August 2023

How can it be August already? Summer is passing too fast. I hope that you and your loved ones are taking some time to enjoy all that our town has to offer – from our wonderful farmers market to our Friday concerts (unfortunately, several of which have been canceled due to all of the storms we’ve had), our town parks and beach, and all of our wonderful offerings through Parks and Recreation. There's so much to see and do locally.

Soon, our high school grads will be college bound and school will start again. We have so much to look forward to as we prepare to open the doors of our new Candlewood Lake Elementary School. It's so exciting!

Across Town Hall we've been very busy with tax season, starting the new fiscal year, moving projects along (including Brownfields, Streetscape phases 3, 4, 5 & potentially 6, STEAP grant, writing and updating regulations, policies and by-laws, onboarding & retiring employees, and many other things on a daily basis). Thank you to our public service employees who work extremely hard to ensure Brookfield and its residents are well cared for.



We bid a fond farewell to our long-time Building Official, Mr. Demy Parpana who has selflessly served the Town of Brookfield for nearly 24 years. Throughout his long tenure, Demy oversaw Brookfield's development and brought unparalleled knowledge and integrity to his position, always serving our residents with a smile. Thank you for all you've done for our town, Demy, and congratulations on your retirement! 

If you're interested in pending legislation and what it means for Brookfield regarding topics such as animals, blight, building, town employees, firearms, grants/funding, housing, land use/planning, natural resources, parks and recreation, public health, safety and first responders, records, taxes, training, utilities, and more, please visit the 2023 Acts Affecting Municipalities report, which provides summaries of new laws (public acts and special acts) significantly affecting CT municipalities enacted during the 2023 legislative session: 2023 Acts Affecting Municipalities (state.ct.us). The Office of Legislative Research other Acts Affecting reports, including Acts Affecting Education, Acts Affecting Crime and Public Safety, and Acts Affecting Town Clerks and Elections, are, or will soon be, available on the OLR website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/olr/actsaffecting.asp. 

As a friendly reminder from our Police Department, please lock your car doors, keep valuables out of sight, never leave your purse/wallet unattended, and drink and smoke responsibly. Be safe in all you do and enjoy the rest of your Summer. 

Yours in service,

Tara 

Tara Carr

First Selectman

Board of Selectmen Meeting

Monday, August 7, at 7:00 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.

Board of Selectmen Coffee

with the Community

Saturday, August 26, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at #The Café located at 802 Federal Road. We encourage you to stop by with any questions or concerns for the Board of Selectmen.

Farmer’s Market is Open on Fridays

The Brookfield Farmer’s Market will be open from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. every Friday through October 20th. Shop for jams and pickles, bread, chocolates, and more, visit our craft vendors for candles, jewelry, and clothes, and new this year - a seafood vendor.

Fire Safety

Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have increased dramatically, and with deadly consequences. These rechargeable batteries are found in electric bikes and scooters, cars, laptops, tablets, phones and common household devices. Lithium-ion battery fires have caused deaths, serious injuries and devastating damage to property.

• NEVER use aftermarket (or generic) batteries or chargers
• NEVER plug into a power strip or overload an outlet
• NEVER overcharge or leave battery charging overnight
• NEVER charge a battery or device under your pillow, on your bed, or near a couch
• NEVER leave e-bikes or e-scooters unattended while charging
• NEVER block your primary way in or out of a room/space
• NEVER place batteries in Trash or Recycling bin 
• ALWAYS purchase and use devices certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory such as UL (Underwriters Laboratory)
• ALWAYS follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage.
• ALWAYS use the correct battery, cord and power adapter
• ALWAYS plug directly into a wall electrical outlet for charging.
• ALWAYS keep batteries and devices at room temperature.
• ALWAYS store and/or charge batteries away from anything flammable.
• ALWAYS keep away from heat sources.

For more information and other important fire safety tips, follow the Brookfield Fire Marshal’s Office on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BrookfieldFMO.

