May 2024

In the early morning hours on Thursday, April 25, over 10 families were displaced by a fire on Boxwood Drive. The Red Cross has been very helpful in arranging to settle the families. The town will continue to support all as needed and we will continue to coordinate with the Red Cross, local churches and other agencies.


  • We are recommending all donations of clothing and shoes go to Savers located at 99 Federal Road. They have opened their doors to the affected families to come and get whatever they need at no cost to them.


  • We are recommending that people who want to make financial donations purchase gift cards and take them to either the Congregational Church or St Joseph's.



Stephen C. Dunn

First Selectman

Board of Selectmen Meeting

Monday, May 6, 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.

Annual Town Meeting

Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at the Brookfield High School Auditorium to discuss the FY 2024-2025 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 21. 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 21, from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

(May 21 date to be voted on at the Annual Town Meeting on May 7)


District 1: St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church Parish Hall

District 2 and District 3: Brookfield High School

Absentee Ballots: Town Clerk’s Office


Coffee with the Community

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

In observance of Memorial Day weekend, the next meeting will be held on June 29.


Town Hall Closures

May 27 - Memorial Day


TOWN CLERK


Saturday, May 11, 2024 is Free Fishing Day - no fishing license required! 


For all other days, you can buy your license online or in the Town Clerk’s office. To Learn more about CT Fishing, please visit the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection’s webpage .

PUBLIC WORKS


DPW kicked off its paving program by starting on Candlewood Lake Road. We started milling portions on April 15, 2024. 


Click the link below for a complete look at our 2024 paving list.  

https://www.brookfieldct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif341/f/pages/2024_brookfield_road_paving_list.pdf

NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS


Intent to Lien

Liens will be placed on all 2022 Grand List Real Estate if there is an outstanding balance.


Real Estate and Personal Property - Address Change Form

If your mailing address has changed, please complete this form. Click on the link below.

https://brookfieldct.seamlessdocs.com/f/tax_contact_update


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.


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

TOWN ASSESSOR


Note to all commercial building owners: You should have received an income and expense form for the 2023 grand list in the mail. If you have not, please print one from our website. Income and expense forms are due by June 1, 2024. New legislation allows you to mail your form in by June 1. If you mail the form, make sure you go into the post office and have the envelope stamped and use them to mail the form as well. We don’t accept online metering of mail or postal machines for postage as dates can be altered. Any type of overnight mail is acceptable as well. If you don’t have it in on time or don’t return it at all, per the new legislation, there will be a 10% penalty added by certificate of correction to the 2023 grand list bills being mailed out 7/1/2024. 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, fill out the expense section, and sign. If you have vacant land and it's not rented, please say 'vacant land,' and sign and mail back. All others should be completed in full and signed. A wet signature is required.

 

If you are 65 or older as of December 31, 2023, or 100% disabled, or 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 you have not, please call our office. If you've never applied before, you can find the paperwork online. Please remember that when applying, we will need a copy of your current tax return (if you're required to file) and proof of all your income (all 1099’s or statements), including Social Security end of year statement. If you have any questions, please call our office at 203-775-7302. Tax relief paperwork is due by May 15. Veteran applications are due by October 1.

Note: DD-214 paperwork must be filed by September 30 in the Town Clerk’s office if you recently moved to Brookfield or never filed before in Brookfield or recently were honorably discharged from the military.

 

Tax Deferral: If you're interested in applying, please visit our website to look at the criteria and to print a form. Note: make sure to scroll halfway down the page. If you're new to the program, you have until June 30. If you have applied before, your renewal application has to be received by May 15.

 

Personal Property Business Closing: If you closed your business in town, please fill out a personal property affidavit (page 1 of any form) and email it, along with a copy of a lease-end letter, bank closing statement, letter from your accountant, or letter of dissolution from the State of Connecticut. If you took out a trade name certificate when you opened your business, please contact the Town Clerk to close out your business and give us a copy, as well. This process should be completed as soon as possible to avoid additional property taxes.

Note: If you sold your business please attach a copy of the bill of sale

 

Motor Vehicle disposal: Please bring in or email as soon as possible a plate receipt and an additional proof, such as a: bill of sale, junk receipt, out-of-state registration, insurance letter with specific information, etc. 


