CONNECTING FAIRFIELD

News You Need from First Selectperson

Christine Vitale

The Pequot Library Summer Book Sale was Held July 24-28

Photo by Geoff Steadman

July 30, 2026

Dear Fairfielders,

July has brought us a mix of summer storms and sunshine. 

Our region had to deal with a number of bad storms and intense rain events over the past two weeks. Unfortunately, flash flooding occurred in many areas of town, especially around the Rooster River and underneath the train viaducts. We want to thank our Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments for being on the front lines and working to keep our community safe under dangerous circumstances. 

When we are alerted to a severe weather forecast, we try to take actions that will help mitigate flooding. Tide gates are adjusted, catch basins and storm drains are cleared and additional staffing is brought on if needed. The Emergency Management Team is in regular communication and keeping a close watch on the changing forecast and conditions. More information is below on how to stay safe in case of flash flooding. 

Changing climate patterns are increasing the number of intense rainstorms and flooding events. The Town has retained Weston and Sampson and RACE Coastal Engineers to assist in creating a Master Flood Resiliency Plan for the Town. The plan should be completed and shared with the public this fall, and will help inform future capital planning. 

Addressing the flooding around the Rooster River remains a top priority. Funding for the Rooster River Flood Mitigation Project has already been approved by all Town bodies. Admittedly, there have been challenges in beginning immediate construction. After first waiting for the Army Corps of Engineers and CT DEEP to sign off on the project, then dealing with weather challenges, vendor issues, and insurance concerns, the project is set to get started. The Board of Selectpersons will be voting on a new construction contract on Wednesday, August 5, and work on the detention basins is scheduled to begin this fall. Per our agreement with Bridgeport, work at the Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course site will begin on September 28, 2026. Work at the Tunxis Hill Park site could start a little earlier, pending contractor schedules and weather. 

The July 21 storm caused flooding at the Lake Mohegan beachfront. Unfortunately, the damage to the beach was extensive. Due to concerns for public safety, the beach will need to remain closed until repairs can be made. The trails and parking lot remain open. We will continue to provide updates as they become available. 

The speed safety cameras continue to be a source of stormy debate on social media, in the grocery store, and at social gatherings. 

Per the ordinance, the Board of Selectpersons and the RTM are to receive an annual report on the program by the Fairfield Traffic Authority in June. Since we just began the program in May, this report was not given. An update on the program’s effectiveness will be given to the RTM in August. 

While there has been bipartisan support for the speed safety cameras from the start, the issue has become more politicized since implementation. This is unfortunate as we believe that reducing speeding, making our streets safer, and protecting children is an important priority for all elected officials regardless of their political party. Keeping our community safe is an issue that should unite us, not divide us. 

The RTM’s feedback, public review and establishment of the Town Ordinance were instrumental to the Office of the State Traffic Administration’s (OSTA) approval of Fairfield’s speed safety camera initiative. Now that we have lived experience on the effectiveness of the cameras, we have asked the RTM to recommit to the speed safety camera program via a vote. By taking this action, we will be providing the public with another opportunity to be heard and providing our Representatives with a chance to suggest further revisions to the program if they so choose. 

There still seems to be some confusion between the speed safety cameras and Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras. The speed safety cameras only capture the license plate number of those cars exceeding the speed limit by 11mph. 

For close to a decade, the Fairfield Police Department has utilized Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras at various locations to help fight crime. The technology has helped the department locate stolen vehicles, support missing-person alerts, and provide objective evidence after crimes. Access to ALPR data is strictly limited to legitimate law-enforcement purposes. Consistent with the Connecticut TRUST Act, we do not use or share ALPR data for civil immigration enforcement. More detailed information on ALPR cameras can be found on the Fairfield Police Department’s website. 

Hopefully, the sun will be shining as we welcome August on Saturday! Let the summer weekend fun continue! The Summer Concert Series is continuing this weekend on the Sherman Green from 6:30-8:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Whiskey and Rye will be performing on Saturday and the Glamour Girls hit the stage on Sunday. The Fairfield Museum will be hosting Summer Saturdays on the Museum Commons and Fairfield Teen Theatre will be performing Grease: The Musical at Fairfield Warde High School. Showtimes are 8:00pm on Friday and Saturday and 2:00pm on Sunday.

