November 2020

ALERT! Brookfield's COVID-19 status has moved to ORANGE. O RANGE Click here for the COVID-19 Data Tracker. Please remain vigilant about the recommended health protocols - face coverings, social distancing, and/surface cleanliness, and travel. MESSAGES TO RESIDENTS USING CodeRED We want to keep you informed, while not overusing the system, and will send updates during the flu season. You can read the latest COVID-19 update here. We thank the more than 1,800 users who registered, but we would like to see more, so please tell your neighbors. You can sign up by clicking on the CodeRED icon on the bottom of the main page on the town website.   Health Department The Brookfield Health Department has detected a rapid and significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the school system: students, their families and staff (see school report below). Reported numbers from the state and news media do not accurately reflect the situation in Brookfield. This is because of the nature of and delays in reporting positive cases from the various testing sites. In addition, a number of cases include school employees and their families, who may have been forced to quarantine. This sends our real numbers to potentially dangerous levels. To date, we have no documented spread in the schools, but we must exercise extreme caution and follow the science. That means moving temporarily to remote learning, curbing congregate gatherings and some sports activities, for example.

Steve Dunn First Selectman

Board of Selectmen Meeting 7 p.m. Monday, November 2 The Center School Use Ad-Hoc Committee Chair will review the committee’s final report with the Selectmen. The Selectmen will also be discussing the Arts Commission sculpture recommendation for the proposed Pocket Park at Brookfield Town Center. We are still accepting resident feedback on the sculpture named “Cotyledon Rising” from artist David Boyajian. You can email First Selectman Steve Dunn at firstselectman@brookfieldct.gov. Please see the photos and presentation here. Coffee with the Community 5:30 p.m. Monday, November 23 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. View the meeting on YouTube or connect by phone to participate in public comment. Meeting information can be found on the agenda on the town website.

Assessor If you have recently disposed of a vehicle or have received a bill for a vehicle that you no longer own, please supply us with acceptable forms of proof, which can be accessed through our website. You can email us (assessor@brookfieldct.gov), fax us (203-740-3871) or drop off in an envelope in the black drop off box in front of Town Hall. The final day to submit for Personal Property is November 2 at 4 p.m. Please use the black drop off box to drop off your original Personal Property form after you have made your copy. You can access the Personal Property form on our website.

Economic Development Join us November 2 - 6 as we celebrate National Veteran Small Business Week. This year’s theme is #VetBiz Resources in Your Local Community which highlights the breadth of free to low-cost entrepreneurial resources that veteran and military entrepreneurs can access right in their neighborhood. Register here. On Monday, November 2, CTSBDC will participate in a no-cost webinar to help veterans transition from service to startup. The Boots to Business Training Program helps veterans learn everything about entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals. Register here.   Small Business Reopening Resource - Personal Protective Equipment The Connecticut Department for Economic and Community Development (DECD) has created a list of sources for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for small businesses that offer a reliable supply of quality product at reasonable and stable costs. Please find a full list of suppliers available on their website.   The Department of Economic and Community Development has announced the Connecticut Cares Small Business Grant Program to help small business owners who continue to be affected by COVID-19.  Program Highlights: Business owners may receive a $5,000 one-time grant Eligible expenses include payroll, rent/mortgage, utilities, inventory, purchase of machinery, and costs associated to ensure compliance with CT Reopen Business Sector Rules Funds are expected to be disbursed by December 30. Applications for this program is expected to be available the week of November 9. More details about the grant program eligibility as well as recent PPP Forgiveness updates will be featured in upcoming webinars to be announced shortly. Learn more on our COVID-19 Recovery Resources page

Police Department Remember to mark your calendar and bring a toy or gift card to the Brookfield Police Department’s  6th Annual Stuff-A-Cruiser Toy Drive to be held on December 12 between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  The location to be determined.  Hope to see you all there. Tax Collector Water Line Assessment Bills 2020 Reminder: The last day to a make payment on the Water Line Assessment is November 2. Payment must be received or postmarked by November 2 to avoid an interest penalty. To view the Legal Notice go to our website. To make a payment go to our website.

Public Works As the temperatures drop the DPW is preparing for snow season. Recently we conducted a short training session on the most efficient application rates of chlorides for ice control with both safety and the environment as a priority. We are also in the process of checking, testing and repairing our equipment to be sure it is ready when the first flakes fly.  Town Clerk The last day to receive an absentee ballot will be November 2. Absentee Ballots must be returned to the Official Ballot Drop Box located outside of Town Hall by the close of polls, 8 p.m. on November 3.

