APRIL IN NEW FAIRFIELDVOLUME 3, ISSUE 4 || APRIL 2024
The daffodils, tulips, cherry blossoms and dogwoods are some of the beautiful blooms we look forward to in April. On a glorious spring day, the blue sky, warm sunshine and abundance of colorful flowers puts a skip in our step and a smile on our face! Take the time to appreciate the joy of nature.
Margerie Reservoir on a Sunny Morning
BUDGET
Board of Finance Meeting dates, times and location, as well as the Board of Selectmen meeting discussing and approving the time and date for the Annual Town Meeting, will be found on the Town of New Fairfield website at www.NewFairfield.org.
The notice of the date and time for the Annual Town Meeting, which sets the date and time for the Referendum Vote, will also be noticed in the New Fairfield Town Tribune.
If you would like to let the Board of Finance know your thoughts as they discuss the budget, you can email them at BOF@NewFairfieldCT.gov.
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Voting Information from the Registrar of Voters
Presidential Preference Primary on April 2nd from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.-Everyone Votes at the Senior Center
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VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY
Saturday, April 20th
This annual day honors and celebrates those who donate their time, energy and talents to help make the lives of others better- thank you for all that you do!
If you are seeking a volunteer opportunity, please check out the Make-A-Difference page on the New Fairfield Town website:
From www.earthday.org - "Our theme, Planet vs. Plastics, calls to advocate for widespread awareness on the health risk of plastics, rapidly phase out all single use plastics, urgently push for a strong UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution, and demand an end to fast fashion."
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***A Town Earth Day Celebration is being planned on Saturday, April 27th! Be on the lookout for more information about this wonderful day!***
Please take this day, and every day, to help our planet-from properly disposing of your garbage and picking up any garbage you may see on the roads, woods, etc... to planting trees, among so many other things we can each do. You can visit earthday.org to learn more and to get involved.
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Partial Solar Eclipse in Connecticut
jpl.nasa.gov
April 8, 2024
Path of Total Eclipse from science.nasa.gov
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.
jpl.nasa.gov
New Fairfield will experience a deep partial solar eclipse! A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth but the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not perfectly lined up. Only a part of the Sun will appear to be covered, giving it a crescent shape. During a total eclipse, people outside the area covered by the Moon’s inner shadow see a partial solar eclipse.
The eclipse will begin a little after 2:00 p.m. and end near 4:30 p.m.
Safety is the number one priority when viewing a solar eclipse. Be sure you're familiar with when you need to wear specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing. You can find more information on science.nasa.gov regarding eye protection.
The Lyrid meteor shower, caused by debris from the passing Comet, Thatcher, will be active from April 16 through April 25, with the highest rate of meteors around April 22. The best time to watch is late evening on April 21st to dawn on April 22nd.
Viewing Tips from science.nasa.gov:
The Lyrids are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere during the dark hours (after moonset and before dawn). Find an area well away from city lights or street lights. Come prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair. Lie flat on your back with your feet facing east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors. Be patient – the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse.
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Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event
Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The New Fairfield Commission on the Aging Invites You to a Community Forum
"What Does Life's Next Chapter Hold For You?"
Saturday, April 13, 2024
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
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NEW FAIRFIELD/SHERMAN ANIMAL WELFARE SHREDDING EVENT
New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare Society
Shred for Strays Fundraiser
Shred For Strays--New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare Society’s annual shredding fundraiser powered by Eco Shred—will be held on April 13 from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of the Senior Center at 33 Route 37 in New Fairfield.
There is no charge but monetary donations to NFSAW are gratefully welcome.
If you would like to be a sponsor of this wonderful event, please contact NFSAW and let them know!
Boxed or bagged documents will be shredded on site. In consideration of all, a limit of four boxes per visit applies.
NFSAW, founded in 1977, is a non-profit organization that shelters and finds homes for abused, neglected, and abandoned cats and dogs.
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Please remember that NFSAW also has a pet food and supply pantry. If you are a pet parent in need or if you would like to make a donation, please see below for information on the pantry:
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SELL YOUR OLD GOLD FUNDRAISER
The Community Service Club of New Fairfield will be having a fundraiser on April 26th, 27th and 28th to support the Kids Dress for Success Program. Look through your jewelry boxes and drawers for any unwanted gold and make some money for yourself and for this important program.
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New Fairfield Together in Wellness is sponsoring a wonderful training event in April and in May that will be hosted by the New Fairfield Public Library. Registration is required and can be found on the library website, www.newfairfieldlibrary.org or by clicking on the button below:
Groovin' in New Fairfield will host their next show on April 20th at the Senior Center. See all of the information below:
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NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY
April 27th from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at the New Fairfield Police Station
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Military Hero Banners
Please send your request and check for the banner in NO LATER THAN APRIL 29TH to be displayed for Memorial Day.
