Connecting Fairfield
News from First Selectman Bill Gerber
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Adult Outdoor Fitness Center Ribbon Cutting (Photo Above)
From left, Director of Parks and Recreation Anthony Calabrese; State Senator Tony Hwang; Bigelow Center Director Brenda Steele; Claire Cote, Senior Center Coordinator and Municipal Liaison; CT Bureau of Aging, Commissioner Amy Porter, CT Aging and Disability Services; First Selectman Bill Gerber; State Representative Jennifer Leeper, Selectman Christine Vitale; Human and Social Services Director Julie DeMarco
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Dear Fairfielders,
Connecting with our neighbors, friends, and businesses is part of what brings a community together. Fairfield has long been a Town where friendships are born and nurtured through connections made in our neighborhood schools, places of worship, non-profit organizations, and community events. We are so fortunate to have our beaches, Lake Mohegan and 1,100 acres of Open Space where we can relax and reconnect.
In Town government, we actively seek ways to make neighborhoods more accessible and foster connections. The $681,900 CTDOT Community Connectivity Grant just awarded to Fairfield (and detailed below) will provide greater safety for school children walking to McKinley Elementary School, as well as encourage physical activity by adults in the neighborhood. We know that adding sidewalks can slow traffic, reducing motor vehicle-related injuries. Studies show that people who report they have a place to walk are significantly more likely to meet recommendations for physical fitness. Sidewalks are also a great place for an informal conversation with your neighbors, all reasons why Fairfield's Complete Streets policy and funding for infrastructure is so important.
Similarly, our Southport Connectivity Project will allow safer pedestrian access through the addition of sidewalks, as well as a crosswalk at Post Road and Hulls Highway and improvements at existing crosswalks at Post Road and Kings Highway West and Post Road and Center Street. Crosswalk improvements include adding ADA ramps and pedestrian countdown signals.
The opening of the Adult Outdoor Fitness Center at the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities is another great addition to the Town for our aging residents as well as those with disabilities or physical limitations. Loneliness and social isolation are significant issues in America. According to a 2023 report by the U.S. Surgeon General, nearly half of U.S. adults reported feeling lonely. Research has shown that about one in four Americans are socially isolated, meaning they lack regular social interaction. These trends were magnified by the Covid-19 pandemic, which makes an open-air fitness center for those who may have concerns about other health issues even more valuable.
We are fortunate to have a number of "pocket parks" throughout Town: small open areas with benches and a garden, maintained by our Parks and Rec Department. With the busy lives so many of us lead, it's nice to have reminders to take a moment to sit down, have a conversation, and possibly make a new friend. We see examples of what divides us without looking farther than social media. I know that when we meet face-to-face, we're much more understanding of differing opinions. Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of those opportunities.
I hope to see you at one of the Summer Concerts at the Sherman Green Gazebo or maybe at a Sand Jam Movie Night on Jennings Beach! The Annual Sidewalk Sale and Street Fair on Saturday, July 20 is another fun day with more than 50 Fairfield businesses participating along the Post Road from Coco & Company in Southport to the Promenade at the Brick Walk. There will be live musical entertainment at multiple venues scattered throughout downtown.
Please be aware that we've moved our Town e-newsletters to arrive in your inbox every other Thursday instead of Friday, beginning today. As always, I welcome your thoughts about our Town. You can reach me at firstselectman@fairfieldct.org, or you can call my office at 203-256-3030.
Bill Gerber
First Selectman
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Pocket Park at Corner of Reef Road and Oldfield Road | |
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Pocket Park and Beach
Entrance on Beach Road
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PRIMARY ISSUES FACING OUR TOWN
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Traffic issues are some of the most concerning topics for residents of Fairfield, and one of the priorities for this administration. Our emphasis on Fairfield's Complete Streets policy can be observed in many of the roadway projects that we outline in this newsletter. You can read more about Fairfield's Complete Streets policy here.
Complete Streets is a nationwide program designed to enable safe and comfortable access for all users, whether they are traveling as drivers, pedestrians, bikers, or public transportation users. The Town of Fairfield's Complete Streets policy was prepared by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee and endorsed by the Board of Selectmen in 2018. The policy outlines how the Town considers the needs of all users when planning projects for the approximately 270 miles of roadways within our borders.
The Complete Streets program can save lives when streets include sidewalks, better bus stop placement, traffic calming measures, and treatments for the disabled, children and the elderly.