Public Works

July has been challenging with record rainfalls. I hope you're safe and well. The DPW does its best to keep the drains clear and functional but when we receive this type of rain, it's inevitable that there will be flooding and erosion when the drain system becomes overwhelmed. 

Assessor

If you are a veteran and have a DD-214 that you have never submitted, please submit it to the Town Clerk by 9/30/23 for exemptions on your taxes for next year. If you have already submitted a DD-214, you do not need to do so again. If your income level is below $58,900 (married) or $52,700 (unmarried) you may qualify for an extra Veteran’s discount. Please see our website or contact our office for applications or more information.

If you are totally disabled or blind and have never submitted an application to the Assessor’s Office, please submit one by 10/1/23. If you have submitted one in the past, you do not need to do so again.

If you have a retrofitted vehicle (maximum of 2), every year on or before October 1st you must complete a new application (click here). If this is the first year you own the vehicle, you will need to attach a copy of the bill of sale for the car and the retrofitting. All applications are on our website.

If you'd like to appeal your car taxes, the Board of Assessment Appeals will meet on September 9th from 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Town Hall. Please click here to view and print an application. You want to make sure you bring all the necessary documents to the hearing. No appointment is required.

Town Clerk

If a Republican and/or Democratic Primary is needed, the Primary will be held on September 12. As information becomes available, updates will be made on the Town Clerk’s Elections, Primaries and Referendums page.  

Social Services

Danbury Lions Club Low Vision Support Group

The Lion’s Club Low Vision Support Group works in conjunction with the Lion’s Club Low Vision Center at 235 Main Street, Danbury. This support group provides a place for seniors to come together for support, education, and social interactions. This group meets on the fourth Monday of each month, except for January and February.

Renter’s Rebate

The filing period continues through October 1. If you rented in 2022, were age 65 or older, or were disabled and your income (including Social Security) was no more than $38,100 for individuals and $46,400 for couples, you may be eligible to receive a rebate from the State. For more information about this program and your eligibility, please contact Ryan Soto.

Social Services Community Health

If you or someone you care about can benefit from support and would like to talk or inquire about resources that may be available, please contact Benjamin Ferrie, the Behavioral Health Liaison, to discuss further. This position serves to empower members of the community, assess needs that people have in their lives, and find ways to best assist them. The primary objective is to promote well-being and serve as a bridge to public and social service resources. We serve all Brookfield residents and encourage you to reach out and inquire about assistance that may be available. Contact me at 203-775-5237, or email: bferrie@brookfieldct.gov to schedule an appointment.

Economic Development

On Federal Rd between BJ's and The Linden, CT DOT contractor Tilcon completed roadway milling & temporary striping activities recently. There are bituminous transitions (similar to what was done on Route 133 last year) from existing pavement to the milled asphalt surface at both ends and elevated structures in the roadway. Drivers can continue to expect lane closures/shifts during re-paving and other work along the roadway. Base material behind the curb line is where the new sidewalks and bus shelters will be constructed. The project is still on schedule for an October completion.

Brookfield Parks & Recreation summer camps run into the middle of August and cover ages 4 and up! Check out the options, register and pay online at our new website! https://brookfieldct.myrec.com/info/activities/default.aspx

Concerts in the Park! Friday nights at the Town Hall Bandstand. Join family, friends, and community for good music, summer vibes, and food trucks! Link: Concerts

Click here for the Brookfield Public Schools update on the Superintendent’s July update on the town website.

Candlewood Lake Elementary School - Mid Summer Update: https://www.brookfield.k12.ct.us

Below are the Three Main Points from the regular Board of Education meeting of July 19, 2023:

