April 2024

Two weeks ago, the school systems, our town, and our staff were targeted with an email threat sent through anonymous servers telling the town that bombs had been placed in our schools, town buildings, and private residences of some town and school employees. We immediately activated our emergency response team and decided to close our schools and town buildings for the day while the threat was assessed. Brookfield police and the local police departments where staff live inspected our buildings and staff residences.

State and Federal authorities were notified of the threats and assessed that they were not credible. The State declined to send personnel and bomb-sniffing dogs because of their assessment. When the State or Federal authorities deem a threat non-credible, it means that they believe there is no imminent threat to the community and they will take no further action.

Brookfield, with an abundance of caution, brought in bomb-sniffing dogs from another authority and our police and staff reviewed extensive video for any suspicious activities. We found no suspicious activity, packages, or anything else that might cause alarm. We continued to receive threats in the following days, and we continued to maintain an enhanced police presence. Our Police department will continue to investigate these threats and bring those responsible for them to justice.

This activity is despicable and should be condemned by all. We, as a town, will continue to take all steps necessary to keep our town safe, but we will not buckle under these threats and give those misguided people what they want - notoriety in the press along with the closure and shutdown of our institutions.

Going forward, if faced with similar threats, our first actions will be to keep our children and residents safe. We will not allow these criminals to create false chaos in our town.

Unfortunately, many of the threats targeting Brookfield were also sent to hundreds of colleges, universities, and other locations. We face thousands of these types of threats as a nation, and while we will never take them for granted, we will never allow them to dictate how we live.

Stephen C. Dunn

First Selectman

Board of Selectmen Meeting

Monday, April 1, 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.

Special Town Meeting

Wednesday, April 3, at 7 p.m. at the Brookfield High School Auditorium to discuss and consider a resolution (a) authorizing an appropriation of $3,335,613 to fund the costs of the Town’s capital expenses for the fiscal year 2024-25, (b) authorizing the transfer of surplus amounts in the amount of $976,713 from fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 to the capital and nonrecurring fund to be used to finance the 2024-25 Capital Projects, (c) authorizing the First Selectman and the Treasurer to determine the amount, date, interest rates (taxable or tax-exempt), maturities (subject to the limits set forth in the General Statutes), form and other details of the bonds, notes or leases, as applicable; to sell the bonds, notes or leases at public or private sale; to deliver the bonds, notes or leases; and to perform all other acts which are necessary or appropriate to issue the bonds, notes or leases, and to reduce the scope of the 2024-25 Capital Projects and spend the entire amount of the appropriation on such 2024-25 Capital Projects as so reduced in scope if such 2024-25 Capital Projects cannot be completed for the amount appropriated; and (d) authorizing the First Selectman, the Treasurer and other proper officers of the Town to apply for and accept federal and State grants to defray said appropriation and enter into any grant agreements for the accomplishment of the 2024-25 Capital Projects and to take all other action which is necessary or desirable to complete the 2024-25 Capital Projects.

Board of Finance

Public Hearing on the Proposed FY 2024-25 Town Budget

Wednesday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the Brookfield High School Auditorium.

Coffee with the Community

*This event is scheduled on the last Saturday of the month unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Angel's Deli located at 470 Federal Road

National Volunteer Week

April 21 - 27

“SHINING A LIGHT ON THE PEOPLE AND CAUSES THAT INSPIRE US TO SERVE”

It is time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service. We thank our Brookfield volunteers who generously participate in town government on boards and commissions, support our youth and adult sports activities, support the Brookfield Food Pantry, work with local non-profits, and serve as EMTs and firefighters.

If you're interested in volunteering your time and talent, please call the First Selectman’s office at 203-775-7301. And be sure to read below for some new opportunities to engage with our community and neighbors!

FISH

Friends In Service Here is sponsored by the Brookfield Commission on Aging. We organize volunteers to drive Brookfield seniors who need rides to doctor and dentist appointments, physical therapy, lab work and medical tests. There is a growing need for rides as our population is aging. We currently have about 8 active drivers making two trips per month, but need more volunteers. We have some clients who need ongoing treatments once or twice a week and others who only need a ride now and then.

