Town Of Fairfield: 7.2 TOWN UPDATE

Press release from the Town of Fairfield:

7/2/2021

Happy 4th of July, Fairfield!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

For 245 years, Americans have celebrated the birth of our nation on July 4th. The Declaration of Independence is a document I think every American should take the time to read at least once a year to remember the foundation of our country. You can view the text here. 

I am excited for the return of Fairfield's fireworks display this year and look forward to celebrating Independence Day with our community. Click below to see last week's email with  information on closures, traffic patterns and drop offs that will impact the process of arriving to and departing from our beaches as we celebrate Independence Day.

Due to inclement weather on Saturday, the fireworks display has been moved to Monday, July 5th. Check the local news and Town social media for further updates.  Happy 4th of July, Fairfield!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

For 245 years, Americans have celebrated the birth of our nation on July 4th. The Declaration of Independence is a document I think every American should take the time to read at least once a year to remember the foundation of our country. You can view the text  "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." here . 

I am excited for the return of Fairfield's fireworks display this year and look forward to celebrating Independence Day with our community. Click below to see last week's email with  information on closures, traffic patterns and drop offs that will impact the process of arriving to and departing from our beaches as we celebrate Independence Day.

Due to inclement weather on Saturday, the fireworks display has been moved to Monday, July 5th. Check the local news and Town  Due to inclement weather on Saturday, the fireworks display has been moved to Monday, July 5th. Check the local news and Town  social media   for further updates.  COMMUNITY NEWS 4TH ANNUAL DIAPER DRIVE
Last week, I was truly humbled at our community's generosity when so many of our residents donated diapers to families in need at my 4th Annual Diaper Drive with State Representative Laura Devlin. I want to give a shout out to the Child’s Garden, Moms of Fairfield, Connecticut, and Al DiGuido of Saugatuck Sweets Fairfield for helping make this year's drive our most successful yet! 4TH ANNUAL DIAPER DRIVE Saugatuck Sweets Fairfield GRAND OPENING
Last week I was excited to officiate the grand opening of Floor & Decor, a specialty retailer of hard-surface flooring. With their original warehouse store in Atlanta, GA, this is the first location in their nationwide expansion. Ricardo Narvaez, the store’s Chief Executive Merchant, shared that “Floor & Decor is thrilled to open their doors in Fairfield and offer unmatched service and quality flooring at unbeatable prices."  *Floor and Decor  GRAND OPENING Photography by Doing It Local TOWN OF FAIRFIED 2021 COMMEMORATIVE POSTERS TOWN GOVERNMENT TAX BILLS & REVALUATION
As you may have read from my newsletter updates over the last year, 2020 was a revaluation year for the Town of Fairfield. The Connecticut General Statutes requires each town to do a revaluation every five years. Revaluation notices were mailed the week of November 30, 2020 and updates were provided on the website throughout the process, https://www.fairfieldct.org/taxassessor. The notice mailed to you indicated the prior town assessed valuation from the 2015 revaluation and the new proposed assessed value from the 2020 revaluation.
 
The letter also provided instructions on how to schedule an informal hearing with Municipal Valuations to get more information on your valuation. There was also a process for which residents could appeal their assessment before the Board of Assessment Appeals in March. Unfortunately if you did not submit an appeal in the required time frame, set forth in the statute, you will have to wait until next year to file an appeal. You can find more information here: https://www.fairfieldct.org/assessmentappeals
 
