Connecting Fairfield
News from First Selectman Bill Gerber
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Pink Pledge Gift of Gratitude
Norma Pfriem Breast Center employees Jennifer Jennings and Krista Murtha presented First Selectman Bill Gerber with a gift of gratitude for the Town's participation in this year's Pink Pledge. Photo above, left to right: Christine Brown, Chief of Staff; Jennifer Jennings, Events and Development Coordinator, Norma Pfriem Breast Center; Bill Gerber, First Selectman; Kristin Murtha, Program Supervisor, Norma Pfriem Breast Center.
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Jan. 2, 2025
Dear Fairfielders,
Over the past several months, our administration has taken steps to strengthen the Town’s capabilities for managing complex construction and repair projects of all sizes through a dedicated Project Management (PM) group. Fairfield maintains a capital projects list that currently includes over 250 projects, with a very rough estimated value of over $500,000,000. These projects involve town and school buildings that house people and machinery, bridges, tide gates and culverts, a sewage plant and many miles of sewer system infrastructure, recreational facilities, street safety improvements, and much more. Each aspect of a project-- from conceptual design through construction-- has the potential for unforeseen problems, costs, and delays.
By building this expertise in house, we will reduce our reliance on third parties for most types of project management services, which can amount to 5% or more of project costs. We expect our internal PMs to more than pay for themselves through their value-added work. For example, on one project alone, one newly hired project manager was able to offset approximately $300,000 in planned inspection costs.
Especially now, with labor and materials inflation and a relative scarcity of qualified bidders on several of our more difficult projects, we must take great care to ensure we get the most value for taxpayer dollars. It is our goal to have an internal PM involved in all phases of a project: from conception and scoping, to writing requests for proposals (RFPs), potential vendor network development, bidding and vendor selection, project design, vendor & timeline management, change order review, inspections, and communications with multiple stakeholders.
Our internal PMs put the success of Fairfield’s projects first.
As always, I welcome your thoughts about our Town. You can email me at firstselectman@fairfieldct.org or call the office at 203-256-3030.
Bill Gerber
First Selectman
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MOVING FAIRFIELD FORWARD
Town Government in Action
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Southport Harbor Dredging Project
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dredging crews will arrive in Fairfield next week to begin work on removing a hazardous sandbar at the mouth of Southport Harbor. The land crews will arrive on Monday, Jan. 6 to begin project preparation, and the USACE 156-foot long, 35-foot-wide dredging vessel is expected to arrive on January 10. The effort is part of a four-week long mission using powerful equipment to restore the channel to a nine-foot depth and a 100-foot width at low tide.
At present, the channel is less than 50 feet wide, and in some places, only five feet of depth can be found at low tide due to sand and sediment deposited by wind and current. The situation causes some boats to run aground at low tide and requires other boats to quickly take evasive action to avoid collisions. More than 200 sail and power boats are docked, moored, or stored in Southport Harbor. Dozens of additional vessels ranging from resident fishing boats on trailers to kayaks and canoes, stand up paddle boards and a variety of other craft also enjoy using the harbor.
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Southport Harbor as it exists today. Photo by Geoff Steadman. | |
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A federally appropriated budget of $1.1 million was allocated to cover costs to remove 20,000 cubic yards from the Harbor and deposit the material in an environmentally safe location in Long Island Sound to help nourish oyster beds in Fairfield waters. The sand will also be used to enhance Southport Beach.
A land crew with earth moving equipment will work from the eastern side of the mouth of the Harbor digging up sand and sediment. In addition, the USACE's 156-foot long, 35-foot-wide dredging ship, "Murden," will use its powerful equipment to suck up sediment and sand from the channel into its hold and transport that material to approved offshore locations. Rotating crews on land and aboard the dredge vessel will work 24 hours a day, seven days a week in order to complete the project within the planned four-week schedule. At night, the hum of the working dredge vessel and the lights needed for safe operation may be noticeable.
Watch a video of the Dredge Murden here.
The Fairfield Harbor Management Commission and Harbor Master Bryan LeClerc successfully collaborated with the Country Club of Fairfield and the Pequot Yacht Club to help the USACE address this recurring problem, along with assistance from the Town Engineering Department. The Country Club of Fairfield is permitting crew and equipment to cross their land to work on this effort.
More information, including the history of Southport Harbor, can be found here.
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The photo above illustrates the problems boaters face in Southport Harbor because of the expanding sandbar and increasingly shallow channel, especially with low tide and moderate to heavy boat traffic. Small sailboats usually don't have auxiliary motors and there is frequent opportunity for collision.
Photo by Bryan LeClerc, Harbor Master.
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United Illuminating Monopoles Update
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), following the requirements of the new law restructuring the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC), has issued its final report after soliciting comments from stakeholders throughout the state. Sixty-five people from the Town of Fairfield submitted comments in the draft process. You can read the final report here.
The next stage in the Town of Fairfield's appeal challenging the legality of the CSC's decision granting United Illuminating 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 takes place on Monday, January 13, when a hearing will be held in New Britain Superior Court.
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Property Taxes Became Due on January 1
Third quarter Real Estate taxes, second half Business Personal Property taxes and single installment Supplemental Motor Vehicle taxes became due on January 1, 2025. The last day to pay timely is Monday, February 3, 2024. Per state statute, interest accrues at 1.5% per month from the original due date of January 1, 2025. On February 4, 2025, the initial rate of interest is 3% to cover both January and February. Please note that a Supplemental Motor Vehicle tax bill is only issued to any recently registered vehicle after the date October 1, 2023.
Any original tax bill can be paid at any M&T Bank branch location between January 2, 2025, and February 3, 2025. You do not need to be an M&T customer. For more details on payment options, penalties and contact information, view the Legal Notice, or contact the Tax Collector's Office.