If you are interested in helping Brookfield seniors, please call the FISH LINE at 203-616-9678 for more information.  

TOWN CLERK

Visit the Town Clerk’s website for information on the 2024 Presidential Preference Primary.

PUBLIC WORKS

NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS

Intent to Lien Notices

Real Estate Intent to Lien Notices will be mailed to taxpayers who still owe on the 2022 Grand List.  Please pay your taxes to avoid having a lien placed on your property.

July 2024 Billing

If your Real Estate taxes are escrowed, the bank will request your Real Estate bill. If you changed banks or paid off your mortgage, please contact the Tax Office to inform us of your current mailing address.

If you have sold or disposed of a car, please give the required documentation to the Assessor’s office. If you have transferred your registration to a new car, you do not need to contact the Assessor.

Call or email the office if you have any questions at tax@brookfieldct.gov or 203-775-7304.

TOWN ASSESSOR

Note to all commercial/Industrial building/Condo/Landowners:

You will be mailed an Income and Expense Form for the 2023 grand list in early April. If you don’t receive your form by April 15, please print one from our website (scroll to the bottom of the page). Income and expense forms must be mailed via USPS or dropped off at our office no later than June 1, 2024, or there will be a 10% penalty. If you need an extension, please email the Assessor.

Please note the following:

• If you own an apartment building, you must include a rent roll (list of all tenants, their apartment numbers, and the date they began their lease for the 2023 year).
• If you own vacant land and are not renting your land, please write 'vacant' - sign and return the form.
• If your building is "owner-occupied," please fill in the expenses, write “owner-occupied" on the income line, and sign and return the form.
• All others must fill out the complete form.

New legislation goes into effect this year as the penalties will be added to the July 1, 2024 bill for the 2023 income and expense form, as well as the penalties from the 2022 form from the previous legislation. Please try to get them in - especially if you have not done so in the past - to avoid a double penalty.

• If you are 65 or older as of December 31, 2023, and own your home, you may be eligible for a senior state or local tax relief benefit.
• If you are a veteran who served during wartime, you may be eligible for a state or town tax benefit.

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 on the town website. Please remember that when applying, we will need a copy of your tax return and proof of all your income, including Social Security. Please bring all your paperwork into our office and we will make any copies you need.

If you have any questions, please call our office at 203-775-7302.

Open Burning Regulations

With the arrival of Spring, many of us have already begun to clean our yards of brush and debris. This is also the time of year our office receives many calls with questions regarding the open burning policies.

Open burning is limited to the burning of brush only. Brush is defined as shrubs, vegetation, or pruning debris, the diameter of which is not greater than three inches at the widest point.  

Open burning is NOT allowed:

• to clear land before construction activities
• as a means to dispose of construction debris, household trash, or leaves
• if the Air Quality Index (AQI) is forecasted to be 100 or higher anywhere in the state (https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Air/Forecasting/AQI/Air-Quality-Index)
• if the Forest Fire Danger Index is rated High, Very High, or Extreme (https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Forestry/Forest-Fire/Forest-Fire-Danger-Report)
• if national or state ambient air quality standards may be exceeded
• if a hazardous health condition might be created
• if there is an advisory from DEEP of any air pollution episode
• where prohibited by an ordinance of the municipality
• if directed by any member of the town Fire Marshal's office, Officer of the Fire Department, designated Municipal Official responsible for enforcing the open burning laws and ordinances, or any official of the Health Department or DEEP.

Visit https://brookfieldct.seamlessdocs.com/f/ResidentialBurn to obtain a Burn permit or visit the Fire Marshal’s Office at Town Hall.

The following DOES NOT require a burn permit; however, you are restricted to burning only non-processed wood. Non-processed wood is considered to be any untreated, natural wood up to and including rough-cut lumber. 

• Campfires
• Firepits
• Chimeneas

You should NOT burn wood pallets, construction debris, painted wood, stained/treated wood, or garbage in a campfire/bonfire, fire pit, chimenea, or other similar device.

For additional fire safety information, contact the Brookfield Fire Marshal's Office at (203) 775-7306, or email fire@brookfieldct.gov. 

