JULY IN NEW FAIRFIELD VOLUME 1, ISSUE 5 || JULY 2022

LINDA FOX, LIBRARY DIRECTOR, CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE TOWN OF NEW FAIRFIELD

We thank Linda for her many years of dedicated and loyal service to the Town and to the many grateful library patrons!

Linda's journey, in her own words:

The New Fairfield library has always been a part of my life. I remember going to the library when it was a small room in Town Hall. There were glass cabinets that held the books and they locked with a key. In 1960, the library moved into the church building next door. I went with my grandmother, Martha Fairchild, who was the town librarian for over 40 years. I enjoyed participating in the summer reading programs and was part of the short lived Junior Friends of the Library.

When I graduated high school, the Friends of the Library paid for me to work at the library during the summer and then I was paid by the town to work part time as a Library Aide while in college. I graduated from Western Connecticut State College in 1972 and, having taken library science classes at Southern Connecticut State College, I was hired full time by the town. At this time the library had three employees. I moved up from being a Library Aide to Assistant Librarian to assuming the role of Library Director in 1986. I had received a Masters of Library Science degree several years earlier.

The library has seen many changes over the years I have worked there. It went from a small room in Town Hall to the old Congregational Church building next door. A big change was the 1975 addition to the library. It added about 8,000 square feet to the existing small building. Until 1986 only the main floor was used for both adult and children's books and had a card catalog, and tables and chairs. The lower floor was converted to the children's library in 1984 and the Friends of the Library used the small room for ongoing book sales.

The next big change was converting a manual checkout system and card catalog to a computerized system. Volunteers helped convert records for this project. As technology changed so did the library. Computers were added for the public. Video tapes and audio tapes were added to the collection with changes to DVDs and CDs as technology again changed. Digital downloads are now a popular choice for library patrons. A website offered patrons information about the library.

In 2015, the library had a renovation to bring the building up to code. Improvements were made to electrical and heating systems along with the addition of an elevator. It was a challenge having the library open during the renovations and trying to serve the public in a safe way.

The past few years have been spent in trying to keep up with the fast paced changes in technology (including a new website in 2021), many staff changes and, of course, COVID 19. The library had to adapt during the pandemic in order to provide patrons materials and services. This was done by willing employees providing front door pickup, digital resources, and eventually shortened open hours. Only now is the library fully staffed and providing many materials, programs and other resources for the town.

My over 50 years at the library have gone by quickly and I have enjoyed helping residents with their many library needs and having had the pleasure of knowing many of them. I have worked with wonderful employees over the years and I am very happy that the town has a very valuable resource in the library and that I have been part of that for so many years.

CONGRATULATIONS LINDA!

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A Message from the Assessor Regarding Your Motor Vehicle Tax Bill

Many people have seen an increase in their motor vehicle assessment. New and used car values increasing over the past 2 years are not unique to Connecticut, this is a nationwide trend. Used car and used truck prices went up roughly 25% throughout the state. The Secretary of Policy and Management recommends a schedule of motor vehicle values from the National Automobile Dealers Association. Per state statute 12-71d, “these values must be used by all Connecticut Assessors in each municipality to determine the assessed value as of October 1st”.

In order to be fair and equitable, towns do not not determine motor vehicle values. Every vehicle, no matter what town it is in, is assessed equally according to this schedule. The value is not determined at the town level. Motor vehicle assessments are based on 70% of the “clean retail” value per the October issue of the NADA/JD Power car guide.

There are a number of articles which indicate how much used car values have gone up over the past year:

These articles and others you may find on your own illustrate the point that used car values went up significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

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NF Lions Club July 4th Parade

Celebrate the 4th of July with New Fairfield at the New Fairfield Lions Club Annual Independence Day Parade!!

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NF LIONS CLUB CARNIVAL

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PARKS AND RECREATION EVENTS

The Parks and Recreation Department has lined up an exciting list of concerts and movies for the summer months. Join us and your friends and neighbors for these entertaining events.

See below for more detailed information about this year's illuminated boat parade.

