Town of Kent Newsletter Issue 2

Kent Newsletter

Issue 2 | February 3, 2022

Friends and neighbors,

Let's get right to the newsletter!

As always, remember,

...take a breath,

...give folks a minute,

...assume some positive intent.

Stay well,

Jean C. Speck

First Selectman

Town of Kent, Connecticut

COVID-19 Updates

As of today, the state’s average daily rate of COVID-19 cases is at 7.33%.

Please note that average rate is skewed now that so many home test kits are being used. The Town of Kent has home kits and masks available for residents. Stop by Town Hall lobby for masks, and stop up to the First Selectman's office for a home kit.

The CDC continues to recommend a three-prong approach to curbing the spread of the virus:

Get vaccinated | Wear a mask | Get tested

Up-to-Date Information:

For graphs and tables containing detailed data for Connecticut, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link, Connecticut COVID-19 Data Tracker, at the top of the page.
For current CDC guidance visit the CDC COVID-19 website.

Vaccines and Booster Shots: It's easier that ever to get vaccinated. Click the button below the State of Connecticut Vaccine portal for more information:

CT Vaccine Portal

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for ages 12+ at Housatonic Valley Regional High School:

Friday, February 4 and Friday February 25, 3:oop-7:oop.
More information is on the HVRHS website.

Testing Continues, with changes: We have been working with DPH on a transition plan as they transition from lab vendor Sema4 to new lab vendor Wren Laboratories. Details are still being finalized even as of tonight, but Free COVID19 testing will continue.

Going forward, starting this week, we will have a new schedule:

New days and hours are:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:oop-6:oop
Sundays 4:oop - 6:30p
New forms: We are awaiting the new forms from the lab vendor. For now, they will provide forms on site. Wren is planning to have an online form process, more to come.

We will continue to update the community as the transition continues.

Upcoming Dates of Interest

Thursday, Feb 3 | Region One Board of Education Special Meeting | 2:3op

Thursday, Feb 3 | Board of Selectmen Regular Meeting (1st of 2) | 4:oop

Thursday, Feb 3 | Municipal Housing Plan Steering Committee Meeting | 7:oop

Monday, Feb 7 | Region One Board of Education Regular Meeting | 6:3op

Monday, Feb 7 | Park and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting | 7:oop

Wednesday, Feb 9 | Conservation Commission Regular Meeting | 6:3op

Thursday, Feb 10 | Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting | 7:oop

Wednesday, Feb 16 | Board of Finance Regular Meeting | 6:oop

Thursday, Feb 17 | Board of Selectmen Regular Meeting (2nd of 2) | 6:3op

Monday, Feb 21 | Town Hall Closed for Presidents Day

Tuesday, Feb 22 | Park and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting | 7:oop

Wednesday, Feb 23 | Municipal Affordable Housing Plan Community Informational Session | 7:oop (see more info below)

Wednesday, Feb 23 | Region One ABC Committee Regular Meeting | 7:oop

Visit the Town website calendar for details and a complete schedule of meetings and locations/Zoom links

Civic Engagement

Your input is needed on FOUR important topics:

Child Care | Organic food scrap composting program | ARPA Needs Assessment | The possible return of a local newspaper in Kent

Kent Education Center and Nursery School is gathering information on the childcare needs of our community. If you are a parent or guardian in Kent or the surrounding towns, please take the time to fill out the survey:

Take Childcare Needs Survey

The ARPA Needs Assessment Committee has created a survey to hear from our community how the COVID19 pandemic has affected you, your business or organization, and your thoughts on the best way to spend the $800,000 allocated to Kent through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Take the ARPA Survey

Should the Transfer Station implement an organic food scraps drop-off program? We know sustainable materials management in CT is a hot topic. To plan for our community to continue to improve our management of our garbage and recycling, we want to hear from you on implementation of a food scrap drop-off program at the Transfer Station. Even if you don't currently use the Transfer Station, we could offer the service to all residents so please take the survey!

Take the Organic Food Scrap Composting survey

Would you like to see a local newspaper return to Kent?

A group of local residents have created a short survey to help determine the level of interest for a local newspaper.

