At a special meeting on Monday, May 1, New Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) set the annual Town Meeting date for the vote on the budget. At the time of printing, the vote will have taken place on Wednesday, May 10, at the Senior Center. Selectman Ms. Khris Hall stated, “it’s important that this process move forward. We’re already two weeks behind the state statute. I am not happy with where we’ve ended up in the budget process, but we need to move it forward and put it out for the residents to express an opinion.”

First Selectman Ms. Pat Del Monaco read a proclamation for the New Fairfield Prevention Council declaring May as Mental Health Month 2023. Th e theme is “Look Around, Look Within” and draws attention to not only the mental health of others but some strategies for each person’s own mental health.

Hall encouraged residents to complete the Housing Opportunity survey, which is available on the Town’s website at NewFairfield.org. The survey takes note of a variety of housing information and records issues of concern regarding housing in New Fairfield. The Housing Opportunities Committee is hoping for more responses—they also will have held public forums on May 9 and 10 that will go through some of the experience of other towns in the area concerning housing opportunities and provide an opportunity for people to weigh in. 

The BOS reappointed Peggy Katkocin to the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA). She has served for several years and has seen the impact the Authority has had on protecting the water quality for the residents of New Fairfield. BOS members thanked her for her long service and noted that, while some members have understandably changed, they recognize Katkocin’s long-standing service of eight years on the WPCA.

The next regular Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.

By Sarah Opdahl