May 2023

Spring greetings to you and your family! May is Mental Health Awareness Month and is a good time to take note of mental health issues and do a self-inventory, looking at the link between mental and physical health. (May is also National Physical Fitness and Sports Month). I received a beautiful note with requests from a Brookfield resident encouraging me to “be outdoors in the goodness of nature – be it in your own backyards or our wonderful parks.” I was also asked to suggest that our residents “plant wildflowers on their property - not only for the floral beauty, but so much more importantly, to nurture pollinators and wildlife.” I thought these were fantastic recommendations and I'll be acting on them – I hope you will too!

May celebrates many things: May Day, Lei Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day (Happy Mother's Day to all mothers and mother figures), Armed Forces Day, National Maritime Day, and of course, Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a poignant reminder of the tenacity of life and its tradition to raise the flag on this day; U.S. Flag Code: American Flag Etiquette, Rules, and Guidelines | The Old Farmer's Almanac. I look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s Memorial Day Parade hosted by the Lions Club on Sunday, May 28th at 2:00 p.m.

April came and went so quickly. We're still working to solidify the contract for our town-wide radio communications system upgrade and the Brownfields project at 20 Station Road. Our Streetscape projects inch along, with the completion of Phase 3 at the Pocket Park, Phase 4 north of Four Corners, and Phase 5 to commence in the near future. I've been working with the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC) to protect about 45 acres of forest in Brookfield. The NCLC is awaiting news on funding through a grant and we look forward to good things in Brookfield in this regard.

Departments across Town Hall continue to work very hard to provide fantastic services to our residents and visitors. Our new town employees - Ben in Human Services, Eren in the Health Department, and Laura at Parks and Recreation - are all doing a fabulous job. Our more seasoned Directors and all employees continue to provide top-notch quality services across all departments. Thank you all for your service to our fine town.

Finally, May 2 is our Annual Town Meeting at the BHS Auditorium, and May 8 is the regular Board of Selectmen Meeting.

Yours in Service,

Tara Carr

First Selectman

Annual Town Meeting

Tuesday, May 2, at 7:00 p.m.

At the Brookfield High School Auditorium

To discuss the FY 2023 – 2024 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 16. Copies of the proposed budget are available at the Town Clerk’s office and on the town website.

Referendum vote on the Town and School Budgets

Tuesday, May 16, from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (May 16 date to be voted on at the Annual Town Meeting on May 2)

District 1: St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church Parish Hall (see note below)

District 2 and District 3: Brookfield High School

Absentee Ballots: Town Clerk’s Office

Annual Community Shred Day

And Non-Perishable Food Drive for Brookfield Food Pantry

Saturday, May 20, at 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Brookfield Town Hall.

Here’s another chance to bring your box of papers, receipts, and credit card statements to have them shredded. The Brookfield Lions Club has secured a safe, reputable shredding company to handle your most sensitive documents. A donation of $10 per “box” is accepted to support the many Lions’ local charities. Non-perishable donations are also accepted for the Brookfield Food Pantry during the Shred Day Event.

NOTICE TO: District 1 Voters

Due to construction of the new Candlewood Lake Elementary School on the Huckleberry Hill site, we'll be unable to use the school site for voting until the new school is completed.

OUR ALTERNATIVE LOCATION IS:

St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church Parish Hall at 138 Candlewood Lake Road.

Property owners with property located within this voting district will also vote at St. Marguerite.

Board of Selectmen Meeting

Monday, May 8, at 7:00 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.

Board of Selectmen Coffee with the Community

Saturday, May 27, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the New Brookfield Market & Deli located at 277 Whisconier Road. We encourage you to stop by with any questions or concerns for the Board of Selectmen.

Brookfield Memorial Day Parade

Sunday, May 28, at 2:00 p.m.

Organized by the Brookfield Lions Club

Shuttle Bus from Center School runs from 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. No parking at Brookfield High School.

Summer Hours have been established for Town Hall, Senior Center, and Parks & Recreation Department effective June 2 through September 1:

Monday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  

Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Town Offices will be closed on:

Monday, May 29 for Memorial Day

Assessor

Note to all commercial building owners: You should have received an income and expense form for the 2022 grand list in the mail. If you have not, please print one from our website. Income and expense forms are due in our office no later than June 1, or there will be a 10% penalty. 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, 2022, 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'll need a copy of your current tax return (if you're required to file) and proof of all your income, including Social Security. If you have any questions, please call our office at 203-775-7302. Elderly paperwork is due by 4:00 p.m. on May 15. Veteran applications are due by October 1.   

If you're interested in applying for a tax deferral, 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've applied before, your renewal application has to be received by May 15.

If you closed your business in town, please fill out a personal property affidavit 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.

If you disposed of a motor vehicle, please bring in or email as soon as possible a plate receipt and proof, such as a bill of sale, junk receipt, out-of-state registration, insurance letter with specific information, etc.

Public Works

The 2023 paving list has been posted. Check the list to see if your road made it this year. The list on the town website will be updated regularly as job start dates are determined. 

Tax Collector

Real Estate and Personal Property - Address Change Form

If your mailing address has changed, please complete this form on the town website.

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.

Economic Development

BLOCK PARTY ON SUNDAY, JUNE 4 from 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

May 2023 at the Brookfield Library—

Come visit us on Parade Day!

As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” Did you know that you can “check out” seed packets for flowers, herbs, and vegetables at the Brookfield Library? Introducing Brookfield Shares & Grows – our new seed library. See our website for details.

Speaking of flowers, there will be lots of flower-themed activities this month for everyone. Kids can sign up for a Mother’s Day planting activity, or make a flower with string art. Teens can plant a mini-herb garden, and adults can needle-felt some pretty flowers.

You can also support the Brookfield Library Foundation and have a great night out on the town for Mother’s Day at a Comedy Night event at the Brookfield Theatre.

Is technology your thing? The Career Coach is back teaching computer basics, or you can learn how to make a PowerPoint presentation in a two-part class.

We have storytimes, book clubs, game nights, craft programs, Oscar-winning movies, knitting clubs, and mindfulness workshops—something for all ages. Check us out here!

Lastly, while Memorial Day is often considered the unofficial start of summer, it's more importantly 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 29 - but please join visit us Sunday, May 28, for the parade. The Library lawn has historically been 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. Come grow at the Brookfield Library!

Brookfield Parks & Recreation has a new website and online registration! Web link here.

Summer Camp Registration is now open.

DEEP Boaters Safety Course on May 6

Ladies Golf League begins May 15

Senior Golf League begins May 16

The Brookfield Public Schools Superintendent’s May update on the three main points from the regular Board of Education meeting of April 5, and the Spring 2023 State of the District, is posted on the town website.

Special Announcement

Brookfield was named 2022 Tree City USA sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, honoring our commitment to effective urban forest management. Noted in the recognition was that “the trees being planted and cared for by Brookfield ensure that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life.” More information on this program is available at Tree City USA.