Sewer System Inspection Notice
Bethel Public Utilities is conducting manhole and sewer main inspections in a portion of our sewer system through Friday, May 3rd. As part of the inspection, air is blown through the sewer lines. Normally, there are no issues with this practice. However, occasionally, a few homes may have an issue with vents or traps in the plumbing system resulting in the air escaping through a toilet. If you live near downtown between Rt 53 and the train tracks or in the area between Oven Rock Rd and Cherry Ln, it would be a really, really great idea to keep your toilet lids closed for the next three weeks. See the map [here](map link).
MS4 Annual Report Public Comment
Each town is required to take steps to keep stormwater clean that enters our water bodies, and Bethel submits a report to the state every year to document our efforts in the previous year to comply with the requirements of our permit to discharge stormwater. The draft of the 2023 MS4 Annual Report for Bethel is on our website, and we are seeking public comment until May 19th. Please visit this link to view the report and learn more about Stormwater Management. Please send comments to publicworks@bethel-ct.gov.
Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Public Safety Expo
The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association held their annual Public Safety Expo this week. Thank you to the Chief and officers of the Bethel PD for the opportunity to learn more about opportunities to ensure our residents are safe!
Attention Bethel Veterans
Attention Bethel Veterans, our Municipal Veterans Representative is John Sarver, and he works in Town Hall. Call 203-794-8594 or email sarverj@bethel-ct.gov for support. If you are a Veteran in crisis, please dial 988 and choose option 1.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We are still looking for sponsors for Food Truck Fridays on the first and third Fridays in June, July, and August, and the summer concert series on Sundays in August. Email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov.
Upcoming Public Hearings
Check out upcoming public hearings at this link.
Annual Bethel Community Earth Day Event
The Annual Bethel Community Earth Day Event kicks off with “Trashapalooza,” the town-wide cleanup, tomorrow, April 20th, at 10 am and runs to 12 pm. Berardinelli Services is providing a dumpster behind Town Hall. After dropping off trash, celebrate at the Earth Day Fair on the Town Hall lawn from 11 am to 2 pm. There will be engaging games, vendors, and a free raffle.
Master Gardeners at the Earth Day Fair
The Master Gardeners from the UConn Fairfield County Extension Center will be on hand at the Earth Day Fair to answer questions on gardening and composting. They will also have some remaining seeds to hand out from their partnership with Ocean State Job Lot where they distributed free vegetable and flower seeds to area non-profit organizations including the Bethel Library and Berry School.
Summer Day Camp will begin on Monday, April 22nd, at 9 am. You can go online and register with your account, call, or visit the Park & Rec office to register in person. A minimum $100 deposit must be made per child for the summer. For families with multiple children, a $50 discount will be credited to your account after you have completed registration. Visit this link to register.
Machine Vote Referendum
The annual budget, the purchase of the ladder truck, and the purchase of the Wells Fargo property are questions on the machine vote referendum next Tuesday, April 23rd. Polls open at 6 am and close at 8 pm. Review the budget at this link.
April is Citizen Science Month
April is Citizen Science Month! Stop by Bethel High School on April 24th between 6 pm and 8 pm and check out the K-5 STEAM Expo where Bethel students showcase their projects in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics! Learn more here.
Bethel High School Orchestra Concert
Don’t miss a fun night out with the Bethel High School Orchestra concert on Monday, April 29th, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the BHS Auditorium.
National Foster Care Month Presentation
May is National Foster Care Month. The Annie C. Courtney Foundation, Inc. (Annie C) has partnered with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to hold a presentation at Town Hall in meeting room A on Thursday, May 2nd, in hopes of finding more Bethel area families for children in foster care. You will hear DCF staff and a local foster parent about supports available to guide you on your journey to being a sense of comfort and guidance for a child/ren going through a very difficult time.
Sports Update
Congrats to the girls tennis team for back-to-back victories over New Milford and New Fairfield this week. Way to go! A big shoutout to Bethel drivers who do not honk at our cross-country runners running around town. Thank you! Good luck Wildcats tomorrow! It will be a great day to catch a game! Home at BHS Fields: Varsity boys and girls track at 9 am, varsity boys lacrosse at 11 am, JV baseball at 11 am, and JV boys lacrosse at 1 pm. Varsity and JV girls lacrosse away.