1. Joy Greenstein, Chair of the Facilities subcommittee, provided an update on several important building projects.The BHS Guidance Wing Roof Repair project will most likely occur in early September, and will take approximately 10 days.The BHS HVAC controls project is nearly complete.The BHS Boys Locker Room project is underway and demolition is nearly complete. Masonry is in progress. Lockers will be delivered in August and the project should be completed by late August. Bids for the BHS Media Center A/C project have come in higher than the amount budgeted. The Director of Facilities is working with the team to value-engineer the project to complete it within the available budget. The district has approached Aquarion Water with a request to tie into their water line to provide water to WMS. We are awaiting a response from Aquarion.The Building Conditions Study for BHS and WMS is complete and the committee received a draft of the report. A final report will be presented to the Board at a later date. Several custodian positions will be open in the next few months. A head custodian has been hired for CLES. Click here to hear Mrs. Greenstein's full report

2. Mr. Bill Roland, the new Director of Special Education, presented a follow-up plan in response to the CREC Special Education Program Review. Mr. Roland has been meeting with families as well as building staff to understand the concerns and needs as he integrates himself into the district. Mr. Roland will be conducting a department review regarding programs, outplacements, budgets and allocations to make sure students' needs are being met. Core goals are to establish a road map specific to Special Education that aligns with the district's Strategic Plan across four domains: resources, organizational structures and processes, student learning, and communication and collaboration. Mr. Roland will work with staff to develop a needs assessment to ensure our systems are student-centered and student-focused and will also engage with parents, SEPTO members and building administration to prioritize strategies in order to ensure that the needs of our district's most vulnerable students are being met. Click here for Mr. Roland's complete presentation

3. Dr. Barile and Rosa Fernandes provided an update and slideshow of the final phase of the construction of Candlewood Lake Elementary School. Candlewood Lake Road is being widened, and site work will be continuing through this Fall. The HHES gym has been demolished and the footbridge to CLES has been constructed. The CLES Administrative team met today and will meet again next week to finalize hard dates for Kindergarten orientation, teacher move-in, and Grades 1-5 walk-throughs. The week of August 14 is the target week that teachers could begin setting up classrooms and the week of August 28 is likely the week that students can visit the building (CLES/district communications will be forthcoming the week of August 1st once dates are finalized). Playscape and smallwares have been ordered. Classroom floors are done and cleaning is being scheduled. Boxes are being moved into corresponding rooms. School supplies were delivered to WMS as a staging area for CLES and will be moved to the new school in the coming weeks. Pre-K hallways are nearly complete. Protective covering has been removed from most Terrazzo flooring. Multi-purpose room floor will likely be done the third week of August. The gym will be the last room to be finished. Technology, including phones, computers, smart boards and cameras are nearly ready. Sidewalks and courtyards are nearly finished. Click here to hear the presentation from Superintendent Barile and Rosa Fernandes as well as the latest slide deck from CLES!

Brookfield Library

August 2023 at The Brookfield Library

All of us here at The Brookfield Library hope you are enjoying the lazy, hazy and hot days of summer! It is with great pleasure that we welcome new Library Director, Caroline Ford. Stop by and say hello the next time you are in.

Our One Town, One Read program concludes this month, but we still have lots of programs to offer surrounding this year’s selection, The Violin Conspiracy. They include musical performances, movies, OTOR-themed craft workshops, historical discussions, and a program regarding “Healing with Books”. Check the details out on our website!

The Brookfield Library has been keeping kids and teens very busy and cool throughout our Summer Reading Program, and we’re not done yet! Join us for more “All Together Now” programs that include crafts, games, book clubs and movies, culminating with the closing program featuring the very funny Comic Mime Robert Rivest. Don’t forget—August 11 is the LAST DAY to turn in your Bingo sheets for a prize! See our website for details.

Check out our new storywalk on the Library lawn. Enjoy a sunny day strolling through the story Say Something! by Peter Reynolds.

Visit the Teen Department to see the new shelving that showcases the latest additions to our collection. Teens can also join a book chat and make a bookmark, learn how to crochet, and explore henna art!

You won’t want to miss The Brookfield Library Art Gallery’s August exhibit which will correspond with the Summer Reading theme of “All Together Now”. There have been so many beautiful contributions of artwork from all ages! See our website for details about the artists’ reception as well as how and when you can view the artwork.

Please see our website for details regarding dates, times, and registration details for all of the above programs and more!