I noted in May’s Spotlight that Brookfield was one of seventeen CT communities named a 2020 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service, honoring our commitment to effective urban forest management. A letter from Senator Richard Blumenthal and a Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Johana Hayes were received last week, recognizing the town for this designation for the 15th year. Brookfield is the smallest community in CT named a Tree City.
The Press Release and attachments can be viewed on the town website.
Steve Dunn
First Selectman
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Health Department
Regrettably, the Town of Brookfield and the State of Connecticut are seeing another uptick in the numbers of residents testing positive for the Covid-19 Virus. So too, the local and State positivity rates continue to climb. Locally, we are seeing more cases amongst our youth. There have been 32 more cases admitted to Connecticut hospitals over last weekend with considerably more severe disease. Nearly all admissions (98%) are among unvaccinated residents. Of equal concern are the few “breakthrough” cases we have observed in vaccinated persons in Brookfield and around the State. Most, if not all, can be attributed to the much more contagious variant of the SARs-CoV Virus known as the “Delta” variant.
Clearly, despite the few breakthrough cases with much milder disease, vaccination is the best protection currently available to those residents 12 years of age and older. Residents between the ages of 12 and 17 are welcome at the Danbury Community Health Center or the New Milford Health Department, where the Pfizer vaccine is currently available. Vaccines are safe and very effective, despite the relatively low number of complications amongst millions already vaccinated. For more information, please go to: ct.gov/coronavirus.
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Board of Selectmen Meeting
Monday, August 2, at 7:00 p.m. in Meeting Room 133. You can view the agenda and attachments on the town website. A Public Hearing will be held prior to the regular meeting at 6:45 p.m. to receive public comment and opinion concerning the proposed revised Code of Ethics Ordinance, as a new section was included for “Awarding of Town Contracts.” The Selectmen will vote on the revised Ordinance at their meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Police Department 1st Annual
National Night Out
Tuesday, August 3, from 4 – 8:30 p.m.
at Brookfield Town Hall.
See the flyers below on the National Night Out Event as well as the Cornhole Tournament, or visit the Police Department’s Facebook page here.
Rock Painting Event sponsored by the Brookfield Arts Commission
Place your order by Monday, August 9.
The Arts Commission will have supplies for residents to order rock painting kits and hide the rocks for someone else to find or give to someone to brighten their day. So, paint a rock, and spread some cheer! See the flyer on the town website for further details.
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Open every Friday from 3 - 6:00 p.m. at 100 Pocono Road. See the flyer on the town website or visit the Farmers Market Facebook page here.
8th Annual Sunset Sizzler 5K
Friday, August 13, start time at 7:00 p.m.
Race to benefit High School Athletics
You must Pre-Register online by Monday, August 9. See the flyer on the town website for further details.
Sidewalk Chalk Art sponsored by the Brookfield Arts Commission
Scheduled on Friday, August 13, from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Brookfield Town Hall Sidewalk. See the flyer on the town website for further details.
Coffee with the Community
Saturday, August 28, from 9 – 10:30 a.m. at the New Brookfield Market and Deli, located at 277 Whisconier Road. We encourage you to stop by with any questions or concerns. This event is scheduled on the last Saturday of each month at different locations.
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Assessor
Income and expense reports were due in the Assessor’s office by 6/1/21. If you have not sent them in, please do so immediately.
If you are a veteran and have a DD-214 that you have never submitted, please submit it to the Town Clerk by 9/30/21 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 more information.
If you are totally disabled or blind and have never submitted an application to the Assessor’s Office, please submit one by 10/1/21. 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 1 you must complete a new application. 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 would like to appeal your car taxes, the Board of Assessment Appeals will meet on September 18 from 9:00 - 11 a.m. at Town Hall. Please see the application and directions on our website to be sure you bring in all necessary documentation.
On 11/19/20, 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 inspectors will be wearing yellow vests and ID tags. This process will take several months to complete. Please refer to the town website which details the roads that are being inspected.
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Tax Collector
The last day to pay taxes is August 2, 2021. You may view your tax bill online.
Please visit the Tax Collector’s page on the Town of Brookfield website for additional information.
Public Works
The Department of Public Works is in full paving mode with many roads already complete. Check the town website for regular updates.
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Town Clerk
We continue to license dogs 6 months and older throughout the year. If you have not yet licensed your dog(s), you can visit us in the office or apply online.
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Brookfield Sewer Snapshot
Contrary to popular belief, the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) has nothing to do with drinking water into your home—it is purely sanitary sewer. To find out more on the workings of the sewer authority as an independent utility, click here.
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Summer at the Brookfield Library
This month, as the lazy summer days draw to a close, there is still a lot to do at the Library. Come inside and stay cool! Click here to view the Brookfield Library August updates.
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Summer at Parks & Recreation
The Town Beach remains open throughout much of August. Season beach passes are on sale at the Parks & Recreation Office and day passes are available for purchase at the gate. For more information, click here.
The Newtown Savings Bank Concerts in the Park series continues on Friday nights for the month of August. Full schedule available here.
Outdoor Movies in the Park continue in August. Dates and line up here.
We continue to offer a variety of day camps and sports and specialty camps throughout the summer. Be sure to check out our program guide here for these and other programs including tennis and golf lessons.
Visit our website and Facebook page for continued updates; there is still so much to look forward to in Brookfield this summer!
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Our doors are open and we are welcoming our seniors back. For everything going on at Brookfield Senior Center, check out our current newsletter on the town website. This is a great time to try something new!
Senior Paws Project
The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary offers the Senior Paws Project that helps seniors struggling to pay for food or basic veterinary services for their animals. They can also find a loving temporary home for your pet during times such as hospital or rehab stays. You can also volunteer to foster animals. Call the sanctuary at 866-620-8640 or email: info@cvhfoundation.org.
Elder Justice Hotline
The CT Office of the Attorney General has announced the Elder Justice hotline. See the flyer on the town website.
Brookfield Public Schools
Click here to view the Brookfield Public School August updates that include the Candlewood Lake Elementary School Project and the 2021-2022 Safe Return to School
& Continuity Plan.
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CANDLEWOOD LAKE ROAD WATER MAIN
Construction of the water main extension on Candlewood Lake Road from Nabby Road to Candlewood Lake Elementary School has started and is expected to be completed in September (photo below). The temporary asphalt placed over the trench will be replaced with permanent repavement in the spring/summer of 2022.
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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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