State Grant to Improve Roadway Safety
Fairfield was recently awarded a $350,000 USDOT Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant for the development of a plan to improve roadway safety for all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists. This successful application was the result of resident-advocates teaming up with our Engineering Department and grants coordinator. To help pinpoint and prioritize street safety issues and identify opportunities for safety improvements, our Engineering Department has started the painstaking process of compiling a database with relevant details on each street in Fairfield.
State Grant to Improve Access to McKinley School
This week the Town of Fairfield was notified that we will receive a $681,900 grant from the CTDOT through their Community Connectivity Grant Program. This state-funded program provides financial support for local infrastructure that makes conditions safer, more accommodating, and accessible for pedestrians and bicyclists. The grant funds for Fairfield are designated to replace and repair existing sidewalks and install new sidewalks in the McKinley School area. The goal is to create a safe walking path to McKinley as well as to encourage fitness and provide safer walking paths to the Tunxis Hill Bus Shelter.
This grant will provide sidewalks for the following streets: Cardinal Street, Lenox Street, Thompson Street, Knapps Highway (East and West sides), Pope Street, and the Tunxis Hill Bus Shelter. An additional grant request is being made for funding to include more streets in the area. Great improvements are on the way!
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Some potential sidewalk improvements are shown above. | |
Other Roadway Information: | |
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Milling and Paving on Post Road/Rt. 1 Beginning July 21
Please be aware that nighttime milling and paving on a 1.18-mile section of Post Road/Rt.1 is tentatively scheduled for July 21 through August 7, from 7:00 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. The section to be resurfaced is from Eliot Place to Beaumont Street, roughly the area from Chick-fil-A to Dairy Queen/School of Rock.
The tentative start date for the milling portion of the project is scheduled to begin the night of Sunday, July 21, and continue for approximately five nights, ending the morning of Friday, July 26. The tentative start date for the paving portion of the project is scheduled to begin the night of Sunday, July 28, and continue for approximately eight nights ending the morning of Wednesday, August 7.
Department of Public Works is Crack Sealing Roads This Week
The Department of Public Works' Highway Division and our contractor, Indus/Sealcoating, are asphalt crack sealing roads this week, in this order:
Elm Street (currently working here)
Walls Drive (one-way traffic)
Barlow Road
Vermont Avenue
New Hampshire Avenue
New England Avenue
Massachusetts Avenue
Maryland Street
Georgia Street
Rhode Island Avenue
Kings Highway (Grasmere to Kings Hwy Cutoff)
Asphalt crack sealing is a preventative maintenance process that preserves the integrity and extends the lifespan of paved roads. Left untreated, cracks in a road can become potholes, and can lead to sub-base failure. In crack sealing, an adhesive sealant is placed directly into the cracks, and a de-tacking agent is used, so that roads can be opened to traffic immediately after sealing. If you see our DPW crew heading towards you, please proceed with caution and give them a wide berth as they work to fix Fairfield's roads. Questions? Call 203-256-3177.
Turney Creek Culvert Replacement/Riverside Drive Update
We are happy to report that overhead utility relocations have been successfully completed. As part of the next phase, we have implemented a road closure and detour. As part of this detour, Riverside Drive has been temporarily closed to all through traffic. We kindly ask all vehicular and pedestrian traffic to adhere to posted detour signs to navigate around the closure.
The contractor will begin mobilizing equipment and procuring materials essential for the project. We anticipate that construction work will commence within the next couple of weeks. For ongoing updates on the project's progress and any changes to the detour plan, please visit the Town's Engineering page. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Project Manager Eli Ghazal at 203-256-3015.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation!
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Tax Collector Reminds Residents of Property Taxes Due
First quarter Real Estate taxes, first half installment (business) personal property taxes, and annual motor vehicle taxes billed in one installment became due on July 1, and the last day to pay timely is Thursday, August 1, 2024. On August 2, 2024, statutory interest accrues at an initial rate of 3%. Per state statute interest accrues at 1.5% from the original due date of July 1, 2024. Any original tax bill can be paid at any M&T Bank branch location between July 1, 2024 and August 1, 2024. You do not need to be a customer. For more details or payment options, penalties and contact information, view the Legal Notice or contact the Tax Collector's office.
