MAY IN NEW FAIRFIELD VOLUME 3, ISSUE 5 || MAY 2024

The Town Meeting to set the date for the referendum for Town Government and Education Expenditures for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025 will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 7:00 PM at the Senior Center.

Please keep informed as to the date of the referendum vote by reading the local paper, on social media or the Town website.

Please vote!

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All of those April showers will bring beautiful May flowers! The cold weather is behind us and we look forward to being outdoors and plenty of sunshine. Hearing the birds chirping, seeing the trees blooming and the many newborn animals, gives us a feeling of renewal and hope for what is possible. We hope you are able to take some time to enjoy each day.

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Margerie Reservoir-the view from Town Hall

MEMORIAL DAY 2024

Monday, May 27th

Memorial Day is a federal holiday which honors military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

"Today, we once again gather in this sacred place, at this solemn hour, to honor fallen heroes, to once again stand amid the rows and rows of marble stones and bear witness to the brave women and men who served and sacrificed for our freedom and for our future; those who died so our nation might live."

"Every year, as a nation, we undertake this rite of remembrance, for we must never forget the price that was paid to protect our democracy. We must never forget the lives these flags, flowers, and marble markers represent: a mother, a father, a son, a daughter, a sister, a spouse, a friend. An American."

"Every year, we remember. And every year, it never gets easier."

-Remarks by President Biden at the 155th National Memorial Day Observance, May 29, 2023

Veterans Park
Plaque in Town Hall

Join us on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27th, 11 AM at Veterans Memorial Park as we pay tribute to the men and women in uniform who made the ultimate sacrifice so that All Americans can enjoy the freedoms we have today.

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ARMED FORCES DAY

Saturday, May 18th

On March 18, 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed a Presidential Proclamation officially declaring Armed Forces Day a national holiday on every third Saturday in May. This day honors the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are currently serving.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

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New Fairfield Veterans Association

UNITED WE STAND

May is a busy month for the New Fairfield Veterans Association. We would like to share our schedule with everyone and encourage your participation when possible.

First up is our biannual collection of worn, tattered and unserviceable national and state flags. Bring your flags that took a beating over the winter to Stop and Shop, Saturday, May 4th between the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM. The NFVA will make sure the flags are properly disposed of in accordance with federal guidelines. At other times, flags for disposal may be placed in a special box at Village Hardware.

On Saturday, May 11th, at 10 AM, the Scouts will, once again, support the New Fairfield Veterans Association by assisting with the placing of flags at veterans tombstones and markers at four cemeteries; Mountain View, Beaver Bog, Gerow and Ball Pond. If you have a relative laid to rest at any of these locations and want to make sure a flag is placed at their site email us at: newfairfieldveterans@gmail.com or call 203-948-3234. Include the name and approximate location of the site. The rain date for this event will be the following Saturday, May 18th.

A late shout out to the students, faculty and administrators at The Sherman School, grades K-8. After the students produced hundreds of Valentines cards, school staff reached out to the NFVA for help in distributing the cards to needy veterans. Our members responded by delivering the cards to patients currently being treated at the Veterans Administration Hospital located in West Haven, CT. Thank You to everyone at The Sherman School for caring about our veterans!

The New Fairfield Veterans Association would also like to thank the Community Service Club for the wonderful breakfast that they provided for ALL veterans living in New Fairfield on March 23rd. Thank you for the time and effort your members put forth to show your support for the veteran community. And thank you for your long history of support for the New Fairfield Veterans Association.

Please send your comments to newfairfieldveterans@gmail.com. Thank you,

Bob Ballas, Commander, NFVA

The NFVA is incorporated in the State of CT and is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax deductible.

NFVA

P.O. Box 8088

New Fairfield, CT 06812

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TOWN OF NEW FAIRFIELD CONTACT PREFERENCE SURVEY

The Town of New Fairfield invites all residents to participate in our survey to help us gather diverse perspectives and ideas on how best to engage with and reach more members of our community.

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A Message from the Assessor Regarding an Important Tax Benefit

The deadline to file for the senior tax relief is May 15th!

Please see information for qualification and applications on the Assessors webpage or at:

https://www.newfairfield.org/municipal-departments/town-administration/assessor

or click the button below:

The tax relief applications are good for 2 years. If you applied last year, your benefit will automatically be applied to the July 2024 Real Estate tax bill. Applications were sent out in January for renewals.

Spring has arrived at Town Hall

Parks & Recreation's Annual Sip & Stroll

Saturday, May 4th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Join your neighbors and friends at the annual Sip & Stroll event, Kentucky Derby Style this year!

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Be sure to check out these wonderful classes that will be offered by the Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust in the next few months. You can also find additional information on their website. Some offerings may require registration.

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Naloxone Overdose Prevention Training

May 8th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the New Fairfield Public Library Community Room

Please consider registering for this very important training class regarding Naloxone Overdose Prevention Training

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Join Western CT Coalition for two very informative webinars:

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You can go to their website, www.wctcoaltion.org or click the button below to register:

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May is Mental Health Month! Mental Health America's 2024 campaign "Where to Start" includes the following messages:

• Maintaining good mental health is essential to each and every individual’s overall health and well-being.• One in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year, and everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. • It is never too soon to seek treatment for your mental health. Getting help early saves lives. • Take a mental health test at mhascreening.org.

