MAY IN NEW FAIRFIELD

The beautiful colors of spring are visible everywhere you look! The flowers and trees are in magnificent bloom, the bees are buzzing and the birds are busy building their nests – all is comfortingly as it should be.

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New Fairfield's Adjourned Annual Town Meeting Referendum will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

All voting will be held at the New Fairfield Senior Center at 33 CT-Route 37.

A Note from New Fairfield's Town Clerk regarding voting and absentee ballots:

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From the Desk of the First Selectman

Monday, May 25th

We honor all of those who served and sacrificed for our country to fight for and maintain the freedoms that we all enjoy. We thank them every day. Each year, we come together at many events on Memorial Day to honor them jointly.

The National Moment of Remembrance began as a way for us to take a moment, at 3:00 p.m., on Memorial Day, to reflect and remember in our own personal way.

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New Fairfield Memorial Day Ceremony

Monday, May 25th

Veterans Memorial Park

11:00 a.m.

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Town Buildings will be closed on Monday, May 25th in honor of the holiday

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Town Litter Clean Up

May 2nd

Public Works will be cleaning up litter around Town Center on May 2nd. In addition, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Senior Center, they will be handing out garbage bags for residents to pick up litter around Town and their neighborhood and bring the filled bag(s) back to them at the Senior Center.

Please wear gloves and, also, bright colors if you will be picking up garbage in the street – AND PLEASE BE SURE TO WATCH YOUR CHILDREN!!

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Food Scrap Recycling Program is Coming to New Fairfield

The Program kick off and ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on May 2nd at 9:30 a.m. at the Senior Center.

Did you know that the single largest component of solid waste sent to incinerators and landfills is food waste? With nearly 33% of CT’s waste stream consisting of organic materials, there is significant potential to reduce, reuse, and divert a substantial portion of food and organic waste materials from CT’s MSW stream. New Fairfield has installed a “Smart Bin” to provide a more convenient option for dropping off organic waste (food scraps). The purpose is to create easy and convenient opportunities for residents to participate in reducing their waste by removing food scraps. The program will kick off on Saturday, May 2 at the Senior Center. You can read more about how the program works by visiting www.hrra.org and clicking on “New Food Scraps SMART BINS” on the left side of the page under “Current Interest.”

You must have an annual transfer station permit as a PERMIT IS REQUIRED to participate.

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From Western CT Coalition's Underage Nicotine Prevention Program

As we wind down Earth Month, we are raising awareness about Vape Waste. E-cigarettes cannot be thrown in the regular trash and proper disposal is problematic. Read more in this infographic from the CT Vaping Unveiled Workgroup. Kathy Hanley, Underage Nicotine Prevention Program Manager is happy to answer questions- khanley@wctcoalition.org

Everbridge Alert System

In 2024, the Town moved from Alert Now to Everbridge for town wide emergency alerts. Unfortunately, we have become aware that most contact information did not transfer properly from the old system to the new one. As a result, we are only reaching about 700 contacts with each message sent, compared to about 5,000 contacts reached with Alert Now. The Town’s ability to communicate information about weather, shelter and storm recovery to our residents is critical. If you have not already signed up for Everbridge, please go to www.newfairfield.org and click on the “Sign up for Emergency Alerts” button on the homepage. (Tip: to view the desktop version of the website on your mobile device, turn your device to the horizontal position).

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PLANNING UNDERWAY TO CELEBRATE THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Plans are being put together for local activities highlighting the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Along with an enhanced Fourth of July parade sponsored by the Lion’s Club, local community groups are working together on a program of events focusing on customs and history of the era.

As part of the celebration, the Town is making plans for a time capsule and is soliciting ideas for what items to include in it. If you have suggestions of what items reflecting on New Fairfield in 2026, please send them to Jgreen@newfairfieldct.gov by June 15.

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From the Town Clerks Office - Property Alert System

Property Alert System

The New Fairfield Town Clerk is now offering a property alert notification system through the Town’s land records vendor, RECORDhub. The service, called PropertyCheck, allows residents to sign up on the RECORDhub website to receive notifications when official documents are recorded on their property. Residents can activate alerts based on their name. There is no cost to participate.

To sign up:

-Set up an account with RECORDhub. Existing account holders sign into your account.

-After registration, click on “Search Sites” and choose New Fairfield.

-Click “Create Notification” under PropertyCheck.

