The First Selectman's View from Town Hall
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PATRIOT DAY
September 11, 2023
The New Fairfield September 11th Memorial Ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 10th at 5:00 p.m. at the September 11th Memorial behind the Senior Center.
Each year, we honor the memory of the almost 3,000 victims who died in the terror attacks.
From: A Proclamation on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, 2022, signed by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on September 9, 2022 (WhiteHouse.gov):
On September 11, 2001, ordinary Americans performed extraordinary acts of heroism. Firefighters and police officers rushed into crumbling buildings and raging fires to save others. EMTs, construction workers, colleagues, and strangers tended to the wounded. Passengers and crewmembers gave their lives to thwart another attack. And a generation of women and men answered the call of duty by joining our Armed Forces to defend our freedom and our democracy.
These patriots — people of undaunted courage, uncommon resolve, and unwavering perseverance — are forever ingrained in our national character. They are reminders that we are a great country because we are a good people. On this Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, we pay tribute to the heroes and victims who lost their lives on September 11, and we recommit ourselves to the spirit of unity, patriotism, and service that carried our Nation through in the days that followed.
Before they were national heroes, the women and men we honor were already heroes to so many others. They were the mothers who tucked their kids into bed at night. They were the fathers who drove the neighborhood carpools to school. They were the daughters who made their parents proud and the sons who lifted up their friends. To the families around America whose pain is especially personal on this day: Our entire Nation, including Jill and I, holds you close in our hearts and sends you our love. I know from personal experience that memorials can bring everything back as painfully as if it happened today — the moment you got the phone call — no matter how many years go by.
On this day, let us honor the memory of the innocent victims we lost and carry on the legacy of the selfless heroes who served our Nation on September 11 and in its aftermath. Let us also recognize the members of our intelligence and counterterrorism communities who worked with dedication and determination to deliver justice to Ayman al-Zawahiri, the emir of al-Qaeda and a key planner of this and other cruel attacks against our people.
I invite all Americans to observe this day with service; you can find opportunities in your community by visiting americorps.gov/911-day. Unity is what makes us who we are as Americans — it is our greatest strength. When we come together on this day, and every day, we demonstrate that even in the darkness, America remains a bright beacon of light and hope for the world.
By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as “Patriot Day,” and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the Congress has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized “National Day of Service and Remembrance.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday, September 4th
Labor Day recognizes and honors the contributions and achievements of the American worker and is observed on the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. This three-day weekend means the end of summer for many Americans and is celebrated with parties, barbecues, parades and street fairs.
NEW FAIRFIELD HIGH SCHOOL RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
The ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the brand new New Fairfield High School will take place on Saturday, September 23rd at 10:00 a.m.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BACK TO SCHOOL!
The first day of school in New Fairfield is Tuesday, September 5th! We hope that every student's year gets off to a good start and they have a wonderful year filled with learning, activities, friends and family participation!
Please remember that children will be walking to and from bus stops and standing at bus stops waiting for the bus—so PLEASE be aware of this and DO NOT SPEED!
By law, except when otherwise directed by a traffic officer, a motorist approaching a school bus displaying its flashing red signal lights must immediately stop his or her vehicle at least 10 feet from the front or rear of the bus and remain stopped until the bus no longer displays its red signal lights (CGS § 14-279). At intersections, motorists are prohibited from turning toward a school bus that is receiving or discharging passengers.
Under the law, police must issue a written warning or a summons to the owner of a vehicle who illegally passes a school bus “upon a written report from any school bus operator…specifying the license plate number, color and type of any vehicle observed by such operator or recorded by a camera affixed to such school bus.” The driver's report must also note the date, approximate time, and location of the violation.
Any person who violates this law faces a $450 fine for the first offense. For each subsequent offense, a violator faces a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) also assesses four points against a motorist’s driver’s license each time he or she is convicted of illegally passing a school bus. DMV suspends a driver’s license after a person receives more than 10 points.
PLEASE SLOW DOWN, DO NOT SPEED, AND BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE NEW FAIRFIELD SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
FOOD PANTRY
New Fairfield residents have always been so generous in donating to the Town Food Pantry, and we can't thank you enough for all that you have given to your fellow residents.
