The chill is in the air as we swing into the holiday season! Enjoy the shopping and the planning and all of the traditions that mean so much to us each year. Let us be thankful for each other and our individual uniquenesses that we each contribute to New Fairfield. And let us be thankful for the Veterans, whose dedication and sacrifice allows us to enjoy the holidays in freedom!
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The State, Federal and Presidential Election is on Tuesday, November 5th from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
The voting locations will be at the New Fairfield High School (54 Gillotti Road) and the New Fairfield Senior Center (33 Route 37.) Where you vote depends upon your street address.
Please see the street lists below to determine whether you are in Senate District 24 or Senate District 30. There are 12 roads in New Fairfield that are split between the 2 voting districts. If your road is not listed on the District 24 or District 30 list, refer to the Split Road list.
SENATE DISTRICT 24
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SENATE DISTRICT 30
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ROADS SPLIT BETWEEN STATE SENATE DISTRICTS 24 & 30
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ABSENTEE BALLOTS
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EARLY VOTING
Early voting is October 21st through November 3rd at New Fairfield Town Hall.
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Town Hall and Town Offices will be closed in observance of the holidays as follows:
-Veterans Day on Monday, November 11th
-Thanksgiving, closed at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, November 27th and on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th
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THE NEW FAIRFIELD DROP OFF CENTER WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH. IT WILL BE OPEN ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH.
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Monday, November 11, 2024
A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. (from VA.gov)
We thank all Veterans, both living and deceased, for their service and their sacrifices, so that we can live in a free country.
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The Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Monday, November 11th at 11:00 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.
The Ceremony follows the date and time when the Armistice was signed – the 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th hour.
Sign up for the New Alert System
***Please remember to sign up for the New Alert System!***
The town has transitioned to a new alert program called Everbridge. The Everbridge program will be able to alert our residents as our past program did, however, it also gives us more features that we are excited to be able to use. This program is already being used by the State of Connecticut, as well as many other municipalities and schools throughout the state. Enrollment is completely free and voluntary. Residents have the option of providing multiple phone numbers or email addresses to be sure the alert is received.
In addition to sending out emergency alerts (road closures, etc...), we will now have the ability to notify regarding town events (community events, Town Meetings, etc...), weather alerts, senior center alerts, and more. The program is able to send notifications based on neighborhoods and locations, as well.
**We are asking everyone to enroll for the new program, even if they have already enrolled for the previous one. Some of the phone list we had was quite outdated and we would like to be sure that everyone is getting the information that they are opting to receive. While signing up, please be sure to select whether you would like to receive All Alerts, or just some of them.
You can click on the QR code below to enroll:
OR, to enroll, please go to: https://member.everbridge.net/77895137493018/login-click below:
https://member.everbridge.net/77895137493018/login
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OR
Search Organization Code nfeverbridge on the Everbridge Mobile App
OR
Go to the New Fairfield website www.NewFairfield.org and sign up on the home page as pictured below:
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Now is the time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. It is also time to install them, if you have not already done so.
New Fairfield Welcomes Lori-Ann Beninson as Director of Office of Emergency Management
The Town of New Fairfield has appointed Lori-Ann Beninson as the new Director of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM).
With a career as a Paramedic and New Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department member, Lori brings a wealth of experience in emergency services to the role.
In her new role, Beninson will oversee the town’s emergency planning, disaster response coordination, and preparedness training, ensuring that the community remains resilient in times of crisis. Her vision includes a strong emphasis on community engagement.
Lori is a proud advocate for community involvement, having worked closely with various volunteer groups over the years. “We want to encourage every member of the community to get involved,” she says. “Preparedness is a shared responsibility, and our community members, volunteer groups and organizations play a vital role in supporting our town’s readiness for any emergency.”
Under her leadership, the OEM will focus on enhancing public education, improving communication between emergency services and residents, and fostering partnerships with civic organizations to better serve the town’s needs.
As Beninson takes the helm, New Fairfield can expect a continued commitment to safety, innovation, and community engagement, ensuring that the town remains well-prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.
We enthusiastically welcome Lori and look forward to working with her!
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FROM THE ASSESSOR REGARDING REVALUATION INFORMATION
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New Fairfield Parks & Recreation November Events
40th Annual Run for the Turkeys
Sunday, November 24th at the NF High School
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Santa's Workshop, Holiday Light Parade & Town Tree Lighting (3 Events in One Day!) – Saturday, November 30th
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Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event
Saturday, November 2, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Brookfield High School, 45 Long Meadow Hill Road, Brookfield
This is the last Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event until April 2025!
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Saturday, November 30, 2024
While you are out and about during the day or at Santa's Workshop, please stop by and support the wonderful New Fairfield businesses and see all that they have to offer for your holiday gifts and parties on Saturday, November 30th and every day!