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Twice-Weekly Watering Schedule for Sprinkler Systems
Fairfield and surrounding towns have a mandatory twice-weekly irrigation schedule for homes with automatic sprinkler irrigation systems. Sprinkler systems often use large volumes of water--about 40 percent more than homes without those systems. All that water can be harmful to healthy lawns and gardens. One deep watering a week of one inch of water is much more beneficial for your plants than watering several times a week. This makes the roots of your trees, shrubs, flowers and lawn grow more to reach the water, which makes them healthier and more resilient. You may use drip irrigation, soaker hoses, hoses with sprinklers, and hand-held watering at any time.
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From Trash to Treasure - Donate Your Canceled License Plates
The Sustainable Fairfield Task Force wants you to donate your canceled license plates to be made into artwork! Stephen Goldstein, a Fairfield resident, celebrates pop culture, feminism, and the issues we face in today’s complex world in his work. He has completed more than 60 pieces over the past 17 years, with more on tap.
Inspired when living in New York City, Stephen started using used license plates purchased off of eBay to create US maps. Today Goldstein’s upcycled work includes using license plates, guitar picks, tin roofing, old car parts, bottle caps, and beer cans. You can donate your canceled license plates in the receptacle in the lobby of Old Town Hall, 611 Old Post Road.
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Safe Infant Sleep Spaces
Fairfield resident Ashley Scholhamer, M.D., is a Board-Certified pediatrician and assistant professor of Pediatrics at Quinnipac University's Frank H. Netter School of Medicine. After noticing that HGTV often depicts infant sleep spaces in unsafe ways, Dr. Scholhamer launched a petition advocating that sleep spaces on HGTV programming follow the safe sleep guidelines supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). To date the petition has garnered more than 500 signatures from pediatric healthcare workers across the nation.
The AAP safe sleep guidelines recommend that babies should be placed to sleep on their backs on a firm mattress without any loose blankets, stuffed animals, bumpers, or other soft objects in the crib, as these items have been linked to smothering deaths. Unfortunately, the majority of HGTV's idealized nurseries feature cribs styled with such objects, and families might be unaware of the risk of copying these designs at home. Dr.
Scholhamer's petition seeks to bring awareness of safe sleep practices to HGTV's attention and in doing so change the way cribs are depicted in the media to help keep babies safe.
You can find the petition here. Dr. Scholhamer also invites you to read an explanation of the AAP's safe sleep guidelines on healthychildren.org.
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Scouts Member Samantha Tomei Visits the First Selectman's Office
Rising high school freshman and Scouts member
Samantha Tomei made a visit to the First Selectman's Office last week to discuss a Town issue, part of a requirement for a Scouts program. Samantha and Bill discussed Fairfield's Complete Streets' policy, an initiative designed to create safe and comfortable access to Town roadways for all users, whether pedestrians, drivers, public transportation users, or bikers. Thanks for stopping by, Samantha!
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Fairfield American 50/70 Little League Team: State Champs!
The Fairfield American 50/70 Little League Team won the state title for this age group (13U) for the second year in a row! On Friday, July 19, the team heads to the Little League 50/70 Regional Tournament in Dover, Delaware. Best of luck, team!
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Adult Outdoor Fitness Center Opening
A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on July 8 officially opened the Adult Outdoor Fitness Center at the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities. Funded through State ARPA Senior Center monies and a State of CT grant for Senior Center Funding, the fitness area is tailored for aging residents and individuals with disabilities or physical limitations. Specialized equipment includes custom balance stations (shown above), swings, cross trainers, leg presses, chest presses, and arm and leg bikes. An informational sign includes QR codes that will access instructional videos.
The objective of the fresh air fitness center is to promote physical activity and mitigate the negative impacts of isolation and unmet social needs exacerbated by the pandemic, says Human and Social Services Director Julie DeMarco. You can reach the outdoor center by parking in back of the Bigelow Center and following the Frank Rice Trail, or by parking on Oldfield Road and entering through the gate.
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From left, Human and Social Services Director Julie DeMarco, Human Services Secretary Janet Merando, Bigelow Center Director Brenda Steele, and Social Services Coordinator Alison Witherbee | |  |
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First Selectman Bill Gerber speaks with, from left, Deb O'Brien, Joyce Lake, Eileen Francis.
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Town Proclamation for ADA Month of July
In the July 10 Board of Selectmen meeting, Bill Gerber read a Town of Fairfield Proclamation declaring July as "American with Disabilities Act Awareness Month." In part, the proclamation declares that "the millions of Americans who currently live with disabilities are the fabric of our country. The ADA has helped eliminate barriers for their full participation in every community, including the Town of Fairfield."
