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Town Budget:
The town’s budget process for 2024-25 is underway. The Board of Selectmen held numerous budget workshops in February deliberating on my recommended budget. The board has finalized and forwarded it to the Board of Finance. The proposed date for the Capital Budget Special Town Meeting is Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m. to set the Referendum date.
Stephen C. Dunn
First Selectman
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Board of Selectmen Meeting
Monday, March 4, 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.
Coffee with the Community
*This event is scheduled on the last Saturday of the month unless otherwise noted.
Saturday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
New Brookfield Market and Deli located at 27 Whisconier Road
Town Hall Closures
March 29 - Good Friday
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PUBLIC WORKS
The 2023 Storm Water Management (MS4) Report is posted to the town website for comments and questions at https://www.brookfieldct.gov.
*All questions and comments about this report should be sent to PublicWorks@brookfieldct.gov. Please put MS4 in the subject line.
As Spring approaches, we will be more active in taking down dead trees. Many residents may not know that the Department of Public Works (DPW) maintains a “wood list” for people wanting firewood. When we take trees down in those neighborhoods and wood is available, DPW will drop wood onto your front lawn or another easily accessible location. Many times, the wood is in long, large pieces, so if you do not have a way to cut it down into useable pieces, please do not sign up. We cannot return to get the wood if you do not want it.
To sign up for the “wood list,” please contact the DPW at 203-775-7318.
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NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS
Tax Information 2023 – Tax Report
To view your 2023 Tax Payment information, go to brookfieldct.gov and under the Government tab, choose Tax Collector. Next, click on the View or Pay Tax Bills button. Then 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” criteria. If your account is not an individual, enter it the way you see it on your tax bill. Next, click on IRS Payment Records and then click on Search. This will bring up the payment records for 2023. Place a checkmark 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.
Please visit the Tax Collector’s page on the Town of Brookfield website for additional information at https://www.brookfieldct.gov/tax-collector.
Call or email the office if you have any questions at tax@brookfieldct.gov or 203-775-7304.
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TOWN ASSESSOR
Elderly, disabled, and additional veterans applications for the town and state have been mailed and are due no later than May 15. Make sure to bring all the paperwork back signed and your 2023 federal tax returns and supporting 1099’s with you. We will make copies for you.
The Board of Assessment Appeal Hearings will be held in March. Your appointment will be mailed to you by early March.
If you no longer have your car, please go to our website for acceptable forms of proof for motor vehicle credit.
If you have any questions or need any help, please call our office at 203-775-7302.
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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, you may be eligible to defer your sewer benefit assessment, requirements can be found here.
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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PUBLIC HEARING ON CANNABIS ZONING REGULATIONS
The Brookfield Zoning Commission will be holding a public hearing for the new zoning regulations on cannabis sales and production on Wednesday, March 28, 2024, at Brookfield Town Hall, 100 Pocono Road, room 133, at 7:00 pm.
Public participation is encouraged. If you are unable to attend but would like to submit a comment, you may email Acurran@brookfieldct.gov or mail to: Brookfield Zoning Commission, Attn: Land Use Office, 100 Pocono Road, Brookfield, CT 06804.
For more information please contact the Land Use Office at 203-775-7316.
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Sponsorship forms and booth applications are available here.
Contact Greg Dembowski at 203-740-3865 or email GDembowski@BrookfieldCT.gov for more information.
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Daylight Saving Time: Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries!
Let daylight saving time serve as a reminder that when you change your clocks, also change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. A few minutes could save your life!
As a reminder …
- Test smoke alarms every month by pressing their test buttons.
- If your alarms use regular batteries, swap in fresh batteries at least once a year. A “chirping” sound means that it is time to change batteries.
- Because alarm sensors wear out, replace each alarm at least every 10 years.
For additional fire safety information, contact the Brookfield Fire Marshal's Office at (203) 775-7306, or by email, fire@brookfieldct.gov.
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Safe storage and disposal of prescription medications is important!
Every year thousands of children and teens are harmed by taking medications without parental consent or by misusing over-the-counter and prescription medications. Using a lock box for medication in your home can prevent accidental overdoses and potential misuse.
Keeping leftover or expired prescriptions may increase the risk of accidental poisonings and may lead to misuse or abuse of medications. Proper disposal will help protect the environment and reduce the chance that others may find and accidentally or intentionally use the medication. Deterra pouches are a safe and convenient pouch that deactivates prescription drugs and can then be disposed of with household trash.
The Brookfield Health Department has free medication lock boxes and Deterra drug deactivation and disposal pouches. Residents can obtain them by visiting the Brookfield Health Department at Town Hall.
