Brookfield Matters: News from Town Hall

April 3, 2015

Springtime and April is off to a great start here in Brookfield. We have been a busy, busy town. Last weekend:
The BHS Curtain Players presented GUYS and DOLLS in four performances at the Brookfield High School Auditorium. The collective talent of our BHS students exceeds my ability to describe it. Further, their perseverance was amazing. They had to overcome many weather related rehearsal cancellations and a leaky roof over the stage. And to top it off - the touching and mature presentation of "Red Roses" to the Senior Class members of the Cast in celebration of friendship. Congratulations to all!
The Brookfield Arts Commission hosted over 200 guests at its Annual Film Festival. It was nice to see this event return to a Brookfield venue (Brookfield Senior Center) after having been held the last two years at the Edmond Town Hall in Newtown. Net proceeds from the film festival are used to provide a college scholarship award to a Brookfield High School Senior.
The Brookfield Lacrosse Club hosted its Annual ICE BREAKER Tournament by hosting 18 visiting teams. The Venue? Our new fields at CADIGAN!
The Parks & Rec Department hosted its Annual Egg Hunt with over 300 participants here on the grounds at Town Hall. Our youngsters were treated with a special appearance by the Easter Bunny!
On Wednesday, April 1, we had a special Town Meeting to review $6.7 million in proposed FY 2016 capital projects that voters will consider at a referendum on Tuesday, May 19. Included in these projects are the funds for 1) the replacement of several sections of roofing at BHS, (including the leaky section over the High School auditorium stage), 2) new roofs for the Town Hall and Library, 3) Parking lot paving at the Town Hall, the Library, and the Town Garage, 4) Equipment for the Highway Department and Candlewood Fire Cos., 4) Parking lot and driveway reconfiguration at Whisconier Middle school, 5) Storm Water infrastructure upgrades to solve the flooding problem in Meadowbrook Manor, and 6) road resurfacing.
On Tuesday, April 7th, the Board of Finance will hold a Public Hearing to receive comment on the proposed operating budget for FY 2016. This budget funds our needs for municipal services and education, does not require an increase in property taxes, uses the $820,000 benefit from our 2014 Refunding Bonds to strengthen our fund balance, and reserves important borrowing capacity for an anticipated near future need for elementary school facility (Huckleberry Hill Elementary, Center School) needs. This budget will be further reviewed at the Annual Town Meeting on May 5th. A May 19th referendum is also planned for the operating budget.
Despite the hard winter, real, tangible, out-of-the-ground progress has been made at the Candlewood Lake Brookfield Town Beach. The new multi-purpose building is framed, and the new sea wall and beach is taking shape. We look forward to a mid-summer community celebration of the completion of the Parks Revitalization Program.
The prospects for the revitalization of the Four Corners continue to improve: 1) The Town of Brookfield just received confirmation of a $797,000 LoCIP grant that will cover "streetscape" costs at the intersection and South along route 25 to the Craft Center, and 2) Brookfield Village LLC just received Department of Housing and Connecticut Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) commitments from the CHAMP program of $11,600,000.

As the month and season progresses, the level of outdoor activity and the presence of pedestrian traffic will increase substantially. While safety should always be our top priority, let's be extra vigilant so we can make this Spring and Summer the happiest and safest ever!