Category Archives: Town Buzz
City of Danbury to Conduct Emergency Response Drill & Flu Clinic on Oct. 5, 2019
From the City of Danbury Health Department
DANBURY,CT—The Health Department in Danbury City Hall is conducting an emergency response exercise on Sat October 5th 9:30 a.m. – 1p.m. at Rogers Park Middle School. This exercise will be open to the public and we are looking for volunteers to take part in this drill. The purpose of this exercise is to assist our department in planning and preparing for future emergency events in our city.
Danbury Area Children’s Theater Open House Includes Free Face Painting, Theater Games & Fun: Saturday, Sept. 7th
DANBURY, CT—A local children’s theater troupe is inviting area children to come out to their fun and free children’s theater open house with the Danbury Youth Theater Troupe this Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center, 6 Lake Ave., Danbury, Conn. The event includes free face painting, theater games, arts and crafts, refreshments, and a meet and greet with the teachers.
Led by theater director Mrs. Wendy Mitchell, the theater classes encourage self-expression for children ages 3 – 12 years old in a safe, nurturing environment while educating kids about Irish folklore and various cultures. All productions are 100% original, written directed and produced by “Miss Wendy,” as the kids call her, who specializes in teaching beginner’s theater classes.
Miss Wendy has her Head Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Education and over 20 years of experience teaching theater, preschool and working as a daycare director. Each child is taught at their own pace and kids of all skill levels are welcomed and embraced!.
Students who sign up for the musical theater fall/winter 10-week session on the day of the open house will save 10%! The 10-week session is $150/student with a 10% sibling discount. Classes begin on Saturday, Sept. 28 and run each Saturday from 10-11:30 a.m. through Sat. Dec. 7, the day of their big show.
A free mini-production of “Wandering in the Willows” will be held at their Halloween blacklight GLOW party on Sun. Oct. 26th at 12 p.m. Songs from the popular movie “Coco” will be the backdrop for this colorful, engaging production.
The winter production of “Christmas Around the World” will be held on Sat Dec. 7th with a dress rehearsal on Fri. Dec. 6th. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for kids 3+up. All proceeds from the winter show go to benefit the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, a charity that helps those in need in our community. In addition, we also hold a toy drive for Family & Children’s Aid the day of the winter show.
The youth theater company is community-minded and teach kids that they can use their gifts and talents to help those in need in their community. The weekly theater classes are for kids ages 3-12 years old. Siblings and friends are welcome and encouraged.
Questions? Call, text or email Miss Wendy: wendyannmitchell@Live.com (203) 501-7424.
Ridgefield Republicans Host ‘Meet the Candidates’ At Ridgefield Country Club
RIDGEFIELD, CT— The Ridgefield Republican Town Committee invites the public to meet the Republican candidates at the Ridgefield Country Club on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, from 6:30-9:00 p.m.
This event is being held for the purpose of funding a Ridgefield RTC downtown campaign office for this election season. If residents cannot attend the fundraiser but would like to donate, click here.
Town of Brookfield to Participate in #CityHallSelfie Day
BROOKFIELD, CT— The Town of Brookfield is encouraging residents to participate in “City Hall Selfie Day” on Thursday, August 15, 2019. The day is an online picture sharing event where locals snap a photo in front of their town hall and other government buildings.
Participants should take a selfie in front of a Brookfield Town Hall, 100 Pocono Road, and share it using the hashtag #CityHallSelfie. Prizes will be awarded for the best #CityHallSelfies in multiple categories.
Visit the Town of Brookfield’s website for entry details.
Image via Google Maps
Hey, #CTFoodies: Bethel’s Last Food Truck Friday of Season is Aug. 16
BETHEL, CT — Foodies, get your tastebuds ready because this Friday is the last “Food Truck Friday” of the season. It will be held this Friday, August 16, 2019 from 6 – 8 p.m.
Join The Town of Bethel and sponsor Newtown Savings Bank on the Municipal Center lawn from 6-8 p.m. and enjoy live music from local favorites Madz & the Ladz.
Participating food trucks include:
- Spuds Your Way
- Weenie Lynns
- Szabo’s Seafood
- Fork in the Road
- Rice & Beans
- Chef Zip
- Salsa Fresca
- Scotty Fund Lemonade
- Cookie Cloud 9
- Polar Petes
- Cinnamon Churros
The Bethel Municipal Center is located at 1 School St., Bethel, Conn.