Be sure to follow us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/BrookfieldFMO

Registration for Spring and Summer programs and events begins on April 1.  Details for all programs, events, and happenings can be found at www.brookfieldparksandrec.com.

The First Annual Brookfield Town-Wide Tag Sale will take place on May 4. Click here for details and registration.

Below are the Three Main Points from the regular Board of Education meeting on March 20, 2024:

1.   ParentSquare: Eric Conklin, Director of Technology, shared the introductory video that was emailed to parents on March 20th. You can watch that here to learn more: https://vimeo.com/392768203/fa21a5c85d?share=copy

• ParentSquare will replace SchoolMessenger, Talking Points, MeetTheTeacher, Panorama, Remind, and ClassTag.
• PikMyKid app will continue to be used at CLES for parent pick-up.
• PowerSchool will sync to ParentSquare automatically.
• Digital Locker will remain in PowerSchool for document upload.
• In conjunction with the new ParentSquare app, Brookfield Public Schools will also implement a new district website, so anything posted in the ParentSquare app will also be posted on the website because they are connected.
• ParentSquare has capacity for over 100 languages, but will not be required for parents to use. Everything can be accessed through the new website if a parent prefers not to join ParentSquare.
• Presentations have been made to staff at Whisconier Middle School and Candlewood Lake Elementary, and will be upcoming at BHS.
• Although the app was rolled out to parents on Wednesday, 3/20, and several have already signed up to start, the app is currently in soft launch mode with “go live” set for July 1st.
• Conversion for the transition has begun and will continue until “go live,” also in July.
• Parent training sessions will be offered in August in person and virtually.
• As previously reported, the budget impact for this year is a savings of $10,607.60 - with additional savings to next year’s budget.
• Other districts in Fairfield County and around the state have been using the app for some time and have found it very successful.

ParentSquare presentation to BOE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_NGUJRldIb1exfgsr7SWq3XM0SGsyWBGIENb4hX3_3I/edit?usp=sharing

ParentSquare Introductory letter to parents: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_NGUJRldIb1exfgsr7SWq3XM0SGsyWBGIENb4hX3_3I/edit?usp=sharing

2.   Budget: Updates from the Finance Subcommittee and Dr. Barile

• Mrs. Diotte summarized and the committee reviewed the February Financial report which detailed a projected net budget shortfall of approximately $615,000. The change from the previous month’s report (+$127,000) was due to two new outplaced students with special needs and changes to another student’s special needs professional services.
• Most of the Board’s budgetary shortfall is due to the unbudgeted costs related to special education. The Boards of Finance, Selectmen, and Education had previously established a budgeting strategy that removes all contingency for special education costs from the BOE budget, with assurances that budgetary shortfalls in this area will be funded with town appropriations at the end of each fiscal year, if necessary.
• Another large portion of the Board’s budgetary shortfall this year is due to unrealized savings in teacher turnover. Each year, the town and BOE budgeting approach is to add a negative contingency of $200,000 that assumes savings due to the cost difference between retiring teachers and the replacement new hires. The current budget reflects no savings from this turnover and instead reflects an unbudgeted increase in salaries of approximately $25,250.
• The Board of Finance met and asked for a further reduction of $153,000 totaling $728,000. 
• The principals and central office administration have already met to start discussions on cost-cutting measures and will bring their recommendations to the next BOE meeting.

3.   School Safety: Dr Barile updated the Board that the March 8th bomb threat and various swatting threats are still under investigation by detectives. There is no information currently available as to the origin. The district has the safety of our students and schools at the forefront of everything we are doing right now, starting with extra police officers patrolling each school throughout the day, specifically at drop-off and pick-up. Our Resource Officers are reviewing camera footage each day and regularly walking through the school to ensure the safety of our students. The public must understand the role of the Board of Education and its members. The Board does not take an operational role in the district. Daily operations are the responsibility of the administration at each school and central office team. We have all been affected and share the concerns of parents, teachers, and school staff, but all questions about the bomb threat investigation need to be directed to the police department.

