HELLO, AUGUST!
August is the last full month of summer, but we still have plenty of time for fun and relaxation under the warm summer sun. It is named in honor of the Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar. This month brings the harvest of many crops, such as tomatoes, corn, ripe melons and zucchini.
The Perseid Meteor Shower occurs annually from approximately July 23 to August 11. The peak viewing is expected from around midnight August 11 to dawn on August 13. August's full Sturgeon moon (so named since this is the time when North America's largest lake fish, the giant sturgeon, are most easily caught in abundance in the Great Lakes ) is on August 11, making it more difficult to see the showers. The best time for viewing will be just before dawn, when the moon is low in the sky and the sky is darkest.
The First Selectman's View from Town Hall
ARPA Update
At the Board of Selectmen meeting last week, the Selectmen voted to propose 11 projects for approval at Town meeting. The projects include the design and permitting of a sewer limited to the business/commercial district and schools, the Ball Pond Drainage project, Company A Firehouse renovation, Police and Town building security, Beach House renovation, creation of an Emergency Housing Fund, a Community Center feasibility study, the establishment of Small Business Grants, Hazard Pay for Public Safety and Health employees, replacement of equipment for the Communications Center and a Town vehicle for the Fire Marshal’s Office. These projects were developed and recommended by the ARPA working group, convened by the BOS when ARPA funding was announced in July of last year. The working group comprised of Town employees and officials with expertise consistent with the goals of ARPA, including the Town Engineer (infrastructure), the Health Director (public health response), Economic Development Commission Chair (negative economic impacts and aid to small business) Social Services Director (aid to households), and the Emergency Management Director, Police Sergeant, and Fire Chief (public safety) to advise us on town needs in their respective areas consistent with the provisions of ARPA. In addition to conducting eight Special Meetings with the ARPA working group over the past year, the BOS held three public forums to discuss the proposed projects. Links to the Public Forums and a summary of the projects can be found on the on the Town website, www.newfairfield.org by clicking on “ARPA Public Forums” under the “News” heading.
I feel that it is important to discuss the misinformation being spread through Town regarding the proposed sewer project. The project is limited to the business/commercial district in the center of Town and the schools. No one owning property along the route will be required to connect to the sewer, although they will be allowed to connect if they wish to do so. Most septic systems serving our small businesses in the center of Town are close to 30 years old and some are starting to experience failures. The business/commercial zone is located above the largest drinking water aquifer in New Fairfield, presenting a potential environmental concern should these systems fail. Ball Pond Brook, which discharges directly to Candlewood Lake, passes through the business/commercial zone and is also at risk of contamination from aging septic systems. Further, the large septic systems serving Meeting House Hill School and the High School are also aging, with replacement costs approaching $5 million.
Additionally, through discussions with commercial realtors and property owners, the lack of sewer and water infrastructure in the center of Town has been identified as the primary obstacle to filling vacancies in our business/commercial district. Reliance on septic systems severely restricts both the types of businesses that can operate in Town and the potential growth of our existing small businesses. Many residents are disappointed in the lack of variety in the types of businesses in our Town center; however septic capacity limits the water usage on commercial properties.
If you have lived in Town as long as I have, you may remember when the Grand Union left Town and the plaza where Stop and Shop is now located fell into disrepair. For years, residents’ only option was to go to Danbury to shop for groceries. At the same time, water analyses revealed that dry cleaning chemicals which had been disposed of in a septic system on the same site had contaminated the drinking water, making it even more difficult to attract a buyer for the property. Charter Realty eventually purchased the property and has operated a “pump and treat” system to remediate the contaminated ground water since purchasing the property. Fast forward to 2022, and the Stop and Shop plaza is now operating with its third septic system, which is beginning to fail. Not only is this system located above the drinking water aquifer, it is in close proximity to Ball Pond Brook, posing the risk of bacterial contamination in both the brook and Candlewood Lake. This key commercial property cannot sustain a septic system indefinitely due to the type of soils and the elevated water table in the area. This is only one example of how the business/commercial district in Town will continue to deteriorate without the necessary infrastructure improvements. For those who are concerned about our Town changing, the Town will change, one way or the other. We can either provide a sewer in the center of Town to ensure that our businesses thrive, or we can continue down the current path and return to the blighted Town center we had in the mid- 1990s.
There is also a narrative that the sewer will attract affordable housing development under the State’s “Section 8-30 (g)” statute. Municipalities that have not documented at least 10% of their housing stock as affordable are subject to a provision that provides for developers to have local zoning requirements waived for multifamily housing projects if at least 30% of the total units meet the affordable threshold. “Affordable” in New Fairfield is roughly $300,000 with a $68,625 income cap for a one bedroom unit. Two affordable housing complexes currently exist in New Fairfield. The development of these complexes was driven by the demand for affordable housing, and was not hindered by the lack of a sewer.
