Legislature Back in January
With a focus towards the next legislative session beginning January 8th, the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG) hosted a legislative reception this week to highlight issues affecting member towns, including Bethel. Access to grants, state funding formulas, and mandates were at the top of the agenda. Transportation, affordable housing, environment, energy, health, technology, and balancing local control with regional opportunities. Stay tuned for more info when the session begins.
Safe Streets
We had a short kickoff meeting this week with representatives from the Federal Highway Administration regarding our recent Safe Streets 4 All grant award to assess traffic safety in Bethel. The town will soon be preparing a scope of work. Schedule of work, and a budget. The study should help the town secure future funding for traffic projects in areas with a high chance of traffic related fatalities.
Public Site and Building Commission
The purpose of the Public Site and Building Commission is to aid and advise the Board of Selectmen in studying the current public building needs and planning for the future space and public building needs of the Town. We could really use some residents who are interested in helping the Town with building projects! Please reach out at firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov for more info.
Town Hall Repairs
Please pardon our appearance! We have repairs underway in some of our offices in the rear hallway in Town Hall. If you have business next week with Planning & Zoning, Inland Wetlands, the Fire Marshall, or the Building Department, please call the department before you visit. The area should be put back together before December 30th.
Town Hall Holiday Hours
The Town Hall closes at 12 pm on Tuesday, December 24th and is closed on December 25th. The Town hall is closed at 12 pm on Tuesday, December 31st and is closed on January 1st. The Transfer Station closes at 11 am on Tuesday, December 24th and 11 am on Tuesday, December 31st.
URGENT Need for Drivers
Brotherhood-In-Action needs URGENT help delivering food tomorrow, December 21st at 9 am! Its an easy way to help our friends and neighbors. Enter the Bethel United Methodist Church lot at 141 Greenwood Ave. You will be given boxes and addresses. You don’t even have to leave your car! Then exit on School Street and go make someone’s life better. We have many families counting on our help.
Cold Weather Protocol
Due to a period of extremely cold conditions over the next several days, the Governor has activated the state’s severe cold weather protocol beginning at 12 pm tomorrow, December 21st through 12 pm on Tuesday, December 24th. The library and town buildings are great places to visit. After hours, anyone in need of a safe place to stay warm is urged to call 2-1-1 to be directed to a nearby location, or check the list of locations online at https://www.211ct.org. Please do not forget to bring pets indoors.
This Weekend
- Santa at Uncle Leo’s & Rosny Gourmet tomorrow, December 21st from 10 am to 2 pm.
- Holiday Pop Up Shop Sale at Global Treats by Nips and Paws, 268 Greenwood Ave tomorrow between 11 am and 4 pm. Shop Local!
- Gingerbread house decorating at WorkspaceCT tomorrow from 12 pm to 1 pm. What is better than hot chocolate and decorating a gingerbread house on a freezing cold day! Register and check out other events at: https://www.workspacect.org/events
- Danbury Animal Welfare Society is hosting a Holiday Adoption Event tomorrow from 12 pm to 3 pm. Adorable pups and kittens are looking for forever homes!
- Support the Brotherhood-In-Action food pantry at a Guest Bartender event tomorrow at Portofino’s from 12 pm to 3 pm tomorrow featuring our own Genée West of Support Local Bethel CT!
- Don’t miss live music and the Ugly Sweater contest at Vesta Rooftop Kitchen tomorrow at 7:30 pm!
- Bethel United Methodist Church is hosting a classic New England tradition of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 22nd at 4 pm. The place to be if you like traditional Christmas songs. Of course, cookies and cocoa provided after the event. Everyone is welcome!
The Bethel Public Library has great teen programs! Check out the Comic Book Workshop with comic book artist Jack Purcell on Monday, December 23rd. If you like sculpting, don’t miss the Clay Fairy Door Workshop with Deb Jaffe on Friday, December 27th! Register now at https://www.bethellibrary.org/events/
Bethel NJROTC Tree Pick-Up
Plan for your tree disposal now! The Bethel Naval JROTC is having their annual Christmas Tree Pickup on Saturday, January 11th from 9 am to 12 pm. (Snow Day Sunday, January 12th from 12 pm to 3 pm) This is an excellent opportunity help the Bethel NJROTC Boosters fund educational programs for the cadets. Learn more at https://rotc.bright-moments.com/
Shoutouts
- Thank you, Bethel Garden Club, for the beautiful floral decorations around Town Hall! You all do so much to make our town beautiful!
- The Bethel Middle School Ambassadors were in Town Hall this week! Thank you for all the really great questions and your interest in what is happening in Bethel!
- Thanks State Rep Marty Foncello and State Sen Tony Hwang for taking the time to join the Bethel Board of Education’s Legislative Workshop! We are counting on your voices in Hartford more than ever.
- A shoutout to the crew over at Kind Works for a fantastic professional development presentation to our town employees! We are all really dedicated to improving our service to our community and appreciate the power of Kindness!
Have a great weekend!