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Housing Opportunities Committee Update on the Revised Housing Affordability Plan
The Revised Housing Affordability Plan (HAP) was unanimously adopted by the BOS at their meeting on August 8, 2024. It is a document developed by the Housing Opportunities Committee in collaboration with Planning, Zoning and the Board of Selectmen to address CT State Statute 8-30j that requires every municipality to prepare and adopt an affordable housing plan once every five years. Presently, the HAP is included in the draft Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) to serve as a guide in meeting the town’s future housing needs.
The details of the Housing Affordability Plan can be accessed on the town website, www.NewFairfield.org, along with an overview: Executive Summary and Implementation Table.
Housing Opportunities Committee public meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month over zoom at 7:30 p.m. with one exception. The month of November, the HOC meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 @ 7:30 p.m. over Zoom. Interested persons are welcome.
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WINTER PREPAREDNESS
Salt and Sand at Drop Off Center
Salt and sand are available for use by private communities and tax districts and each Association is billed accordingly for this service. Residents are welcome to pick up salt/sand for personal use at the Drop Off Center during regular business hours at no charge. There is a limit of two 5 gallon pails per resident per storm. (No commercial/business use)
The Drop Off Center is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and on Thursdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
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Mailbox Replacement Policy
It is the policy of the New Fairfield Department of Public Works that if any mailbox or post is damaged as the result of snow removal operations, the responsibility for making repairs shall be borne by the property owner. The Department of Public Works will not be responsible for mailbox damage from snow being discharged by snow removal equipment.
When a mailbox or post is damaged as a result of direct contact with our snow removal equipment, the following steps will be taken.
The Highway Foreman will inspect the mailbox/post to determine the cause of the damage.
The Highway Foreman will determine who is at fault (improper installation of mailbox, or plow operator error).
Following investigation, the mailbox or post will be repaired or replaced if the plow operator is found to be at fault.
Decorator mailboxes and posts that receive direct contact from snow removal equipment will be replaced with a standard mailbox and post.
*The majority of mailbox and post damage is the result of improper installation or maintenance. A properly installed and maintained mailbox will withstand the snow removal operations that occur during the winter months.
*It is uncommon that a mailbox comes in direct contact with snow removal equipment. The average number of mailboxes that come into direct contact with snow removal equipment during a snowstorm is less than one percent. Non- contact mailbox knockdowns may average more then one hundred or more per snowstorm.
*The Public Works Department will assist elderly or impaired property owners with repairing damage to their mailbox or post.
You can contact the Public Works Department at 203-312-5628.
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Wintertime Parking Ordinance
Sec. 9-27 wintertime parking
(a) There shall be no parking on any town road at any time while the town or its agents are engaged in snow plowing, sanding, ice control, or any other weather or storm related emergencies to keep or make the public roads of the town in a safe, passable condition. Parked is defined as having at least one (1) tire of the vehicle in question in contact with the paved portion of the road, without a driver in the vehicle, for any length of time.
(b) Violations of this section are subject to a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) which shall double if not paid within fifteen (15) days. Vehicles found to be in violation may be towed at the owner’s expense in addition to the fine. Appeals may be made under the process established by the Board of Selectman
(Ord. of 2-14-67(1), § 1, 2; Ord. of 3-14-95)
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Important Information from the Social Services Department
Food Pantry Items Needed
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Did You Know That Some NF Departments Have Their Own Facebook Page?
Here are some of the pages that may be of interest to you:
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Gun Safety Information from the Western CT Coalition, Inc.
Firearm safety plays an important role in suicide prevention. Secure gun storage can save lives. NSSF, the Firearms Industry Trade Association, provides "Ten Tips for Firearm Safety in your Home". Brought to you by New Fairfield Together in Wellness and the Suicide Postvention Information Network. For more suicide prevention resources, visit our webpage- https://www.newfairfield.org/community/suicide-prevention-and-postvention
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Fair Day 2024
We hope that you were able to enjoy Fair Day! The weather was beautiful!
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Tricks and Treats Fest 2024
The 2024 Parks and Recreation's Tricks and Treats Fest was a huge success! The weather fully cooperated and New Fairfield Town Center was full of ghosts and goblins and many other fantastic costumed trick or treaters!
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Medicare Open Enrollment Event
First Selectman Melissa Lindsey attended a Medicare Open Enrollment press conference event on October 28th, hosted by Connecticut Aging and Disability Services, Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging at the Senior Center.
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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:
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.
We are thankful for the New Fairfield residents. Thank you for volunteering on the boards and commissions, coaching, helping in the schools, Town organizations, religious organizations and all of the other many ways you help out your Town and neighbors.
We wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with good food, family, friends, laughter and love!
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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
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