February 2024

Town Budget Process in the month of February

The Town's budget process for 2024 - 2025 is underway. A joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance to consider the Board of Education's proposed budget is scheduled on Tuesday, February 6th at 7 p.m. in the Brookfield High School Media Center. In mid-February, the Board of Selectmen will begin its deliberations on my recommended budget.

Below are the main dates for the upcoming budget process:

• First Selectman budget due to the Board of Selectman by February 16, 2024
• Board of Selectmen budget due to the Board of Finance by March 2, 2024
• Board of Finance budget due to Town Clerk with date of referendum by March 19, 2024

Stephen C. Dunn

First Selectman

Board of Selectmen Meeting

Monday, February 5, at 7 p.m., Meeting Room 133. The meeting agenda will be posted on the town website the Friday afternoon before the meeting and live-streamed and recorded for viewing.

Coffee with the Community

*This event is scheduled on the last Saturday of the month unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, February 24, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Jesters Coffee located at 331 Federal Rd.

Town Hall Closures

February 12 for Abraham Lincoln's Birthday

February 19 for Presidents' Day

PRE-SESSION LEGISLATIVE FORUM

State Representative Martin Foncello is hosting a pre-session Legislative Forum at Brookfield Town Hall on Saturday, February 3rd from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. to discuss the issues that are important to you.

He’ll be joined by two neighboring legislators, Rep. Mitch Bolinsky of Newtown and Rep. Bill Buckbee of New Milford.

PUBLIC WORKS

5 gallon quantities of sand/salt are available at the town garage at 81 Grays Bridge Road for town residents Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The South gate is normally kept closed, so use the gate at the North end of the garage and drive to the shed at the south edge of the building. If you require assistance, ask a crew member or mechanic. You must bring your own supplies and bucket.



NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS

The last day to pay taxes is February 1, 2024. You may view your tax bill online.

Please visit the Tax Collector’s page on the Town of Brookfield website for additional information at https://www.brookfieldct.gov/tax-collector

Call or email the office if you have any questions. tax@brookfieldct.gov or 203-775-7304

TOWN ASSESSOR

If you no longer have your vehicle, please email our office the plate receipt and proof of what happened to the vehicle to assessor@brookfieldct.gov.

If you closed your business in town go to the link: https://www.brookfieldct.gov/assessor/pages/closingmoving-business for instructions and forms.

Applications for seniors and veterans will be mailed February 1^st. If you've received state or local senior tax relief or additional veterans benefits in the past, you'll automatically be mailed a new application for this year. After you complete your tax return, please come into the office with the application, your completed tax return, and all your 2023 tax information, so that we may process your paperwork.

If you're not required to complete a tax return, please come into the office as soon as you receive our paperwork in the mail, bringing the paperwork and any 2023 tax documents you received in the mail. If you have any questions or need any help, please call our office at 203-775-7302.

Block Party 2024

Mark your calendars for the 5^th Annual Block Party



The event will be held Sunday, June 2 from 11:30 am to 4 pm on Old Route 7 (same time and location as last year). This year’s committee includes some new faces and is excited to make this our best ever. A flyer, sponsorship form and booth application will be available soon.  

Contact Greg Dembowski at 203-740-3865 or email GDembowski@BrookfieldCT.gov for more information.

Welcome to a tour of Brookfield’s Town Center District

With the completion of Streetscape Phase 1 in 2017, Brookfield's Town Center District and the Four Corners have undergone tremendous updates, improvements, and enhancements. Click HERE to view drone footage recorded on Jan 12, 2024 by Nicholas Trabka, a WestCOG Data Scientist and listen as Economic Development Director Greg Dembowski narrates the history and updates around this area.

Protect your family from the dangers of Carbon Monoxide!

Carbon monoxide, also known as CO, is called the “invisible killer” because it's a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas. It is undetectable to the human senses, so people may not know that they're being exposed.



CO poisoning can occur when a fuel-burning appliance or machine, such as a furnace, heater or generator, is not working or vented properly.

• Install and maintain CO alarms inside your home to provide early warning of CO.
• Install CO alarms in a central location outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of your home.
• Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from all doors, windows and vents.
• Make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of snow and other debris.

For additional fire safety information, contact the Brookfield Fire Marshal's Office at (203) 775-7306, or by email, fire@brookfieldct.gov. 

Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrookfieldFMO

Winter Parks & Recreation programs are beginning! Stay on your health kick with adult fitness classes. Try your hand at watercolor or acrylic painting, knitting, crocheting, or begin to Parliamo en Italiano!

Discounted tickets to UCONN Women’s Basketball vs. Creighton are on sale for residents. The game will take place during the public school’s winter break on Feb. 19^th at 12 noon. This game takes place at the XL Center in Hartford. Those purchasing tickets need to provide their own transportation to and from the game. Click here for game details and to purchase tickets. 

Tom O’Brien will offer a Community Magic Show on Feb. 20^th during winter break at the Brookfield High School Auditorium. Join us for this all-ages show which is guaranteed to make you smile!

