NOVEMBER IN NEW FAIRFIELD VOLUME 2, ISSUE 11 || NOVEMBER 2023

November ushers in a chill in the air as we scurry to prepare our homes for winter and try to get an early start on our holiday preparations and shopping. Most importantly, let us all be thankful for what we have, our family and friends and a country where we can enjoy our freedom, in large part thanks to our Veterans, who we celebrate on November 11th. Be sure to take advantage of your right to vote on November 7th.

The First Selectman's View from Town Hall

On October 16, I had the honor of co-hosting a ceremony honoring Vietnam Era Veterans with Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Commissioner of Veterans’ Affairs, Ronald Welch and Town Clerk Holly Smith. The ceremony gave us the opportunity to express the gratitude of the Board of Selectmen on behalf of the citizens of New Fairfield for the service of our local Veterans during the Vietnam War. They represent our families, our friends and our community, and we recognize the significant sacrifices that they made on our behalf. We are grateful and proud to call them our own.

Some served on the ground in combat, some on Navy ships providing gunfire support, some provided support from the air, while others provided the necessary support roles both in Vietnam, and back in the States. No matter how or where these men and women served, they did so with courage, conviction and love of country. I recognize that however you served, all have been affected in some way by that experience.

I was very young during the Vietnam War era, but I can vividly remember the grim newscasts of the time – my parents would watch every night with our family members serving overseas in their thoughts. I didn’t understand then the reality of the war, nor the chaos at home. But as I have grown older, I understand that the rights and privileges we all enjoy as American citizens rest squarely on the shoulders of our Veterans. Freedom of expression, the privilege of participating in free and fair elections, and the right to open participation in our democratic process, to name a few. On November 11, we remember that this – all of it – came at a cost. That cost is insurmountably high. On behalf of the Board of Selectmen and the grateful citizens of New Fairfield, I humbly thank all Veterans for their service and to our Vietnam Veterans, welcome home.

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Election Day

The New Fairfield Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023

6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Voting Information from the Registrar of Voters

The voting locations will continue to be for District 24 in the Middle School cafeteria, and for District 30 at the Senior Center. Polls open at 6 A.M. and they will close at 8 P.M.

You can find your polling location below or on the Town's Registrar of Voter website page or at the Secretary of State’s site on the Connecticut portal. Your voting district is based on your street address.

If you turn 18 by election day or just moved to Town, you can do Election Day Registration at Town Hall, 4 Brush Hill Road, on Election Day, November 7th from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to Register to Vote!

Office Hours:

Monday 10 a.m. to Noon (Elisa), Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Dan). Either Registrar is also available by appointment.

Please contact us if you have any questions about your voter registration status or about voting in town in general at 203-312-5613 or email to RegistrarofVoters@NewFairfield.org

*POLLING LOCATIONS FOR THE TOWN OF NEW FAIRFIELD*

-24th District-Middle School Cafeteria (56 Gillotti Road, NF)

-30th District-NF Senior Center (33 Route 37, NF)

*Company A Firehouse & Meeting House Hill School are both no longer used as Polling Locations*

-NEW FAIRFIELD DISTRICTING STREET BREAKDOWN-

There are 12 roads in New Fairfield that are split between the 2 voting districts. If your road is not listed on District 24 or 30, refer to the Split Roads sheet below:

-District 24 – Middle School Cafeteria Voting Location

-District 24, page 2

-District 30 Voting Location – NF Senior Center

-District 30, page 2

-Split Senate District Voting Locations

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Absentee Ballot Information from the New Fairfield Town Clerk:

November 11, 2023

"...Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good." (From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

From President Biden's "A Proclamation on Veterans Day, 2022" -

"In every generation, America’s veterans have been willing to give all for that which we hold sacred — freedom, justice, and democracy. They have served selflessly, sacrificed greatly, and shouldered the burden of freedom quietly, asking no glory for themselves. Today, let us honor them by living up to their example — putting service before self, caring for our neighbors, and working passionately to build a more perfect Union worthy of all those who protect our lives and liberty."

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The New Fairfield Veterans Day Ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 11th at 11:00 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.

THE NEW FAIRFIELD PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT HAS PLANNED SOME FANTASTIC EVENTS FOR YOU!! PLEASE TAKE A LOOK ! WE HOPE THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN ALL OF THEM!