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Below are the Three Main Points from the regular Board of Education meeting on February 21, 2024:
1. Candlewood Lake Elementary School Update: Paul Checco, Chairman of the Municipal Building Committee, presented the Board with an update on CLES. Mr. Checco acknowledged that while final project completion is taking longer than expected, the punch list is getting smaller every day. The most challenging obstacle to finishing the parking lot and the second part of the driveway has been the unsuitable soft soil found under HHES after demolition. A significant amount of time was spent removing clay and trucking in suitable fill. Crews continue to work on getting the parking areas to a point where staff will switch parking lots and finish up with paving this Spring, continuing through the Summer. The financials for the project are currently showing $1.2 million in uncommitted funds and are expected to fluctuate as outstanding invoices come in. Mr. Checco is investigating why the electric bills are much higher than the engineering design estimates. Mr. Checco addressed concerns from some staff regarding the design of inoperable windows as it relates to fresh air. He explained in great detail the advanced HVAC system we are so fortunate to have at the new school. The air that is cycled into each classroom throughout the day provides filtered fresh air all day long, free of allergens and other impurities. Mr. Checco encourages all residents and BPS staff to attend the Municipal Building Committee meetings at town hall every 3rd Tuesday of the month - the next meeting to be held on March 19th.
2. Special Education Program Review Update: The Board received a mid-year update from Director of Special Education, Bill Roland, regarding the accomplishment of recommendations included in the CREC report. Mr. Roland began by thanking Brookfield parents, students, the superintendent and assistant superintendent, and the principals for supporting him and the goals for the district. He noted that professional development is ongoing based upon the recommendations shared when he arrived to the district, and that professional development for staff - including IEP quality training and administration’s attendance at PPTs - has made significant progress. Several structures and processes are ongoing as Mr. Roland continues to work with teachers, parents, and administrators to give our students the best partnership and education. We recognize that student learning is not one size fits all and targeting individual students' needs is paramount. Communication and collaboration are also being addressed. Mr. Roland is confident that systems in all three schools are aligning. He continues to make himself available to parents and staff. Within existing recommendations is the belief that we must continue to foster and reinforce a culture of inclusivity of ALL students, because all students can learn and succeed. We will hear more in May regarding the Special Education Department’s Strategic Plan.
3. Brookfield High School Programs of Study: recommended updates from the C.A.P.E subcommittee: Dr. Mahon presented the Board with the revisions and new course offerings at BHS for the 2024-25 school year. Procedural revisions include college planning suggestions to update commonly accepted credit totals, and class rank aligned with BOE policy, including the adoption of the Latin Honors system for the top 15% of the class. Course additions include College Algebra - filling a need for an extra algebra prep course with awarded credit at the community colleges, and Creative Writing 2 - a student driven elective for those seeking more advanced literature and writing. It will be offered to all grades 9-12 as an extension of Creative Writing 1, and will offset the journalism requirement. Revisions include our longstanding Personal Finance requirement now only being offered to grades 11 and12. This course already meets the new state requirement for graduation.
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March 2024 at The Brookfield Library
The Brookfield Library is welcoming March (and Spring!) with a full slate of programs, book discussions and activities for patrons of all ages. Check out our Events Calendar for details here.
Highlights include a multicultural storytime and Lotus Lantern craft for Read Across America Day, and St. Patrick’s Day-themed events for all ages: you won’t want to miss the return of the Ashurst Irish Dancers on March 9 or The Kerry Boys Irish Balladeers concert on March 14!
For adults, there are crafts and book clubs, a Yale Science Communication presentation, the showing of the Oscar-nominated "The Holdovers," genealogy workshops, and more!
Teens can enjoy a Super Smash Brothers Tournament and a Candy Sushi Cooking Competition.
There will also be a new exhibit in the Brookfield Library Art Gallery: Drawings, featuring delightful sketches and paintings by Clayton Liotta. Stop by and get into the Spring spirit with us at the Brookfield Library!
Please call us at 203-775-6241, or check our website for the latest details.
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Town Hall Art Exhibit
The current exhibit in Town Hall features the art of Sandra Cointreau.
Since graduating as a civil engineer Sandra has been painting, often in unusual and out-of-the-way parts of the world where her engineering career took her. Painting and meditation helped her balance her analytical work with intuition and creativity. Her primary medium is watercolor, but the items on display also include works in pastel.
Come by Town Hall to check out her art! This exhibit will continue until early April.
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Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) | |
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GEARING UP FOR SPRING CLEANING?
HRRA is here to remind you of some important tips as you plan to clean out your garage, basement, or attic.
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April 6th is the first of SIX Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off events in 2024. This is an opportunity to safely dispose of gasoline, lawn and pool products, paint thinners, lithium-ion batteries, 1lb propane tanks and more! Head to our website to see a full list of items and dates.
- Connect with a local thrift or consignment store to donate items that are in good condition or use an online marketplace to sell your items.
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Torn and stained clothing, shoes, linens, towels and more can be recycled at your Town Transfer station in one of the textile recycling bins.
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If you are considering renting a dumpster, find a registered hauler on our website and search by town.
For more information call 203.775.4539 or email info@hrra.org and visit our website www.HRRA.org.
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Town Boards and Commissions
Visit our website regularly for updates and a schedule of upcoming meetings.
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Town Events and Activities
Follow town departments' social media pages for all that is going on around town.
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