The Social Services Department has prepared a list of items that are currently needed to restock the pantry shelves. If you are able to donate any of the requested items, please call the Social Services office at 203-312-5669.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
*****
THERE ARE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH THE TRANSITION FROM SOLDIER TO CITIZEN
*****
COVID-19 TEST KIT SCAM TO BE AWARE OF
There is additional information about how to spot scams and how to avoid scams in this newsletter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW FAIRFIELD TOWN FAIR
Saturday, September 9th
12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Memorial Field
You don't want to miss the annual New Fairfield Town Fair—the Parks and Recreation has planned amazing events, music, vendors, food and so much more! Be sure to put this on your calendar and stop by for an enjoyable afternoon.
*****
Save the Date for These Upcoming Parks & Recreation Holiday Events
Tricks and Treats Fest–October 27th from 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. outside Town Hall
Run for the Turkeys 5K Road Race–November 19th from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at the New Fairfield High School
Santa's Workshop–November 25th from 12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m. inside the New Fairfield Library Community Room
Holiday Light Parade–November 25th with line-up at 4:30 p.m. on Dunham Drive
PAINT THE TOWN PURPLE
New Fairfield will be participating in the 2nd Annual "Paint the Town Purple" from September 9th–16th to raise awareness about Alzheimer's Disease.
The week will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Town Hall on September 8th at 10:00 a.m. Association representatives will be at New Fairfield Day on September 9th and you can stop by and visit their booth to obtain more information about the disease and see what you can do to be involved.
On Monday, September 11th, the Senior Center will host a Memory Game at 1:00 p.m. On Tuesday, September 12th, the Library will host 'Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body' at 6:00 p.m. and on Thursday, September 14th, the Senior Center will host an educational program, 'Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia' at 1:00 p.m.
In addition, many Town businesses will be participating, each in their own way—make sure to check them out!!! There will be two Alzheimer's Association Walks to End Alzheimer's in the New Fairfield area—New Milford on Saturday, September 30th and in Norwalk on Sunday, October 8th. You can register below:
There are many opportunities for you to learn about this dreadful disease and to participate this week and going forward—PLEASE DO!
FREE SHRED IT DAY IS BACK!!!!
Sponsored by Company A Firehouse
Saturday, September 9th
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Company A Firehouse
Please join us Saturday September 9th from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. (STRICT SHUT DOWN!) for our FREE Shred It day. Bring your bags, totes, boxes or handfuls of papers that are all shred ON SITE.
We do accept free will donations (which is greatly appreciated)!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Fairfield Historical Society
September 9, 2023, at the Veterans Memorial
New Fairfield Historical Society is sponsoring the 38 Regiment of Foot at New Fairfield Days - September 9, 2023, at the Veterans Memorial from 12–5.
Travel back to the American Revolution with the New Fairfield Historical Society as we present a colonial encampment featuring the 38th Regiment of Foot. Members of this unit will be portraying different people during the war, including soldiers, school teachers, artisans of the time, medicine, and camp life during colonial times. Rain Date: Sept. 10, 2023.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Community Service Club
Walk-A-Thon
Saturday, September 16th
You can find more information on their website:
*****
Please consider donating to the Community Service Club Dress for Success project:
HRRA Household Hazardous Waste Event
Saturday, September 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Miller-Driscoll School – 217 Wolfpit Road, Wilton, CT
Other upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Events:
-October 14th, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., John Pettibone School, Pickett District Road, New Milford
-November 4th, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Brookfield High School, 45 Long Meadow Road, Brookfield
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Community Service Club of New Fairfield Junk in a Trunk Tag Sale
Saturday, September 9th, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
New Fairfield Senior Center Parking Lot
Are your closets and drawers and garage and attic overflowing with items you no longer use or need. Why not let someone else put those items to good use and sell them at the CSC Junk in a Trunk Tag Sale.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Fairfield's "Alert Now" System
If you have not signed up for the “Alert Now” system to receive notification from the Selectman’s Office regarding weather alerts and emergency response, we encourage you to fill out the form on the Home Page of the Town Website, www.newfairfield.org. Following a significant weather event, the Selectman uses “Alert Now” to provide information on road closures, power restoration and shelter services. You may choose to receive notification by land line phone, cell phone, text and/or e-mail.
Also, If you or a family member has special medical needs and an extended power outage could impact their care, please contact the New Fairfield Director of Emergency Management at 203-312-5723 to complete a “Medical Disability or Special Assistance Notification Form.” This information will remain confidential but will alert emergency responders to your needs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NOTARY SERVICES
A reminder from the Town Clerk that beginning September 1, 2023 there will be a charge for Notary Services.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Office of Emergency Management
Did you know that the New Fairfield Office of Emergency Management has a Facebook page?
Be sure to check out the page on a regular basis for important safety tips, emergency preparations and notices.
https://www.facebook.com/oem.newfairfield