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Connecting Fairfield
News from First Selectman Bill Gerber
| Photo: First Selectman Bill Gerber and his staff visited the Bigelow Senior Center to proclaim the month of March as National Social Workers’ Month in Fairfield. From left to right, Julie DeMarco, Christine Brown, Alison Witherbee, Eileen Fickes, Mila Rodrigues, Bill Gerber, Amy Luciano, Kristin Hosp and Jen Carpenter. | |
Dear Fairfielders,
Our Town has welcomed the arrival of spring with daffodils blooming along our roadways, a visual reminder that we share life together in a very special place. My schedule since my last e-newsletter has included numerous budget hearings with the Board of Finance and interviews with candidates for the Chief Fiscal Officer position. There have also been a couple of significant issues my office has moved forward in the past two weeks:
This week, the Town filed an appeal in Superior Court against the Connecticut Siting Council and United Illuminating, challenging the legality of the Council’s decision to award a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need to UI for the construction of overhead transmission lines along the north side of the railroad tracks. The Town’s arguments are: first, that the Siting Council violated its statutory obligation to balance the need for the project with the environmental impact as to this new route, and second, that north side property owners abutting the railroad had no prior notice of the plan and, along with the Town, were deprived of their due process rights. I urge you to read more about the fight against the monopoles in Primary Issues below, and to add your name to the petition so your name can be counted, and your voice can be heard.
Progress is demonstrated by getting closer to the place you ultimately want to be. With that in mind, our experience on March 16 with the Fairfield University students’ unsanctioned beach party called Sham Jam was a step in the right direction. With SantaCon, we had an environmental disaster on our hands, and we did not want to repeat that. Our intention was to take new and pro-active steps, which we did. The result is that we did not see trash left on the beach to wash into the Sound with the tides, we did not witness dozens of young adults made ill by consuming too much alcohol, and the overall perception of the neighbors in the beach area is that this event was a vast improvement on SantaCon. We are pleased with our progress, and at the same time, we continue to work to make additional improvements.
Here is what we did that was effective:
We planned ahead: Meetings were held with stakeholders and key participants, including Fairfield University, Fairfield Police, Fire, and EMS, the Lantern Point Association, Fairfield Beach Residents Association, other resident groups, and the Seagrape Cafe. We anticipated problems: To that end, we utilized teams from Parks & Recreation to put out 30 trash barrels in strategic locations. They installed a snow fence around a portion of the Lantern Point beach section down to the high tide line, to keep trash out of the Sound, and to serve as a visual signal marking the end of private property for Lantern Point students and their guests. Parks and Rec picked up several bags of trash prior to the arrival of professional cleaning crews. In the future, this should not be the responsibility of our Parks and Rec Department, but it showed how effective it is to begin clean-up as the parties are beginning to wind down. Fairfield University hired a cleaning crew that was on the beach the evening of March 16. Fairfield University agreed to pay for six overtime Police officers and 50 percent of the cost of Fire personnel. In addition, there were private security guards hired by the Seagrape and the Lantern Point Association. Police officers issued tickets and citations for eight infractions: five for creating a public disturbance, three for simple trespass. Two students were transported to the hospital for alcohol consumption. There were two non-student misdemeanor arrests.
Here is what we learned:
There is a need for portable toilets to stop public urination. In the interest of maintaining order and assuring public health, this issue needs to be addressed. There is a need for more trash receptacles on private areas of the beach. We will investigate the use of signs to delineate private from public spaces, and to direct Uber drivers for pick up and drop off. It is important to maintain a visible and substantial Police presence with a focus on crowd management, pedestrian safety, and curtailing illegal activity.
What Residents Need to Know:
Fairfield University did not organize or host this party. Sham Jam was sponsored by the Seagrape Cafe in concert with the student-led organization B.R.O. Events like Sham Jam create an impetus for additional private parties before and after, hosted by students living nearby in different houses. We are sometimes asked if the University or the Town can “shut these parties down” but it’s a complex legal situation. We cannot prohibit young adults from entertaining guests on private property that they are lawfully renting. Private property includes the beach in front of a home down to the high tide line. However, we can require that students or the landlords help control the events (e.g., by hiring clean-up crews, which they did for Sham Jam). Fairfield University also sponsored on-campus St. Patrick’s Day parties which were successful in keeping a number of students on school grounds. It is legal for 21-year-olds to drink alcohol on private property. Underage drinking and drinking on the public beach are illegal and will continue to be addressed by the Police Department. We can continue to educate young adults about the responsibilities of renting at the beach. The Fairfield Beach Residents Assocation in concert with Fairfield University makes this effort every year. The party planners, landlords and Fairfield University should bear a significant portion of the cost of maintaining order. It is incumbent on the Town and Emergency Services to be prepared for any event. Whenever a crowd of people are gathering, whether it is a student party, a Memorial Day parade or the Fourth of July fireworks, and regardless of whether or not there is outside funding, the Police and Fire Departments have a responsibility to be prepared and hire additional staff as needed.