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New Fairfield Social Services Office

The Social Services office works with the community to help residents navigate the complexities of accessing many government programs created to help them, while also serving the day-to-day needs of residents when difficulties arise.

Here is a state program designed to help CT families during the current period of increased financial stress.

Click below to learn more:

Seniors are also vulnerable to financial stress. The Social Services office works with the Western CT Area Agency on Aging (WCAAA) who provide CT seniors access to programs and services which help them maintain independence and enhanced quality of life.

The WCAAA established the Senior Medicare Patrol program 25 years ago to help prevent Medicare fraud, errors and scams. In June they celebrated this milestone and shared information to help Medicare beneficiaries avoid being subject to fraud.

Click below for the SMP website:

The Senior Medicare Patrol is in need of someone from our town to volunteer in their program. There are many facets of the work, they will be happy to find a good fit, if you are interested.

The New Fairfield Food Pantry is once more in need of donations. The community is always generous in helping provide for those who need assistance and we thank you. Here is a list of the currently needed items.

Please contact Cindy White, Director of New Fairfield Social Services at 203-312-5669 for more information.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TAX BILLS AND PAYMENTS

Tax bills due July 1, 2022 for real estate, motor vehicles, and personal property were all mailed on Friday, June 24th. The last day to pay without penalty is Monday August 1, 2022. There are numerous ways to make your payment:

1. PAY ONLINE at www.newfairfield.org

To pay by echeck from your checking or savings account there is a $1.25 service fee. To use a credit or debit card there is a 2.5% service fee.

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2. PAY BY MAIL

Make check payable to: New Fairfield Tax Collector or NF Tax Collector. Mail to: Tax Collector, 4 Brush Hill Rd., New Fairfield, CT 06812

If a receipt is desired, a self-addressed stamped envelope must also be sent with your payment.

Be sure your envelope is postmarked on or before August 1st to avoid penalty. When mailing payment, please be aware that the U.S. Postal Service postmark determines timely payments.

Warning about electronic bill payment / telephone bill pay services: These services may not mail your payment when you expect them to! You assume the risk of your payment arriving late if you choose to use these services. These payments come to us without a postmark, and because of this, they must be RECEIVED in the office on or before the last day to pay in order to be considered timely. Any payment received by mail after the deadline is considered late and will be charged statutory interest unless a legible timely postmark is stamped on the envelope.

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3. LOCAL BANKS COLLECTING

Between July 1st and August 1st you may also pay at the two local bank branches listed below. They will only accept payments for the July 2022 as well as the January 2023 installments due. You must bring the entire tax bill when making the payment. One receipt will be returned to you and the other forwarded to the Tax Office. You need not be a customer of the bank.

• Savings Bank of Danbury - 100 Route 37

• Union Savings Bank - 24 Route 39

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4. DROP BOX

You may deliver your payment to the secure drop box installed on the back of Town Hall.

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5. PAY AT TOWN HALL

Tax payments are accepted at the Tax Collector’s Office in Town Hall Monday through Thursday 8:30 am until 5:00 pm and Friday 8:30 am until noon.

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Motor Vehicle taxes due July 1st cover the time period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.

If a vehicle was replaced after 10/1/21 and the registration was transferred to another vehicle, this bill is still due. (You will receive an automatic credit for this vehicle on a supplemental bill in January 2023.)

For vehicles sold, stolen or totally destroyed and the registration was not transferred to another vehicle or if you have MOVED OUT OF STATE, you may be eligible for a tax credit. To obtain a credit, you must furnish proof as required by the Assessor.

Contact the Assessor’s Office at (203) 312-5625 or email them: assessor@newfairfield.org.

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Please be aware that failure to receive a bill does not relieve the taxpayer of their liability for payment of their taxes or delinquent interest.

If you have any questions about your tax bill please contact the Tax Office for assistance.

Email: taxcollector@newfairfield.org

Visit: www.newfairfield.org

In addition to making payment online, you can view your account as well as reprint your bill.

Call the office: (203) 312-5620

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Screen Time and Your Children Over the Summer