Town of Fairfield News
10/9/2020 - 10.9 TOWN UPDATE
Good Afternoon Fairfielders,
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Pink Pledge, the Tree of Hope is lit up pink on the Town Green. The Pink Pledge is a month-long community-wide awareness and fundraising campaign to benefit the Norma Pfriem Breast Center, which has locations in Fairfield, New Haven, Bridgeport and Trumbull.
Funds raised through the Pink Pledge enable the Center to continue to provide medical excellence and compassionate care to all women, regardless of their ability to pay. Visit pinkpledge.org to learn more and stop by the Sherman Green this month to see the Tree lit pink as a symbol of hope to those who are currently fighting breast cancer, the warriors who beat it and the families of those who lost their battle against this disease. I would like to thank Al's Angels, who donated the tree and lights it up each month in honor of a different charity that helps children and families in need in Fairfield. |
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COVID-19 UPDATE:
Fairfield University has seen a significant increase in positive tests over the last few days. I just finished a call with the State Department of Public Health, Fairfield University and our Town's Health Department. The purpose of the call is to ensure that we are all working together and that the University is following all state guidelines and recommendations on quarantining, contact tracing and testing. We have been in constant communication over the last few days and will continue to stay in touch with the university and the State Department of Public Health throughout the weekend.
- Read the full letter to students and parents from Fairfield University President, Mark Nemec.
- A lot of your questions can be answered by reading the letter sent out by the University to students this morning about student procedures which includes information on quarantining, testing and sports cancellations.
While it's not unexpected that we have an increase in positive cases in our community after opening our 16 public schools and two universities, I want to remind everyone that as a community, we must double down on our efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 and continue to do our part to follow the CDC guidelines.
Please continue to wear a mask when in public and when a 6' distance cannot be maintained from others and please also wash your hands frequently.
It is incumbent upon all of us to protect one another.
Please, if you have symptoms, make sure you get tested and stay home.
The Town of Fairfield has 918 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and a total of 145 of our residents have sadly lost their lives. Of the 918 residents who have tested positive in Fairfield, 389 have reported that they have fully recovered and 229 are assumed recovered.
Charts and data on Fairfield cases including age, gender, nursing home statistics, testing results, different trends and university statistics can be found at https://www.fairfieldct.org/covid19data. When looking at the data page, please be sure to read the notes around each chart as they offer explanations of some of the changes in the data. The Health Department updates this page daily.
One of the charts breaks down the difference between the University population and the resident population. Click on the chart to view it on the website.
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The Health Department also updates the COVID-19 School Data page, which details the school related metrics and is updated each week as the State releases the data. The Fairfield Board of Education also has a dashboard on their homepage at https://www.fairfieldschools.org/.
The Universities each have websites with updated information on their testing, which can be found here:
Fairfield University's Dashboard
Sacred Heart University's Dashboard
While the state's phase 3 reopening is now in effect as of yesterday, (read more information here), I want to be very clear reminding residents regardless of what phase we are in, we are still in the midst of a pandemic and we all must continue to do our part to keep each other safe.
ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE:
During my last environmental update, linked here, I shared the Town was expecting to receive a sign off from Department of Environmental & Energy Protection (DEEP) on the consent order, which authorizes the Town to commence investigation/remediation work. We were expecting to receive that confirmation this week but unfortunately, at the time of this newsletter, we have not yet received final sign-off from DEEP. I continue to be frustrated with these repeated delays. The Town’s environmental attorney will continue his outreach efforts to DEEP to resolve the consent order issue. I will keep you updated throughout this process. |
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| Last week, I had the honor of participating in my first police department swearing in ceremony as First Selectwoman for Lt. Edward Nook and Sgt. James Wiltsie, who were promoted to their respective ranks. I hope you'll join me in congratulating these fine men as they continue to serve and protect our community in these new roles. |
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This morning I had the pleasure of participating in a ground breaking ceremony for Mill Hill Elementary School's long awaited renovation and addition with Superintendent of Schools Mike Cummings, Mill Hill School Building Committee Chair and Vice Chair, Tom Quinn and Jason Li, Chairwoman of the Board of Education Christine Vitale, Mill Hill Principal Kevin Chase, State Representative Brian Farnen, and Mill Hill Elementary students. The Mill Hill community looks forward to the completion of this project.
