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Special Town Meeting
On Tuesday, April 1, at 7 p.m. at the Brookfield High School Auditorium to discuss and consider a resolution (a) authorizing an appropriation of $3,302,252 to fund the costs of the Town’s capital expenses for the fiscal year 2025-2026, (b) authorizing the transfer of surplus amounts in the amount of $420,577 from fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 to the capital and nonrecurring fund to be used to finance the 2025-26 Capital Projects, (c) authorizing the First Selectman and the Treasurer to determine the amount, date, interest rates (taxable or tax-exempt), maturities (subject to the limits set forth in the General Statutes), form and other details of the bonds, notes or leases, as applicable; to sell the bonds, notes or leases at public or private sale; to deliver the bonds, notes or leases; and to perform all other acts which are necessary or appropriate to issue the bonds, notes or leases, and to reduce the scope of the 2025-26 Capital Projects and spend the entire amount of the appropriation on such 2025-26 Capital Projects as so reduced in scope if such 2025-26 Capital Projects cannot be completed for the amount appropriated; and (d) authorizing the First Selectman, the Treasurer and other proper officers of the Town to apply for and accept federal and State grants to defray said appropriation and enter into any grant agreements for the accomplishment of the 2025-26 Capital Projects and to take all other action which is necessary or desirable to complete the 2025-26 Capital Projects.
You can find additional information on the budget process on the town website.
Stephen C. Dunn
First Selectman
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Board of Selectmen Meeting
Monday, April at 7 p.m., Meeting Room 133. The meeting agenda will be posted on the town website the Friday afternoon before and live-streamed and recorded for viewing.
Coffee with the Community
*This event is scheduled on the last Saturday of the month unless otherwise noted.
April 26, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Location - TBD
Town Hall Closures
Friday, April 18 - Good Friday
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Request for Qualifications (RFQ) bids are due April 16, 2025 for the project which will complete the design of the following trails:
- between Norwalk and Danbury;
- the Maybrook Trail connection to the New York State line in Danbury;
- connecting the Still River Greenway in Brookfield North to the New Milford River Trail; and
- completing the remaining sections of the New Milford River Trail.
Upon completion of this project, stakeholders will have shovel-ready construction documents for all sections of the Trail, except for the connection between the Still River Greenway South through Danbury - the only section that has not been studied to date.
To learn more, please contact Greg Dembowski at 203-740-3865.
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PUBLIC WORKS
As spring approaches, we are starting to put our plows away and preparing for the paving season. Check out the town website regularly for our updated 2025 paving list.
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REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
We are pleased to announce that District 1 voting will return to the elementary school for the upcoming budget referendum. Now that all construction at CLES is complete, voters will finally have the opportunity to vote at the new school! This change in polling place will save taxpayers money and simplify election logistics, ensuring safe, accurate, and fair elections for all Brookfield residents.
Districts 2 and 3 will continue to vote at BHS in the big gym.
Please be sure you are ready to vote at the Town Meeting on May 6 and at the referendum, which will be held 8-14 days after the Town Meeting, per the Town Charter.
Visit the FAQ on our website to learn more about referendums and who is eligible to vote. Check your registration here and register to vote or make changes to your voter registration online.
Your voice, your vote—make it count!
Stay up-to-date with important election information, deadlines, and announcements by following us on Facebook at Brookfield ROV and Instagram at @brookfield_rov.
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TAX COLLECTOR
Intent to Lien Notices
Real Estate Intent to Lien Notices will be been mailed to taxpayers who owe taxes on the 2023 Grand List. Please pay your taxes to avoid having a lien placed on your property.
July 2025 Billing
If your real estate taxes are escrowed, the bank will request your real estate bill. If you changed banks or paid off your mortgage, please contact the Tax Office to inform us of your current mailing address.
If you have sold or disposed of a car, please give the required documentation to the Assessor’s office. If you have transferred your registration to a new car, you do not need to contact the Assessor.
Tax Sale
The Town of Brookfield is preparing for a Tax Sale later this year. Please pay your Real Estate taxes.
Please see https://www.brookfieldct.gov/tax-collector for additional information.
If you have any questions, call or email the office at 203-775-7304 or tax@brookfieldct.gov.
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TOWN ASSESSOR
Note to all commercial building owners: You should have received an income and expense form for the 2024 grand list in the mail. If you have not, please print one from our website.
