Happy Spring! We’re finally through the frozen winter and look towards warmer days ahead. Things have been extremely busy across town hall, primarily because of “budget season.” So far, 50 hours of meetings have been held for budget deliberations, including many contributed by our Board of Finance and our town Controller. I’d like to thank the team again for their fine work and commitment. We were proud to present the budget at a town meeting and public hearing on March 29. Our Annual Town Meeting will be on May 3 with the Referendum on May 17.
Along with the budget, there are many other items in the works: we will be establishing a Charter Revision Commission; we have the Federal Road project underway; Streetscape Phase 3 including the development of the pocket park in the Town Center District; the Candlewood peninsula sewer feasibility study; ARPA allocations; and the State of the Town document.
In late March, we had the pleasure of welcoming two very noteworthy visitors to Town Hall - Governor Lamont on March 24 and Senator Blumenthal on March 25. It was great to speak with Governor Lamont about some of our needs across Brookfield, including a town- wide radio communications system, a new police station and library, and environmental issues that impact our lakes. Senator Blumenthal spoke at our community gathering to support the Ukraine.
This winter our Public Works Department did a wonderful job keeping our community safe. Many of our winter storms happened on weekends this year and overnight. Our crews remained steadfast and worked hard through many nights to ensure our roads were kept clear. They truly gave new meaning to “working 9 to 5!” Thank you, Public Works!
I wish you and yours peace, good health and happiness.
Yours in Service,
Tara Carr
First Selectman
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April 17 - 23
“SHINING A LIGHT ON THE PEOPLE AND CAUSES THAT INSPIRE US TO SERVE”
It is time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service. We thank our Brookfield volunteers who generously participate in town government on boards and commissions, support our youth and adult sports activities, support Brookfield Food Pantry, work with local non-profits, and serve as EMTs and firefighters. If you're interested in volunteering your time and talent, please call the First Selectman’s office at 203-775-7301.
The Town of Brookfield is looking for volunteers to serve on the Inland Wetlands Commission
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The Brookfield Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) was established to carry out the Connecticut State Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act of 1972. The process of permitting activities near wetlands, watercourses, and bodies of water is to assure proper use, protection and maintenance of the Town’s freshwater wetlands and surface water resources.
The IWC consists of volunteers serving four-year terms. They meet the first and third Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. (due to holidays, this is subject to change). There is a full-time staff member and administrative assistant at Town Hall responsible for the day-to-day administration of the regulations, and available to the public during business hours.
Please contact the Land Use office at 203-775-7316 if you have any additional questions or are interested in joining the IWC.
The Giving Garden located at the Eriksen Farm Open Space – 8 Nabby Road
The Giving Garden has been growing organic veggies for local Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens since 2010. If you are interested in volunteering to help – either on Planting Day (typically the first Sunday in June) or at a shift over the Summer, please contact Donna Katsuranis at DKatsuranis@gmail.com. We have mentors on hand five days a week per week to guide volunteers of all levels of experience. Come and get your hands dirty for a good cause!
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Board of Selectmen Meeting
Monday, April 4, at 7 p.m., Room 133
The meeting agenda will be posted on the town website the Friday afternoon prior to the meeting and will be live-streamed and recorded.
Board of Selectmen
Coffee with the Community
Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
At Chick-fil-A
156 Federal Road
We encourage residents to stop by with any questions or concerns.
Annual Town Meeting
Tuesday, May 3, at 7 p.m.
At the Brookfield High School Auditorium
To discuss the FY 2022 -2023 Town and School Operating Budget and Capital Projects. There will be a budget presentation, and in the Call of the Annual Town Meeting, a vote will be taken for a Referendum date of May 17. Copies of the proposed budget are available at the Town Clerk’s office and the town website.
Town Offices will be closed on:
Friday, April 15 for Good Friday
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Brookfield Lions 3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, April 10, from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Brookfield High School Cafeteria
For more information, visit the Lion’s website.
Brookfield Lions Blood Drive
Wednesday, April 20, from 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Congregational Church of Brookfield – 160 Whisconier Road
For more information, visit the Lion’s website.
Join the Brookfield Memorial Day Parade
Sunday, May 29, at 2 p.m.
Organized by the Brookfield Lions Club
Please contact the Brookfield Lions Parade Committee via their website if you plan on marching.
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Assessor
Note to all commercial/Industrial building/Condo/Land owners: You will be receiving an Income and Expense Form for the 2021 grand list in the mail in the early part of April. If you don’t receive your form in the mail by April 15, please print one from our website. Income and expense forms are due in our office no later than June 1, or there will be a 10% penalty. Please note, if you own an apartment building, you must include a rent roll (list of all tenants, their apartment numbers and the date they began their lease, for the 2021 year). Also, if you own vacant land and if you are not renting your land, please write 'vacant' - sign and return the form. If your building is owner occupied, please fill in the expenses, write 'owner occupied' on the income line, sign and return the form. All others must fill out the complete form.
If you are 65 or older as of December 31, 2021 and you own your own home, you may be eligible for a senior state or local tax relief benefit. If you are a veteran who served during wartime, you may be eligible for a state or town tax benefit. If you are already receiving benefits, you should have received the paperwork. If you have not, please call our office. If you have never applied before, you can find the paperwork on the town website. Please remember that when applying, we will need a copy of your tax return and proof of all your income, including Social Security.