Our residents have a right to question the use of tax dollars, but it is important to keep this expenditure in perspective. As a coastal town of 62,000 people with two large universities as part of our community, there is some expenditure that we will be called upon to make for public safety for events like these, and many others that serve other parts of the community. That said, I am working to put the responsibility for crowds, trash, public intoxication and expense where it belongs. This event was a test case of our ability to control the trash and public safety issues and showed that it can be done. The next step is to direct that expense to the appropriate parties.
We remain resolved as a community to stop the post-party environmental damage to the beach and the Sound, as well as addressing ongoing safety concerns for the students and others on the beach at that time.
Your thoughts, questions and concerns matter, and I want to hear from you. You can email me at firstselectman@fairfieldct.org.
Bill Gerber First Selectman |
Next Steps in the Budget Process: Board of Finance Sessions
SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2024—Board of Finance—Public Comment On Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 9:30 am, the Board of Finance will hold a Public Budget Comment Session for members of the community. Public comment will be limited to no more than three minutes per individual.
The session will be held in the Fairfield WARDE High School Auditorium, 755 Melville Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06825. This will not be a virtual meeting. It will be held in person only. To View or Listen by Phone:
FairTV’s website: https://www.fairfieldct.org/government/fairtv/index.php FairTV YouTube and Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/@fairtvgovernment720 FairTV’s cable channel (channel 79 for Fairfield Cablevision customers and 6010 for Frontier Cable customers)
A recording of the meeting will be posted here, Home- Town of Fairfield, Connecticut (fairfieldct.org), within 1-2 days of this meeting.
Anyone who cannot attend the meeting in person is encouraged to send their comments before the Public Budget Comment Session to the following email: bof@fairfieldct.org.
WEDS, APRIL 3, 2024 – Board of Finance - Budget Vote-Public Exec. Session-No Public Comment 7:30 pm – Via Webex and BOE Conference Room 295 A/B, 501 Kings Hwy E.
MON, APRIL 8, 2024 - Representative Town Meeting - Budget Hearing #1 7:00 pm –Via Webex & BOE Conference Room 295 A/B, 501 Kings Highway E
WEDS, APRIL 24, 2024—Representative Town Meeting- Budget Hearing #2 7:00 pm—Via Webex & BOE Conference Room 295 A/B, 501 Kings Highway E
MON, MAY 6, 2024—Representative Town Meeting, Annual Budget Vote Mtg 8:00 pm—Via Webex & BOE Conference Room 295 A/B, 501 Kings Highway E
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2024—Board of Finance Regular Meeting—Set Mill Rate 7:30 pm—Via Webex & BOE Conference Room 295 A/B, 501 Kings Highway E
| | | UI Monopoles
The Town of Fairfield Has Filed an Appeal Against the Connecticut Siting Council’s Decision
This week, the Town of Fairfield filed an appeal in Superior Court challenging the legality of the Connecticut Siting Council’s decision on Feb 16, 2024, granting UI a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the construction of overhead transmission lines along a new route to the north side of Metro-North train tracks, entitled the “Hannon-Morissette Alternative.” The appeal comes after months of Siting Council hearings where the Town and other impacted intervenors repeatedly raised concerns about UI’s plan to install massive monopoles on the south side of the Metro-North train tracks and challenged whether there was any need at all for this project.
Throughout the proceedings in Docket 516, the Town argued that UI’s southern overhead design would have caused devastating impacts to the environment and precious religious, cultural, historic, and scenic resources in the Town. The Town’s arguments prevailed before the Siting Council, as not one Council member voted in favor of UI’s southern overhead design. However, on February 16, the Council instead approved the Hannon-Morissette Alternative, a double -circuit overhead route to the north side of the tracks. The council approved this route even though UI never presented a design for that option, and even though UI stated that siting its transmission lines to the north was not viable.