On October 20 there were reports of three isolated, confirmed cases of COVID in HHES, WMS and BHS. There was a significant uptick in symptoms reported by students, families, faculty and staff, plus an increase in primary contact exposure, in addition to an increase in the percentage of positive results in Brookfield. Dr. Raymond Sullivan of the Brookfield Health Department recommended schools close for a 14-day period, based on advice from the CDC, Department of Health and CT Department of Education. The shift to Remote Learning will continue until Thursday, November 5.   Dr. Barile presented the first draft of the 2021-2022 Budget Assumptions & Priorities to the board at October 21 regular meeting. The public is invited to a Budget Roundtable discussion on Wednesday, November 4 at 6 p.m.   Ken Post, Director of Business and Operations, presented the Updated 10-year Capital Plan. Projects for 2021-2022 were discussed at the regular BOE meeting on October 21st. The projects are prioritized as follows:    BHS: Plumbing, fixtures and equipment; Boys Locker Room Renovation; replacement of Exterior Doors; air conditioning in the library; replacement of roof and rooftop A/C unit over the Guidance Department; and additional paving in front of the main entrance. The board agreed that the Boys Locker Room project is a very high priority and is important to keep in Year 1.    WMS: Replacement of original electric service; replacement of building management system; paving and concrete to finish bus driveway; replacement of Seminar Room seating.  New School Update: The state legislature formally approved the grant for the New School Construction Project, and has awarded over $16.7 million. In addition, the Inland-Wetlands Commission voted to grant conditional project approval, with the condition that Tecton add approximately 4,000 square feet of new wetlands on-site or on an adjoining property to replace 1,190 square feet of low-quality wetlands that will be disrupted by the project.   Return to 100% In-Person Plans: Dr. Barile reported that feedback has been received from many parents. School administrative staff are following up with phone calls to families who have not responded in order to get an accurate headcount for in-person learning in grades K-8. Dr. Barile has provided some clarifications and answers to frequently asked questions by parents and has reiterated that remote learning will still be an option for parents at any time during the school year. Finally, all desks and shields have been delivered, and custodians are working on the installation and set-up of new equipment.

We continue to be open for limited hours, and while we are not requiring appointments, we continue to offer curbside pick-up services. Please be sure to stop by and see our new StoryWalk generously funded by the Brookfield Education Foundation. Our first story is Be You! By Peter H. Reynolds. The StoryWalk will be accessible on the library lawn anytime, even when the library is closed, until Friday, November 13. Weather permitting, Miss Debbie and Miss Meg’s Outdoor Storytimes at Miss Mary Way will continue on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Bring a blanket. Brookfield Police Officers and their K9 companion will be special guest readers on Election Day! We’ll also have a kids’ coding class, another delicious kids’ cooking class, grab and go craft, bedtime yoga stories and a turkey-themed science activity, all via Zoom. For adults, a lively virtual program on the Indian celebration of Diwali! On November 19 attend our Virtual Open Mic Night, when our town’s Poet Laureate, Atom Rush, will perform his poetry. All creative performers of music, dance, acting and art are invited to perform attend. Don’t forget about our great book clubs, also via Zoom. The Art Gallery at the Brookfield Library will be re-opening for viewing on Friday afternoons. Along with personalized book recommendations and book talks, there are Grab & Go Activity Kits, a keychain craft, and meditation classes for teens. Finally, it is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of long-time library staff member Sharon Santi, who was also a teacher at Center School for many years. We are so sad to see her go but wish her the best at this milestone moment in her life. For all of the above programs, check our calendar for registration and details. Please note: The Library will be closed on Wednesday, November 11 in honor of Veterans’ Day, as well as Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27 for Thanksgiving.  We hope to see you soon!

Our Fall 2020 Program Guide is available online and includes a variety of both in person and virtual programs for you to choose from. New special events for November and December include: Brookfield Parks Best Hand Poker Hike Smartphone Trivia And our Holiday House Tour Explore all of our November and December 2020 Special Events here.  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.

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Town Boards and Commissions Visit our website regularly for updates and schedule of upcoming meetings. Visit our website Town Events and Activities Follow town department social media pages for all that is going on around town! Click to Connect