If you have any questions, please call our office at 203-775-7302.

Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA)


If you are 65 or older as of 12/31/23 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. An application will be mailed to you. If you have never applied before, you can find the policy here and application online at 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.


If you’re wondering what the construction is on the northern section of Laurel Hill Road, a sewer line is being installed in the road to service the residential project at 101 Laurel Hill Road.

Fire Marshal's Office



The Fire Marshal’s Office has partnered with the American Red Cross to help save lives by installing free smoke alarms in homes and educating families about home fire safety.


Did you know! Home fires claim seven lives every day, but having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half.


To schedule a home visit, complete the request form at https://www.redcross.org/local/connecticut/about-us/our-work/home-fire-campaign/home-fire-safety-visit.html and we will reach out to you to schedule.


During your home visit, you will receive:

  • Installed smoke alarms if no working smoke alarms are present in your home
  • Guidance in the development of a Family Disaster Plan
  • Valuable emergency preparedness tips and information
  • All demonstration and installation services will be performed by Red Cross-trained volunteers and/or licensed/insured professionals.

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


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



Brookfield town-wide Tag Sale will take place on May 4th at Town Hall with over over 60 households participating.


A tag sale location map can be viewed here.  



A DEEP Boaters Safety Course will be held on Saturday May 18 at Brookfield Town Hall. Students of all ages successfully completing this course will satisfy the education requirements for the CT State Boating Certificate for life. Space is limited. Register Here.


Join us for the first performance of the Children’s Concert in the Park on Saturday, May 18 with Ms. Janine at Kids Kingdom at 10:30 a.m. Free and open to all! 

Details and future concert information available by clicking here.


The Brookfield Town Park Beach will open on Memorial Day Weekend! 

The beach will be open May 25 – 27 from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Memberships are now on sale at www.brookfieldparksandrec.com.  


Below are the Three Main Points from the regular Board of Education meeting on

April 10, 2024:


 

1. WMS Student Update: Mr. Renda and Coach Kathy Roman presented the Unified Sports program to the Board. Whisconier Middle School is now a two time National Unified Champion School (2020 and 2024) and Michael’s Cup Award Winner (2019). “Unified Sports seeks to join students with and without disabilities to participate in a variety of athletic events. It was inspired by a simple principle, training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.” Ms. Roman thanked everyone for their support and for the hard work that goes into making a successful event. Athletes have the opportunity to participate in soccer in the fall and basketball in the spring, in addition to individual outings throughout CT. Peers have the opportunity to attend the CIAC conference to build skills. Student athlete, Madison, used her gaze board to tell us how much she loves playing Unified Sports. And 8th grade peer, Jackson, who is a WMS leader in the Unified Sports program, eloquently explained how being a part of the Unified Sports program helps athletes become more confident and stronger, both physically and socially. He is also very proud that he and the athlete he works with won the teammates award.


https://www.youtube.com/live/QMxR8s5GjLQ?si=BGMP8QUCTcxN5Jqc&t=512 

 

Slideshow: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1N1LKFRPEj6_x0uOSrdU-DAnDhw5nNX59OKQbzpOLL4U/edit?usp=sharing


2. Last Day of School will be June 19 and it will be a half day. After a healthy debate and discussion weighing the impact of having the last day of school fall on the state holiday, Junteenth (the 182nd student day of the year), or ending for students on June 17 (180th student day), a vote was held. Stephanie Sikora, Wendy Youngblood and Robert Fischetto voted in favor of the last day of school being June 17, while Rosa Fernandez, Joy Greenstein, Sarah Devine and Hala Hourani all voted 'Nay', keeping the last day of school on June 19. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/live/QMxR8s5GjLQ?si=SIBva0OY9Gvo64uQ&t=2981

 

3. Budget Update: Superintendent, Dr. Barile, reminded the Board and public that the Board of Selectmen cut the school budget by $575,000 with the Board of Finance making a further cut of $153,000 for a total of $728,000. Unfortunately, after doing all we could, with nearly $500,000 in favorable budget news over the past 4 months for adjustments to the budget, the cuts inevitably affect personnel and collective bargaining. Dr. Barile and the leadership team did all they could to make personnel and program cuts that were not an immediate direct impact on students, namely three cuts to personnel totaling a net of $151,183; elimination of the technology instructional coach position, a secretary position and half of a nursing position. In the current budget, an administrator position was cut in response to this year’s elementary school consolidation plan.