Please know that as First Selectwoman, I have no authority to make changes to anyone's revaluation. The process is established under State statute. There is tax relief available in Town for the elderly and disabled, you can read about here: https://www.fairfieldct.org/taxrelief TAX BILLS & REVALUATION As you may have read from my newsletter updates over the last year, 2020 was a revaluation year for the Town of Fairfield. The Connecticut General Statutes requires each town to do a revaluation every five years. Revaluation notices were mailed the week of November 30, 2020 and updates were provided on the website throughout the process, https://www.fairfieldct.org/taxassessor The notice mailed to you indicated the prior town assessed valuation from the 2015 revaluation and the new proposed assessed value from the 2020 revaluation. The letter also provided instructions on how to schedule an informal hearing with Municipal Valuations to get more information on your valuation. There was also a process for which residents could appeal their assessment before the  Board of Assessment Appeals in March. Unfortunately if you did not submit an appeal in the required time frame, set forth in the statute, you will have to wait until next year to file an appeal. You can find more information here: https://www.fairfieldct.org/assessmentappeals Please know that as First Selectwoman, I have no authority to make changes to anyone's revaluation. The process is established under State statute. There is tax relief available in Town for the elderly and disabled, you can read about here: https://www.fairfieldct.org/taxrelief FILL PILE & REMEDIATION
In my June 18 newsletter, I provided an update on the remediation work happening in Town. We have made progress on several sites since then. The remediation work at Lake Mohegan, Osborne School and Southport Beach is complete. Mill Hill School is in progress and should be completed over the next week. Remediation work will then begin at McKinley School, and Jennings Beach for an area around a water line that's north of the parking lot. This work will not have an impact on residents or disrupt use of the beach. I will provide updates as we continue to make progress in the clean-up of contaminated sites.   FILL PILE & REMEDIATION
In my  FILL PILE & REMEDIATION June 18 newsletter , I provided an update on the remediation work happening in Town. We have made progress on several sites since then. The remediation work at Lake Mohegan, Osborne School and Southport Beach is complete. Mill Hill School is in progress and should be completed over the next week. Remediation work will then begin at McKinley School, and Jennings Beach for an area around a water line that's north of the parking lot. This work will not have an impact on residents or disrupt use of the beach. I will provide updates as we continue to make progress in the clean-up of contaminated sites.   BOS & RTM APPROVES POLLINATOR PATHWAY
Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen and the Representative Town Meeting have approved a resolution encouraging Town residents to become part of the Pollinator Pathway Northeast program, a voluntary program which seeks to make gardens and lawns throughout our region more protective and nurturing for the pollinator species – including bees, birds, butterflies and other pollinating insects. All of which, are so critical to maintaining a healthy and diverse environment. 

Pollination remains essential for most of the food we eat, but at the same time, many pollinator species are in decline. The decline is rooted, among other factors, in destruction and fragmentation of native habitat, diminishing native plants due to invasive species, pesticide use, and the dominance of lawns, which offer no benefits to pollinators and other wildlife.

Among the steps that residents can take to tip the balance back towards valuable pollinators are reducing your lawn size, planting native and pollinator-supporting plants, and enriching soil by avoiding pesticides and using organic yard-care practices. 

I want to thank the Fairfield Forestry Committee (FFC) and the Sustainable Fairfield Task Force (SFTF) for proposing this resolution. BOS & RTM APPROVES POLLINATOR PATHWAY BOS & RTM APPROVES POLLINATOR PATHWAY Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen and the Representative Town Meeting have approved a resolution encouraging Town residents to become part of the Pollinator Pathway Northeast program, a voluntary program which seeks to make gardens and lawns throughout our region more protective and nurturing for the pollinator species – including bees, birds, butterflies and other pollinating insects. All of which, are so critical to maintaining a healthy and diverse environment. 

Pollination remains essential for most of the food we eat, but at the same time, many pollinator species are in decline. The decline is rooted, among other factors, in destruction and fragmentation of native habitat, diminishing native plants due to invasive species, pesticide use, and the dominance of lawns, which offer no benefits to pollinators and other wildlife.

Among the steps that residents can take to tip the balance back towards valuable pollinators are reducing your lawn size, planting native and pollinator-supporting plants, and enriching soil by avoiding pesticides and using organic yard-care practices. 