The Town’s appeal raises two main arguments: first, that the Siting Council violated its statutory obligation to balance the supposed need for the project with the environmental impact of a route to the north of the railroad tracks. Second, the Town argues that the Siting Council violated due process as none of the abutters on the north side of the railroad tracks had any prior notice of the Hannon-Morissette Alternative. The Town is asking the Court to render a judgement vacating the Council’s decision.
The Town of Fairfield remains steadfast in its commitment to protect the rights of our residents.
If you want to read the press release sent to area media, you can go to the Press Room.
Here is the Appeal Complaint as filed on the Court docket.
If you want to review all of the recent news about UI and their plan to install monopoles in Fairfield, along with updates from bills currently in state legislature, you can go to the UI Monopoles News page.
We urge all residents to sign the petition stating opposition to the project.
If you would like to remain up to date on all details of the proposed monopoles plan and be a critical part of the grass-roots opposition, please fill out a membership form for Empowering Fairfield here.
Fairfield Metro Station to Be Renamed Fairfield-Black Rock Station
The Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced plans to rename the Fairfield Metro station to the Fairfield-Black Rock station in the coming months. The name change will more clearly indicate to the public the geographic area being served. Commuters have indicated confusion in finding the Fairfield or Fairfield Metro stations when using navigation apps. At the same time, the parking lot at the station will be made safer for pedestrians. You can read more here.
|  | | | Let’s Make the Lollipop our State Candy!
The First Selectman’s Office welcomed sixth grade Roger Ludlowe Middle School student Jacqueline Glick on Thursday, March 28, to celebrate her efforts to have the lollipop declared Connecticut’s state candy.
Jacqueline began her crusade in 2021 in third grade with the help of then-teacher Joan Robb, after realizing the lollipop was created in Connecticut. George Smith created the candy in 1908 and named it after his racehorse, Lolly Pop. Jacqueline’s efforts have been aided by members of the state delegation, Representatives Cristin McCarthy Vahey, Jennifer Leeper, and Sarah Keitt, and Senator Tony Hwang. Bills in the state legislature in 2021 and 2023 failed to advance. Currently, Jacqueline’s hoping to see HB 5304 brought up in the House of Representatives for its third try.
If you want to add your voice to Jacqueline’s, she welcomes your support and asks you to reach out to the state delegates. Their contact information can be found at the bottom of this email. |  | In this photo from left to right, Lollipop Supporters Aaron Glick (Jacqueline’s dad), David Becker, Danielle Kanter, Christine Brown, Joan Robb (Jacqueline’s teacher who’s been in this since 3rd grade), Jacqueline Glick, Bill Gerber and Jennifer Carpenter. | Southport Harbor Dredging Project
The Army Corps of Engineers, at the request of the Fairfield Harbor Management Commission, has completed a dredging plan to restore the full 100-ft. authorized width and 9-ft. depth of the harbor entrance channel while protecting plant and bird habitat. Approximately 20,000 cubic yards of sandy material will be dredged from the critically shoaled area (an area of about one acre) within and adjoining the entrance channel. If all goes well, the work is expected to be conducted over a three- to four- week period during the 2024-25 dredging season (October 1 to February 1). Read more about this project here.
CT Department of Public Health Removes Advisory for Blue Crabs
The CT Department of Public Health is removing the consumption advisory for blue crab meat caught in the Mill River in Fairfield, in coordination with CT DEEP. A “Do Not Eat” Advisory has been in place for blue crabs from the Mill River since the early 2000s due to lead levels from industrial activity from the former Exide Battery Manufacturing Company. The cleanup of the site and the removal of roughly 30,000 cubic yards of lead-impacted sediment from the river has helped reduce the levels of lead in the blue crab that reside in the river. Lead levels in the green organ of the blue crab called the tomalley still exceed the updated safe consumption limit, so people should avoid eating the tomalley. Find more information here. |  |
Project Limulus: Horseshoe Crab Tagging
Project Limulus began in 1998 in response to the declining horseshoe crab population in Long Island Sound. The vision for the project was to use scientific research to study horseshoe crabs in the Sound to inform management of the population and to educate the public about the importance of horseshoe crabs to ecosystem and human health. An information session on horseshoe crab tagging to support Project Limulus will be held on May 16. Learn more here.
|  | | Public Invited to Meeting on U.S. Route 1 Road Diet
On Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 7 pm, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will host a Public Informational Meeting in conjunction with the Town of Fairfield regarding State Project No. 0050-0224 – U.S. Route 1 Road Diet which you can read about here.
