CONNECTING FAIRFIELD

News You Need from First Selectperson

Christine Vitale

The Fairfield Safe Streets Alliance (FSSA) met to finalize plans for the E-Bike, E-Scooter and Emergency Rooms Panel on December 4 at 7 p.m. From left to right: Police Sergeant and Public Information Officer Jenna Wellington, Epidemiologist/Health Education Assistant Emma Sharp, Assistant Director of Health Santina Jaronko, Town Librarian Scott Jarzombek, First Selectperson Christine Vitale, Chief of Staff Christine Brown, Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee Chair Sarah Mason, Fairfield Public Schools Communications Director Rachael Chappa, Deputy Fire Chief Patrick Barry, Police Lieutenant Michael Stahl, School Safety Division.

December 4, 2025

Dear Fairfielders,

The holiday season is definitely upon us! Thank you to Fairfield Community Services, DPW, and our Police and Fire Departments for working together to bring a magical Winter Whimsy event to our Town Green on Saturday. The Town tree and menorah are shining bright, the wreaths have been hung, and Santa has been sighted all over town (his sled must be in the shop because he’s been traveling by fire truck).

As I shared in my last letter, Fairfield University will be hosting a SantaCon event for their students on Saturday, December 6. The private event will be on Jennings Beach and multiple Town departments have been working together to support the university in the planning of their private event. Based on prior year history, we are also very cognizant of the fact that students who do not attend school in Fairfield may be arriving in Town expecting a public event. Despite there being no public event, we are taking active measures to prepare for larger crowds by increasing staffing, securing mutual aid from other municipalities, and preparing for an emergency management response. Ensuring the safety of our residents and students remains our top priority. More information on SantaCon can be found below.

Today marks the day that the Charter Revisions that were approved on the November 4^th ballot go into effect. One change that you may notice immediately is that per the revised Charter, my official title is now First Selectperson and we now have a Board of Selectpersons. As a reminder, all but one of the seven ballot questions were approved. The only proposed revision that was rejected was to provide the Town the ability to adopt or change the Town Seal by ordinance. We would again like to thank the Charter Revision Commission for their months of work. The support of the electorate for the revisions is a testament to their success.

We are always looking for ways to better inform our community of Town business. The newsletter, constituent coffees, and social media are important tools, but one of the best ways to learn more and stay informed is to attend or watch Town meetings. All of our meetings are public, and most boards and commissions take public comment on agenda items or prior to votes. You can sign up to be notified when agendas are posted by signing up on the town website.

If you don’t have time to attend or watch a meeting, minutes and recording links are also posted and provide a quick way to stay apprised of what is happening in Town government. Peruse the Agendas and Minutes page on the Town website for more information. If you are interested in attending a Board of Selectperson meeting, our next meeting is Wednesday, December 10 at 4pm in Sullivan Independence Hall.

As we head into the weekend, there are more holiday events to enjoy so check out the Events section below and mark your calendar for December 11: the annual Holiday Shop and Stroll!

As always don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. You can email me here or call the office at 203-256-3030.

Christine Vitale

First Selectperson

QUICK HITS: What's In This Newsletter



THINGS YOU NEED-TO-KNOW



Town Issues SantaCon Advisory for Saturday, December 6

• The Fairfield Police Department issued a public advisory ahead of SantaCon on Saturday December 6 to clarify what is occurring, set expectations, and outline the steps being taken to protect residents and maintain public safety.

• There is no public SantaCon event in Fairfield this year.

• The only sanctioned activity is a private, ticketed event hosted by Fairfield University for Fairfield University students and their registered guests at Jennings Beach.

• All attendees are required to have a ticket, show identification, and only individuals 21 years or older will be permitted to consume alcohol.

• The Fairfield University event will result in increased traffic and activity in the beach area. The Police Department is putting parking restrictions in place from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• The Police Department is also asking Winter Storage boat owners to avoid visiting South Benson Marina on December 6 unless you have urgent business. Police staff will be posted at the gate and will be directing all traffic that enters and leaves the Marina.

• To ensure public safety, the Fairfield Police Department, working with Fairfield University Public Safety, the State's Attorney's Office, mutual aid law enforcement partners, private security firms, Fairfield's Emergency Management Team and Town officials will maintain a substantial presence throughout the beach area and downtown before, during, and after the event.