Income and expense forms are due by June 1, 2025. New legislation allows you to mail your form in by June 1. If you mail the form, the envelope MUST BE postmarked by the post office. We do not accept online metering of mail or postal machines for postage as dates can be altered. Overnight mail is also acceptable. As per the new legislation, there will be a 10% penalty added by certificate of correction to the 2024 grand list bills which will be mailed out 7/1/2025. Please note that if you own an apartment building, you must include a rent roll (a list of all residents, their apartment numbers, lease dates, etc.). If you are owner-occupied, please write that in the income section, fill out the expense section, sign and mail back. If you have vacant land and it's not rented, please write 'vacant land,' and sign and mail back. All others should be completed in full and signed. A pen-inked signature is required.
If you were 65 or older as of December 31, 2024, or 100% disabled, or a veteran who served during wartime, you may be eligible for a state or town tax benefit. If you're already receiving benefits, you should have received the paperwork. If not, please call our office. If you have never applied before, you can find the paperwork online. Please remember that when applying, we will need a copy of your current tax return (if you're required to file) and proof of all your income (all 1099’s or statements), including your Social Security end-of-year statement. If you have any questions, please call our office at 203-775-7302. Tax relief paperwork is due by May 15. Veteran applications are due by October 1.
Note: DD-214 paperwork must be filed by September 30 in the Town Clerk’s office if you recently moved to Brookfield or have never filed before in Brookfield or were recently honorably discharged from the military.
Tax Deferral: If you're interested in applying, please visit our website to look at the criteria and to print a form. Note: make sure to scroll halfway down the page. If you're new to the program, you have until June 30. If you have applied before, your renewal application must be received by May 15.
Personal Property Business Closing: If you closed your business in town, please complete a personal property affidavit and email it, along with a copy of a lease end letter, bank closing statement, a letter from your accountant, or a letter of dissolution from the State of Connecticut. If you took out a trade name certificate when you opened your business, please contact the Town Clerk to close out your business and provide us a copy as well. This process should be completed as soon as possible to avoid additional property taxes.
Note: If you sold your business please attach a copy of the bill of sale
Motor Vehicle disposal: Please bring in, or email, as soon as possible, a plate receipt and additional proof, such as: a bill of sale, junk receipt, out-of-state registration, insurance letter with specific information, etc.
If you have any questions, please call our office at 203-775-7302.
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WPCA
Upgrades and Changes are coming!
The Brookfield WPCA is upgrading their billing system. Payment dates and payment mailing address will remain the same. Your statements will have a new look, and the online customer portal will be new.
Monitor our website for news and updates at www.brookfieldwpca.org.
Please email any questions or concerns to office@brookfieldwpca.org.
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Open Burning Regulations
With the arrival of Spring, many of us have already begun to clean-up our yards of brush and debris. This is the time of year our office receives many calls with questions regarding the open burning policies.
Open burning is limited to the burning of brush only. Brush is defined as shrubs, vegetation or pruning, the diameter of which is not greater than three inches at the widest point.
Open burning is NOT allowed:
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The following DOES NOT require a burn permit; however, you are restricted to burning only non-processed wood. Non-processed wood is considered to be any untreated, natural wood up to and including rough cut lumber.
- Campfires
- Fire pits
- Chimineas
You should NOT burn wood pallets, construction debris, painted wood, stained/treated wood, or garbage in a campfire/bonfire, fire pit, chiminea or other similar device.
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The Brookfield Residential Yard Refuse Disposal Center
As an alternative to burning your brush, the Town of Brookfield offers its Residential Yard Refuse Disposal Center, located at 100 Pocono Road (behind Fire Headquarters).
More information can be found at the Public Works website located at https://www.brookfieldct.gov/public-works.
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Spring Reminder: Protect Yourself from Tick-Borne Illnesses
Did You Know?
Ticks are sneaky little creatures! They don’t fly or jump—instead, they patiently “quest” by perching on the tips of grasses and shrubs with their front legs outstretched, waiting for an unsuspecting host to brush by. They can sense body heat, breath, vibrations, and even shadows to find their target. Once attached, ticks use specialized mouthparts to latch on, sometimes secreting saliva with anesthetic properties so you won’t even feel them feeding. It’s during this biting that ticks can transmit pathogens like Lyme disease, Babesiosis, or Ehrlichiosis.
As spring arrives, so does tick season in Brookfield. While Lyme disease is the most well-known tick-borne illness in our area, other diseases like Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis (Anaplasma) have been increasingly reported, even outpacing Lyme cases in recent years.
The Brookfield Health Department offers free tick identification services for residents—ticks must be embedded/engorged to qualify for submission to the State lab, which currently tests only for Lyme disease. Pet ticks or non-engorged ticks are not eligible. Rare diseases like Powassan virus and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (from the Lone Star tick) are not common in Connecticut but remain a risk.
