September 2023

I hope you took some time to enjoy the Summer months. In just a few days, it's back to school! Pre-K through 5th graders - along with our faculty - will be attending Candlewood Lake Elementary School – home of the Cubs - for the very first time! We're blessed with some of Connecticut’s finest educators. Our children will be in the best care, receiving a great education in a new facility that is now part of our landscape. I wish teachers and schoolchildren everywhere a wonderful school year!

The Town of Brookfield is supporting the Energy Commission’s “PowerSmart” campaign, part of a new statewide solar and storage community outreach initiative. PowerSmart is the newest community-based clean energy campaign in selected towns throughout Connecticut, now available to Brookfield residents and a limited number of other CT municipalities. SmartPower is leading the PowerSmart Campaign, intended to accelerate the adoption of battery storage throughout the region. Please visit www.smartpower.org and https://powersmartbrookfield.wee.green to learn more and become part of this sustainability solution.

The Board of Selectmen also approved the application of a STEAP grant to upgrade facilities at the Town Hall campus. If approved by the state, we'd be able to add pickleball courts and upgrade ADA access to the lower bandstand area. This application is the first phase in part of an overall conceptual plan to make improvements at Town Hall, which include a new staircase, upgrades to the rest room facilities, connecting the Still River Greenway trail to the Town Hall campus, and extending parking.

I hope you all enjoy your Labor Day weekend - please remember to stay vigilant by locking your car doors, and keeping valuables out of sight (never leave your purse/wallet unattended).

Take care of one another. 

Yours in service,

Tara 

Tara Carr

First Selectman

Board of Selectmen Meeting

Tuesday, September 5, 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, September 30, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the Hi-Way Deli and Market located at 616 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.

The Brookfield Arts Commission Presents:

Featured Artist – Melissa Benedek

Melissa Benedek is a Contemporary Artist who finds beauty and magic in her abstract creations. Her portfolio demonstrates her vision and passion for colors and textures. Her art features fluid brushstrokes that intersect, overlap, and react with one another. This technique makes her pieces pop and come alive. She believes that art has no standard interpretation, allowing the viewer to have their own thoughts and feelings about a piece of art.

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Please visit her exhibit in Town Hall which will be up through September. All pieces are for sale. 

Public Works

The recent wet and windy weather has presented a challenge to the DPW. We have been very busy keeping storm drains clear and removing dangerous limbs and damaged trees. Please know that the DPW does everything in its power to make sure the storm drains function properly. When we have rainstorms that exceed the capacity of the system there will be flooding especially in low lying areas and normally wet areas that are prone to it.   

Assessor

If you are a veteran and never submitted a DD-214, please submit it to the Town Clerk by September 30 for exemptions on your taxes for next year. If you've already submitted it, you do not need to again.

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

If you have a retrofitted vehicle (maximum of 2), every year on or before October 1, you must complete a new application. If this is the first year you own the vehicle, you need to attach a copy of the bill of sale for the vehicle and for the retrofitting. Click here for an application.

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

Town Clerk

A Primary of the Republican Party for nomination of candidates for municipal offices will be held on September 12, 2023. The hours of voting at said Primary will be from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Verify your polling location here.  Absentee ballots are available at the Town Clerk’s office or by applying online through the CT Online Absentee Ballot Request Portal. Learn more about voting by absentee ballot. 

Congratulations to the 2023 Top Dogs!  

 Social Services

Are You Saving the Most Money on Your Prescription Drugs?

Open enrollment for Medicare D will start October 15 and run until December 7. It’s a good idea to ensure that you have the best plan for 2024, since these plans can change. If you haven’t already, you should soon receive a notice from your Medicare D or Medicare Advantage Plan informing you of changes for the coming year. If you do nothing, your current plan will automatically roll over for 2024. To check on your plan and review other plans, please call the Center to request the paperwork. Once you complete and return the forms, a certified CHOICES counselor will contact you for a telephone appointment to help you find the best plan for you.

Senior Center

September is National Senior Center Month - Discover Yours!

The theme this year is “Discover Yours!” Every senior center is unique. We encourage you to discover all that Brookfield Senior Center has to offer so that you can discover your own unique path to aging well.

Parks and Recreation

Back to School is the Time for Escape Planning

As students return to school, the Brookfield Fire Marshal's Office, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control urge parents to create an escape plan. 

For both younger children as well as college students, escape planning can be the difference between preparedness and tragedy. 

For younger children and families, the CFA offers the following tips:

• Have a plan for young children who cannot get outside by themselves. You'll need to wake babies and very young children and help them get out. In your plan, talk about who will help each child get out safely.