Hope to see everyone (and the sun!) at the Fairfield Police Department’s First National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, on Sherman Green and Reef Road from 4:00pm-8:00pm for an evening of fun, community, safety, and family friendly activities. See below for more details. 

As always, reach out to the First Selectperson’s Office with any questions, ideas and 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

Democratic and Republican Primary Election Scheduled

• The Democratic and Republican Primary Election will take place on August 11, 2026 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. All regular polling locations will be open. Note: Same Day Registration is not available for Primary Elections.

• Only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in the Primary. The deadline for an enrolled elector to transfer from one party to another and be eligible to vote in the Primary of the new party was May 11, 2026. Unaffiliated voters can enroll in the Democratic or Republican Party until noon on August 10, 2026.

• The Democratic Primary will have candidates for Governor.

• The Republican Primary will have candidates for U.S. House of Representatives.

• Early Voting will be held at the Fairfield University Bookstore, Second Floor, 1499 Post Road. Parking is available in the garage behind the building, accessible via Sherman Street.

• Early Voting Hours:
• Monday, August 3 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 4, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (extended hours)
• Wednesday, August 5, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, August 6, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (extended hours)
• Friday, August 7, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, August 8, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Sunday, August 9, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

You can find Voting Information on the Town of Fairfield website here.

Absentee Ballots for August Primaries Available Now

• Town Clerk Betsy P. Browne reminds Fairfield’s registered Republican and Democratic voters that absentee ballots for the August 11 Primaries are now available.

• Absentee voting is a two-step process. An application for a ballot must be signed and filed with the Town Clerk before a ballot can be issued. Applications are available at the Town Clerk’s Office Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4 PM or through the Connecticut Online Absentee Ballot Request Portal: Connecticut Online Absentee Ballot Request Portal

• A reason to apply for an absentee ballot is no longer required.

• The Town Clerk’s Office is located in Old Town Hall, 611 Old Post Road

Last Day to Take Our Survey on Road Safety!

• The Town of Fairfield is creating a Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan—and we want you to be a part of the planning process. The Safety Action Plan will act as a roadmap to guide traffic planning and roadway infrastructure for the next ten years. This is your opportunity to participate in creating the plan!

• Take our online survey to share feedback on street safety in Fairfield. Our interactive, map-based format allows you to share general feedback but also select locations where you’d like to see improvements occur. You can highlight up to five points of concern, and up to two areas where the Town is getting it right. 

• Short on time? You can revisit the survey any time to complete your answers before submitting. Or stick to just the starred questions in Sections 1 and 2 to get your thoughts to us in 15 minutes or less. Provide your first name, age, relationship to Fairfield, and a point of concern with a written description of the issue, then click submit! 

• This is your last day to take the survey. We want to hear from you!

E-Bike Safety Courses You Can Take Online

• One of the challenges with E-bike safety is recognizing how different riding an E-bike is from riding a traditional bicycle.

• E-bikes are faster, heavier, and require different skills to stop, turn and react to quickly changing traffic conditions.

• These E-bike training courses can help you make smart choices for yourself and your child. We encourage everyone to take an E-bike training course before purchasing an E-bike. Safe riders make safer streets!

Know More about the Dangers of Flash Floods

• In the past two weeks Fairfield has experienced intense rainstorms with downpours that prompted flash flood warnings and caused water to accumulate quickly on some roads.

• Remember: Turn around, don't drown. Never drive around barricades or through flooded streets. If you encounter a flooded roadway or underpass, turn around and find another route. No destination is worth risking your life, or the lives of the emergency responders who may have to rescue you.

• Officers have lost their lives responding to drivers who became stranded in their vehicles. Flooded roadways are extremely dangerous. Fast-moving water can sweep people off their feet, conceal open manholes, and hide debris or other hazards beneath the surface that can hold responders under the water. What appears to be a shallow puddle can quickly become a life-threatening situation for both the driver and the first responders coming to help.

• Walking through flood waters is dangerous for everyone. There may be hazards hidden by the water or downed power lines.

• Slow down during heavy rain. Wet roads increase stopping distances and reduce visibility.

• If a flash flood warning is issued, reconsider whether travel is necessary. You may be driving into unfamiliar areas, but even within Fairfield there are underpasses and other low-lying areas that may quickly become dangerous.

Fairfield Beach Pump Station Improvement Project

• Fairfield’s Water Pollution Control Utility (WPCU) continues to advance the Fairfield Beach Pump Station Improvement Project while incorporating community feedback into the facility's final architectural design.