I want to thank the Fairfield Forestry Committee (FFC) and the Sustainable Fairfield Task Force (SFTF) for proposing this resolution. Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen and the Representative Town Meeting have approved a  resolution  encouraging Town residents to become part of the  Pollinator Pathway Northeast  program, a voluntary program which seeks to make gardens and lawns throughout our region more protective and nurturing for the pollinator species – including bees, birds, butterflies and other pollinating insects. All of which, are so critical to maintaining a healthy and diverse environment. 

Pollination remains essential for most of the food we eat, but at the same time, many pollinator species are in decline. The decline is rooted, among other factors, in destruction and fragmentation of native habitat, diminishing native plants due to invasive species, pesticide use, and the dominance of lawns, which offer no benefits to pollinators and other wildlife.

Among the steps that residents can take to tip the balance back towards valuable pollinators are reducing your lawn size, planting native and pollinator-supporting plants, and enriching soil by avoiding pesticides and using organic yard-care practices.  I want to thank the Fairfield Forestry Committee (FFC) and the Sustainable Fairfield Task Force (SFTF) for proposing this resolution. COMMUNITY FOREST QUESTIONNAIRE
The Fairfield Forestry Committee is seeking public input, relative to updating the Town of Fairfield Community Forest Management Plan and setting priorities for managing Fairfield's "Community Forest". Please click on the link below to participate in a brief survey. COMMUNITY FOREST QUESTIONNAIRE Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. I hope you'll take some time to review additional Town information and upcoming events, including the reading of the Declaration of Independence by the Daughter's of the American Revolution (DAR) on the 3rd of July and the Pequot Library's Annual 4th of July Bike Parade and Lawn Games, by scrolling below. 

Happy 4th! I hope you'll take some time to review additional Town information and upcoming events, including the reading of the Declaration of Independence by the Daughter's of the American Revolution (DAR) on the 3rd of July and the Pequot Library's Annual 4th of July Bike Parade and Lawn Games, by scrolling below. 

Happy 4th!
Brenda L. Kupchick
Fairfield First Selectwoman Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. Scrolling below you can find additional events, information and resources organized by the following categories: Community Events
Town Events
July Updates
Town Services 
Community Resources Community Events
Town Events Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. COMMUNITY EVENTS COMMUNITY EVENTS DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE  PEQUOT LIBRARY'S ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY BIKE PARADE AND LAWN GAMES
July 4 from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM starting at the Five Corners in Southport Village. Bring your decorated bikes, scooters, and wagons, and celebrate Independence Day with us! For more information, click  PEQUOT LIBRARY'S ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY BIKE PARADE AND LAWN GAMES here here . . CPR/AED TRAINING FOR THE LAY PERSON here ANNUAL SIDEWALK SALE & STREET FAIR  FAIRFIELD FARMER'S MARKET FAIRFIELD POLICE SUNSET 5K FAIRFIELD POLICE SUNSET 5K July 21 at 6:30 PM... Details  HERE HERE UPCOMING TOWN EVENTS Friday July 2, 2021 at 7:00pm – Comedy Night at Penfield Pavilion
Saturday July 3, 2021 at 9:15pm – Independence Day Fireworks Show
Sunday July 4, 2021 at 10:00am– Farmers Market at Sherman Green
*Monday July 5, 2021 at 9:15pm – Independence Day Fireworks Show Raindate
Wednesday July 7, 2021 at 10:15am – Peanut Butter Jam featuring Les Julian
Wednesday July 7, 2021 at 6:30pm – Concert at Sherman Green featuring The 5 O’Clocks
Thursday July 8, 2021 at 6:30pm – Concert at Sherman Green featuring Back Beat
 Friday July 9, 2021 at 6:30pm – Sand Jam Movie Night featuring The Croods
Saturday July 10, 2021 at 6:30pm – Concert at Sherman Green featuring The Cameos
Sunday July 11, 2021 at 10:00am– Farmers Market at Sherman Green
Sunday July 11, 2021 at 5:00pm – S’mores Sunday at Lake Mohegan
Sunday July 11, 2021 at 6:30pm – Concert at Sherman Green featuring Steve D’Agostino
Wednesday July 14, 2021 at 10:15am – Peanut Butter Jam featuring Ryan Sanangelo
Thursday July 15, 2021 at 6:30pm – Concert at Sherman Green featuring 1 Stop Pony Comedy Night at Penfield Pavilion Independence Day Fireworks Show Farmers Market at Sherman Green Independence Day Fireworks Show Raindate Peanut Butter Jam featuring Les Julian Concert at Sherman Green featuring The 5 O’Clocks Concert at Sherman Green featuring Back Beat Sand Jam Movie Night featuring The Croods Concert at Sherman Green featuring The Cameos Farmers Market at Sherman Green S’mores Sunday at Lake Mohegan Concert at Sherman Green featuring Steve D’Agostino Peanut Butter Jam featuring Ryan Sanangelo Concert at Sherman Green featuring 1 Stop Pony Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. JULY UPDATES JULY UPDATES Last week, for the third year in a row, the Town of Fairfield raised the pride flag in front of Town Hall, which serves as a reminder that our community will stand against discrimination of any kind. BIRD FEEDING HAULT FOR SUMMER late March through November Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. TOWN SERVICES TOWN SERVICES TOWN SERVICES TOWN SERVICES RENTERS REBATE PROGRAM RENTERS REBATE PROGRAM Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. PROPERTY TAX BILLS | A Message from the Tax Collector Property Tax Bills were mailed out on June 25th June 25 th th The 2020 Grand List property tax bills that become due on July 1, 2021 will be mailed out on Friday, June 25th. The Tax Office is open to the public and no appointment is necessary. Once the bills are mailed, you may also look up your bill and pay online by visiting  . Payments with an original bill coupon can also be made at any People's United Bank location, beginning Thursday, July 1st. You do not need to be a customer. 