To submit a tick for testing, bring the Tick Submission Form found on the Town Website under Health Department, or stop by to complete the form. Results typically take about two weeks.
Stay safe this season - always check yourself and your pets after outdoor activities to catch ticks before they have a chance to bite you, your kids, or pets after spending time outdoors!
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Spring into Action with Exciting Programs & Events!
The 2025 Spring & Summer Program Guide is now live! You can explore all the exciting activities and register online at www.brookfieldparksandrec.com.
Whether you're looking to stay active, get creative, or explore new hobbies, there’s something for everyone in Brookfield this season.
Featured Spring & Summer Programs:
- Adult Art & Education Classes
- Concerts in the Park
- Town Park Beach Access
- Adult Fitness
- Golf, Pickleball & Tennis
- Exciting Trips & Adventures
- After School Programs
- Youth Summer Camps
- Family & Youth Activities...and so much more!
Annual Spring Egg Hunts
Get ready for some egg-citing fun at Brookfield Town Hall
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Flashlight Egg Hunt (Grades 3-5) on April 11 at 8:00 p.m.
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Annual Egg Hunt (Ages 0-5 & 6-10) on April 12th
- Ages 0-5 at 10:00 a.m.
- Ages 6-10 at 10:45 a.m.
Spring Break Day Camps
Multi-Sport Camp
April 14 -18 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Age Group: Grades 1-5
Location: Candlewood Lake Elementary
Kids will stay active and engaged with a variety of sports, including basketball, flag football, soccer, floor hockey, and more. The camp also features daily playground time and snack breaks.
Tennisclubz Tennis Camp
April 14 -18 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Age Group: Ages 6-13
Location: Cadigan Park
Develop tennis skills with USTA Net Generation activities while having fun! Players will work on the fundamentals of tennis and etiquette and will also try their hand at pickleball each day.
Brookfield Town-Wide Tag Sale
Looking to declutter or find some hidden treasures? Don’t miss out on the Brookfield Town-Wide Tag Sale! Come shop, sell, and enjoy a day of bargain hunting across town!
Date: Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Locations: Host a sale at your home, team up with neighbors, or reserve a table at Brookfield Town Hall (10’x10’).
Full details and registration for all programs are available online at www.brookfieldparksandrec.com.
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Below are the Three Main Points from the regular Board of Education meeting on
March 5, 2025:
1. Portrait of a Learner
Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Anna Mahon, provided the Board with a presentation on the Portrait of a Learner. The Portrait of a Learner is the north star for our district, a major component of the Board of Education's Strategic Plan, and focuses the work on where we are and where we're going PreK through 12th grades. The goal is to have the Board review and adopt the Portrait of a Learner in May or June to begin integration for next school year, so that students, parents and faculty can see skill development for our learners over time.
Watch Dr. Mahon’s presentation here: https://youtu.be/i45tiU_QixI?si=ey6UK-DPc_FJeTWi&t=4075
View the slideshow here: https://files.smartsites.parentsquare.com/4147/pol_presentation_24-25_.pdf
2. Graduation Date for the Class of 2025
The Board decided to amend the Brookfield Public School calendar to 180 days for students and end the current school year for the entire district on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
Watch the discussion here: https://youtu.be/i45tiU_QixI?si=Lu80EJHGoK7NdqrN&t=6001
3. Budget Update
- The Board’s Chair, Dr. Wendy Youngblood, and the Finance Subcommittee Chair, Mrs. Rosa Fernandes, along with Dr. John Barile, Dr. Anna Mahon, and Mrs. Kasey Diotte, presented the Board of Education's adopted budget to the Board of Finance on March 3. It was received well and praised for the amount of research and explanation that went into this year’s budget and presentation. The Board of Finance will make a final decision and make recommendations in the next few weeks.
- There is currently a Special Education Bill in the State Legislature that has proposed a $40 million distribution to help alleviate Special Education cost overages in local school districts for this current school year. The proposed distribution date is April 1, 2025. Brookfield is hoping to learn more about that.
- Bill Roland, Special Education Director, will also be looking at creative ways to reduce costs going forward.