The proposed project will fund the design and permitting of the system necessary to make the project “shovel ready.” Such status is required before the Town can apply for state or federal funding to complete the project. Once the sewer design is complete and the final cost of the project is determined, a Town vote will be required to approve the construction of the sewer. Not only will constructing the sewer ensure a vibrant Town center and clean drinking water now and into the future, acting now allows the Town to take advantage of funding available now through ARPA and the Infrastructure Act to construct the project at the lowest impact possible to taxpayers. Funding on this scale will not be available to us again in the near future.
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REDISTRICTING OF NEW FAIRFIELD VOTING DISTRICTS EXPLAINED
Elisa Beckett-Flores, Democratic Registrar of Voters, explains the new voting redistricting and why it has occurred and where you will now vote:
New Fairfield has undergone a massive redistricting of voting districts that will impact most New Fairfield voters.
Every 10 years the Federal Census occurs, based on that data the states and the federal government use it to re-draw voting districts. This is done to try to keep the voting districts equal in population representation. At the state level the process for redistricting does not fall completely on one party. Once the data has been sent to the states they begin the process to adjust district lines. The party that is in the majority starts this process, but in Connecticut the maps cannot be enacted without a 2/3rds majority vote of both chambers of the State Legislature. If the process does not pass, then it goes to a Bipartisan Commission of State Legislators to complete the process.
So what does that mean for New Fairfield in 2022- changes to the polling locations and who our State Senators are. There hasn’t been such a significant change in at least 40 years for our town; usually it only affects a few streets. Last year we had 2 House Districts, 108th (Patrick Callahan) & 138th (Ken Gucker) and 1 Senate District, the 24th (Julie Kushner). This year we have 1 House District, 108th (Patrick Callahan) and 2 Senate Districts, 24th (Julie Kushner) & 30th (Craig Minor, who is retiring). Although these representatives of these districts do not take office until January 1, 2023, we have to vote by the NEW district starting now, since the votes we cast this year will be for who takes office in 2023.
We need to vote in the district we live in. That means the Polling Locations in town need to reflect the new district lines. Also, due to the 138th House district no longer existing in New Fairfield, the Company A Firehouse is no longer a polling location for voting. In addition, the school construction projects continue to affect the options we have for polling locations.
House District 108, Senate District 24, votes at the New Fairfield Middle School. 56 Gillotti Road, New Fairfield, CT 06812
House District 108, Senate District 30, votes at the New Fairfield Senior Center. 33 Route 37, New Fairfield, CT 06812
The first time both of these polling locations will be used at the new district level will be: August 9th for the State Primary, 6am-8pm. As we get closer to the November election our office will be sending out postcards to Town Residents, providing more coverage in the Town Tribune and having the Maps available in multiple locations around town.
How do you know where you vote right now? The Registrar’s Office has multiple ways for you to find your voting location:
-Town Hall: there is a map and list of streets by district on our door.
-Website: If you go under the Registrar’s page on the NewFairfield.org page there are PDFs https://www.newfairfield.org/municipal-departments/town-administration/registrar-of-voters
-Assessor: You can see your voting District on the Assessor’s municipal page under GIS maps by looking up your address and using the Voting District Layer.
**You can also see where you vote by finding your street below:
SENATE DISTRICT 24-POLLING LOCATION: NF MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA
SENATE DISTRICT 3-POLLING LOCATION: NF SENIOR CENTER
ROADS SPLIT BETWEEN SENATE DISTRICTS 24 AND 30. LOOK FOR YOUR ROAD AND HOUSE NUMBER TO DETERMINE VOTING LOCATION
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NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY IS AUGUST 21
Ronald Reagan proclaimed this day as a holiday in 1988 to make people more aware of the different issues that affect senior citizens and the quality of their lives. This day is meant to recognize the contributions that seniors have made and continue to make to society.
From the Ronald Reagan National Library and Museum, National Archives, an excerpt of Proclamation 5847:
"For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute. We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older - places in which older people can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement, acceptance, assistance, and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and dignity."
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The New Fairfield Senior Center Demonstrates Our Gratitude to the Senior Members of the Community and Provides the Opportunity for Them to Participate to the Fullest!
Kathy Hull, Senior Center Director, Janet Capozzola, Program Director and Deidra Bresha, Administrative Assistant work hard to provide wonderful, fulfilling programs and events on a daily basis at the New Fairfield Senior Center.
A note from Kathy Hull, about the Senior Center:
The New Fairfield Senior Center offers opportunities for enrichment and interaction to adults age 60 and above in an atmosphere of support and respect. The wide range of activities fall into the categories of health and wellness, the arts, education, entertainment and more. The Senior Center provides ways for its participants to be involved and to channel their skills back into the community. It addresses the needs of senior citizens both in groups and as individuals.