The Public Informational meeting will be held both virtually and in Conference Room 295 A/B, 501 Kings Highway E., Fairfield, CT 06825 (across from Goodwill; in the same building as Save the Children). For those not able to attend in person, you may use Webex which also has a call-in option:
ViaWebex: https://tofit.my.webex.com/join/fairfield
By phone: Dial 510-338-9438. Enter Access Code or Meeting Number: 624 512 956 # From the Webex app, connect to meeting #: 624 512 956 #
|  | FPS Green Team and Lights Out! Connecticut
Millions of birds pass through Connecticut every spring and fall on their way to and from their summer nesting grounds up north. Many species of migratory songbirds evolved to migrate at nighttime, when the skies are safer. The air temperatures are cooler, the air flows are less turbulent, and avian predators are less active. Landing at daybreak also allows for optimal foraging, as insects become active. Further, science shows that the birds navigate by cues in the night sky, including the light of the moon and stars.
Artificial light emitted from buildings, streetlights, bridges, and other structures can confuse and disorient migratory birds, causing them to circle around for hours until they drop from exhaustion or land in unsafe areas, close to structures where they are at higher risk of building collisions and predation. Take the pledge and learn more here. |  | Living Bird-Friendly series, April 12 and 13 at Pequot Library
The series, free and open to the public, includes remarks from Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber on April 13 at 10:30 a.m. and a host of presentations designed to inspire community action on behalf of birds, for the joy and beauty that they bring to all of us. Living Bird-Friendly will provide more information about how to live more “bird friendly”, including eliminating window collisions; decreasing light pollution; planting native plants and flowers; and following bird-friendly pest control strategies. RSVP for the program here. | |
Make the Connection: Health Director Sands Cleary
| |  | Q & A With Health Director Sands Cleary
Q: What led you to a career as a Health Director? A: There are a couple things that I believe led me to the career I chose. First, I remember when I was about 10, a friend was extremely sad about an event in her family. I recall spending time with her as she went through the emotions related to that event. I remember the feelings I had from that experience, seeing someone in a crisis moment and being able to help. That was the first time I recall thinking helping others is something I want to do in my life. This feeling stuck with me throughout my youth leading me to enter college as a psychology major.
A second factor was that while growing up, my father worked both in the private sector and running his own small businesses. His career was one of ups and downs with good years, great years, but also long difficult stretches. My mother, however, came from a family with a history of public service. My great grandfather and grandfather had careers in the Coast Guard, uncles were FBI agents, another uncle a government Marine Biologist and my aunt and mother both worked as nurses for local governments. I recall many stories of how family members served, saved, protected and cared for others through their work. My mother’s life and work provided our family with stability, and she would often share stories of how her father’s job in the Coast Guard enabled their family to weather events like the Depression and World War II. To me, there was always an allure to, and honor associated with public service.
In college in the required “Health 100” class, each week’s class was taught by a different professor at the school’s Public Health program. We would hear of the significant accomplishments of public health programs: how outbreaks were stopped, infant mortality declined, life expectancy increased, and how some diseases were eradicated, and others were controlled by vaccinations. Each week was a different lesson of how public health truly was the “Invisible Shield,” an entire profession working quietly behind the scenes every day to apply the findings of scientific research to improve the health and lives of everyone throughout the world. Well, I was sold, and by the end of the course I was a Public Health major. It’s been nearly 40 years since that “Health 100” course, and I still fully enjoy the practice of public health and truly feel I am very fortunate to go to work every day and help others.
Q: Tell us about your background in public health. A: I started my career in public health in 1989 as a student intern for the New Haven Health Department assisting the Sanitarians (Environmental Health Inspectors) with responding to complaints, cases of lead poisoning in children, and other issues. When the internship was over, they offered me a part-time job as a Sanitarian’s Aide where I focused mostly on investigating cases of lead poisoning in children but also did a variety of other environmental work, like collecting water samples at public beaches and pools, and responding to various complaints.