• Residents’ input is shaping the design, leading to recommendations for a coastal-inspired appearance that complements the Fairfield Beach neighborhood.

• An independent architectural study identified design features and materials that balance neighborhood character with the durability and resilience required for critical wastewater infrastructure.

• The project continues to move forward, with final design pending permit reviews and construction anticipated to begin in 2027.

• Public engagement on this project will continue with informational meetings to be scheduled prior to starting construction.

• An Architectural Review and Neighborhood Context Study informing the pump station’s redesign is accessible via the WPCU’s website.

Current view of Fairfield Beach Road Pump Station

June 5, 2026 Proposed Pump House Sketch by Geddis Architects

Oldfield Road Bridge Replacement Receives Nearly $3 Million in State Funding

• Fairfield has received $2,985,089 in state funding through the State Local Bridge Program.

• Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto announced that the State of Connecticut is providing $16.8 million in state grants to 11 towns and cities to support the reconstruction of 13 bridges on locally owned roads.

• Awarded under the latest round of the State Local Bridge Program, which is administered by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), this state-funded program operates as a cost-matching grant that provides municipalities with 50% of the project costs necessary for the reconstruction of municipal bridges.

• Cities and towns are required to administer all design and construction aspects of their projects, and CTDOT oversees project milestones and provides guidance to the municipalities.

• At the preliminary design phase, the Town will hold a public informational meeting to discuss bridge proposals and design. Design is expected to take approximately 18 months and construction another 18 months after that.

• The bridge was built in 1935. Approximately 5,000 vehicles use the Oldfield Road bridge every day.

• Thank you to Governor Lamont, Commissioner Eucalitto, our state legislators, Engineering Manager Bill Hurley, and Grants Manager Andrea Ozyck for their work on this important funding.

Fairfield Wildlife: the Bobcat

• Have you seen a bobcat in Fairfield? Based on observation reports submitted to the Wildlife Division of CT DEEP, bobcat numbers appear to have increased in Connecticut in recent years. Reports indicate that bobcats now reside in all eight Connecticut counties.

• Bobcats are solitary, are fantastic tree climbers and can leap 12 feet high. To stealthily stalk their prey, they use “direct registering,” stepping their hind paws into their front paw prints to move quietly while hunting.

• Bobcats are carnivores, with rabbits as their preferred food. They can take down much larger prey, too, such as deer.

• They get their name from their short “bobbed” tail, usually 4-7 inches long. The top of the tail is black with a white underside.

• Bobcats rest in a new den each day: hollow logs, rocky dens, or even under low tree branches. Females with kittens will rotate between several dens.

• You can report a bobcat sighting to CT DEEP here. You can view a map of wildlife sightings here.

• Thank you to Fairfield's Conservation Department for this information, and the photo taken right outside Sullivan Independence Hall by Conservation Director Tim Bishop. Want to receive the Conservation Department's quarterly newsletter? Sign up here.

Property Taxes: Last Day to Pay Timely is Aug 3

• First quarter Real Estate taxes, 1st half Business Personal Property taxes and single installment Motor Vehicle taxes are due on July 1, 2026. The last day to pay timely is Monday, August 3, 2026. Per state statute, interest accrues at 1.5% per month from the original due date of July 1, 2026. On August 4, 2026, the initial rate of interest is 3% to cover both July and August.

• Any original tax bill can be paid at any M&T Bank branch location between July 1, 2026, and August 3, 2026. 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.

Advancing Safety on Post Road through a Road Safety Audit

• On Wednesday, July 29, the Town of Fairfield took another important step toward improving roadway safety by conducting a Road Safety Audit (RSA) along a half-mile section of Post Road (US Route 1), extending from the Mill Plain Road intersection east to approximately 1262 Post Road.

• The Road Safety Audit was funded by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) through its Road Safety Audit Program after a successful application submitted by the Town in partnership with MetroCOG.

• An RSA is a proactive, collaborative review of a roadway that brings together transportation professionals and stakeholders to identify opportunities to improve safety for everyone who uses the corridor, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and motorists. Unlike studies that focus only on crash history, an RSA looks for existing conditions that may contribute to future safety concerns before they result in crashes.

