New Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) met on Thursday, March 9, and wer e pleased to hear a positive update on the Town’s Communication Center. After making significant changes to the staffing and schedules six months ago, the department is now functioning in a more efficient man ner, with well over 90% of calls being answered within 10 seconds.Though overtime is still accruing, it is at a much lower pace. The strategy of hiring more part-time staff has helped, though they are currently recruiting for more staff. Selectman Ms. Khris Hall praised the strides that were made in the department, saying, “we’re going to keep going in the right direction.”

BOS members happily approved Adopt-a-Spot, a volunteer beautification program that is being sponsored by Ms. Kathleen DiTullio, a member of the Town’s Hou sing Opportunities Committee. She plans to spearhead the program’s promotion on Town social media pages and t hrough flyers and newsletters. Volunteers will choose a spot and then work to beautify it, including gardening, picking up any litter, and more. “I think it’s pretty straightforward,” DiTullio said of starting to volunteer for the program, “People will fill out an application and tell us what area they want to adopt.” Both group and individual support is welcome to Adopt-a-Spot. 

First Selectman Ms. Pat Del Monaco thanked Ms. Kerrie Greening for her years as New Fairfield’s Tax Collector, who is retiring, effective April 14. Del Monaco said, “we just want to wish Kerrie the very best in her retirement and tha nk her for her many years of service to the town.” Hall agreed, saying, “It’s hard to imagine anybody else’s face behind that window as you walk down the hallway in Town Hall. She has done an exemplary job of collecting our taxes. We’ve got one of the highest tax collection rates in the state and sh e’s going to be very hard to replace.”

The BOS approved several Parks & Recreation summer positions and encouraged anyone who is interested in a waterfront director or lifeguard position to apply, as the P&R department is “avidly looking to fill these positions for the summer, so that we can all enjoy the beach,” Del Monaco said.

Mr. Michael Kiviat was re-appointed to the Economic Development Commission, with Del Monaco noting, “He’s been very active with the small business grants and some other projects.” They also appointed Mr. Frank Yulo, a retired science teacher, to serve as an alternate member on the Wetlands Commission and the Ball Pond Advisory Committee. “I just want to thank everybody who steps up to serve on a board or commission,” Del Monaco said,  “That is the way our town works, it’s a town meeting form of government and our boards and commissions are really the way we accomplish our business in town.” She encourages anyone who might be interested in joining any board or commission to inquire. 

The next regular Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 23, 7:30 p.m.

By Sarah Opdahl