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RUN FOR THE TURKEYS

The New Fairfield Parks and Recreation Department Presents Their 39th Annual Run for the Turkeys

Sunday, November 19th at New Fairfield High School

9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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Santa's Workshop

Come meet Santa and all of his helpers!

November 25th, Inside the New Fairfield Library Community Room

12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Holiday Light Parade

You don't want to miss this illuminating event to start the holiday season off!

November 25th, line-up begins on Dunham Drive at 4:30 p.m.

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HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING

Saturday, November 25th

Memorial Field after the Holiday Light Parade

Enjoy this festive evening with family, friends and neighbors and start the holiday season off at this wonderful event!

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GREAT HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS

If you enjoy decorating your home for the holidays and would like to share your creativity with the community, then this is for you!! Do you enjoy viewing all of the bright and colorful decorations that adorn your neighbor's homes, then this is for you!! Be sure to register your home with the Parks and Recreation Department by November 27th to be included on their Great Holiday Light Display map.

We can't wait to see how you decorate your house this year!!!

Their greatest challenge has been getting people to know that they are there and to find them. They are on social media, send out coupons and have different events every month, which you can find on social media at yoyobubbleteahouse and online at yoyobubbleteahouse.com.

Their winter hours are 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week. You can order online or by phone to have your order ready when you arrive. Their phone number is 203-885-0860 or 203-885-0818.

Stop by and say hello!

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Winter Preparedness Information from the First Selectman

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

MEDICARE DATES FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT

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CONNECTICUT SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND MARINES FUND ASSISTANCE

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

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The Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust has a number of beautiful preserves and trails in New Fairfield. They are highlighting Finn's Land and Dementos Preserves below. You can find out about all of the properties, how to volunteer or donate on their website:

Welcome to a paradise constructed from a dream. Finn’s Land and Demento Preserves lie at the top of Dick Finn Road in New Fairfield. The combined 20-acre parcel abuts the properties for Connecticut Light and Power and Pootatuck State Forest.

Finn’s Land looks like it was designed for a fairytale. The yellow words on the sign at the main trail stand out against the forested habitat. You’re initially greeted by the sounds of a small trickling body of water that snakes through the rocks and lulls you into a trance. The well-marked trails flow through the preserve gradually, allowing you to walk around peacefully.

As you saunter through the trails, the scenery is ever-changing but consistently beautiful. Delicate ferns greet you as they line up along the trail, and mosses add a splash of color and texture to the scenery. The preserve is a densely forested area with wetlands sprawling throughout, so bring waterproof shoes!

Features of these two preserves include: hiking, walking trails, and biking trails. Access to the trails is across an easement on the left side of the cul-de-sac at the end of Rock Ridge.

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Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust Botanical Drawing Class

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GIVINGTUESDAY

Tuesday, November 28th

From www.GivingTuesday.org:

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

Join the movement and give – each Tuesday and every day – whether it’s some of your time, a donation, or the power of your voice in your local community.

It’s a simple idea: whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to contribute toward building the better world we all want to live in.

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-There are many opportunities to give in our community and beyond. You can find the Make-A-Difference page on the New Fairfield website, www.NewFairfield.org, which lists many local organizations that can use volunteer help.

-You can bring donations to the New Fairfield Food Pantry or the Pet Pantry at NFSAW, volunteer to drive for FISH (Friends in Service Here), volunteer at New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare, help a neighbor, friend or Senior Citizen. Your donation does not need to be monetary. You can think outside the box and contribute in a way that is meaningful to you or utilizes your talents or interests.

We wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for you, the New Fairfield residents, for your compassion, kindness, sharing with and caring for your neighbors and volunteering in your community.

THANK YOU!

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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 us the information and flyer to be included on the Events Calendar.

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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:

Please join us at our meetings to find out what is going on in New Fairfield in further depth. The calendar will let you know if the meeting is in person or will provide the Zoom link, if it is remote. We look forward to you attending the meetings and welcome your participation.

Thank you for reading the New Fairfield Newsletter.

If you are a New Fairfield not-for-profit organization and would like to include an event in the newsletter, please contact us at: jgreen@newfairfield.org.

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

www.NewFairfield.org