• The Fairfield Fire Department will be fully staffed and integrated into the Town's coordinated response plan. Residents can expect increased visibility of fire, EMS and emergency management personnel throughout the shoreline and downtown areas.

• All violations of law, including trespassing, open container violations, disorderly conduct, and other Town ordinance or criminal violations will be addressed immediately.

• While the Police Department respects the rights of all individuals, the Town will not tolerate disruptive, unsafe, or unlawful behavior that threatens the peace of the community.

Senior and Disabled Tax Relief Information Updated

• The state has released updated income figures for the Senior and Disabled Benefit program. You can find qualifying information on both programs on our website here. For questions, please call the Assessor’s Office at 203-256-3010. 

Stop Recycling Contamination with Lithium Batteries

• If you need to dispose of a lithium battery, please be aware that it needs to be brought to the electronics recycling trailer at the Transfer Station.

• Lithium batteries should not be put into either trash or recycling bins, as they are a fire danger and could start a fire in the Transfer Station.

• There is no charge for electronic drop off for residents with a valid Transfer Station sticker.  

• Thank you for taking the extra step to keep Fairfield safe and green. Please keep the recycling stream clean! Learn more about what goes in and what stays out of your recycling bin here.

Sustainable Holiday Giving Ideas

• Looking for some charitable options for holiday giving? Sustainable Fairfield has you covered with some great ideas.



• Sustainable Fairfield members have compiled a list of some great non-profits to consider for year-end giving. Some are local; all are good for people and planet.

Operation Hope

Based right here in Fairfield, Operation Hope provides programs and services focused on eliminating hunger and homelessness and is always looking for volunteers and donors. The poor and the needy are always with us, but sometimes unseen. OH helps open doors. 

Food Rescue US

Food Rescue US engages volunteers to transfer fresh food surpluses from local businesses to social service agencies serving the food insecure. With up to 40% of US food supply going to waste, this org packs a one-two punch, solving food insecurity and food waste at the same time. Got to love their motto: “Feed People. Save the Planet.”

 Connecticut League of Conservation Voters  

 If you wonder if CT is doing enough about our environmental crisis, here is a one

 stop shop. CTLCV is a non partisan organization that provide outreach and education

 on the environment, through a yearly Environmental Scorecard showing how our 

 legislators vote on environmental issues. They make the issues clear through 

 Aspetuck Land Trust                                                                                    

This is our local land trust, caring for 45 nature preserves which are open to the public, connecting communities to the beauty and wonder of the nature around them. They have preserved over 2,200 acres of to thrive in a natural state in perpetuity. They work to educate, and when they can’t get the kids out to the forest, they bring the forest to the kids, establishing seven Miyawaki forests at schools throughout Bridgeport. 

Mill River Wetland Committee

The many thousands of children who for 6 decades have donned rubber boots, walked trails, and explored the flora and fauna around Fairfield’s Mill River will attest to the value of seeing and learning about Nature close-up through the River Lab program, now part of the public school curriculum. MRWC educates the community about the value of the land between rivers and helps advocate for their protection. 

Save the Sound

This wide-ranging organization works to conserve and protect the land and waters that impact Long Island Sound in New York and Connecticut. With an eye to the interconnected ecosystems integral to this highly populated area, they educate, restore wildlife habitat, and advocate for the nature that is literally in our back yard. 

Peoples’ Action for Clean Energy 

This invaluable non-profit works with Connecticut towns to develop clean energy plans and take action. They asses a town’s total energy usage, as well as energy information related to transportation and building use, the siting of solar canopies as well as providing outreach and education on energy efficiency and programs such as the HeatSmart campaign for individual homeowners.

Pollinator Pathway    

This once grassroots group is a now nationwide organization that started in Wilton, Connecticut, with a goal to create native plant strips where homeowners, parks, and businesses; and cultivate a link of pesticide free pathways for pollinators because there are too many “dead zones” that don’t support wildlife due to development. 



There are lots of ways to donate. Many of these groups need and welcome the efforts of volunteers.

• The Department of Public Works is excited to share an upcoming safety and drainage improvement at the intersection of Mill Plain Road and Stillson Road. Our Engineering and Streets & Highways teams have worked together to design a new curb extension that will improve stormwater management while supporting the Town’s Complete Streets goals.

