Dan Carter's Friday Update: Bethel Arts, Peter Pan Jr., Cooking and More!

January 10, 2025

FEMA Flood Mitigation

Since the August 18th storm, we have continued to move forward with assessing areas in town that have significant drainage issues. FEMA has opened an application period for the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program and we are coordinating with the state to apply for funding. Keep in mind that our mitigation efforts will take time. Stay tuned.

Charter Revision

The Charter Revision met this week. The topics of discussion were those that were recommended by the public to include changing Sustainable Bethel from an ad hoc commission to a permanent commission in the charter. Revisions to the Ethics Commission and how the town can better inform the public on what is happening in town were also among the topics discussed. The next meeting is February 5th. Follow the commission’s progress at https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-crc.

Bethel Housing Authority

In 1976 the Housing Authority of the Town of Bethel, a non-profit organization, was created to provide safe and decent housing for low-income families and senior citizens who qualify for various federal and state programs. The authority currently owns and operates 150 units in town. Learn more about the Bethel Housing Authority and all the good they do at https://www.bethelhousingauthority.org/.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration is open for the 2025-2026 school year is for children who turn 5 years old on or before September 1, 2025. (This is a correction to the 12/27/2024 Friday Update that had the cutoff date as September 1st) For more info and registration, visit https://www.bethel.k12.ct.us/n_e_w_t_o_d_i_s_t_r_i_c_t/registration_information__procedures

Theater Opportunities

WorkspaceCT’s Tandem Youth Theatre Education (TYTE) Winter Classes with Ms. Leland Williams start January 13th. Don’t forget to register your kids and teens if they are interested! Info here: https://www.workspacect.org/tandemtheatre.

ERA and Bethel Parks and Rec have announced their summer shows. Matilda Jr for kids entering 3rd-8th grades and West Side Story for kids entering 9th-Graduated Seniors. Registration dates will be announced soon! Follow ERA productions on Facebook or keep an eye out on https://bethelct.myrec.com/ for more info.

Project Purple

There was a bit of confusion over the Project Purple game on January 3rd, since the Herren Project no longer uses the tag line. The good news is Project Purple, a non-profit is located in Seymour CT, is really worth following! Founded in 2010, Project Purple has been a leader in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer has a 13.5% survival rate. If you want to help change that, check out the Events link and News & Stories link www.projectpurple.org.

Office Hours

Stop by Town Hall next Tuesday, January 14th for Office Hours in the First Selectman office between 6 pm and 7 pm. If you have anything you would like to discuss, but can’t make it for an Office Hours, please email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov or call 203-794-8540 for an appointment.

P&Z public Hearings

On Tuesday, January 14th at 7:00 pm at Town Hall in Conference Room D, the Planning & Zoning Commission will continue a public hearing for 9 Putman Park Rd. (8-30g affordable housing 6 units) and begin new hearings for 20 Trowbridge Dr. (Vintage and Classic site plan) and 105 Milwaukee Ave. (8-30g affordable housing 12 units). Visit https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-public-hearing for hearing notifications and https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-zoning for meeting information.

Mac and Cheese Fans

There are only 3 spots available for Crash Course Cooking with Mr. Matt at the Bethel Public Library on Tuesday, January 14th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm! Visit the library calendar at https://www.bethellibrary.org/events/

Chicken/Eggplant Parm Dinner

Don’t miss the St. Thomas’ Chicken/Eggplant Parm Dinner next Saturday, January 18th. Reservations for close on Friday, January 17th. Dining-in and Take-Out pick-ups start at 5 pm. Adults are $15, kids under 16 are $8 with a family maximum of $45. Visit https://www.stthomasbethel.org/Dinner.

Bethel Arts: Aaron Goldberg Trio

Mark your calendar for a special performance of the Aaron Goldberg Trio sponsored by Bethel Arts at the Visual & Performing Arts Center at WestConn on Saturday, February 8th. The concert will raise funds for Bethel Arts programs, including a sculpture exhibition being planned for the spring. Visit www.bethelartsct.org for concert info and tickets. Check out the article in the Bethel Grapevine about the trio at www.bethelgrapevine.com.

Shoutouts

A shoutout to the cast of Peter Pan Jr. who have been practicing at Town Hall for the last few months. You sound fantastic! See the Parks & Rec/ERA production of Peter Pan Jr. at Bethel High School on Friday, January 17th at 7 pm and Saturday, January 18th at 2 pm and 7 pm. Our performers are from grades 2 to 6. You don’t have to have kids in school to enjoy a school play! Tickets available at https://ticketpeak.co/bethelparkandrec/events.
Congrats to the Boys basketball for the win over New Milford this week! Good luck tonight against Bunnell!
Good lick to the 8 – 1 Lady Wildcats who are facing Bunnell at home tonight! It is really worth catching a game this season – they are fantastic!
The Ice Cats have a home game at the Danbury Ice Arena – Patriot Rink tomorrow, January 11th at 6:30 pm. Go get ‘em!
A shoutout to Boys wrestling! They had a couple of tough matches recently. Wishing you luck on your home match against Stratford next Wednesday at 6 pm!
Congratulations Adam Carley, the new Executive Director for the Danbury Animal Welfare Society! He his just in time for the DAWS 50th anniversary!