I started my first full-time public health job about six months later when I was hired to work for the New Haven Mayor’s Task Force on AIDS. We conducted research on the experiences of those with HIV and AIDS when interacting with health care services in New Haven County. We conducted focus groups and interviews with people with HIV and AIDS, health care providers, community leaders, social service agencies/organizations, clergy, and others. After more than a year of collecting data, we worked to produce a report that detailed these experiences in an effort to end the stigma and fear associated with caring for people with HIV and AIDS. This job was very challenging, heartbreaking and rewarding all at the same time. A few years ago, a man who worked in New Haven asked if I was the Sands Cleary that worked on the report on HIV and AIDS in 1991. He said he wanted to tell me that he and others had used that report for many years and that it made a difference to the lives of people with HIV and AIDS. That was a very special moment for me.
My next position was as a Lead Poisoning Inspector back at the New Haven Health Department. I would go into the homes of children who had lead poisoning and would conduct interviews and collect samples in an effort to identify the likely sources of the lead. I would then work with the parents and homeowners to eliminate those sources in the home to prevent any future exposures. I felt like I was on the frontlines of inner-city public health.
In 1995 I was offered a Sanitarian position here in Fairfield and started my 28+ years with the Health Department. I did the environmental work of a Sanitarian for about six years. After 9/11 the department started receiving funds for public health preparedness. I took on the role of Public Health Preparedness Coordinator, developing plans for mass dispensing, pandemic influenza, anthrax response and other issues. Around that time, due to a concern of smallpox being weaponized, a few of us were re-vaccinated for smallpox so there would be individuals able to interact with any suspected cases without fear of infection.
In 2005 I was promoted to the Assistant Director of Health; in 2009, I became the Director of Health. Two months later, Fairfield had some of the first cases in Connecticut of a novel virus initially called “the Swine Flu” but then became known as the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus. This would be the first pandemic of the 21st century with the response to it lasting well into 2010.
Some of the significant events that the Health Department has responded to in my 15 + years as Director have included Hurricane Irene (2011), Hurricane Sandy (2012), Winter Storm Nemo (2013),Worldwide Ebola outbreak (2014-16), Zika outbreak (2015-16), Covid-19 (2020-2022+), Mpox Outbreak (2022), and even now in 2024 as the US is experiencing a Measles outbreak across 17 states.
Q: What do you see as the biggest health challenges in our community? A: While Fairfield is a special and unique town, the biggest health challenges are similar to those of many comparable towns. These include the same things many of us struggle with such as living an active lifestyle, maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, being engaged in meaningful relationships, properly managing the behavioral health stresses in your life as well as getting regular doctor check-ups and all your recommended screenings. When consistently done, all of these activities promote a healthier life, providing a protective factor for chronic and infectious diseases and resilience to mental health impacts. The challenge for the Health Department is to continuously promote such activities and to develop sustainable health initiatives, while also conducting health protecting and disease preventing actions that have been incorporated into the laws, regulations and codes we follow.
Q: What are some things the Health Department does for the community that people might be surprised to know? A: One of the weird ones most won’t know is that when the remains of a deceased individual are to be transported to another country, the Health Director has to review the death certificate and our infectious disease databases and confirm in a letter that the individual did not pass from an infectious disease. Another interesting service provided by the health department is that all the wonderful school nurses who care for your children during the school day, as well as the health aides and the dental hygienist, all work for the Health Department. The last one most people don’t know is that, to ensure safe and healthy housing, the department conducts inspections and issues Certificates of Rental Occupancy for all rented dwellings in Fairfield.
Q: How many people work in the Health Department? A: If you add up all our full-time and part-time staff at a given time including inspectors, school nurses, clerical staff, supervisors, health aides, medical advisors, dental hygienist, public health nurse, grant-funded staff, seasonal staff, interns and the substitute school nurses, we have about 60 people on staff at any given time.
The Health Department has videos on a number of health issues, including an overview of what the Health Department does! Watch those here. | |
If You Missed It…
Here’s where you’ll find information from previous newsletters. | |
Water Conservation Opportunity with Upcycled Rain Barrels
The Aquarion Water Company is offering upcycled 60-gallon rain barrels for purchase for capturing rainwater. Barrels are $85; orders must be received by May 1. Pick up will be on Saturday, May 11 at Fairfield Regional Fire School, 205 Richard White Way, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information on how to order a rain barrel can be found here..
Rooster River
The Rooster River flood mitigation project is moving forward with plans to build detention ponds along the river at Tunxis Hill Park and the Fairfield Wheeler Golf Course. There are only seven more days for public comments.