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I hope that you and your family stay safe and have a lovely weekend. I hope you find the resources below helpful.
Sincerely,
Brenda L. Kupchick
Fairfield First Selectwoman |
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HALLOWEEN GUIDANCE
Some of our residents have reached out to me and asked if the town should cancel Halloween. The CDC released guidance for communities to experience a safe Halloween. Let me emphasize that for those who do not wish to celebrate, you have the choice of shutting off your front porch light so that no one will come to your door. You can read more about how to have a safe Halloween by clicking on the image below.
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VOTING:
Polls Will be Open
My office has received many inquires on voting procedures. As a reminder, Election day is Tuesday, November 3. Polls will be open from 6 AM to 8 PM. They will be sanitized frequently and will have social distancing measures in place. All poll workers will have face coverings, face shields and plexiglass shields to protect the public. Residents shall wear face coverings upon entering the polls. During the primary in September, I visited several polling locations and witnessed the safety procedures and protocols first hand, and feel confident that our residents can vote in person safely.
In the Town of Fairfield over 11,000 absentee ballot applications were processed and 11,000 absentee ballots were issued to meet the October 2nd statutory deadline. Applications continue to be processed on a daily basis by the Town Clerk's office.
Absentee Ballots must be received by 8:00 pm on Election Day. A secure ballot drop box is available in front of Old Town Hall, 611 Old Post Road should you prefer this method over mailing in your ballot.
If you decide to vote in person on Election Day, do NOT bring the absentee ballot with you. Absentee ballots are not accepted at polling places; only in the secure drop boxes or through the mail.
To view a sample voting ballot by district, click here: www.fairfieldct.org/ballot
If you have more questions, you can contact the Registrar of Voters office or visit the Secretary of State website. |
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| FAIRFIELD REVALUATION
The Connecticut General Statutes requires each town to do a revaluation every five years. The Town of Fairfield is in the process of a real property revaluation as required for the Grand List of October 1, 2020. This revaluation will correspond to the tax bills that will be due beginning in July 2021. For more information, click here.
 To listen to the presentation from Assessor Ross Murray and Mike Fazio at this week's Board of Selectman meeting, click here.
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VEHICLE THEFT PREVENTION TIPS:
Chief Christopher Lyddy and the Fairfield Police Department would like to advise residents to properly secure their vehicles to prevent break-ins and avoid being easy targets for thieves this month.
October is National Crime Prevention Month. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), each year over 770,000 vehicles are stolen and nearly 41% are never recovered. Read more here.
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APPLY FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE
With the heat and power shut-off moratorium ending Oct. 1, Fairfield residents should apply  for help now. If you need help with your heating bill, Fairfield Social Services can help families with the process. It's important to apply now because the utility moratorium on power/heat shut-offs ends October 1, 2020.
Fairfield Social Services is now making appointments to assist Fairfield residents with applications for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program. Energy assistance pays for a household's primary heating source such as oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, coal, wood and wood pellets on behalf of eligible households. The amount of heat assistance may not be sufficient to cover a household's entire winter heating cost. Homeowners and renters may apply.
Due to risks associated with Covid-19, there will be no in-person appointments for Energy Assistance. Please call the Social Services office to set up your telephone appointment: 203-256-3170. Don't wait, do it now. |
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DOGS ON LEASH
As of October 1st, Dogs are permitted on Town of Fairfield Beaches, however, they are prohibited from Boardwalks, Pavilions and playgrounds. Persons responsible for dogs must clean up after their animals while they are on the beach, in open spaces or in the parking areas. Dogs are not permitted in any Town of Fairfield parks or playground areas.