Working hand in hand with the Social Services Department and the New Fairfield Commission on the Aging, the Senior Center serves as a resource for the entire community for information on aging, support for family caregivers, training of professional and lay leaders, and development of innovative approaches to addressing aging issues.
In addition to a small municipal budget, the Senior Center is supported by the Friends of the New Fairfield Senior Center, a separate nonprofit organization. The Friends host a number of events each year, including their own FUNdraising events. Much of the furniture and technology equipment in the center has been provided by the Friends. Membership in the Friends of the Senior Center is open to people of all ages. They are hosting the upcoming Penny Social, a very popular event. See below for details:
Above all, the Senior Center is a warm and welcoming place for people meeting people. All our members are wonderful!
To learn more about the Senior Center and their programs and calendars, click on the button below or call them at 203-312-5665.
NATIONAL CONNECTICUT DAY IS AUGUST 10TH
National Connecticut Day celebrates and recognizes all of the contributions Connecticut has made.
Connecticut's Early History (from ct.gov):
While Connecticut was first explored by the Dutch, who founded trading posts, the first permanent settlements were made by English Puritans from Massachusetts, starting in 1633.
From the first, Connecticut enjoyed a great measure of political independence, proclaiming in its Fundamental Orders of 1639 a democratic principle of government based on the will of the people. These Fundamental Orders are said to have been the first written Constitution of a democratic government; that’s why Connecticut today is nicknamed "The Constitution State."
Agriculture and trade were primary activities of 17th century colonists, but because of limited land Connecticut people quickly turned to manufacturing.
During the American Revolution, Connecticut gave freely of her blood and wealth. Her soldiers were on the battle line from Quebec to Carolina. It was General Israel Putnam at the battle of Bunker Hill who cried: "Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" Patriot-spy Nathan Hale, as he was about to be hanged by the British, said: "I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
To George Washington, Connecticut was "The Provision State" because of supplies contributed to his army by Gov. Jonathan Trumbull - the only Colonial governor, to support the cause of America’s independence from Great Britain.
A few interesting facts about Connecticut:
-The name Connecticut is derived from an Algonquian word Quinnehtukqut, meaning land on the long tidal river.
-In 1908, George Smith invented the lollipop making machine in New Haven.
-The Connecticut state insect is the praying mantis.
-The state motto is Qui Transtulit Sustinet, which is on the ribbon of the state flag, and means “He Who Transplanted Still Sustains”.
-Pez candy is made in Orange, Connecticut!
-The Hartford Courant is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States-it was first printed in 1764.
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THE VACCINATION CLINIC IS BACK!
The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months get the primary series of vaccinations, as described below, and boosters, if eligible.
-Starting at 6 months, Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) has been given for : * Pfizer for children 6 months to 5 years, in a primary series of three doses with the second vaccination after three weeks and the third after eight more weeks. * Moderna for children 6 months to 6 years in a primary series of two doses four weeks apart.
See https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/covid-19-vaccines-kids-under-5 for a description of these vaccines
-Children 5/6 to 17, approval has been given for: *2 doses of Pfizer in the primary series, 3-8 weeks apart. A booster shot has also been recently approved -*2 doses of Moderna in the primary series given 4-8 weeks apart. Boosters for those who are immunocompromised have also been approved.
See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccines-children-teens.html for a description of these vaccines
- Adults 18 years and older – approval has been given for: * 2 doses of Pfizer in the primary series, 3-8 weeks apart. A booster shot is recommended 5 months after primary series and a second booster (4th shot) is recommended four months after first booster for those over 50. * 2 doses of Moderna in the primary series, 4-8 weeks apart. A booster shot is recommended 5 months after primary series and a second booster (4th shot) is recommended four months after first booster for those over 50. *1 dose of J&J. A booster shot of Pfizer or Moderna is recommended 2 months after J&J vaccination with a second booster recommended four months (third shot) after first booster.
See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html#recommendations for a description of these vaccines
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MOTOR VEHICLE TAX INFO FROM THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE
2021 MOTOR VEHICLE TAX BILL COVERS THE PERIOD 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, 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. All forms of proof must identify the vehicle specifically. ANY ONE of the following may be furnished IN ADDITION TO A PLATE RECEIPT:
1. SALE- Copy of the bill of sale (must show buyer's name and address)
2. SALE- Copy of the Transfer of Title (must show buyer's name and address)
3. TRADE-IN- Copy of the purchase agreement identifying traded vehicle
4. TOTALED VEHICLE- Insurance company settlement statement showing date of loss
5. JUNKED - Dated statement from junk dealer
6. STOLEN/NOT RECOVERED - Statement from the insurance company or police report
7. OUT OF STATE - Copy of the motor vehicle registration from another state
EMAIL THIS PROOF TO: MVPROOF@NEWFAIRFIELD.ORG
UPON RECEIPT OF PROOF, BILL WILL BE ADJUSTED DEPENDING ON THE DATE. DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR AN ADJUSTMENT IS 12/31/23. Questions, please call Assessor’s Office at (203) 312-5625. PROOF MAILED TO: 4 Brush Hill Rd. New Fairfield, CT. 06812.
