February was a tough month for weather. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Public Works Department for keeping Brookfield roads in such excellent shape last month. Well done!
Brookfield's Health Department continues to hold very successful vaccination clinics at Brookfield Senior Center. We remain in debt to our dedicated volunteer nurses, doctors, and administrators who make this possible.
COVID-19: Effective March 1, anyone over the age of 55, school employee, and licensed childcare providers are now eligible to receive the Covid19 Vaccine. The CT DPH changed eligibility guidelines to an age group rollout and is no longer using medical history as a criterion for Vaccine eligibility. Scheduling for a vaccine can be done in a number of ways, please go to Brookfieldct.gov and read the Frequently Asked Questions which contains hyperlinks to many of the questions you have and places to register.
Please note, there is not currently sufficient allocation to support all those eligible to receive the vaccine immediately - patience will be required. Expect that the ability to schedule an appointment will be spread out over the month of March and into April at Clinics throughout Connecticut.
Town Budget: The town’s budget process for 2021-2022 is underway. The Board of Selectmen held numerous budget workshop meetings in February deliberating on my recommended budget. The board will finalize it, then forward to the Board of Finance with a March 2 presentation as noted below. The proposed date for the Capital Budget Special Town Meeting is Tuesday, March 30 at 7 p.m. to set the Referendum date.
Steve Dunn
First Selectman
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Board of Selectmen Meeting
7 p.m. Monday, March 1
View the meeting on YouTube or connect by phone to participate in public comment.
YouTube link or connect by phone to participate in public comment can be found on the agenda on the town website.
Board of Selectmen FY 2021-22
Budget Presentation to Board of Finance
7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2
View the meeting on YouTube on the town website.
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Board of Finance FY 2021-22
Budget Workshops scheduled
7 p.m. from March 3 – March 18.
View the meetings on YouTube on the
Coffee with the Selectmen
5:30 p.m. Monday, March 22
Residents are welcome to address the Selectmen with any questions, comments or concerns. View the meeting on YouTube or connect by phone to participate. Meeting information can be found on the agenda on the town website.
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Assessor
If you are 65 or older as of December 31, 2020, you may be eligible for a state or town tax elderly and/or veteran benefits. If you are already receiving benefits, you should have received the paperwork. If you have not, please call our office. If you have never applied before, you can find the paperwork online. Please remember that when applying, we will need a copy of your tax return and proof of all your income including social security. If you have any questions, please call our office at 203-775-7302.
On November 19, 2020, the 2021 real estate revaluation began. The inspectors will be measuring and taking exterior photos of homes and outbuildings. They will not be entering homes. The two inspectors will be wearing yellow vests and ID tags. This process could take several weeks to complete. Please refer to the town website which details the roads that are being inspected.
Public Works
The town has completed its draft MS4 (storm water management) report for 2020 to be filed with the CT DEEP. Public comment is welcome. The draft report can be viewed on the town website.
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Tax Collector
Tax Information 2020 – Tax Report
If you need your 2020 Tax Payment information go to brookfieldct.gov and under the Government tab choose Tax Collector.
Click on the View or Pay Tax Bills button. Click on For All Online Payments and Payment History. Enter your last name and first initial. (NO punctuation) or you may change the “search by” to whatever you wish. Next click on IRS Payment Records and then click on Search.
This will bring up the payment records for 2020. Place a check mark in the IRS box located on the right side above the payment information on the blue/green bar and then click on View IRS. This will show the amount of the payment and the date the payment was made. You can print out this information for your records.
Real Estate Bill
If your Real Estate taxes are escrowed, the bank should request your Real Estate bill.
If you change banks or pay off your mortgage, please contact the office to let us know where your Real Estate bill should be sent.
Town Clerk
Did you know you can make an appointment with the Town Clerk’s
office to have documents notarized? Please call 203.775.7313 to schedule your appointment.
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Red Colony Diner Opens in Brookfield
Customers, employees and town representatives joined owner George Marnelakis and his family at a ribbon cutting ceremony on January 28. Located at 121 Federal Road, the opening marks the return of the Red Colony Diner, which first opened at this location in 1978. Read the press release on the EDC website.
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Ultimate Holiday Showcase Awards Presentation
Sponsors of Brookfield’s first holiday showcase presented cash awards to the five best holiday decorated store fronts at a gathering a Town Hall on February 3. Read the press release on the EDC website.
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WPCA
If you are 65 or older as of 12/31/20 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 and application online at Deferral Regulation & 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.
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March 2021 at the Brookfield Library
Although our building remains closed to the public, we continue to offer curbside service for materials. The library also has many online resources that you can access with your library card. Read below about this month’s exciting virtual programs! Please see our website for dates, times and registration details. Check us out!
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The Brookfield Library’s One Town One Read book will be announced soon! Keep watching our website and social media for clues and the big reveal.
- The Brookfield Library Art Gallery is going virtual! Check out our website for details.
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Every March we celebrate Read Across America Day! This year, we will have a full week of daily fun facts and challenges from some of our favorite Children's books starting on March 1. On Wednesday, March 3 at 10 a.m. our outdoor story time will feature stories by Dr. Seuss and other notable authors (weather permitting). The week will culminate in a Zoom craft session that will include stories and an at-home scavenger hunt. Register on our website.
- Check our Events Calendar for dates for Kids Zoom Science, Grab N Go Crafts with Miss Meg and Namaste Me Down to Sleep Yoga and Bedtime Stories.
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For teens: another great virtual drawing event with The Giggling Pig on March 19. Also, Super Secret Book bags, book talks, and a Grab N Go activity kit.
- For teens and older: Need some calm and perspective in your life right now? Join our biweekly guided Mindfulness sessions! Or perhaps you’re looking for stimulating conversation in a COVID-safe environment? Participate in a Zoom discussion about the importance of pollinators, or visit with artist Frances Palmer who will talk about her new book.
- We’ll continue important conversations in separate programs about dementia and sexual violence.
- Join our virtual knitting and crocheting group or our Open Mic Night!
- Don’t forget about our great Zoom book clubs!
Love our Library? Has it enriched your life? If you have fond memories of our building or if you have ideas about what your dream library would look like, send your story and be entered in a drawing to win a canvas bag, car magnet and a gift card from Byrd’s Books. Winner will be drawn on March 22. See the website for details!
We hope to see you soon!
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Upcoming programs through Parks & Recreation in March include:
Sky Orienteering at Happy Landings
St. Patrick’s Day Grab & Go Craft Kits
Spring Bloom Grab & Go Craft Kits
Golf Lessons for Adults and Juniors
Landscapes on a Grand Scale (Photography)
And so much more!
Program information will continue to be updated on our website and Facebook page and is also available by calling the Parks & Recreation Office at 203-775-7310.
Our Winter 2021 Program Guide is available on the town website, and includes programs offered January through March. Please watch for our Spring/Summer 2021 Program Guide to be released in early April including information on a variety of spring programs for adults, children and families, summer camps, Town Beach operations for 2021 and more.
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Brookfield Public Schools
Click here to see the Brookfield Public School March updates that include the following:
- Three Main Points from the regular Board of Education Meeting on 2/17/21.
- Brookfield High School - Human Rights Club.
- Brookfield High School - 21-22 Program of Studies.
- BOE 21-22 Adopted Budget.
- Candlewood Lake Elementary School Update.
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Town Boards and Commissions
Visit our website regularly for updates and 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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