-RECORDhub recommends setting up multiple alerts based on first, middle and last name variations and on a spouse’s name, to be sure that an alert will be triggered in case a recording happens with some kind of slight variation.

For questions or assistance, please email townclerk@newfairfieldct.gov.

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New Fairfield Veterans Association

The New Fairfield Veterans Association will be holding several events in the coming weeks:

-Saturday, May 2nd - The Veterans will collect your unserviceable US flags at two locations: Stop & Shop and Johnny's Market from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

-Saturday, May 9th - the New Fairfield Veterans Association, with the help of the local Scouts, will place flags at the gravesites of Veterans at four local cemeteries. If you have a family member at Mountain View, Beaver Bog, Gerow or Milltown Cemetery, you are welcome to participate. The rain date is May 16th.

-The New Fairfield Veterans Association will participate in a Memorial Day Parade in Bethel on Sunday, May 17th.

The New Fairfield Veterans Association is incorporated by the State of CT and is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

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The State of Connecticut and the Town of New Fairfield provide tax relief programs for the elderly, disabled and Veterans/Active Duty Military. New Fairfield homeowners must meet income requirements to qualify for tax relief. The deadline for both State and Town programs is May 15. The Town also administers a tax DEFERRAL program available to homeowners who qualify by income. The deferral allows you to defer up to 50% of your taxes left owed, AFTER you receive any credits on other State and Municipal Programs. Deferred taxes must eventually be paid back.

Veterans who have been honorably discharged and have served during an active war period are eligible for an assessment reduction regardless of age. To receive any benefits, a DD-214 (discharge paperwork) must be filed with the Town Clerk’s Office by October 1. The basic exemption is a $6,000 assessment reduction and will be applied for the next July 1 tax bill. There is no application for this exemption and the exemption may be applied to the residence or, if no home is owned, a motor vehicle. The amount of the exemption increases if the Veteran is disabled. In this case, the most current VA disability rating letter should be brought to the Assessor at the time you file your DD-214 or at any time afterwards.

Details and application forms can be found on the Town website, www.newfairfield.org, by clicking on “Municipal Departments” and “Assessor.” If you need more information, or prefer to discuss your options with the Assessor directly, you may visit the Assessor’s office in Town Hall or give them a call at 203-312-5625.

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Mental Health Month 2026: More Good Days, Together!

Mental Health America founded Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949 and has led the effort every May to promote mental wellness nationwide. This year’s theme — More Good Days, Together — encourages us all to reflect on what a “good” day looks like, both for ourselves, and for our communities. Together, we can use that insight to connect people to the right support at the right time, and shape advocacy, education, and community engagement to make more good days possible for all. To learn more visit https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month/.

Attached is a journal prompt handout with ideas for reflecting on thoughts and emotions this month and all year long! Happy Mental Health from New Fairfield Together in Wellness and the Suicide Information Network.

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Mardi Gras in May!

Saturday, May 16th

2:30 p.m. – The Mardi Gras Parade begins at the Senior Center and proceeds to Town Hall

4:00 p.m. – Sip & Stroll begins - you can pre-register for this event

Feel free to dress in your Mardi Gras finest!

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MORE INFORMATION FROM PARKS & RECREATION

*TOWN PARK/BEACH*

The New Fairfield Town Park/Beach opens Memorial Day weekend for weekends only through June 14th. Starting June 20th, the Town Park/Beach will be open Sunday through Saturday 11-6p.m., weather permitting (check the NF Town Beach FB page for updates). Beach passes are available for purchase online @ https://ctnewfairfieldweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/ or at the Town Park/Beach located at 180 Route 39.

   

*SUMMER CAMPS*

This summer, a variety of summer camps are being offered by the P&R Dept. Information is available online at https://www.newfairfield.org/municipal-departments/services/parks-and-recreation

*BOAT PARADE/WATERSKI SHOW AND OTHER FUN EVENTS*

Please check the P&R webpage for more information about upcoming camps, events, and summer concerts. Save the date for the Illuminated Boat Parade and Waterski Show on July 10th, rain date July 11th.

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Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Newtown Public Works – 4 Turkey Hill Road

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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Water Test Day

The New Fairfield Water Pollution Control Authority will be holding its Water Test Day on Saturday, May 16th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in front of Stop & Shop.

The price remains the same as last year at $60. A few test kits will be available at Town Hall a couple of days prior to May 16th. Otherwise, you can pick up the test kit at Stop and Shop on the morning of May 16th.