• Cones are currently in place to show the community what the new curb line will look like, and construction by our Streets & Highways crew is set to begin next week.

• When complete, the project will improve stormwater management, reduce impervious surface, shorten crossing distances for pedestrians, and naturally slow turning vehicles—creating a safer, more comfortable intersection for everyone.

• We look forward to continuing to identify and advance similar Complete Streets opportunities that enhance safety and accessibility throughout Town.

• Please see the photos below.

• For more information on the Town’s Complete Streets Policy, please visit our website.

Town Charter Revisions Go into Effect Today

Today marks the day that the Charter Revisions that were approved on the November 4^th ballot go into effect. As a reminder, all but one of the seven ballot questions were approved. The only proposed revision that was rejected was to provide the Town the ability to adopt or change the Town Seal by ordinance.

We would like to thank the Charter Revision Commission for their months of work. The support of the electorate for the revisions is a testament to their success.

Photo below, from left to right: With the newly revised Charter, First Selectperson Christine Vitale, former Charter Revision Commission Chair Chris DeWitt and Vice Chair Eric Treschuk.

A Visit from the Fairfield Garden Club

The Fairfield Garden Club visited the First Selectperson's Office with a gift of holiday flowers. From left to right, Leahkay White, Garden Club Co-Chair; Sherry Rago, Garden Club President; Susannah Eykyn, Garden Club Co-Chair; First Selectperson Christine Vitale, seated.

Congratulations to Our 2025 Youth Conservation Award Recipients!

• This year’s recipients are Mason Alberts, an alumnus of Mill Hill Elementary School, and Asad Syed, an alumnus of Fairfield Ludlowe High School.

• They have both been recognized by The Town of Fairfield’s Conservation Commission for their profound environmental stewardship, helping fellow Fairfielders all across the spectrum to better understand how to connect everyday actions with their environmental impact.

• Nominations for The Youth Conservation Award are made by fellow citizens who submit their candidates to the Fairfield Conservation Commission. This Award offers the opportunity to thank and honor young residents who have become dedicated to safeguarding animal species, restoring ecosystems, and inspiring communities to learn, value and protect our planet’s biodiversity.

• The Award also demonstrates that even a single individual can make an impact of leadership to educate and safeguard the Earth for future generations.

• We’re extremely proud of Mason and Asad! 

The Town Celebrated Winter Whimsy on November 29

• Santa's arrival, carriage rides, and the lighting of the Christmas tree and Hanukkah Menorah were memorable moments for Fairfield families!

Photo by Laurie Renzulli

DON'T MISS THESE EVENTS



Fairfield Police Department Toy Drive

Arts Mixer Networking Event, Thursday, December 4

Christmas at the Burr, December 5 - 7

Santa Visits the Holiday Express Train Show, December 6

• Santa is stopping by the Fairfield Museum! Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Holiday Express Train Show for a jolly good time. Families are welcome to take their own photos with Santa in front of a special display in the Holiday Express Train Show.

• Free with Museum Admission

FPS Green Teams' Holiday ReSale, December 6

Farmers Market--Winter Edition by the Beach, Starts Dec 7

• We are excited to announce the Fairfield Farmers Market is back every Sunday starting December 7th!

• For the first time ever, we will be holding a Winter Farmers Market at Penfield Pavilion with a lineup including dozens of local vendors! From baked goods to artisan crafts, prepared foods, and more — shop and support your local makers.

Penfield Pavilion

December 7th - March 22nd

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

We hope to see you there!

Shop & Stroll, December 11

Winter Edition of The Solstice Stroll, December 21

Coffee with Christine Vitale, January 10

Special Election for First Selectperson: February 3, 2026

• At the September 19 Special Meeting, the Board of Selectpersons selected Tuesday, February 3 as the date for the Town's Special Election for First Selectperson, in accordance with guidance from the CT Secretary of the State (SOTS) office.

• You can read a detailed explanation of the state statutes guiding the election date here.

EYES ON FAIRFIELD





View from Above Old Post Road



Photo by Harrison Gordon

Eyes on Fairfield is a place where community members can share memorable moments and highlight the beauty of our Town. Please send us your photos at firstselectperson@fairfieldct.org, capturing Fairfield landscapes, events, and places with special memories.

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Board of Selectperson Meetings



The next regular Board of Selectperson meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 10 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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