Town of Fairfield News
7/17/2020 - 7.17 TOWN UPDATE
Dear Fairfielders,
I hope you are finding my weekly updates helpful. I do my best to address and respond to the many concerns that I am contacted about each week. Recent safety concerns including crowding at the beaches prompted me to bring a portion of the Emergency Management Team's Planning Committee together yesterday for a multi-hour meeting to consider steps we can take to improve safety at our beaches for Fairfield residents. Additionally, I recently read a concerning report that beach communities in Rhode Island are seeing the largest percentage of new cases of COVID-19 compared to non shoreline communities.
After much consideration the Planning Committee and I decided to implement the following changes. On Saturdays and Sundays, parking at the Town of Fairfield's beaches will be limited to cars with a valid 2020 Fairfield resident beach sticker only. Additionally, anyone walking on to the beach over the age of 16, will be asked for proof of residency such as a driver's license, only on the weekends.
To alert the public of these changes, message board signs will be located on the I-95 exit ramps on Saturday and Sunday indicating that our beaches are open to Fairfield residents.
Because we have so many access points to our beach areas we have installed temporary fencing to some of these areas with a combination of staffing from law enforcement, Parks & Recreation and Department of Public Works personnel to assist with the new safety guidelines. As we have done for the last few weeks, we will continue with our increased enforcement of illegal parking in the beach areas. We have blocked off a portion of Veteran's park and the remaining will be for permit parking only on the weekends. We are also opening one of the auxiliary lots at Penfield Beach for residents only.
I want to note, I have received emails from concerned residents about cars with out of state plates at Penfield. The town has always issued a B sticker to residents who own residential property in our town but have their car registered in another state, for example a resident with a company car or a second home. Penfield beach parking is open to residents only.
I have received complaints of illegal parking at Southport beach. Permits are required for all parking around the beach and police will continue to patrol and ticket any illegal parking.
As a reminder, we added no beach parking signs at Bob's parking lot and law enforcement, with cooperation from their management. The police commission also voted to increase parking fines from $80 to $200 to help deter illegal parking. Signage is starting to be installed with the new fines this week.
Monday through Friday only, the town will issue 150 non-resident vehicles will be permitted to park at Jennings Beach for $50 daily. We will continue this policy as we have not seen over crowding issues at the beaches during the week.
I'm sure there will be room for improvement as we monitor these new protocols, however I hope these steps will alleviate congestion in the beach neighborhoods, illegal parking and improve our resident’s safety and ability to socially distance while on our beaches. Public health and safety must remain a top priority.
I continue to urge residents to wear face coverings while walking on the beach and at the concession stands or in the restrooms. While Fairfield and Connecticut continue to do well, it's very easy to reverse these positive trend lines.
Please know I want to ensure our residents are able to enjoy our beaches safely during the pandemic.
COVID-19 UPDATE:
While both Fairfield and Connecticut continue to experience low transmission rates, there are some new developments worth noting. Since July 1st, we have had 15 new cases with nine of those individuals being under the age of 25. Governor Lamont said yesterday that 20-29 year-olds now make up the biggest age group reporting new coronavirus cases.
The Town of Fairfield has 663 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and a total of 145 of our residents have sadly lost their lives. Of the 663 residents who have tested positive in Fairfield, 450 have reported that they have fully recovered.
Charts and data on Fairfield cases including age, gender, nursing home statistics, testing samples, and different trend lines can be found at fairfieldct.org/covid19data.
Traveling? Please take the time to check the CT Travel Advisory page to know what states are on the list as most impacted. If you travel to these states you are asked to quarantine for 14-days upon return to protect the members of our community.
Contact Tracing
The Fairfield Health Department is actively participating in the state-wide contact tracing program which is a crucial part in fighting COVID-19. For this initiative to be successful, the Health Department needs the cooperation of residents who test positive for COVID-19. The primary purpose of contact tracing is to identify and notify direct contacts of confirmed cases as quickly as possible and to ensure those exposed are self-quarantining. The information provided in the interviews with confirmed cases helps reduce the potential spread of the virus in our community. Please help Fairfield continue the fight against COVID-19 and pick up the phone or call us back if someone from the Health Department or Connecticut Contact Tracing Program calls you. |
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| RESIDENT CORNER:
I take pride in our community's active engagement through the thoughtful emails I receive every day with feedback and questions. Here are some of the top issues I have been contacted about recently and what I am doing to address them.