A note from Dr. Barile re: BUDGET UPDATE

On Monday, March 18th, the Board of Finance approved the Town’s General Fund Budget for the public's consideration at the upcoming May referendum. Included in this budget are operating expenditures for the Board of Education of $52,896,597 and capital expenditures for Brookfield High School and Whisconier Middle School of $2,305,000. Throughout the budget process, the Board of Education’s adopted budget has been cut by a total of $728,038; the Board of Selectmen approved an initial cut of $575,000, and the Board of Finance approved an additional cut of $153,038. Currently, District leaders have identified approximately $508,000 in feasible reductions, and are evaluating further operational and cost savings measures to achieve the additional $220,038 in budget cuts required. Any cuts to the Board of Education budget will be developed by central office administration in collaboration with the school principals and then recommended by the Superintendent to the Board of Education for final approval. I anticipate that we'll discuss these additional budget cuts at the April 10th Board of Education meeting.

The Town Hearing for the Town Budget (inclusive of the BOE budget) is scheduled for Wednesday, April 3rd, 7:30 p.m. at the BHS auditorium. As required by the Town's charter, there will be a Town referendum for residents to vote on the budget in May.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESTRUCTURE

As we evaluated our budget to ensure alignment of human and capital assets with the needs of the District, we recognized two important areas where we could streamline and consolidate services.

School District Human Resources:

The Board of Education recently approved a plan to restructure the Human Resources Department. In this reorganization, we have reallocated certain responsibilities to the HR Supervisor position and consolidated two coordinator positions into one full-time HR & Benefits Coordinator position, which we believe best serves the needs of our staff and organization. Additionally, this important reorganization results in an overall budget savings of approximately $53,000.

Technology Department:

The Board of Selectmen and Board of Education have worked collaboratively over the last several months to assess the critical needs of technology across the Town and District to determine where any cost-sharing opportunities may be prudent. To that end, the Board of Finance’s approved General Fund Budget for the public’s consideration includes funding to consolidate technology leadership across the Town and School District. As part of this plan, the Town and District will share the cost related to this expanded Director of Technology position; 80% allocated to the Board of Education budget, 20% allocated to the Town budget. To ensure continuity of the services currently provided to the District by the District’s Director of Technology, this plan also includes the addition of a part-time IT Support Specialist position which will be shared equally by the Town and School District.

This plan is budget-neutral to the Board of Education budget and provides greater support, redundancy of services, and security across Town-wide IT infrastructure. We are pleased to collaborate with the Town in this important area.

Thank you for your continued support.

Kind regards,

Dr. John W. Barile 

To view the Annual State of the District please visit: https://www.brookfield.k12.ct.us/district/news/state-district-march-2024

Brookfield Library

April 2024 at the Brookfield Library



We're welcoming Spring with a full slate of programs, book discussions, and activities for patrons of all ages at the Brookfield Library in April!

Check out our Events Calendar for details here.



Highlights include an informative program about hospice care, a children’s STEAM program, a teen jewelry-making event related to the solar eclipse, an Oreo cookie-tasting program, an inspiring author visit, tons of adult crafts, poetry events, and more!

Join us for an afternoon showing of Wonka on April 7 at 1:00 p.m.

Stop by while we celebrate National Library Week (April 7–13) for refreshments and fun staff events.

Springtime story hours commence on April 22!  There will also be a special Lorax storytime and craft on April 27^th in honor of Earth Day.

We look forward to seeing you in April.

Please call us at 203-775-6241, or check our website for the latest details.





Town Hall Art Exhibit

The current exhibit in Town Hall features the art of Sandra Cointreau. 

Come by Town Hall to check out her art! This exhibit will continue until early April.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Caregiver Support Group

Monday, April 29 at 11:00 a.m.

This confidential group will meet on the last Monday of each month at 11:00 a.m. These groups are a safe place for caregivers and loved ones of people with dementia to exchange information, share feelings, and develop a support system.



Call the Senior Center at 203-775-5308 for more information.

GEARING UP FOR SPRING CLEANING?

April 6 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 the HRRA website to see a full list of items and dates.  



For more information call 203.775.4539 or email info@hrra.org and visit www.HRRA.org.