 

https://www.brookfield.k12.ct.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif4196/f/pages/boe_budget_cuts_4-10-24.pdf


Thank you for your continued support.


Kind regards,

Dr. John W. Barile 


To view the Annual State of the District please visit: https://www.brookfield.k12.ct.us/district/news/state-district-march-2024

Brookfield Library


May 2024 at The Brookfield Library



The May offerings at the Brookfield Library are brimming with opportunities for all ages to engage with the community.


You won’t want to miss our Community Quilt Project. There are four dates offered to participate in this shared project. The Library will also offer a program about the fascinating history of quilt making on May 14. 


Join us for an informative presentation about support services for families affected by cancer, offered by Ann’s Place on May 29.


Our very popular seed library, Brookfield Shares & Grows, is returning for a second straight year. Check out seed packets for flowers, herbs, and vegetables here at the Library.


Adult Services is also introducing two new programs in May: a book group for introverts called The Silent Treatment, and a three-part series on creativity entitled The Artist’s Way, that follows the teaching of Julia Cameron’s book with the same title. See our website for details on these programs as well as our regular offerings of Mindfulness, Knitting, The Ukulele Club, Card Making, Writing, Needle Felting and more!


New in The Art Gallery this month: the beautiful paintings of Penny Feder.


Along with our Chess Club, we’ll have more all-ages fun (and pizza!) at our Family Trivia Night on May 9. 


Spring story time for kids are in full gear, and we have several offerings for Spring-themed crafts and activities in May. Special events include a Comedy & Magic Show on Friday, May 17, as well as something that Star Wars fans will not want to miss: Padawan Training on May 19.


There are many opportunities for teens to get involved, too! Interested in becoming a Summer Reading helper? Come to training on May 30 or June 27. You can also join the Teen Library Activists group to learn how you can make a larger impact on the Library and the community. Other teen events include crafting a Secret Pocket Garden, the SciFi Fantasy Book Club, Tips for Managing Stress (final exams are looming!), and Inklings.


All ages are welcome for a Community Conversations session with Brookfield High School students on May 23 for a discussion on upcoming trends in sustainable urban planning for future generations.


Interested in learning more about technology? The Career Coach bus is back teaching computer basics on May 16.


Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice. In observance of Memorial Day, The Brookfield Library will be closed on Monday, May 27. But come visit us Sunday, May 26, for the parade. The Library lawn is one of the best parade viewing sites in town! We’ll have information on our services, as well as water bottles for parade-watchers, courtesy of The Friends of the Brookfield Library.

 

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

HAPPENING AROUND TOWN


Local leaders, bankers, SBA administrators and US Commerce representatives gathered to recognize Xcalliber President Anthony DeFeo and employees as CT's SBA Small Business Exporter of the Year at an event their Headquarters on Commerce Drive.


With three locations in Brookfield, they've achieved impressive growth and are now exporting products around the world.


Congratulations!!


Brookfield Welcomes:


Family owned and operated Dash n' Dine located at 540 Federal Road



Pictured, left to right, Greg Steiner, EDC Chairman Jim Fisher, co-owners Danitza and Tim Roche, St. Mary Pastor Corey Piccinino, Tom D’Avanzo and Peter Gerardi.

FISH


Friends In Service Here is sponsored by the Brookfield Commission on Aging. We organize volunteers to drive Brookfield seniors who need rides to doctor and dentist appointments, physical therapy, lab work and medical tests. There is a growing need for rides as our population is aging. We currently have about 8 active drivers making two trips per month, but need more volunteers. We have some clients who need ongoing treatments once or twice a week and others who only need a ride now and then.


If you are interested in helping Brookfield seniors, please call the FISH LINE at 203-616-9678 for more information.  

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