Cable & Internet: After many members of our Representative Town Meeting (RTM), our State Delegation and I experienced calls and emails from residents with issues surrounding cable interruptions, we thought it would be helpful to ask residents to complete a survey that we could share with the cable company. Over 2,000 residents responded and the results were clear. Altice's customer service is severely lacking and the outages are presenting hardships to our residents during a time when many are working from home. I sent a letter to the CEO of Altice to ask them to review the survey and request they improve their service to our community. You can read the letter here.
Keep Fairfield Beautiful: Fairfield is lucky to have many beautiful parks, open spaces, and beaches available for the enjoyment of our residents. Please help the Town to keep our public spaces clean by properly disposing of your trash. Together we can keep Fairfield beautiful, clean and safe!
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I hope you will scroll through the new announcements and resources below that may be helpful to you. I hope you have a nice weekend and please stay safe.
Sincerely,
Brenda L. Kupchick
Fairfield First Selectwoman |
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FAIRFIELD SIDEWALK SALE
On Saturday, July 18, from 10 am to 4 p.m. The Town of Fairfield and Fairfield Chamber of Commerce will again co-sponsor the Fairfield Sidewalk Sale event. For information on participating vendors, restaurants and activities, please visit www.fairfieldct.org/sidewalksale. |
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STEP OUT FOR THE BRAVE 40,000 STEP VIRTUAL CHALLENGE 
Between Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 16th, join the Step Out for the Brave 40,000 Step Virtual Challenge to take 40,000 steps for each of the 40,000 homeless Veterans across the United States. Complete the challenge individually or as a group. Step Out in one day or nine. Each step you take is a step towards helping a homeless Veteran. Register and more information here. |
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FAIRFIELD BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE:
The Fairfield Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee reminds residents:
Pedestrians:
- Walk against traffic
- Use the sidewalks
- If there are no sidewalks, walk single file when in groups
Bicyclists:
- Ride with traffic in the street (not on sidewalks)
- Announce Yourself When Approaching Pedestrians Not Facing You
- Observe All Street Signs
- Ride Single File When in Groups
- And, WEAR A HELMET! |
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NEW EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM
The Town of Fairfield will no longer be utilizing the current alert system known as CodeRed to issue emergency and community alerts to residents and business owners. We are switching to a new system.
In order to continue receiving Emergency and Community alerts from the Town of Fairfield, you must sign up again. Visit www.fairfieldct.org/alerts |
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Help is available to Fairfield small businesses that are struggling due to the pandemic. The Fairfield COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Program was established to provide limited, one time direct financial assistance to eligible Fairfield small businesses that have no more than five full-time employees and that have been adversely affected by the public health emergency. Applications are still being accepted by the Office of Community & Economic Development. To learn more or to apply, please visit the website: www.fairfieldct.org/covidsbr
The Office of Community & Economic Development also has a small supply of face shields and infrared thermometers for Fairfield small businesses and non-profits in need of PPE. Please contact the Office of Community & Economic Development at (203) 256-3120 or cedoffice@fairfieldct.org if you are interested.
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The Fairfield COVID-19 Relief Fund was established to provide limited, one-time assistance to Fairfield residents who have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Use of the funds must be directly related to the effects of the virus. Donate to the fund or apply for relief by clicking below.
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HEAT KILLS: If You Love 'Em, Don't Leave 'Em
It takes just a few minutes for the temperature inside a vehicle to skyrocket, sometimes causing entirely preventable tragedies. I worked hard to launch this program in 2015 with the Fairfield Police Department, which has been replicated throughout the state, in an effort to remind residents of the dangers of leaving their kids or pets in a car during warm weather. I thank all the stores who have posted these signs in their parking lots.
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PARKING:
Heading to the beach or Lake Mohegan? Check the parking lot capacity before you go: |
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FARMER'S MARKETS:
The downtown farmers market is held Sundays on Sherman Green, from 10AM-2PM throughout the summer months and into the fall season.. In keeping with CDC and State of CT guidelines, face masks and social distancing protocols are required. For more information and a list of vendors, please visit www.fairfieldfarmersmarket.org. For those unable to make Sundays, the Greenfield Hill Farmers Market, located at 65 Hillside Road, is another great local option which is open on Saturdays from 10AM to 2PM, through the fall. |
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LOCAL TAXES
Pay your taxes at the outdoor window. See how here.
