April showers have indeed brought May flowers! I hope everyone had a wonderful April as many of us celebrated Ramadan, Passover, and Easter. Congratulate Brookfield High School on their incredible production of “Grease.” I'm beyond proud of all the students who put in countless hours of rehearsal to bring the musical to life. It was an amazing show with so much local talent. Bravo, Bravo!
As a career Army officer, I want to note that May is National Military Appreciation Month and Gold Star Awareness Month. As we approach Memorial Day, please keep in mind all who have paid the ultimate price in service for our freedom and their families left behind who have sacrificed so much.
Sadly, from my military experience, I know not all wounds are visible. May happens to also be Mental Health Awareness Month. Fortunately, Brookfield has a community-based organization - Brookfield Cares - that promotes outreach, awareness, and education on the impact of mental health issues, substance use and misuse, addiction, suicide, and other public health concerns. For further information on the coalition, or to find resources for help, please visit their website.
This year’s mental health awareness theme is “Back to Basics.” After the last two years of pandemic living, many people have realized the toll taken by stress, isolation, and uncertainty. We'll focus on providing foundational knowledge about mental health and mental health conditions and resources people may tap if their mental health is causing concern. The Board of Selectmen will proudly sign a Proclamation declaring support of mental health for all residents in our town. We call upon Brookfield citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools to recommit our community to mental health awareness, the steps our citizens can take to protect their mental health, and the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental health conditions. Go to Brookfield-cares.org/its-ok-to-ask/.
On a regional and national level, help and good counsel can be found on the National Alliance for Mental Illness site at: www.nami.org. For much more information about NAMI and planned events this month, go to Awareness Events. There is no shame in mental illness! If you think you need assistance, reach out. Our Public Health and many others always stand ready to assist!
I look forward to seeing you across town as spring sports are well underway and the weather is great for walking on our Still River Greenway. Soon, our high school class of 2022 will be graduating! In the meantime, please take care of one another and yourselves.
Yours in Service,
Tara Carr
First Selectman
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Streetscape Phase 3 Groundbreaking |
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On April 25, Streetscape Phase 3 construction formally kicked off with a ceremonial ground breaking at the location where a small pocket park will be built. This phase, the 3rd of 6 planned, will also feature 2,100 linear feet of sidewalk which will extend the Still River Greenway Trail to Laurel Hill Road, add 13 sidewalk lights, significant landscaping and pedestrian-friendly amenities. |
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Pictured: Zoning Commissioner Gary Goetz, State Representative Steve Harding Jr.,
EDC Vice Chairman Pete Gerardi, First Selectman Tara Carr, EDC Chairman Jim
Fisher and Chamber of Commerce President Marie Miszewski.
Tree City USA
Brookfield was named '2021 Tree City USA' sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, honoring our commitment to effective urban forest management. Noted in the recognition was that “the trees being planted and cared for by Brookfield ensure that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life.” More information on this program is available at Tree City USA.
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Board of Selectmen Meeting
Monday, May 2, at 7:00 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.
Annual Town Meeting
Tuesday, May 3, at 7:00 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.
Referendum vote on the Town
and School Budgets
Tuesday, May 17, from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.(May 17 date to be voted on at the Annual Town Meeting on May 3)
District 1: St. Marguerite Bourgeoys
Church Parish Hall (see note below)
District 2: Brookfield High School
Absentee Ballots: Town Clerk’s Office
NOTICE TO: District 1 Voters
Due to construction of a new school on the Huckleberry Hill site at 100 Candlewood Lake Road, we'll be unable to use the school until it's completed (the new school name is Candlewood Lake Elementary School)
OUR ALTERNATE LOCATION IS:
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church Parish Hall at 138 Candlewood Lake Road. Property owners with property located within this voting district will also vote at St. Marguerite.
Board of Selectmen
Coffee with the Community
Saturday, May 28, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. At Hi-Way Market - 616 Federal Road
We encourage residents to stop by with any questions or concerns.
Town Offices will be closed on:
Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day
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Brookfield Lions Club
On Saturday, May 21, the Lions Club will partner with Brookfield Parks and Recreation to combine:
- The Lions Club Shred Day/Non-perishable Food Drive event from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Food Truck Rally and,
- Live Music on the Bandstand in the afternoon from Noon - 4:00 p.m.
This will be a great day of fun and there will be plenty of opportunities to serve and help out! Please see the flyer below.
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Brookfield Memorial Day Parade
Sunday, May 29, at 2:00 p.m.
Organized by the Brookfield Lions Club
Shuttle Bus from Center School runs from 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. No parking at Brookfield High School.
Please contact the Brookfield Lions Parade Committee via their website if you plan on marching.
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Assessor
Commercial Building Owners
You should have received an income and expense form for the 2021 grand list in the mail. If not, 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 that if you own an apartment building, you must include a rent roll (a list of all residents, their apartment numbers, lease dates, etc.). If you are owner occupied, please write that in the income section, then fill out the expense section and sign. If you have vacant land and it is not rented, please write 'vacant land' and sign and mail back. All others should be completed in full and signed. A 'wet' signature is required.
Homeowners Property Tax Credit
If you're 65 or older as of December 31, 2021, or are a veteran who served during wartime, you may be eligible for a state or town tax benefit. If you're already receiving benefits, you should have received the paperwork. If not, please call our office. If you've never applied before, you can find the paperwork online. Please remember that when applying, we'll need a copy of your tax return (if you'll required to file) and proof of all your income, including Social Security. If you have any questions, please call our office at 203-775-7302. Paperwork for elderly residents is due by 4:00 p.m. May 13. Veteran applications are due by October 1.