New Fairfield is so very proud of all of the men and women who serve or have served in the military. We are currently taking orders for Military Hometown Hero Banners to honor and recognize hometown Veterans and active duty members of the United States Armed Forces. If you are interested in purchasing a Hero Banner to be displayed in the center of Town annually from Memorial Day through Veterans Day, please submit an application before April 29th. After that date, requests will be accepted on a year-round basis and banners will be printed when the required minimum quantity is reached.
Banners will display the official military photo of the service person, as well as their name and branch of the United States Armed Forces. We are asking sponsors to contribute $40 toward the cost of each banner. To qualify for the Military Banner Program, the honoree must be a Veteran or currently serving as an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, and he or she must currently reside in New Fairfield or have an immediate family member residing in New Fairfield (parent, spouse, sibling, son or daughter).
You can complete the form and pay online for a banner, and then email or send in your picture-you can find the form on www.newfairfield.org, under the Selectmen's Office heading or click below:
You can also print the form or request a form from the Selectman's office and send it in or bring it to Town Hall. Digital photos, if available, provide the highest quality banner. You may email your photo to: jgreen@newfairfield.org. Please mail your completed form and $40 check made payable to "Town of New Fairfield" to: Town of New Fairfield, Selectman's Office, 4 Brush Hill Road, New Fairfield, CT 06812.
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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:
Be sure to put May 4th on your calendar for the Parks and Recreation Department's annual Sip and Stroll event!
The Theme will be The Kentucky Derby!
Enjoy a fantastic evening strolling through downtown New Fairfield with your friends and neighbors. Sip on some wine and visit all of our wonderful stores and see all they have to offer!
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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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A Message from the Assessor Regarding an Important Tax Benefit
The Town offers a tax relief benefit if you are over 65 or 100% social security disabled and under a certain income. Proof of income is required in the form of your 2023 tax return and SS1099. Applications and details about income limits are available on the Assessor's page on the town website. If you have applied before and it is your year to file, you should have received an application from our office to refile in the mail. Applications are good for two years. The deadline is May 15th. If you are not sure if it is your year, you can call us at 203-312-5625.
Important Information and Programs from the Social Services Department
Bring Me Back Home is a registry for Connecticut residents which allows law enforcement access to information to assist in the recovery of missing and or wandering persons.
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A program for Veterans and their families to cut the risk of homelessness.
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Need help quitting smoking? The CT Quitline can help.
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New Fairfield Library Logo Art Contest
Please click on the button below for instructions and how to apply:
The Public Works Department will be busy in April and this Spring! These are some of their planned projects:
April brings a lot of work for the PWD- we will be out spring cleaning all buildings and parking lots, working on the garden beds around town, we will have the pot hole killer in town filling pot holes and the asphalt plant will be opening for us to start our in-house paving around town fixing our roads. We will be getting the marina ready for the residents to put their boats in. Also, we will be cleaning up the beach, de-winterizing the beach house and the pavilion, along with getting the athletic fields ready for spring sports. The street sweeping will be starting towards the end of April .
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JOB OPENINGS
The Parks and Recreation Department is in need of an Outdoor Cinema Technician and Outdoor Cinema Assistant Technician to operate the equipment and run the summer movies.
Please go to the Human Resources page on www.NewFairfield.org to apply:
Volunteer Drivers are also needed! Please consider volunteering to provide rides!
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A reminder from the New Fairfield Resident Trooper's Office to use the police department parking lot for any online sales or exchanges as a safe place to meet.
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Please make it a point to check out the Office of Emergency Management Facebook or Instagram page on a regular basis. The OEM Director always has important, informative information posted to help you in various situations or circumstance. Facebook at New Fairfield OEM or on Instagram at NewFairfieldOEM.
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St. Patrick's Day Parade
The St. Patrick's Day Parade was a well-attended event, with bag pipes, songs and a flag-raising. Despite the chilly temperatures, it was a wonderful morning! Many thanks to Peter Hearty for organizing the parade for over 50 years!
Phots by Lee Scott
Photo by Lee Scott
Photo by Lee Scott
First Selectman Melissa Lindsey, Selectman Tom Perkins and Peter Hearty/ Photo by Lee Scott
New Fairfield Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt
The New Fairfield Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt on March 30th was a fun time for all!!
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Library Newsletter
The Library has its own newsletter and you can subscribe to it here:
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:
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
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