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Christmas Tree Drop Off
WeCare Denali (across from the Transfer Station) accepts Christmas trees free of charge. They will be open Monday through Friday, 8 am – 3 pm, and on Saturday, January 11 and Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., for Christmas trees and other yard waste disposal.
Please remove all ornaments, lights and tree stand before bringing your tree. Do not throw your tree into a wetland or open space. Thank you!
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Norma Pfriem Breast Care Center Presents Gift of Gratitude for Pink Pledge Participation
Norma Pfriem Breast Center employees Jennifer Jennings and Krista Murtha presented the Town of Fairfield with a gift of gratitude for participating in this year's Pink Pledge. Due to donations and Pink Pledge participation, the Breast Center says that it is able to ensure that individuals facing breast cancer have access to essential services like mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, and integrative medicine regardless of their ability to pay. From counseling and nutrition guidance to healing therapies like music, massage and acupuncture, their integrative services provide comfort and strength to patients and their families during a difficult time.
Throughout the month of October, Town employees wear pink t-shirts every Friday and show their support through donations and fundraising.
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DON'T MISS THESE EVENTS
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Next Coffee with Bill Gerber, Saturday, January 11, 9:30 a.m.
Neighbors living in RTM District 10 (District 10 votes at the Bigelow Center Gym) are invited to join First Selectman Bill Gerber at a coffee on Saturday, January 11 at 9:30 a.m. Come with questions, concerns, ideas, or anything you'd like to discuss with Bill. The focus is on issues related to District 10 neighborhoods, but anyone from Town is welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you at the Regional Fire Training School at 205 Richard White Way. We'll have coffee ready!
Haven't signed up yet for District-based emails? See the links below and sign up!
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One Book One Town Selection for 2025, January 13, 11:00 a.m.
You're invited to the 2025 One Book One Town selection announcement in the Periodicals Room at the Main Library on Monday, January 13 at 11:00 a.m. Copies of the book will be available to borrow in print or digitally from Fairfield's libraries or to purchase at the Fairfield University Store on Post Road. While the chosen book is geared to teens and adults, a complementary book selection will be available for middle grade readers. The author will be appearing in person on Weds, March 5 at the Sacred Heart University Theatre in downtown Fairfield. One Book One Town is made possible by the generous support of The Friends of Fairfield Public Library. We can't wait to see this year's selection!
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Mill River Wetland Committee Fundraiser, January 15, 7:00-9:00 p.m. | |
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Economic Outlook Breakfast, Jan. 30
You're invited to join colleagues, friends and the Fairfield business community at the annual Economic Outlook Breakfast on January 30 from 7:00-9:30 a.m.at the Patterson Club, 1118 Cross Highway. Guest speakers are Bill Gerber, First Selectman; John Traynor, President of Cambridge Trust Wealth Management of Connecticut; and Mark Barnhart, Director of Community and Economic Development, Town of Fairfield. The public is welcome to attend and hear the guest speakers share a unique perspective on the national, regional, state and local economy for 2025. Register for the event here.
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Low Tide from the East Bank of Southport Harbor
Photo by Geoff Steadman
Eyes on Fairfield is your space, a place where community members can share memorable moments and highlight the beauty of our Town. Please send us your photos at firstselectman@fairfieldct.org, capturing Fairfield landscapes, events, and places with special memories.
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SIGN UP FOR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD EMAILS
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BOARD AND COMMISSION OPENINGS
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Current Openings
Per the Town Charter, Board and Commission members are appointed by the Board of Selectmen (BOS), the First Selectman, or, in some cases, both the BOS and the Representative Town Meeting. Read more about the process and how to apply here.
- Employees Retirement Board:
Preferred Qualifications: Understanding of high-quality private equity and venture capital funds. Background in asset management, performance reporting, and portfolio positioning.
Learn more about this Board here.
Preferred Qualifications: A working knowledge of television production.
Learn more about this Commission here.
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Flood Prevention, Climate Resilience and Erosion Control Board:
Preferred Qualifications: Technical or Engineering background for at least one of two full-time members and two alternate members.
Learn more about this Board here.
- Greater Bridgeport Transit (Regional Board):
Preferred Qualifications: Experience in public transit services such as ADA Paratransit bus services. Interest in transportation needs for Fairfield and neighboring communities.
Learn more about Governance/Greater Bridgeport Transit
- Land Acquisition Commission:
Seeking one resident to serve as an alternate (cannot be a Democrat) through 11/28.
Learn more about the Land Acquisition Commission
- Water Pollution Control Authority:
Preferred Qualifications: A background in Engineering.
Learn more about this Authority here.
Questions? Please contact Deputy Chief of Staff Jennifer Carpenter at 203-256-3095 or jcarpenter@fairfieldct.org.
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Board of Selectman Meetings
The next regular Board of Selectmen meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 8 at 4:00 p.m. Meetings are held in Independence Hall and open to the public. You can attend in person or by tuning into FairTV's YouTube channel here. You can view recorded meetings here or read minutes of previous meetings here.
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WHY YOU'RE RECEIVING THIS EMAIL:
As a resident, business owner, student, or individual interested in news about the Town of Fairfield, your name appears on an email list that belongs to the Town database. You might have requested to be on this list or added your name to another Town communication in the past.
This email arrives in your inbox every other Thursday and is official news from Fairfield's First Selectman and the Town of Fairfield. If this email was forwarded to you and you want to receive official emails from your First Selectman, click here. You can also unsubscribe from any newsletter you don't want to receive. Go to the bottom of the email and click unsubscribe.
If you know someone who may benefit from reading Town updates, please forward this newsletter to them and encourage them to subscribe. Thank you!
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Independence Hall
725 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
203-256-3030
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