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At the New Fairfield Senior Center:

Pearls from Carol: Wednesday, May 13 at 1:30 a.m.

Carol Ruggiero belonged to a writing group in Milford, CT for over twenty years. Upon her passing, her devoted husband, Albert Ruggiero, felt her writing deserved a bigger audience, so he published a collection of her work in Pearls from Carol. Join him to hear about Carol’s life and her short, funny, and thought provoking stories, poems, and essays. Al guarantees laughs and tears. Call 203-312-5665 or stop by to reserve your seat.

Line Dancing Demo Class - FREE: Tuesday, May 12 at 11:00

Coleen Krempel will be leading a 6-week Line Dancing class at 11:00 a.m. beginning May 19th. Before committing to the 6-week paid class, you can try the demo class for free. Line Dancing is good for your brain and your balance, and it makes you a lot more fun at parties!

You can see all of the wonderful programs the Senior Center offers on their website: www.newfairfieldseniorcenter.org or click below:

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Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy & CT Audubon Society New Fairfield Event

May 16th from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

To see other Northwest Land Conservancy Events, go to: https://ctland.org/events/

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Western CT Coalition Training Classes

Naloxone Overdose Prevention Training & QPR Suicide Prevention Training

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HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE UPDATE

At the April HOC meeting, two leaders in Work Force Housing from the Salisbury and Washington Housing Trusts shared their wisdom building housing that is affordable for young families, downsizing seniors, starting teachers, volunteer firefighters and service workers. In other words, housing for persons who contribute vibrancy and skills to a community day in and day out.

Here in New Fairfield, we are hoping to address the need for Work Force Housing, too. Our Housing Affordability Plan’s (HAP) first goal is to support our NF Housing Trust, which is in the process of being reinvigorated. A housing trust is the engine through which housing that is affordable can be built. Yet, it is no easy task; from land to architecture, it all requires generosity of town residents, whether weekend or permanent residents in whatever capacity skills can be brought to the table. There are important ways a resident can contribute to supporting the viability of New Fairfield:

1. Join the NF Housing Trust as a member or as a Friend of the Trust by sharing your talents. The Housing Trust meets on the first Wednesday of the odd months @ 7:30 p.m. in person at the NF Senior Center. The next meeting will be on May 6. Contact Kathleen DiTullio (mkathleen.ditullio@gmail.com) for details.

2. Attend the HOC meetings the first Tuesday of every month @ 7:30 p.m. over zoom to be informed (https:www.newfairfieldct.gov) . The zoom link is on the HOC agenda under the Housing Opportunities Committee. Communication regarding potential changes is critical to creating the housing that reflects the needs of our town.

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To reserve a parking pass, visit www.reserveamerica.com or click below:

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Western CT Council of Governments (WestCOG) is asking that you take this survey, by scanning the QR code or clicking the button below, to help support their work in hazard resilience planning.

While Connecticut has enjoyed a period of relative calm over the last five years, the tropical systems of 2021 (Elsa, Fred, Henri, and Ida) and the severe flood of August 2024 were reminders of the risks posed by natural disasters. The region’s communities have shared in the development and adoption of a “natural hazard mitigation plan” for two decades, with updates incorporated every five years.

WestCOG is performing resilience planning to inform future hazard mitigation plans. Efforts will lead to mitigation actions that can be taken to reduce losses of property and life due to natural disasters like floods, severe wind events, winter storms, wildfires, droughts, extreme heat events, and earthquakes.

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4th of July Parade

Plan on being at the July 4th Parade this year to celebrate America's 250th Birthday – either to be a spectator or parade participant!

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Library Newsletter

The Library has its own newsletter and you can subscribe to it here:

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Senior Center

Take a look at the Senior Center's beautiful website where you can find out about programs, events and all that the New Fairfield Senior Center offers, as well as their newsletter:

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Events Calendar

Town events can be found on our Events Calendar. If you have a Not-for-Profit fundraising event to be held in town — please send the information and flyer to be included on the Events Calendar to: jgreen@newfairfieldct.gov.

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Meetings Calendar

The calendar for the Town of New Fairfield board and commission meetings can be found at www.NewFairfield.org or by clicking the button below:

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You can sign up to receive the newsletter each month at www.newfairfield.org and click on "Newsletter" at the top of the page or click below:

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Town Hall Hours

Thank you for reading the New Fairfield Newsletter

Town of New Fairfield, 4 Brush Hill Road, New Fairfield CT 06812

www.NewFairfield.org