Watch the discussion here: https://youtu.be/i45tiU_QixI?si=FXa4sUrrvLBs4ZU0&t=7043
View the Board’s presentation to the BOF here: https://files.smartsites.parentsquare.com/4147/2025-2026_boe_adopted_budget_presentation_to_bos_and_bof.pdf
Below are the Three Main Points from the Board of Education meeting on
March 19, 2025:
1. Budget Update
The Board continued its discussion on the Board of Education’s FY 2025-26 adopted budget. Chair of the Finance subcommittee, Rosa Fernandes, summarized the various adjustments made by the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance to the Board of Education’s adopted budget. Considering the $54,820,256 original BOE adopted amount:
- The Board of Selectmen added $489,600 in light of updated estimates for health insurance, but reduced $100,464 in light of updated financial advice regarding OPEB pension contributions. They further reduced the BOE's request by $170,000.
- The Board of Finance added $400,000 after considering the BOE's request on March 12 to add an additional $620,511 to the budget for updated special education expense figures. The BOF is currently deliberating a new budget, with adjustments, totaling $55,439,392.
- The Board of Finance has earmarked an additional $200,000 in a contingency fund for unanticipated expenses for both the Town and the Board of Education.
- Dr. Barile and Director of Business & Operations, Kasey Diotte, reviewed a preliminary recommended budget adjustment document outlining the administration's suggestions for possible cuts to meet the BOF budget. They include reducing a section at CLES (attrition through retirement rather than reduction in force), reducing the Climate Coordinator teacher leader position, and others. These and all cuts were reviewed by the Board of Education and after a discussion, the Board tasked Dr. Barile and his team with finding a solution that does not include reducing a section at CLES.
Watch the Finance Subcommittee update: https://www.youtube.com/live/Nx2GYwkTCog?si=nZgNm_Rcx8wxDK7_&t=2776
Watch the Board’s Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/live/Nx2GYwkTCog?si=Qm-QAxOULBkgoZpE&t=6276
2. Special Education Strategic Plan Update
Director of Special Education, Bill Roland presented the Board with an update regarding the Special Education Strategic Plan. The district currently has a CT SEDS compliance rating of 99%. One of the biggest improvements to systems and structures in the Special Education program has been increased communication across all 3 schools. Ensuring vertical alignment from grade level to grade level has been another area to improve communication. Lastly, Mr. Roland plans to initiate a Special Ed District-Wide Advisory Council similar to SPEACS. Discussions have begun; work will start over the summer as we put program funding in place for the FY 2026-27 budget. These programs also include talented & gifted programs, seniors with IEP’s taking college classes, and dual enrollment programs.
Watch the presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Nx2GYwkTCog?si=MH1dzRY2kcAEkSh4&t=3018
3. Student Spotlight - Candlewood Lake Elementary School
The CLES Band Concert is April 30 at 5:30 p.m. in the BHS Auditorium. All are welcome to attend!
Watch the spotlight here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Nx2GYwkTCog?si=13fny3FhtdguT2zL&t=293
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April 2025 at the Brookfield Library
The Brookfield Library is welcoming the season of Spring with a full slate of programs, book discussions, and activities for patrons of all ages. Check out our events calendar for details here.
Highlights include informative webinars regarding Alzheimer’s Disease, an equally compelling program about Navigating the New Landscape of Long-Term Care, a creative Kind Works Workshop, and a book folding class where you can make a pretty vase for those spring flowers.
Stop by and celebrate National Library Week from April 6 to April 12 with us! It kicks off with a harp concert featuring the acclaimed Wendy Kerne which has been generously funded by the Friends of the Brookfield Library. A full week of activities follows, which will include Patron Appreciation Day, Library Workers Day, Outreach Day, Movie Day, and more!
The library will get out into the community on April 9. Check our website to see where we will be!
Later that day, you can Plant a Seed for Change and learn about advocating for your local library.
National Library Week will conclude on April 12 with movie showings all day: Despicable Me for kids, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off for teens, and A Complete Unknown for the adult crowd.
Brookfield schools are on Spring Break the week of April 14. Kids can Go Fly a Kite at a special craft and story time, and teens can take part in Adventuring 101: How to be a Dungeon Master (open to adults, too!)
Spring story times commence on April 21 with new sessions for Storytime Adventures, Fun & Friends, and Shake, Rattle and Read!
The library has two special events planned to celebrate Earth Day. On April 22, there will be a special Science Explorers’ activity for the kids, and an Upcycled Craft Event on Saturday April 26.
Of course, there will also be new sessions for all of our monthly activities, such as book clubs, chess club, ukulele club, knitting club, writers group, card making, manga club, diamond art, and more! See our website for details, and come join us for spring fun in April at the Brookfield Library.
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Town Boards and Commissions
Visit our website regularly for updates and a schedule of upcoming meetings.
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Town Events and Activities
Follow town departments' social media pages for all that is going on around town.
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