The CDC Guidelines have not changed regarding dogs being leashed at all times and under the control of their owner. I know our town has allowed dogs to be unleashed at Jennings Beach and at Lake Mohegan, however it would not be responsible for the Town of Fairfield to ignore the CDC guidelines during this pandemic. I hope our Town's dog owners understand that we must follow these guidelines while visiting any Fairfield Parks, Beaches & Open Spaces.
According to the CDC, we should "treat pets as you would other human family members to protect them from a possible infection." The "CDC recommends that pet owners limit their pet’s interaction with people outside their household."
In addition, the CDC states that you should "walk dogs on a leash at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from others" and "avoid public places where a large number of people gather."
We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.
For the complete text of the Town Ordinance pertaining to dogs on beaches, open space areas, and marinas, go to: https://buff.ly/34jJsKm |
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CHECK OUT THE NEW EXPERIENCE FAIRFIELD WEBSITE!
www.experiencefairfieldct.org is a comprehensive resource for anyone who wants to learn about the richness and diversity of Fairfield and what it has to offer. This updated website includes beautiful new photos, smart filters and maps to learn more about each community in Fairfield. In addition, the site features new restaurant and retail information, and guided audio tours for walking or biking. A calendar feature will be continuously updated with events at the Fairfield Theatre Company, Quick Center, Edgerton Center and other Fairfield venues when they’re safe for in-door audiences. The website’s new look and content was developed by a cross community project team led by Mark Barnhart. We hope you take a few minutes to check it out. |
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PLATFORM TO EMPLOYMENT:
Click the images below for more information.
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FAIRFIELD BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE: 
The Town of Fairfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee has been working to encourage walking and biking for transportation, recreation, exercise and quality of life.
Working with multiple town departments we have established bicycle routes, installed bicycle repair stations, worked to improve pedestrian infrastructure, and authored the Town of Fairfield Complete Streets Policy (approved by the Board of Selectman in 2018).
With more and more of our citizens using our roads, we would like to provide you with some important safety reminders for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. View the document here. |
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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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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.
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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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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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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 are running 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 buses may only transport four riders per trip. For those who do not live in Senior and Disabled Housing, Fairfield Senior Transportation will provide rides Tuesdays or Thursdays each week. Masks must be worn to board the buses. Rides are now available to medical appointments for Fairfield’s seniors and people with disabilities on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of 9:30 – 3:00 PM.
If you or anyone you know are homebound and unable to shop, the Mobile Food Pantry is available every other week and lunches are available for those who are homebound. Please call Social Services for more information: 203-256-3170. |
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COVID-19 TESTING
Testing capacity has increased in our area. To view locations where to get tested, please visit fairfieldct.org/covid19testing.
Contact Tracing
One of the key tools we have to contain the spread of COVID-19 is Contact Tracing. For this initiative to be successful, the Health Department needs the cooperation of residents who test positive for COVID-19. Both Universities were trained and assisted by our Health Department to manage their own contact tracing for their respective campuses.
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.
Any Fairfield resident who tests positive for COVID-19 and has not received a phone call from the Fairfield Health Department or the Connecticut COVID Tracing system within 24 hours of receiving their result is urged to contact the Fairfield Health Department at 203-256-3022. |
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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
 The Fairfield Public Main Library is open for quick browsing and checkout on weekday afternoons 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Learn more about Library Express service. Coming Soon…additional Library Express service hours at the Main Library. Beginning Saturday October 17th Library Express Service will be expanded to include Saturdays 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm and Tuesday and Thursday evenings 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Please visit fairfieldpubliclibrary.org for full details regarding Curbside Pickup at the Main Library and Woods Branch Library. Fairfield Public Library continues to offer 24/7 access to their digital collection of books, music, magazines, movies and databases. Visit the Library Event Calendar to find a wide and varied assortment of Virtual Programs.
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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