Revaluation Reminder
Revaluation is complete and the mill rate will be set after the budget vote in May. The tax bills go out at the end of June. Car values, in general, have increased due to supply chain issues for both new and used vehicles of all types across the state and the country.
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Health Department
The CDC recently updated its recommendations to allow people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. These updated recommendations acknowledge the increased risk of severe disease in certain populations including those who are elderly or over the age of 50.
Until further notice, the Brookfield Health Department is providing the Moderna COVID-19 booster on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the clinic in Town Hall. Please call Tracey Cahill RN, Brookfield’s Public Health Nurse, at (203) 775-7314 to schedule your booster.
Covid Relief Grant Program for Individuals
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.
For more information or questions regarding this program, please contact Ellen Melville at 203-775-5308 or e-mail emelville@brookfieldct.gov .
Tax Collector
Real Estate and Personal Property - Address Change Form
If your mailing address has changed, please complete this form on the town website.
Car Bills
Please notify the DMV if you have moved. Your billing is based on the information you have provided to them. The Town Tax Code found on your registration is the town that will bill you. Brookfield’s Town Tax Code is 018.
Lien Notices
Intent to Lien Notices have been mailed. Liens will be placed on all Real Estate accounts that still have an outstanding balance per CT State Statute 12-173.
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Public Works
The DPW has started its Spring street- sweeping program as part of the CT DEEP MS4 (stormwater management) permit requirements. Over the next few months, every Town of Brookfield maintained road will be swept at least once.
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Conservation Commission
On Saturday, April 23, the Brookfield Conservation Commission hosted an Earth Day event at Eriksen Farm Open Space on Nabby Road in Brookfield. The event featured the planting of a native tree, birdhouse building, and information about the local Pollinator Pathway. In addition, the Conservation Commission kicked off their “No Mow May” campaign by handing out yard signs to participants. The “No Mow May” initiative encourages residents to not mow a section of their yard throughout the entire month of May to provide a temporary habitat for pollinators before the summer flowers begin to grow.
The highlight of the event was a ceremony unveiling Brookfield’s first ever barn quilt. Barn quilts are large wooden boards painted in the style of a quilt and hung on local barns. Barn quilts pay homage to a local area’s agrarian past and the actual quilts that are passed down throughout generations of farm families.
For additional information and photos of the barn quilt and event, see the town website.
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With the weather getting warmer, things are starting to bloom everywhere! Get out and visit the library to see everything we have to offer.
Memorial Day is often considered the unofficial start of Summer, but more importantly, it's a time to remember those who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice. The Brookfield Library will be closed on Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day.
If you participated in the Passport to CT Libraries program, entries are due by May 6. See this flyer for details.
Movies in the Community Room have returned. Adults can check out House of Gucci. Teens: this month, we’re showing Jungle Cruise. Join us for these great movies; refreshments will be served.
Community Conversations has also returned. Join BHS’s Art of Thinking and Future Teachers of America clubs to talk about the importance of lifelong learning on May 26.
Our Teen Services Department will also be making Fuse Bead Puzzles and offering its graphic novel book club and teen writers group. See our website for details, and join us.
Please see our website for details regarding dates, times, and registration details for the many exciting in-person and virtual programs we are offering in May. We look forward to seeing you this month.
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We're so happy to share the Spring/Summer 2022 Program Guide with our community. A copy was mailed to every household and is always available online at www.brookfieldct.gov/rec. There is so much to look forward to this month including:
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● Mini Golf Leagues (Starting May 10)
● Trip to Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty (May 14)
● Decorative Painting Classes and Watercolor for Adults
● Pickleball Lessons for Adults
● Senior Golf League (55+) Starting May 17
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● Mother’s Day Craft Workshop (May 7)
● Adult/Infant/Child CPR/AED and First Aid (May 14)
● Beginning Knitting for Adults
● A wide assortment of Yoga Classes
● Golf Lessons (age 7 through adults) and
● Tennis Lessons (age 3 through adults)
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While many of our after-school programs are underway, additional programs beginning in May include: |
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● Magic Workshops at Center and Huckleberry
● Find Your Happy Place (Huckleberry)
● Group Guitar Lessons (Whisconier)
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● Everyone Can Be an Author (Huckleberry)
● Learn to Play Volleyball (Whisconier)
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Already thinking about Summer? We are too!
Beach passes go on sale May 2. Brookfield Muskrats Summer Swim Team and private swim lessons also open for registration.
Tennis passes for the Har-Tru clay courts at William’s Park are available for purchase.
Have you seen our line-up of summer camps? Day camps, sports camps, dance camps, art camps and STEM camps will make you wish you could be a kid again.
Be sure to visit our website and Facebook page for continued updates. There is so much to look forward to this Spring and Summer; come create some memories with us!
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Click here to see the Brookfield Public Schools May updates that include the following:
- Mrs. Dymond, Principal of Center Elementary School, presented this month’s Student Spotlight.
- Dr. Barile, Superintendent of Schools, introduced Mrs. Amy DeNicola Hickman, the district’s new Special Education Director, effective May 2.
- Mrs. Fernandes, Board of Education, provided an update on the construction of Candlewood Lake Elementary School.
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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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