• Representatives from CTDOT, MetroCOG, Fairfield's Department of Public Works, Engineering, Town Plan & Zoning Department, the Town Plan & Zoning Commission, the First Selectperson, and Fairfield's Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee participated in the walking audit, sharing their unique perspectives and expertise while evaluating the corridor.

• There has been, on average, a crash every five days for the past five years on the half mile stretch of Post Road from Starbucks at Mill Plain Road to the library at Old Post Road.

• Those kind of statistics and the Road Safety Audit directly support Fairfield's Vision Zero and Complete Streets initiatives by focusing on improving safety for vulnerable roadway users and creating a transportation network that is safer and more accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

• Following the Audit, the Town will receive a report containing recommendations that may range from low-cost, easily implemented improvements to more complex projects that could require additional engineering, design, and funding. In addition to identifying safety enhancements, the RSA helps strengthen future grant applications by documenting safety needs and providing engineering recommendations that support future investment in the corridor.

• Quick Build Project Update: DPW continues to monitor our Quick Build projects and make adjustments based on our field observations and community feedback. Recent refinements include relocating delineators to better accommodate larger turning vehicles at some locations and improve shoulder access for bicyclists. At the Bronson Road and Sturges Road intersection, the Town will soon be implementing a new layout that reflects what we've learned during the demonstration period through our field observations and community feedback.

The Pequot Library Held Their Annual Summer Book Sale

• Christine Vitale officially opened the Summer Book Sale on July 24 with the firing of the traditional cannon. For five days the Library’s Great Lawn, parking lot, auditorium and historic reading room were turned into one of New England’s biggest and best book sales.

Fairfield Police Department Holds Promotion and Citizen Awards Ceremony

• Lieutenant Eric Fuller, Sergeant Phil Galaske, and Sergeant Kevin Wells were officially sworn into their new ranks in front of their families, friends, and colleagues on July 21.

• Promotion is a reflection of years of dedication, professionalism, and service to the Fairfield community. As they assume their new leadership roles, each brings a wealth of experience and a continued commitment to serving both the department and our residents.

• Lieutenant Fuller has been assigned to the Administrative Services Bureau, while Sergeant Galaske and Sergeant Wells will serve in the Patrol Division, where they will lead officers and help ensure the continued delivery of professional police services to the Fairfield community.

• Please join us in congratulating Lieutenant Fuller, Sergeant Galaske, and Sergeant Wells and recognizing their achievements, commitment, leadership, and service to the Town of Fairfield. We wish them continued success in their new assignments.

• The Police Department also recognized Hanser Coca and Marco Rodrigues with Citizen Awards for their outstanding assistance and support of the Department's Drone Program

• Nicholas Ferrandino was recognized with a Citizen's Lifesaving Award for his courageous actions in assisting a drowning victim and helping to save the individual's life.

First Selectperson Christine Vitale Visits Bigelow Tea

• First Selectperson Christine Vitale and Director of Economic Development Mark Barnhart made a visit to Bigelow Tea headquarters, still 100% family owned and operated, earlier this week.

• During their visit, they met with President & CEO Cindi Bigelow to learn more about the company's operations and its continued commitment to the Fairfield community as one of the town's longest-standing employers.

• We're proud to have Bigelow Tea as part of Fairfield!

DON'T MISS THESE EVENTS

(Listed in chronological order)

American Red Cross Blood Drive, July 31 and August 20

Fairfield Farmer's Summer Market through Oct 11

• Every Sunday through October 11, 2026

• 10:00am - 2:00pm

• Sherman Town Green, 1451 Post Rd

National Night Out, August 4

Old Post Road Walking Tour, August 15, 10:30 a.m.

Safe Streets For All Public Workshop, August 26

Quick Center for the Arts Announces 2026-2027 Season

• The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts has announced its 2026-27 season! From lively music and powerful dance performances to informative lectures and a delightful circus, the 36th season bursts with world-class performances, riveting speakers, and unforgettable artistic experiences that inspire and connect.

• Learn more and purchase tickets at quickcenter.fairfield.edu.

Latin Grammy-nominated Mariachi Herencia de México will entertain audiences with La Nueva Generación, a performance featuring the infectious energy of mariachi music, on Oct. 16, 2026.

EYES ON FAIRFIELD

Eyes on Fairfield: Sunset Over the Marina

Photo by Mel Cardenas

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 Board of Selectperson meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 5 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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