Please note that according to State Statute, tax payments are due July 1st with a grace period until August 2nd. Interest begins to accrue on Tuesday, August 3rd at a rate of 1 1/2% per month, dating back to July 1, 2021.

Click here to read Frequently Asked Questions regarding tax payments.

2021 BEACH STICKERS  RENEW DOG LICENSING st  st Renewals are now available online. To apply for the license by mail, send the required certificates to Betsy Browne, Town Clerk, 611 Old Post Road, Fairfield CT 06824, along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope. https://www.fairfieldct.org/doglicense  https://www.fairfieldct.org/doglicense HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY The Town is updating its 2014 Housing Plan and 2016 Plan of Conservation and Development - both of which look at the current and anticipated future housing needs in Fairfield. The survey is an opportunity for Fairfield residents to provide input about their housing experiences and feedback about housing options that Fairfield might consider. I hope you will take 5-7 minutes to complete the survey which can be found here.   BIGELOW CENTER FOR SENIOR ACTIVITIES Reopening date – Monday, July 12th!! Click here to view the Reopening Packet. Please note the important changes taking place with the reopening and registration process.  There will be priority registration for Fairfield residents and you must pre-register for ALL classes, activities and events—unfortunately, no walk-ins at this time.  We can’t wait to see everyone. Safety for all members, our staff and instructors is a priority!    
 
Please click here for the July Newsletter.  Registration for Fairfield Residents Only for classes and activities begins on Monday, June 21st at 9:00am.  Registration for non-residents begins on Monday, June 28th at 9:00am.
 
Bigelow Center for Senior Activities Membership – Did you know that you have to renew your membership EVERY year?  The 2021/2022 Bigelow Center Membership renewal is underway and the form is now online!  Forms can be completed and submitted online via the town website. https://www.fairfieldct.org/bigelow/membership. Paper copies are also be available for pick up at the Bigelow Center.
 