Photo by Adam Fink via Flickr Creative Commons
99+ CT Town Jobs Available: Social Services; Therapist; Administrative Assistant; Maintenance Mechanic & More #CTJobs
Looking for a solid job with great benefits? Check out these city and town jobs posted on local municipalities’ websites in the Fairfield County area and surrounding towns. If you’re a local employer and you’d like to see your job posting featured on CT Buzz News, email us at CTBuzzNews@gmail.com. Happy hunting!
Bethel
- No jobs available, check back by clicking here.
Brookfield
- No jobs available, check back by clicking here.
Danbury
- CASHIER: SALARY: $24.86 – $26.17/hour. The City of Danbury is currently seeking a Cashier. This position requires the receipt of cash checks, money orders, etc at the counter or through the mail in payment of taxes, water service and sewer assessments. Click here to apply.
- MAINTENANCE MECHANIC III – HVAC, Public Buildings, Salary: $32.16/hour. Work includes heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, electronics, electricity, painting, plumbing, lubrication, mechanical, building construction and renovations. Click here to apply.
- Part-time Position: Kennel Assistant, 19 hrs / week at $13.25 / hour. Responsible for maintaining proper disease control protocols, including cleaning of the facility and general maintenance of the facility. Click here to apply.
- Program Set-Up Assistant (Part-time). Elmwood Hall – Danbury Senior Center, Department of Elderly Services. Assists with all aspects of the set-up of programs for the Elmwood Hall Senior Center. Click here to apply.
- FLU Clinic, Part-time Nurses, Rate: $30 – $40 / hr. We have an immediate need for part-time nurses to administer Flu Vaccines during fall clinics. Click here to apply.
- FLU Clinic Community Health Worker Part-time – $16.00 / hr. Seasonal Position August to December or January. Performs assigned flu clinic duties including attending the clinic and working with residents, coordinating volunteers, reconciling clinic reports, and data entry and billing.Click here to apply.
Darien
- Office Administrator – closes August 21, 2019
- Crossing Guard -Positions Currently Available
Easton
- Part-Time Youth Services Programming Assistant
- Request for Qualifications (RFQ) – Land Use Consultant
- Easton School District – Armed School Security Officer
Fairfield
Greenwich
- Administrative Staff Assistant II
- Beach Crew
- Building Maintenance Mechanic, Nathaniel Witherell
- Byram Archibald Neighborhood Center (BANC) Counselor
- Certified Nursing Assistant (Part-Time)
- Children’s Librarian (Part-Time 15 hours/week)-Greenwich Library
- Custodial Aide (Part-Time 15 hours/week) – Greenwich Library
- Custodial Aide – Board of Education – Temporary/Seasonal
- Director of Labor Relations
- Field Hockey Assistant Director
- Field Hockey Director
- Field Hockey Instructor
- Food Service Worker (Part-time) @ Nathaniel Witherell Skilled Nursing Facility
- Gatekeeper/Ticket Seller
- Highway Superintendent
- Housekeeper-Part-Time Nathaniel Witherell approx 19 hours/wk
- IT Support Technician – Greenwich Library
- Librarian- Information Services- (Part-time/Up to 15hrs/wk)
- Library Technical Assistant-Public Relations Office @ Greenwich Library (Part-time 15 hours/week)
- Lifeguard
- Pickleball Director – FALL
- Pickleball Instructor – FALL
- Power Washer
- Process Control Manager (Temporary)
- Sewer Plant Operator II
- Shellfish Boat Operator (Part-Time – Approx. 8 hours/month)
- Site Supervisor – Two Positions
- Skate Park Instructor/Guard
- Staff Nurse RN (Part-Time)
- Swimming Instructor (Spring)
- Switchboard Helper (Part-Time – Sundays)
- Utility Worker
Monroe
- Social Services Behavioral Health Therapist, Part-Time
New Canaan
New Fairfield
New Milford
- Director of Recreational Programs and Events(Parks and Recreation)
-
Laborer Grade II seasonal
-
Library Bookkeeper (Part-time)
-
Library Modernization Clerk of the Works
-
Public Works Construction Inspector
-
Road Construction Surveyor
Newtown
- Town GIS/Information Technology Specialist
- Police Department – Traffic Agent
- Office of the Tax Collector –PT Clerk
- Welcome Desk Representative – Community Center
Norwalk
Oxford
- No jobs available, check back by clicking here.
Redding
- No jobs available, check back by clicking here.