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The Community Service Club of New Fairfield Dress for Success Program
The Kids Dress for Success Back-to-School program provides new clothes for eligible elementary school children at the beginning of the school year.
Research has found that students who feel good about themselves will be more confident and that confidence in turn helps them excel in school. It has been proven time and time again that self-esteem plays an important part in academic success.
The club relies on fundraisers and community assistance to reach its goal of providing 2 outfits- including sneakers, undergarments, a winter coat, a backpack and school supplies- for each eligible child.
The New Fairfield Community Service Club (CSC) also relies on Fundraisers and donations to help with all of its many contributions to the community. Some of their fundraisers include: Junk in a Trunk Tag Sale, Taste of New Fairfield, Pie Sales, Crafting Workshop Day and the Mother's Day Plant Sale. Please visit their website to learn more :
You can find their Facebook page at:
The CSC meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the New Life Church in New Fairfield.
New members are always welcome!
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The Girl Scouts Clean Up Hidden Valley
New Fairfield Girl Scouts service unit came together July 10th to hold a cleanup at Hidden Valley! 5 troops from incoming Kindergarten to 7th grade plus their families helped clear the trails, the stairs, the picnic area & the benches! They also cleaned spray paint off many of the signs. They took out bags of garbage and broken glass.
Teaching our Girl Scouts to not only give back to our town, environment and planet is very important but also to see destructive graffiti and damage helps them appreciate these great spots in our community. If you are interested in learning more about New Fairfield Girl Scouts email us:
NewFairfieldgirlscouts@gmail.com
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PARKS AND RECREATION SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
The Parks and Recreation FREE Summer Concert Series continues as they host Split Decision on August 11. The concert is at the Memorial Field Gazebo from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
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SAVE THE DATE!!!!!
New Fairfield Fair Day is coming on September 17th!!!
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HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE REGIONAL EVENT
The Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) will hold its next hazardous waste regional event on Saturday, September 10 from 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. at Hurlbutt Elementary School, 24 School Road, Weston, CT.
Additional information can be found at the HRRA website-click the button below:
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DROP OFF CENTER PERMITS
The Drop Off Center is located at 33 Bigelow Road and is designed to help residents easily and economically recycle and dispose of household waste.
To obtain a permit for the Drop Off Center, you must purchase one at the Drop Off Center. Permits are no longer available for purchase online. You can purchase the permit with a check, credit card or debit card (NO CASH) on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.-3:45 pm. and Thursdays from 2:00-5:00 p.m. The permit will be good for one year, from July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023. For more information about permit fees and costs, click below:
Additional information about what items are accepted at the Drop Off Center can be found on the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) website here:
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PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF YOUR TRASH
With the beautiful weather and the many activities that we are all involved in during the summer, we take out more food and drink more cold beverages and coffee as we are driving from one place to another. Please remember to dispose of your trash at home (you can keep a small trash bag in the car to accumulate your trash) or in a proper garbage container. Also, properly secure your home garbage and recycling cans and bins so animals cannot get to your trash and scatter it.
We all enjoy living in a clean environment, so let's all do our part to keep New Fairfield beautiful and litter-free!
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MEET GREGORY KAHN-The Newest Member of the Finance Team!
Gregory Kahn has joined the Finance Department as an Accounting Clerk and they are very happy to have him as part of their team! Gregory will be taking over Accounts Payable and Requisitions/Purchase Orders for the Town.
Gregory graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Math from WCSU. Upon graduation, he began working as a bank teller and worked his way up into a position in their Finance Department, where he has worked for the past five years.
He and his girlfriend live in Brookfield, where he was born and raised, with their two cats and one dog. In his free time, Gregory enjoys bowling and disc golf.
We welcome Gregory and look forward to working with him.
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The Parks and Recreation Department Illuminated Boat Parade on July 15th was a huge success! The Town Beach was full of happy spectators and the lake was crowded with boats viewing the parade.
Many thanks to Lee Scott for his beautiful pictures!
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Library Newsletter
The Library has its own newsletter and you can subscribe to it here:
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Senior Center Newsletter
The Senior Center also has a newsletter and you can find it, as well as their calendar of daily events, here:
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Event Calendar
Town events can be found on our Event 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 Event Calendar.
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Meeting 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.
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Thank you for reading the New Fairfield Newsletter.
Town of New Fairfield, 4 Brush Hill Road, New Fairfield , CT 06812
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