Our office is open and there is no drop box this year. Please bring all your paperwork in and we will be happy to make any copies you need. If you have any questions, please call our office at 203-775-7302.
Economic Development
Construction will start in April for the next phase of our plan to revitalize our Town Center District. This summer we will be adding sidewalks on both sides of Old Route 7 from Federal to Laurel Hill Roads and adding a new feature in our downtown – a small pocket park. The attached picture shows Eversource removing old utility poles that would have been an obstruction. New poles were placed further from the road to make room for our new sidewalks.
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Tax Collector
Intent to Lien Notices
Real Estate Intent to Lien Notices will be mailed in April for taxes that are still outstanding for the 2020 Grand List.
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Public Works
This month the Department of Public Works assisted the Conservation Commission in installing a new Barn Quilt at the Eriksen Farm Open Space on Nabby Road. Stop by and take a look! A photo is attached.
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July 2022 Billing
If your Real Estate taxes are escrowed, the bank will request your Real Estate bill. If you changed banks or paid off your mortgage, please contact the Tax Office at 203-775-7304, to inform us of your current mailing address.
If you have sold or disposed of a car, please give the required documentation to the Assessor’s office at 203-775-7302. If you have transferred your registration to a new car, you do not need to contact the Assessor.
Town Clerk
Democratic and Republican lists of Party-endorsed Delegates to the 2022 Conventions are available for public inspection in the Town Clerk's office. Conventions are being held for Probate Judge, State Representatives, State Senate, Congressional, and State Constitutional Officers.
Health Department
In the United States, April is National Volunteer Month—a month dedicated to recognizing the importance of volunteering and honoring the significant contributions volunteers make by generously donating their time and talents to worthy causes. This month, the Brookfield Health Department would like to recognize all of those wonderful volunteers who came forward over the last two years, to give graciously give of their time and talent in our many vaccination clinics, held at the Senior Center, St. Joseph’s School and Town Hall. There were too many to list individually, but thanks to their generosity and kind care and concern, well over 14,000 COVID-19 vaccinations were provided to our residents! We cannot thank all of you – well over 100 volunteers – enough for your assistance in keeping Brookfield as safe as possible during this most trying time. Thank you all - from a very grateful community!
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If you are 65 or older as of 12/31/21, and eligible for the Town’s elderly or totally disabled tax relief (requirements can be found here), you may be eligible to defer your sewer benefit assessment. If you are currently deferring your assessment, you will need to re-apply each year. If you have never applied before, you can find the policy and application online at Deferral Regulation & Application. Applications need to be submitted by May 15 and can be mailed or dropped off to our office at 53A Commerce Road, Unit 1, Brookfield, CT 06804. Please call us at 203-775-7319 if you have any questions.
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Join us at the library to celebrate National Library Week, April 3 – 9. Libraries serve as the heart of their communities. Come visit us and see everything we have to offer.
Take a trip to other area libraries and participate in Passport to CT Libraries. This popular program returns April 1 and almost 140 libraries in our state are participating. Stop by and get a passport from us. If you visit at least five participating libraries by April 30 - and return your passport to a participating library by May 6, 2022 - you'll be entered into one state-wide drawing for a chance to win a Visa gift card.
April is also National Volunteer Month. Our library is able to offer so many of our programs and complete special projects because of our tireless volunteers. We appreciate them!
As a reminder, the Brookfield Library will be closed on April 15 for Good Friday, and Sunday, April 17, in observance of Easter.
Looking for something to do while the kids are on April break? We have a great assortment of programs, both virtual and in-person for children, teens, and adults alike planned for this month. Visit our website for details.
The April Highlights can be viewed on the town website.
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Spring is here! Upcoming programs and events through Parks & Recreation in April include:
Train for a 5K – Programs for both Adults and Kids
Golf Lessons – Programs for Adults and Juniors
And so much more!
Watch for our Spring and Summer 2022 Program Guide to be released online in April. It will include information on additional spring programs, summer camps, beach and boat passes, William’s Park tennis passes and the Newtown Savings Bank Concerts in the Park series. Every household in Brookfield will also receive a copy in the mail.
Program information will continue to be updated on our website and Facebook page and is also available by calling the Parks & Recreation Office at 203-775-7310.
April showers bring May flowers-----and sometimes field closures, too. The Parks Department has been hard at work preparing grass fields for spring use by scholastic and youth sports teams. Please respect field closure signs and avoid using any field with standing water or that you “sink” into when stepping on it---even if not signed as closed.
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Click here to view the Brookfield Public Schools April update from Dr. John Barile, Superintendent of Schools.
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Senior Center & Social Services |
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Older Worker Virtual Job Training Program
This program, offered by the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB) provides low-income, older persons (55 and over) access to virtual job skills training. A laptop and internet “hot-spot” are provided, along with a training consultant to support enrollment to update job skills and a job developer to help find and secure meaningful employment. Upon completion of the training program, enrollees will be able to keep the laptop. To learn more or to enroll, please go to www.nrwib.org or email Jane.O’Grady@nrwib.org.
Brookfield Recovers Grant Application
Brookfield Recovers is a special fund created to assist residents impacted financially by the COVID-19 emergency. Residents in need can apply to this fund for assistance with basic needs essential to staying in their homes during this time. Grant applications are available here.
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Town Boards and Commissions
Visit our website regularly for updates and a schedule of upcoming meetings.
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Town Events and Activities
Follow town department social media pages for all that is going on around town.
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