Ridgefield
Southbury
- Assistant to the Building Official. Part-time, 18 hours per week, $30.00 per hour. Under the direction of the Building Official, administers and enforces all State of Connecticut Building Codes, Statutes, Town of Southbury Ordinances and Regulations relating to construction, and all related codes to ensure the public safety, health and welfare affected by building use and construction. Click to view the job description.
- Front Counter Service Clerk for the Senior Center. Performs clerical and customer service related duties, including but not limited to answering phone and scheduling and confirming appointments. Salary starts at $15 per hour, 20 hours per week. Graduation from high school plus one year customer service experience. Click to view the job description.
- Laborer at the Southbury Transfer Station – Per Diem. $16.50 per hour. Performs manual labor duties at the Transfer Station including monitoring and assisting in deposit of recycling and solid waste materials, cleaning up debris and litter. Applications are available online.
- Bus Driver – Per Diem. To transport elderly and/or disabled Southbury residents to and from appointments and the Senior Center. No prior experience necessary, although must hold State of Connecticut license with appropriate endorsements (minimum “F” endorsement) and current medical certificate from your physician. May also be used as a utility person to help with various tasks at the Senior Center. $13.00 per hour. Applications are available online or at the First Selectman’s office, 501 Main Street South, Southbury. ADA/EOE.
- Poll Worker. Residents needed to work at the polls on an election day. Click for more information.
Trumbull
- Administrative Support I (Floater-Part Time)
- Assistant Swim Instructor
- Civil Engineer I
- Groundskeeper Positions (Seasonal)
- Lifeguard
- Part Time Administrative Assistant
- Substitute School Nurse
Waterbury
- Water Superintendent Closing When Sufficient Applications are Received
- Audit Director Closing when Sufficient Applications are Received
- Land Use Officer Closing when Sufficient Applications are Received
- City Planner Closing when Sufficient Applications are Received
- Interpreter for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Closing when sufficient Applications are Received
Weston
- No jobs available, check back by clicking here.
Westport
- Clerical Assistant – Police
- Assistant Animal Control Officer
- Administrative Assistant – Selectman’s Office
- Youth Services Program Assistant
Wilton
Woodbury
- Conservation Commission Clerk: Approximately 12 morning meetings per year. Meetings are held the 4th Thursday of each month at 8:00 a.m. Attend meetings, type motions and minutes from home. File motions and minutes with the Town Clerk’s Office within the statutory timeline. Post legal notices as required. Send notifications and correspondence to commission members and applicants as needed. Pay rate is $17.00 per hour. Click here to apply.
Photo by GotCredit via Flickr Creative Commons
Magic, Music & Culture in Store at This Year’s Danbury Irish Festival
DANBURY, CT — The 2019 Danbury Irish Festival is bigger and better than ever at its new location, 65 Sand Pit Rd., Danbury.
Dancers from Bethel’s Doherty-Petri School of Irish Dance will perform at the indoor/outdoor event which takes place rain or shine. The festival features three local Irish dance schools, Irish vendors, cultural activities, children’s entertainment, Irish food and refreshments and nonstop musical entertainment all weekend long.
The festival takes place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Sept. 20, 21 and 22, 2019 and is presented by the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Foundation, the Men’s and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center, committee members, and volunteers.
This year’s festival is dedicated to its founder, Gerry Curran, who passed away in July of 2019. Curran, the former President of the Danbury Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, co-founded the Irish Festival with the help of Sharon Higgins, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians president, as a fundraiser to build the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center which is now located at 6 Lake Ave. in Danbury. The first Irish Festival was held at Rogers Park in 1995 then moved to the Ives Center for many years before finding its new home on the grounds of the Danbury Portuguese Cultural Center.
Live music will perform on the main stage inside and festival goers can peruse authentic, traditional Irish jewelry and apparel from close to a dozen vendors. The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians prepare delicious baked goods in the hospitality tent, and there is Irish food and drinks available for purchase as well. Shop in the Irish Village and get your holiday shopping done early! Peruse gifts, jewelry, Irish instruments, and other authentic, unique gift ideas from the Irish vendors who will sell their wares.
Outside, the cultural tent showcases a broad range of Irish heritage and gives festival-goers an up-close experience of Irish traditional music, Gaelic language, history, dance, genealogy, film, theater, and literature through live performances, displays, lectures, and workshops. All weekend long there will be displays on Women of the Easter Rising, Book of Kells, Irish crochet, Irish language and classes, Irish family histories, genealogy, Irish blessings, Irish literature, history of the potato famine, Irish traditional music history and classes and much more.