The Bigelow Center for Senior Activities welcomes Jennifer Henry as our new Activities Coordinator!  Jennifer is a lifelong CT resident with experiences in event planning and world class travel, preschool teacher and a mom of three girls.  We are thrilled to have her as part of our team! Reopening date – Monday, July 12th!! th Fairfield Residents Only st th Bigelow Center for Senior Activities Membership th 2021 Summer Reading Challenge for ALL ages, children, teens and adults! FPL 30 Day Sketch Challenge! Fairfield Public Library continues to offer 24/7 access to their digital collection of books, music, magazines, movies and databases.  Visit the Library Event Calendar to find a wide and varied assortment of Library Programs.

Updates are shared via our website, newsletter and social media. Fairfield Public Library continues to offer 24/7 access to their digital collection of books, music, magazines, movies and databases.  Visit the Library Event Calendar to find a wide and varied assortment of Library Programs.

Updates are shared via our website, newsletter and social media. (203) 290-4255 (203) 290-4255 one –  John James Audubon's  A Return to Pequot Library Outside of browsing hours, enjoy digital programs like story times, author talks, book clubs, and more! Get details on our website and social media:  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Sign up for Pequot Library's Digital Digest eNewsletter or contact our Chief Librarian for personalized book recommendations. COMMUNITY RESOURCES Behind in your rent or mortgage? Struggling to make ends meet? RECYCLING DO'S AND DONT'S | SUSTAINABLE FAIRFIELD TASK FORCE
Fairfield pays close to $700,000.00 a year for our recycling programs, but a lot of our Town recycling is contaminated - in other words there are multiple items in the blue bins that CAN NOT Be recycled. Our recycling processor says that close to 25% of our recycling is contaminated - sometimes it is as simple as residents putting their recycling into plastic bags (which the processor then treats as waste even though the materials inside might be good recycling containers).
 
Learn More: RECYCLING DO'S AND DONT'S | SUSTAINABLE FAIRFIELD TASK FORCE Learn More: Do's and Don'ts of Recycling
What else can be recycled in Fairfield? Do's and Don'ts of Recycling What else can be recycled in Fairfield? FAIRFIELD BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE  FAIRFIELD BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE  The Town of Fairfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee has been working to encourage walking and biking for transportation, recreation, exercise and quality of life.

Working with multiple town departments we have established bicycle routes, installed bicycle repair stations, worked to improve pedestrian infrastructure, and authored the Town of Fairfield Complete Streets Policy (approved by the Board of Selectman in 2018).

With more and more of our citizens using our roads, we would like to provide you with some important safety reminders for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. View the document here. bicycle routes bicycle repair stations With more and more of our citizens using our roads, we would like to provide you with some important safety reminders for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. View the document here. GET INVOLVED! TOWN BOARD AND COMMISSION VACANCIES You can also visit our Boards and Commissions page to learn more about roles and responsibilities: https://fairfieldct.org/boards

Interested in giving back to our community? Want to have a voice in shaping Fairfield?  The Town relies on the hard work of citizen volunteers who are appointed to provide guidance and governance on various Boards and Commissions.  The list of vacancies for Boards and Commissions are on the Town Website.  Be sure to check back often as the list is updated as positions become available: https://fairfieldct.org/vacancies To learn about the application process, please click here: https://fairfieldct.org/appointmentprocess https://fairfieldct.org/appointmentprocess Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. Can't see the table below? Click here to view the original story. EMERGENCY ALERTS | WHEN IT MATTERS MOST  Get alerted about emergencies and other important community news from the Town of Fairfield, CT by signing up for the Fairfield Alert system. This system enables us to quickly provide you with critical information in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods and other emergency situations. You will receive time-sensitive messages wherever you specify, such as your home, mobile or business phones, email address, text messages and more. You pick where, you pick how!

If you were previously registered with us on the CodeRed system, you must sign-up again by following the instructions below, in order to continue receiving Emergency and Community alerts from the Town of Fairfield.

How to sign up? Click here.                                        PREVIOUS UPDATES: Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive my update directly here

This press release was produced by the Town of Fairfield. The views expressed here are the author’s own.