• Get in the habit of sleeping with bedroom doors closed. A closed bedroom door can give you extra time to acknowledge the alarm and escape safely. A closed door can effectively block smoke and heat from the bedroom and help to slow down fire growth.

• Know two ways out of every room. It's important to find two ways out of every room in the house, in case one exit is blocked by smoke or fire.

• Choose a meeting place outside the home. Children should know what to do when they hear a smoke alarm and there is no adult around. Help them practice going to the outside meeting place. Teach them to never go back inside a building that is on fire.

• Practice your completed fire drill with all members of your family. Everyone should practice the plan both during the day and at night.

• For College - bound students, parents need to be aware fire safety when choosing student housing. Ask the following questions:

• Are there working smoke detectors in each bedroom and on each level of the building? Check them monthly and change the batteries twice a year.

• Are there two ways out of each room, including those on upper floors? Second exits are usually windows for the first floor, but a second set of stairs for upper levels.

• Are there enough electrical outlets for all appliances without needing an extension cord? Overloaded extension cords are a common fire cause.

• Does the building have fire sprinklers or a fire alarm? These internal building features are the best defense against fire.

By thinking about fire safety before an emergency, your whole family can ensure a safe and happy school year. The Connecticut Fire Academy is the teaching arm of the Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control. Part of their mission is educating the public about fire and burn prevention.

For more information on escape planning or other fire safety topics, contact the Brookfield Fire Marshal's Office at (203) 775-7306, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BrookfieldFMO. 

Economic Development

There has been a lot of progress on the roadway improvement project which includes construction activity on Federal Rd between BJ’s and Route 133. Work will continue until the project is completed in October. Please follow updates on this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BrookfieldCT.

Welcome Back to 2023-2024 School Year

Brookfield Broadcast - Welcome Back to School Newsletter

Below are the Three Main Points from the regular Board of Education Meeting of August 16, 2023:

1. Dr. Danielle Rudl presented an overview of this year's 2023 Summer School program, "STEM Adventures." Students worked on reading, writing, and math skills, as well as STEM enrichment activities. The program was led by Administrators, Dr. Rudl and Mr. Renda, as well as Site Directors Mrs. Elisa Larson (CES) and Mrs. Kayla Denault (WMS). At CES there were 96 Kindergarten through 4th Grade students participating, and at WMS there were 26 5th through 8th grade students. High School students from the Future Teachers of America Club and the National Honor Society served as Teaching Assistants, and helped with lesson planning, small group work, drop off and pick up. The curriculum utilized was from STEM Modules from the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Students were able to work on exciting units including robotics. Important skills such as teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving were also a key focus. Feedback from parents and students was very positive. It is anticipated that next year's Summer School program will be housed at the new CLES. To see Dr. Rudl's presentation, click here https://www.youtube.com/live/1zRAg4niT8c?feature=share&t=1461

2. World Language/ML Curriculum Leader Katherine Abrego presented a proposal for a student exchange trip to France in April of 2024. During the Spring of 2023, WMS French teacher Keith Johnston and Mr. Yves Gouast from the College Assomption in France collaborated to bring French students to WMS for an immersive experience in American culture and education. This year, Mr. Gouast would like to reciprocate and host WMS students in France from April 10-19, 2024. The trip will include 30 WMS students (and any 9th graders who hosted as 8th graders) and four chaperones. The students/chaperones will be hosted by French families. Students will stay in pairs with a host family, similar to the host arrangements when French students came to Brookfield. Students will shadow their French counterparts at school, take day trips in and around Saint-Tropez to various cultural and historical attractions, and take an overnight trip to Paris. The approximate cost of the trip is $1,876 and includes all travel and accommodations and most meals. Ms. Abrego mentioned that fundraising efforts will be planned to help offset the costs. To hear Ms. Abrego's presentation, click here https://www.youtube.com/live/1zRAg4niT8c?feature=share&t=3842

3. In his Superintendent's Report, Dr. Barile provided an update about the final phase of construction at CLES. All indications are that we are set to open on September 5th. There is a lot of work to be done prior to the first day of school, particularly site work for parking and outdoor concrete work for sidewalks. CLES Principal David Pepsoski and Assistant Principal Danielle Rudl presented a slideshow illustrating the progress of the inside of the building. Office workers are fully set up in the building. Flooring is being finished in the gym and multi-purpose room. Cement is being poured and smoothed out in the grand staircase. The elevators are fully functioning. All other flooring (tile, carpeting) is complete. Furniture and shelving installation in the Library/Media centers have begun. Wall art in neighborhoods has been installed. Classrooms are ready to be set up by teachers as soon as parking and access to the building are ready. Playscapes will be delayed until mid-September, but alternate outdoor exercise and recess activities will be planned.