1.March 5: Public Notice was published by USACE under the Regulatory/Permitting Public Notices. 2. April 5: Deadline for Public Comments and regulatory agencies comments. The link is posted on the Town of Fairfield website here. 3. Additional 90 days after April 6th deadline to respond to any of the advisory agencies’ comments 4. July / August 2024: Estimated date to receive approvals from USACE and answer any comments from advisory agencies (Fisheries, FEMA). Note: This could take longer. 5. August – September: Consultants will finalize the design. 6. October –Bid Posting 7. December – Bid awards, pre-construction meeting, other approvals, if necessary, coordination with Bridgeport, etc. 8. January 2025- Construction - depending on the weather.
Aging in Fairfield
Senior and Disabled Homeowners Program for Tax Relief
We are accepting applications for the Senior and Disabled Homeowners program. Applicants can apply in the Assessor’s Office from now through May 15, 2024. State and local laws provide real property tax relief programs for Fairfield residents who are age 65 and over or totally disabled and whose annual incomes and assets are within specified limits. These programs are designed to help seniors and the totally disabled remain in their homes. Town tax relief programs are defined in Section 95-15 of the Town Code and are administered by the Assessor's Office. Details can be found here.
Free Tax Assistance
There are three ways that moderate income taxpayers can access free tax preparation assistance:
1. Fairfield Public Library: On Tuesdays through April 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., free tax preparation help will be available to library patrons through the services of VITA/IRS Volunteer Tax Assistance Program. This service is especially suited to seniors and low-to-moderate income households. No appointment is necessary; patrons will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis. Patrons requesting assistance will need a government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license, US passport, CT State ID card); Social Security cards for all household members, and any necessary tax documents, such as W-2 forms and past tax returns.
2. Bigelow Senior Center: Each Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to noon, free tax preparation help is available through a program offered by an AARP/VITA/TCE program. This service requires an appointment: call 203-256-3166 to schedule. 100 Mona Terrace.
3. Fairfield University: Each Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon; each Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This service offered by a VITA/IRS program also requires an appointment. Call 216-334-6787 to schedule. 1073 N. Benson Road
Early Childhood Center Program Registration: Info Session April 4
The Early Childhood Center (ECC) will now offer a full day Pre-K program for 4-year-old children with locations at Warde, Stratfield and Holland Hill for the 2024-25 school year! Half day options are also available. To learn more about program offerings, hours, costs and details, visit the FPS website. Or visit the ECC website.
DEEP Presentation: Guide to Coastal Activities and Permitting
In conjunction with the release of the latest edition of CT DEEP’s “Connecticut Beach Association Guide to Coastal Activities and Permitting,” their Land and Water Division will host a presentation followed by a Q&A on the guide. The beaches below the high- water line are a public trust and there are many regulations on what you can and cannot do on in front of your beachfront house. Come hear from CT DEEP on April 4th.
| How to Contact Your State Legislators I encourage you to reach out to your legislators with questions or comments on their legislative work. Click on the name below to contact them at their website.
State Senator Tony Hwang State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey State Representative Jennifer Leeper State Representative Sarah Keitt | |
Board of Selectmen Meetings A Special Board of Selectmen Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 3 to discuss bonding items. The next regular Board of Selectmen meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 12 at 4:00 p.m. Meetings are held in Independence Hall and open to public, and you can attend either in person or on Webex. You can also read minutes of previous meetings here.
| | Eyes on Fairfield
Help us celebrate the unique beauty of life in Fairfield by sharing your photos with your community. We’ve received so many beautiful photos of our Town—keep them coming! Submit your photos at 300 dpi to firstselectman@fairfieldct.org. We live in such a special Town. Share with us the sites and sights you love.
|  | Ash Creek: Ash Creek was particularly significant for the early development of Fairfield following the settlement of the Town in 1639. It was the Town’s main harbor, as it provided a good supply of fish and shellfish. Its salt marshes provided pastures for horses and cattle. In the late 1800s, Fairfield began a program to eliminate mosquitoes and the resulting mosquito “ditches” can still be seen crisscrossing Ash Creek wetlands.
Five Ash Creek open space areas are part of the Town’s conservation system. Of the five, the Penfield Mills Open Space Area near the mouth of the creek and adjacent to the Town’s South Benson Marina is the largest. Penfield Mills provides opportunities for walking, picnicking, and enjoyment of scenic views of Ash Creek and Long Island Sound. You can find more information about Penfield Mills Open Space under the Conservation Department on the Town website at Fairfieldct.org. Photo credit: Rick Perret | |
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