New Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) approved keeping the Communications Center in town at their Thursday, July 14 meeting. They also discussed and agreed to a list of items to recommend funding with grant monies from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Both topics move to the town’s Board of Finance for review.

 A hot button issue in the community, the Communications Center was slated to possibly be outsourced to a regional dispatch center, but town emergency service employees lobbied strongly to keep the service in-house. The Newtown dispatch center would have been a highly sophisticated and much less expensive option, but there were fears that taking the service out of town would hamper the tight-knit communications that currently exist and that backups in large crises (such as the macroburst) would have resulted in slowed response times.

BOS members expressed great reservation in the approval and asked for a 6-month review to look at some of the problems that have come to light and originally led to the consideration of outsourcing, such as issues with slower-than-desired response times in New Fairfield and problems with staffing, such as solo 12-hour shifts that are undesirable to part-time staff and result in steep overtime fees for full-time staff.

Selectman Ms. Khris Hall said that she would be comfortable with a move to Newtown but “that does not appear to be politically feasible at the moment. So, I can agree to stay, which would have us buy a new conso le for about half a million dollars, on the condition that we change the staffing model and move away from one-person, 12-hour shifts to having at least two people in place during the busier hours,” to help with response times, which are lower than other towns.

First Selectman Ms. Pat Del Monaco said, “we asked for input, and particularly members of the fire department who are dependent on the dispatch center for their own safety and for the safety of our residents, recommended that we keep the dispatch center in town. I have a hard time going against that advice that we asked for.” However, she said, “I feel like I have both a fiscal responsibility to the town and an operational responsibility. And while I appreciate the hesitancy from some of our first responders, this was a difficult and uncomfortable decision. From an operational standpoint, I find this very inefficient and expensive, but we will review again. I’m hopeful that this will work well.” About staffing she said, “Honestly, I would be more comfortable if we went to eight-hour shifts and two people on shift. But there’s quite a bit of resistance from the dispatchers. themselves. They like having that 12- hour shift and the schedule that it provides for them.” Selectman Ms. Lori Beninson said that she supports keeping the dispatch in town, but “I also worry about our dispatchers mental health, being in that chair for 12 hours a day by yourself not having any backup when something bad happens.”

After a year of advisory meetings, and several recent public forums, the BOS agreed to approve a list of projects to fund with the ARPA federal grant. Proposed projects that made the cut include: a design for a sewer to connect the business commercial area to Danbury’s sewer system; firehouse renovations; a Ball Pond drainage issue; Police Building security upgrades; Town Beach house renovations; emergency housing fund; small business grants; Community Center feasibility study; hazard pay for public servants; a vehicle for the fire marshal; and new Communications Center equipment.

There was a lengthy discussion regarding whether to grant the Hahlawah Sporting Club’s request to expand their hours up to six times per year to offer “responsible armed citizen” courses on gun safety and proper use training that goes beyond basic permit education. Club President Mr. Anthony Yorio explained that they would ideally fill the course with approximately sixteen participants, including club members, local law enforcement, and would offer the course to other New Fairfield gun owners and beyond. Yorio clarified that the longer hours did not necessarily mean a longer amount of shooting time, explaining that there would be lengthy cease fires for training.

There were some reservations among board members. Hall said, “Anthony, you know that if we decide to go ahead with this, that we’re going to get a whole lot of crap” from people who are concerned about noise and the fact that participants may be coming from outside of the town “to a location that is already very controversial.” Yorio was not willing to limit participants to town residents, in case he had a hard time filling classes. Beninson supported the idea of the class, saying “I certainly think making our citizens more aware of gun safety and having a safety class like this is probably important.” Del Monaco also could see herself supporting the idea of the class, seeing it as a gun continuing education for permit holders but acknowledged that she does “get visits from people who are uncomfortable with the range” and wants the public to have a chance to weigh in on the matter. In the end, the BOS agreed to table the topic until a future meeting.

Hall explained that the vaccination van will return to New Fairfield on three upcoming Saturdays—July 23, August 13, and August 20. With the approval of vaccinations for babies and toddlers, the van will offer vaccinations for all ages, beginning at six months. Board members discussed placing a sandwich board with all information at the town carnival to capitalize on the high level of family foot traffic.

There was a proclamation read for local veteran Ralph Langham, who was recently chosen for an honor flight to Washington, D.C. Del Monaco’s proclamation was filled with military and other accolades from Langham’s past.

The next Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 3, 7:30 p.m.

By Sarah Opdahl