Take the 1-minute survey

"Why Does Kent Need A Housing Plan?" Informational Session: Join the Kent Housing Plan Steering Committee for an informational forum about the municipal housing plan they are in the process of developing on Wednesday, February 23rd at 7:oopm via Zoom. Click the image to view the flyer and register for this meeting (a zoom link will be emailed to you upon registration).

The meeting will include a summary of the resident housing needs survey results, what the housing plan development process will include, and how residents can provide feedback along the way.

If you have not yet taken the resident housing needs survey, scroll back up in the newsletter to take it. If you'd like to learn more about housing needs in Kent and what can be done to address them, please join us on February 23rd.

Job Opportunities: There are often opportunities for employment with Kent Town governments. All openings are posted to our website: www.townofkentct.org

Currently accepting applications for: Social Services Director and After School Program Director. Click for more information.

Are you an organization in Kent looking for volunteers? We are working to compile a list to make available to the residents of the Town looking to get involved. Please email the First Selectman with the name of your organization and a contact person.

Happenings Around Town

37th Annual Lake Waramaug Polar Bear Run is February 27th! The 7.6 mile run around Lake Waramaug has become an annual winter tradition for hundreds of area runners. The scenic course travels counterclockwise along Lake Waramaug, passing through the towns of Washington, Warren and Kent. The race is limited to 600 participants, so don't wait to sign up for the run, which raises money for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Click the button below for information, including COVID protocols and to register.

Polar Bear Run

"Medicare 101" Program: Are you currently enrolled in Medicare? Will you be turning 65 over the next year or two? This program will simplify the choices you need to make, help you make more well-informed decisions, and explain what Medicare means for you! In this webinar, you will:

Learn about eligibility, how and when to enroll when you can make changes, and insurance options available to you.
Review and compare what services are covered/not covered under Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D.
Detail the costs associated with medical and drug insurance.
Explore and evaluate Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance, Prescription Drug Plans, and Medicare Advantage Plans.

Sponsored by the Kent Memorial Library, this educational event is free and open to the public. You must register in advance to receive a link to the webinar. There is a choice of two dates: Saturday, February 12, 2022, 10:00am-12:00pm, or Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 6:00pm-8:00pm.

Kent Center School Recycling Poster Contest: Students are invited to submit original posters for Earth Day. Posters will be displayed at Kent Center School and judged by a panel of community members. This year's theme is "Recycle Your Food Scraps! Compost!" Winners from each grade will go on to be judged at a regional contest. Click on the button below for more information.

Visit the HRRA Poster Contest Page

Town Updates

2022 Voter Canvass: Over the next few months, the Registrars of Voters will be conducting their annual voter canvass. Please read the attached memo regarding details.

Birch Hill: There continues to be no updates regarding the proposed 85-bed substance use disorder treatment facility on the property at 46 Maple Street. The Town of Kent continues to monitor developments.

Cell Tower Construction: Homeland Towers has received approval for their Development & Management Plan and plan to have the tower up by summer of 2022. Plan documents can be found on the Docket 488 page on the Connecticut Siting Council website.

Federal Tribal Recognition: Currently, there are no updates to report.

Streetscape: BIG NEWS!! The bid period for Phase I is FINALLY open!! Those interested in receiving the bid documents can visit the Town Bids page on our website, submit their contact information and receive the bid documents via secure email. Public bid opening will take place on February 28th at 10:ooa at Town Hall.

Did You Know?

...redeemable containers brought to the Transfer Station are turned into cash for the Kent Center School Scholarship Fund?

Over the past 28 years, $185,000 has been raised for the Scholarship Fund through the redemption/ recycling of beverage containers. Ed Epstein, former principal of Kent Center School and President of the Scholarship Fund's Board of Directors, championed and ran the extensive recycling program for many years. If you ever saw Ed driving around town, chances are his truck bed was full of recyclables. In recent years, a team of volunteers has taken the baton from Ed.

Since the Scholarship program began in 1961, 1,382 scholarships have been granted to Kent Center School graduates who are pursuing college degrees, post graduate programs, and technical or vocational school certificates. Click the button below for more information about the program, including awardee spotlights, applying for a scholarship, and how to support the fund.

Kent Center School Scholarship Fund

Quick Links

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visit our website: www.townofkentct.org