards.
To learn more about these job opportunities, visit the Human Resources page at NewFairfield.org or click below:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Earth Day Celebration-April 22nd
Thank you to all of the residents who came out to collect garbage and enjoy the events despite the cold, chilly day. We helped to clean up the Town and hope that people became more aware of ways they can help our Earth and environment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Library Newsletter
The Library has its own newsletter and you can subscribe to it here:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Senior Center
Take a look at the Senior Center's beautiful new website where you can find out about programs, events and all that the New Fairfield Senior Center offers, as well as their newsletter:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meetings Calendar
The calendar for the Town of New Fairfield board and commission meetings can be found at:
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy Mother's Day
Heartfelt Mother's Day wishes to all Moms, Grandmothers, Aunts, Stepmoms and all the women who care about and for us. Thank you for supporting us, believing in us and cheering us on to be the best we can be!
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
Credits:
Created with images by Inna - "Hello May. text on white notepad paper on blue background. near notepad with pink flowers" • LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - "top view of american flags and memorial day lettering on white wooden surface" • jaflippo - "Small American flags and headstones at National cemetary- Memorial Day display" • Mirror-images - "diamond shaped orange red reflector street sign that reads road work ahead" • tpfeller - "Pouring red wine in a glass" • Dzmitry - "Tax relief symbol. Concept words 'tax relief' on wooden blocks on a beautiful background from dollar bills. Business and tax relief concept." • Daniel Vincek - "Strawberries" • photka - "Food donations in hands isolated on white background" • BlureArt - "Stainless Steel BBQ Barbecue Gas Grill Isolated on White Background. BBQ Grillware Gas Grill. Outdoor Cooking Station. Outdoor Grill Table. Clipping Path" • denphumi - "Selection of tools in the shape of a house" • tab62 - "Home outdoor cedar deck with blooming trees " • ArtBackground - "Mothers day concepts" • Tierney - "Happy Mothers Day message with small hearts"