"The Town of Fairfield affirms the principles of equality and inclusion for persons with disabilities as set for the State of Connecticut and as embodied in the ADA. There are many organizations in our state and in our community--including the Town of Fairfield Commission on disAbilities-- that work with constituents to continue to fulfill the promise of both hope and freedom that comes with the passage of the ADA."
We encourage residents to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the passing of the ADA--a defining moment in Civil Rights law--and to help continue to build a culture that not only protects disability rights, but also celebrates disability pride. One way to support those with disabilities is not to occupy handicapped parking spaces if you are not disabled.
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Pequot Trail Opened in Southport Park
Selectman Christine Vitale stepped out with members of the community on Saturday, July 13 to officially open the new Pequot Trail. Located at 170 Old Post Road in Southport, this level walking loop can be found in Southport Park, a 12-acre nature preserve maintained by the Sasquanaug Association. The new trail was designed to memorialize the pivotal Pequot War/Battle of Munnacommuck Swamp (July 13-14, 1637) and features interpretative signs created by the Fairfield Museum. You can learn more at Sasquanaug.org.
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Sidewalk Sale and Street Fair, Saturday, July 20
The annual Sidewalk Sale and Street Fair takes place on Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with more than 50 Fairfield businesses participating.
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Pequot Library's Annual Summer Book Sale: July 26-July 30
One of the largest book sales in New England, our Summer Book Sale draws book lovers from near and far with a selection of over 100,000 items in over 60 categories. The five-day sale is held in large tents on the Great Lawn and parking lot and in the Auditorium and Reading Room of the Library.
Admission is free. Limited street parking can be found around Pequot Library. All proceeds support Pequot Library’s books, services, programs, and exhibitions for adults and children, serving more than 45,000 participants a year. More information can be found here.
Friday, July 26: 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 27: 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 28: 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.
Monday, July 29: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 30: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
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Fairfield Regional Fire School Hosts Blood Drive, Monday, August 5
The Fairfield Regional Fire School will host a Blood Drive on August 5 at the request of the Connecticut Blood Center. There is a blood emergency projected for Connecticut from July 22 through August 12, with a low supply of blood for hospitals due to challenges in blood collections during the summer months.
The Connecticut Blood Center, a not-for-profit, independent community blood center provides more than 65,000 units of blood to over a dozen Connecticut hospitals annually. The Hartford HealthCare network, including local St. Vincent's Medical Center, receives all of its life-saving red cells, platelets and plasma blood for patients in need from the Connecticut Blood Center. Schedule your blood donation here.
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Tavern Night: Celebrate the 200th Anniversary of
Lafayette's Farewell Tour, August 17 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Festive food, drink and song at the historic Sun Tavern. Colonial attire encouraged!
Register for tickets here.
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BOARD AND COMMISSION OPENINGS
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Here are the current vacancies for Town residents:
Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee: Learn more about this committee here.
Charter Revision Commission: Number of vacancies to be determined.
Ethics Commission: Learn more about this Commission here.
FairTV Commission: Learn more about this Commission here. A working knowledge of television production is helpful.
Flood and Erosion Control Board: Learn more about this Board here. Experience with riverine systems is desirable.
Parking Authority: Learn more about the Authority here.
Learn more about the Appointment Process here.
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Board of Selectman Meetings
The next regular Board of Selectmen meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 24 at 4:00 p.m. Meetings are held in Independence Hall and open to the public. You can attend either in person or on Webex. You can also read minutes of previous meetings here.
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EYES ON FAIRFIELD
Help us celebrate the unique beauty of life in Fairfield by sharing your photos with our community. Submit your photos at 300dpi to firstselectman@fairfieldct.org. We live in such a special Town. Share with all of us the sites and sights you love.
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Sunrise at Penfield Beach
July 3, 2024
Photo by Jim Barlow
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This email arrives in your inbox every other Thursday and is official news from Fairfield's First Selectman and the Town of Fairfield. If this email was forwarded to you and you want to receive official emails from your First Selectman, click here. You can also unsubscribe from any newsletter you don't want to receive. Go to the bottom of the email and click unsubscribe.
If you know someone who may benefit from reading Town updates, please forward this newsletter to them and encourage them to subscribe. Thank you!
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Independence Hall
725 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
203-256-3030
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