To hear the full update, click here https://www.youtube.com/live/1zRAg4niT8c?feature=share&t=2105

You can also view additional photos on the Candlewood Lake Elementary School Project Facebook page, here: https://www.facebook.com/candlewoodlakeelemenary

The Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools have approved the hiring of Mrs. Kasey Diotte as the new Brookfield Public Schools Director of Business and Operations at a Special Board of Education meeting held on August 21, 2023.

Mrs. Diotte, of Sherman, was appointed to become the new Director of Business and Operations on August 17th, following a thorough candidate search. She will replace Ken Post who'll be retiring after 7 years in the position. Post was instrumental in developing transparency and credibility as the district transitioned to the MUNIS financial platform with the Town, among many other key school district initiatives. 

"I'm grateful and excited for the opportunity to join Brookfield Public Schools as the next Director of Business and Operations. I know that much work has been done over the last several years to ensure transparency and integrity throughout governance in this district and it is my privilege to be a part of an organization that values - so highly - these essential standards. I'm thrilled to join this team," stated Mrs. Diotte after accepting the position.

Mrs. Diotte has spent the past two years as the Director of Finance and Operations for Mizzentop Day School in Pawling, NY. At Mizzentop, she led Accounting and regulatory control, oversaw facilities, and planned for capital improvements, in addition to securing grant funds and donations. Prior to this position, she served as the accounts specialist at Trinity-Pawling School for three years. Mrs. Diotte also served as a Sherman Board of Education member for 8 years from 2014-2022, working closely with the school administration to develop the budget, revise policy, and improve facilities. During her tenure, she served as chairperson of the Sherman Board of Education, as well as vice chair and budget chair.



Assistant Superintendent, Anna Mahon, shared that the committee felt Mrs. Diotte stood out among the candidates due to her unique professional and civic experiences, her personal demeanor, and palpable excitement for the opportunity to serve Brookfield. Diotte’s finance background, experience, work ethic, and friendly personality will support and strengthen the implementation of the new Strategic Plan. Superintendent John Barile stated, “We are thrilled to have Kasey join the incredible educators here in Brookfield. Her background, passion for education, acumen for building positive relationships, and ability to understand the complexities of school operations will serve us well.”



Mrs. Diotte will begin her tenure with Brookfield Public Schools on September 1, 2023.

Brookfield Library

September 2023 at The Brookfield Library

September is National Library Card Sign-up Month! Read below to see all that is available to you with a Brookfield Library card. If you don’t have one, stop by our building or visit us any Friday afternoon in September from 3–6 p.m. at the Farmers’ Market. It’s free, and all you need to bring is proof of residency.

It’s back to school for the kids, but all lifelong learners are sure to find something of interest at the Brookfield Library. Learn computer basics when the Career Coach bus visits on September 25. If you already know the basics, you can find out about Protecting Your Data & Privacy on your devices in a workshop offered twice on September 19. Nature lovers won’t want to miss our discussion on Backyard Birds with the Audubon Society, or the second of our series of Master Gardner programs on invasive species. Puzzles your thing? Join us for a Puzzle Swap on September 8. Got the crafting bug? You can learn Irish calligraphy, make handcrafted cards, perform needle felting, or join us for open embroidery or sewing, or our knitting and crocheting group, all this month! See our website for details.

Interested in learning a new language? Check out Transparent Language, including KidSpeak, a new online resource offered by the Brookfield Library.



If you’ve ever felt like you put your foot in your mouth when telling a story, learn how to recover from your faux pas or avoid it entirely by attending TEDx speaker Denise Keys Page’s program, “Oops, Did I Say That?”

Our awesome Summer Reading Program may have concluded, but we'll still have plenty of activities for children: storytimes, Brookfield Builders, Science Explorers, and reading to Mia or Rio, our two therapy dogs! Teens can join the new Sci Fi Fantasy book club, enjoy a Dungeons and Dragons activity, or take a bite into the card game, Ultimate Werewolf.

All ages can join our Chess Club, offered on September 14, 21, and 28, or an All Ages Board Game Night on September 26, all held in our Community Room.

Our new exhibit in the Brookfield Library Art Gallery is Land and Sea Melodies, beautiful oils on canvas by Beth Carlson. See our website for details about the artist’s reception, as well as how and when you can view the artwork.

We finish up September with a great concert by Indie-rock band Roots Oscura.

Join the Library Board of Trustees for a reception to welcome new Library Director, Caroline Ford, on Monday, September 18 from 4–6 p.m., here at the Library.

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