Tax Deferment: Tax Deferment: Deferment-eligible 1st quarter real estate taxes, and 1st installment motor vehicle and personal property taxes became due July 1 and are payable through October 1. Failure to pay by October 1 makes the installment delinquent and subject to interest charges of 1 1/2% per month from July 1, 2020. Please note that real estate accounts held in escrow and commercial accounts that did not apply for deferment by July 1 are ineligible. For more details on eligibility or for anyone with questions, please click here to visit the Tax Collector’s website or call 203-256-3100. |
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UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
If you become unemployed due to coronavirus (COVID-19), you should file for unemployment benefits. Click here for more information. For frequently asked questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) for workers and employers click here. |
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ASSISTANCE FOR RENTERS, HOMEOWNERS & RESIDENTIAL LANDLORDS
Governor Lamont announced a comprehensive plan to put more than $33 million in state and federal resources to work providing emergency assistance to renters, homeowners, and residential landlords impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Rental assistance information can be found here. Further information is below:
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TOWN GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Sullivan Independence Hall and Old Town Hall are open to the public by appointment only for the safety of employees and residents. Please visit this summary page for an overview and follow links to specific departments for more information. |
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| Many residents are installing pools, decks and patios. Please be aware that many items require a permit for your own safety to ensure proper installation. Learn more about the COVID permitting procedures here. |
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SOCIAL SERVICES
Social Services continues to assist by telephone town residents who are experiencing difficulty providing the basic needs for themselves and their families, especially during these unprecedented times. Please call with any questions or concerns: 203-256-3170 or visit at fairfieldct.org/humanservices. |
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BIGELOW CENTER
Transportation services have resumed on a limited basis for medical appointments and grocery shopping. Reservations for rides are first-come, first-served for shopping and medical appointments and must be made no less than one week in advance. Please call the senior center for more information: 203-256-3166.
The number of riders per trip is limited to four. For those who do not live in Senior and Disabled Housing, Fairfield Senior Transportation will provide rides on fixed routes based on neighborhoods either Tuesdays or Thursdays each week. Masks must be worn to board the buses. GBT buses will continue to provide weekly trips to the Supermarket for residents of Senior and Disabled Housing. Rides are now available to medical appointments for Fairfield’s seniors and people with disabilities on Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of 9:30 – 3:00 PM (do not schedule any appointments after 1:30 PM).
Meals for those who are unable to cook or get to the market, and Senior Grocery bags, provided by the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging, will continue to be delivered by Senior Center staff and CERT volunteers.
Read the latest newsletter here. Bigelow Center and Social Services staff is available by phone during normal business hours to answer your questions. The Senior Center phone number is 203-256-3166, or email BigelowCenter@FairfieldCT.org. |
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COVID-19 TESTING
CVS has expanded their drive-thru testing to include 12 new sites in CT. These new sites will utilize self-swab tests and will be available to individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to age guidelines. Learn more here.
At this time, testing priority is given to those who are high risk. For more information on testing sites and protocols click here or visit www.fairfieldct.org/covid19. |
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OPERATION HOPE FOOD PANTRY
Operation Hope wants to make sure residents of Fairfield are aware that the food pantry remains open and is ready to help by providing food and other basic needs to community residents, as they have for nearly 35 years. The pantry is currently operating as a drive-up service at 636 Old Post Road offering prepacked bags of groceries appropriate for various-sized households.
Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10:00-12:00; Thursday from 4:00 -6:00. Visit operationhopect.org. |
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FAIRFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY: OPEN ONLINE & CURB SIDE PICK-UP
Please visit fairfieldpubliclibrary.org for full details regarding this service. In the interest of everyone’s safety and health, library buildings will remain closed while providing this contact-free service.
Fairfield Public Library continues to offer 24/7 access to their digital collection of books, music, magazines and movies plus a wide and varied assortment of virtual programs. Learn more here: fplct.librarymarket.com/.
Need a library card? Follow this link fairfieldpubliclibrary.org/my-fpl/library-cards/ and get started today!
Sign up for the library newsletter here. |
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PEQUOT LIBRARY: WE'RE HERE, WE CARE 
Pequot Library's doors may be temporarily closed, but our librarians and staff are still here for you! Enjoy digital programs like story times, author talks, book clubs, and more! Get details on our website and social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Sign up for Pequot Library's Digital Digest eNewsletter or contact our Chief Librarian for personalized book recommendations.
On Monday, June 22, Pequot will be curbside pickup. Please contact us for more information. |
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Important COVID-19 Links:
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Contact Information:
For general questions you can call 211
Hartford HealthCare’s COVID-19 Clinical Command Center hotline, staffed by healthcare professionals, is now available to the community. To reach the 24-hour hotline, call 860.972.8100 or (toll-free) 833.621.0600.
YNHH has a call center number it’s 1-833-ASK YNHH that’s open from 7am - 7pm.
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PREVIOUS COVID-19 UPDATES:
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