By Sarah Opdahl
New Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) met on Thursday, August 24. They had planned to vote on a new sex offender ordinance that would limit access to Town buildings, schools, and fields but agreed to table the topic following the suggestion that fine limits were possibly set too low at $250 per transgression. Agreeing that the amount is not a large barrier, Selectman Ms. Khris Hall said of the fee increase, “I think it’s worth exploring. We are in a hurry to try to pass this correctly. We need to put it on the books, but it can slip another meeting before moving forward.” First Selectman Ms. Pat Del Monaco plans to discuss the fee structure with the police department.
Del Monaco encouraged any remaining business owners, including non-profits, who have not applied for an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-funded small grant to do so as soon as possible. New Fairfield’s Economic Development Commission has put out a last call for applications. The BOS will discuss plans for remaining funds in the near future.
Hall reminded residents that New Fairfield Fair Day is coming up on Saturday, September 9, 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Memorial Field. She said this “is an opportunity for everybody to get together—they’ve got a really good program this year, including an air and aerial act.” Hall went on to say, “I just want to encourage people to come out…meet your fellow residents and see some of the activities, the organizations, and small businesses in town.”
Del Monaco also extended a welcome to residents for the September 11 Remembrance Ceremony, which will take place on Sunday, September 10 at 5:00 p.m.
There were a large number of tax refunds approved for residents and businesses. Hall pointed out, “this is just part of our normal process. There’s nothing out of the ordinary in these requests…as our tax assessor has made decisions that the bills that were received were out of whack a little bit.” She went on to explain, “they need to come to us to get permission to do that. So this is nothing out of the ordinary.” Del Monaco noted that many were motor vehicle adjustments in this meeting’s approvals..
BOS members approved the reappointment of Ms. Monica Santos to serve on the Ball Pond Advisory Committee. Hall was happy to approve, saying, “she does serve as chairman of the committee and they’re doing a great job.” Following the retirement of Mr. Pete Viola, a long-serving member of the Ball Pond Advisory Committee, the BOS was pleased to approve the appointment of Mr. Frank Yulo to a full member on the committee. He was previously serving as an alternate. On the same committee, Mr. George Buck, another long-term member, was reappointed for a two-year term.
In public comment, the addition of a cost for notary public services was questioned. While the Town’s notary has performed complimentary services up until this month, Del Monaco explained, “most other towns do charge for notary services” and “I can say, especially this year, all of our budgets are under a lot of pressure. So, every bit of revenue that we can get, does help us in the long term.”
The next regular Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 14, 7:30 p.m.