Details for all programs, events and happenings can be found at www.brookfieldparksandrec.com

Below are the Three Main Points from the regular Board of Education meeting on January 3, 2024:

1. Superintendent Update: Dr. Barile provided a report to the board of the work completed in schools over the winter break.

At CLES:

• All flag brackets have been installed and American flags proudly adorn every classroom
• Gym bleachers and gym wall pads have been installed
• Stage curtains on both sides of the cafeteria and multipurpose rooms have been hung
• Trim on trees in the K-1 café and gross motor room, along with trim on the various benches around the school is mostly complete. There are a few final touches to be finished this week
• Motorized window shades have been installed in the large space areas
• The north parking lot should be available in 3 or 4 weeks for staff parking through winter, so they will be closer to the building
• Technology updates include the installation of the LU system in the gym, digital signage, multipurpose and gross motor room floor projectors, and permanent live streaming technology for meetings in the multipurpose room

At WMS:

• The last 4 of the 40 total smart boards placed this year have been installed. Now, all classrooms in the Brookfield Public Schools have an interactive smart board.

Watch Dr. Barile’s update here: https://www.youtube.com/live/qhGAJHkUu40?si=UqCDAfsqzkgoPQoq&t=791

2. Budget Updates:

• The Finance Subcommittee meets one more time this month to discuss the "questions document." The budget is regularly reviewed by Board members who ask questions about various line items. A questions and answer document is regularly updated with answers to the questions Board members have about the budget. As is the annual process, the Q & A document will be publicized once the Board adopts its final budget for submission to the First Selectman.
• At the Budget Hearing held prior to the regular BOE meeting, a discussion on BHS class sizes took place, specifically around math classes. Principal Balanda answered many questions from the Board and community. Mr. Balanda will provide the Board with the number of students by subject and section in the coming weeks. The current class size guidelines from 2009 will be reviewed at the CAPE meeting. The Board will look into what is needed to update that data. Principal Balanda is not aware of any complaints regarding class size or students having difficulty getting help. As always, the public is encouraged to give feedback.

Watch the budget discussion during the regular meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/live/qhGAJHkUu40?si=x4mHuzyWZHeH1Mxb&t=3256



3. TEAM Presentation: Ed Bednarik, WMS Assistant Principal

• Mr. Bednarik, along with Dr Rudl and Mrs. Griffin facilitate the TEAM program. It's a CT State Department of Education (CSDE) required program that provides new teachers with mentorship by veteran teachers and administrators. The goals of TEAM are to provide beginning teachers with support and mentorship and to cultivate teacher growth. We are both fulfilling our obligation to meet requirements of the CSDE and develop special relationships for instructional improvements within our schools. The TEAM program is required for all new teachers and takes 2 - 3 years to complete. Trained mentors in the Brookfield public schools vary in subject and can also take on student teachers. TEAM is also designed to provide opportunities for continuous professional growth and allows veteran teachers to lead in their schools.



https://www.youtube.com/live/qhGAJHkUu40?si=IvmBWxvp1ni6BDcM&t=1371

Brookfield Library

February 2024 at the Brookfield Library

Get out of the cold and come visit us at the Brookfield Library!



February is National Library Lover’s Month, a time to celebrate libraries, librarians, book lovers, and lovers of libraries. As so many of our patrons already know—you will find lots to LOVE about the Brookfield Library, and it’s more than books! This month we have a new exhibit in our Art Gallery, the annual Teddy Bear Sleepover and a cat-themed Take Your Child to the Library Day, a Youth Open Mic Night, Sunday Cinema, and so many craft programs for adults, teens, and kids.

Check out our calendar here for information on our book clubs, chess club, ukulele club, and so much more.

A must-see event is coming to the Brookfield Library this month!

We'll be welcoming Brendan Slocumb, the author of The Violin Conspiracy and Symphony of Secrets, one of NPR’s best books of 2023. He'll lead participants in exploring how exercising creativity, particularly musically, has therapeutic and restorative benefits. Slocumb will also be visiting Brookfield High School students and staff as part of their “Diversity Day.” Both of these visits are courtesy of a generous grant from the Brookfield Education Foundation. 

Please call us at 203-775-6241, or check our website for the latest details.

As with other Town Offices, the Library will be closed on February 12 and 19, in observance of Lincoln’s and Washington’s Birthdays, respectively.

WESTERN CONNECTICUT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA)

RECYCLING RIGHT WITH HRRA

Along with your usual glass, metal, and plastic food and beverage containers, did you know you could also recycle yogurt containers, whipped cream canisters, and shelf-stable cartons like chicken stock? There are many paper, plastic, metal, and glass items you CAN recycle. Please make sure you rinse your items before placing them in your recycling bin. Glass should be recycled separately at a local drop-off.

Be aware that some commonly placed items in recycling don’t belong and go in the trash. Items like paper takeout containers, black plastics, shredded paper, and small items are a few examples that cannot be recycled.

• For a full list of “What’s In? What’s Out?” in our mixed recycling and to learn why we can’t recycle certain items head to https://hrra.org/recycling/

For more information call 203.775.4539 or email info@hrra.org and visit our website www.HRRA.org.