We hope you will find the fact sheet below helpful.

Sponsored by New Fairfield Together in Wellness.

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Mother's Day Plant Sale

Saturday, May 11th/Veteran's Park/9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

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NFHS Deca Barbie Fashion Show

Wednesday, May 8th at 6:30 p.m.

NFHS Theater-Admission $5.00

Enjoy a fun night out at the Barbie Fashion Show!

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Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event

Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Newtown Public Works, 4 Turkey Hill Road, Newtown

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Fine Arts Boosters of New Fairfield Clothing Drive Fundraiser

Saturday, May 11th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside New Fairfield Middle School

You can support the Fine Arts Boosters of New Fairfield and donate your unwanted items-a win-win for everyone!

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Water Testing Day

Saturday, May 18th

The Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) will be holding their Water Testing Day from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Stop & Shop parking lot.

The test from York Labs will be for bacteria, hardness, chloride, sodium, nitrates and PH. The cost will be $60.

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LIBRARY LOGO ART CONTEST

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PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

The Parks & Recreation Department offers a large variety of programs and camps.

Looking for summer camps for your children? Day Camp, Pardalis Basketball, Schlosser's Sports Camp, Theater Camp, Forensic Science, Akter Music Camp, Tramazzo and Giuliano Variety, and much more! Registration is now open online. Call 203-312-5633 for more information about these and other upcoming programs.

You can register for one of the many programs and camps on their website page on www.NewFairfield.org or by clicking the button below. You will surely find something that interests you or your child.

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If you are interested in using the New Fairfield Town Beach, please see below for information. You can also purchase a beach pass on the Parks and Recreation website page at www.NewFairfield.org or click the button below:

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JOB OPENING

The Parks & Recreation Department is looking to fill an Outdoor Cinema Technician position.

GENERAL DUTIES:

Set-up screen and operate sound equipment at Outdoor Cinema. *Supervise and schedule Outdoor Cinema Assist Technicians. *Oversee Outdoor Cinema operations. *Ensure public and employee safety. *Drive cinema truck.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Technical and mechanical abilities preferred. *Organizational and supervisory skills required. *Valid driver's license required. *Heavy lifting is required. *High School diploma.

WORK HOURS: Varied

Qualified applicants may apply online:

www.newfairfield.org or click below:

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE SOCIAL SERVCES DEPARTMENT

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If you need the Police or Fire Department, here is important information from the New Fairfield Resident State Trooper's Office:

New Fairfield Police Headquarters operates 24/7, every day of every week, including holidays, weekends, and nights. We never close.

Need the Fire Department or EMS? Call New Fairfield Police Headquarters. This is where the phones are attended to 24/7. The Dispatchers will make sure you receive the appropriate assistance.

Do not call the closest fire house - they are not occupied 24/7. Only the New Fairfield Police Headquarters is occupied at all hours within the town.

Call 911 for an emergency.

Call 203-312-5701 for non-emergent matters.

Thank you to our police department and dispatchers for being there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

And thank you to our fire department for being there when we need you!

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New Fairfield Office of Emergency Management (OEM)

New Fairfield Social Services and New Fairfield Office of Emergency Management held a CT Ready presentation for a group of seniors. Everyone was given a backpack with items for an emergency.

It's never too late to prepare.

Jen Hudson & Cindy White, Social Services and Maria Evans, OEM Director

If any group would like a preparedness presentation please contact Maria Evans, OEM Director to schedule one. #ctready #prepardnesskit #getready #makeaplan #CT #newfairfield

You can also view the OEM Facebook or Instagram page: Facebook at New Fairfield OEM or on Instagram at NewFairfieldOEM

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Helpful Information About Tick Safety

With the warmer weather here, the ticks are here, also. The CDC has very important information regarding prevention, removal and Lyme Disease:

On the New Fairfield Health Department Page there is a link labeled "Tick Submission Form" for residents to fill out if they find a tick. You can bring the tick in a plastic ziploc bag with the completed form to the Health Department Office in Town Hall and they will send it to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), Tick Testing Laboratory. CAES will test the tick and email the results to the Health Department and the resident within about 2 weeks.

You can find the form on the Town website, www.NewFairfield.org, under the Health Department page or click the button below:

Connecticut has an informational page with useful information about tick management and tick removal:

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Please consider volunteering a few hours each week to help those in need of rides to appointments. Thank You!

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Congratulations 2024 New Fairfield Regional Recycling Billboard Contest Winners

“Keep It Loose” Don’t Bag or Bundle Your Recycling!

Valentina Aguilar/ 1st Place Kindergarten/ Consolidated School

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Maeve Orcutt/ Honorable Mention 1st Grade/ Consolidated

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Caiden Davidson/ 3rd Place 4th Grade/ MHHS

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Madison Schlosser/ Honorable Mention 6th Grade/ NF Middle School

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Corina Knapp/ 1st Place 7th Grade/ NF Middle School

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Sara Braun/ 1st Place 11th Grade/ NFHS

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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.

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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