Also outside under the Cultural Tent will be the Children’s Tent which is open from 12-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and includes a wide variety of entertainment and activities for children and their families. The Children’s Tent headline entertainer is Danny Diamond who will do balloon twisting on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 3-4 p.m. and a magic show from 1 – 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22. Miss Angie from PopRox Productions will be face painting Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. each day and there will be arts, crafts, games and more for children of all ages to enjoy.
The Greater Danbury Irish Festival will be held at 65 Sand Pit Road, Danbury, on the beautiful grounds of the Portuguese Cultural Center. Click here for more information.
INSIDE: Entertainment on the Main Stage:
Friday, Sept. 20, 2019:
- 6:30 p.m. GDIF All-stars
- 7:45 p.m. Mighty Ploughboys
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019:
- 12:00 – Traveling Danburys
- 1:00 – Thorne Academy of Irish Dance
- 1:45 – Steve O’Tree and Friends
- 2:45 -Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance
- 3:30 – Highland Rovers
- 4:15 – Tipperary Knights
- 5:15 -Madz and the Ladz
- 6:15 -Morrighan’s Flight
- 7:30 – Highland Rovers
- 8:45 – Tipperary Knights
Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019:
- 12:00 – Doherty Petri School of Irish Dance
- 12:45 – Uncle Bill Whiskey and Friends
- 1:45 – Celtic Cross Pipe and Drum
- 2:30 – SHILELAGH LAW
- 3:45 – Cunningham Brothers
- 5:00 – GDIF All-Stars
OUTSIDE: Cultural Tent Entertainment Schedule & Children’s Tent:
Friday, Sept. 20, 2019
- Displays on: Celtic Art, Book of Kells, Irish Crochet, Irish Language and Classes, Irish Family Histories, Genealogy, Irish Blessings, Irish Dance, Irish Literature, Irish Traditional Music History, World Meeting of Families in Ireland, Classes, and more
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019
- 12:00-1:00 PM: Music & Games with Miss Wendy
- 1:00 – 6:00 PM: Face Painting with Miss Angie from PopRox Productions
- 1:00 – 2:00 PM: Uilleann Piper – Chris Finnegan, Irish Speaker
- 2:00 – 3:00 PM: Cultural Exhibit
- 3:00-4:00 PM: The Magic of Danny Diamond balloon twisting
- 4:15 – 5:15 PM: Tipperary Knights
- 5:15 – 6:00 PM: Cultural Entertainment
Sunday Outside – Cultural/Kid’s Tent
- 1:00 – 2:00 PM: Children’s Magic Show with The Magic of Danny Diamond
- 2:00 – 3:00 PM: Children’s Sing-a-long & Games
- 3:00 – 5:00 PM: Harp Performance – Regina Delaney
- 5:00 – 6:00 PM: Andrew Carey Music
Children’s Activities
- Bubble Zone
- Chalk Zone
- Face Painting
- Leprechaun Bean Bag Toss
- Carnival Games
- Make & Shake a Shamrock
- Thumbprint Rainbows
- Scavenger Hunt
- Kid’s Crafts & and MORE!
Raffle Tickets:
- Tickets are $5 each
- First Prize is $2,000
- Second Prize is $1,000
- Third Prize $500
- Email Colleen O’Rourke at corourke2@aol.com for raffle tickets
For more information, click here, email DanburyIrish@gmail.com, call the club at 203-739-0010 or call Publicity Chair Wendy Mitchell at 203-501-7424.
CT Cooling Centers Near You, Heatwave, Excessive Heat Watch, Flash Flood Watch & More
FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT— The National Weather Service has issued a number of watches in our area as temperatures rise. As the heatwave approaches, residents should pay special attention to the elderly, young children, and anyone with a pre-existing medical condition.
Call 2-1-1 or click here for a list of cooling centers near you.
From the National Weather Service: A Hazardous Weather Watch has been issued for Northern Fairfield County and Westchester. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH is in effect through late this evening and a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH is in effect until 10 p.m. tonight. There is also an EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH in effect from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening according to to the National Weather Service.
A Special Weather Statement was also issued by the NWS:
“A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD… SOUTHEASTERN NEW HAVEN AND SOUTHERN MIDDLESEX COUNTIES… At 517 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Milford to near Norwalk. Movement was east at 30 m.p.h. Winds in excess of 40 m.p.h. are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include… Bridgeport, New Haven, Norwalk, Milford, Wallingford, Shelton, Guilford, Clinton, Old Saybrook, Chester, Fairfield, Hamden, Stratford, Trumbull and Branford.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”
Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect now through 10 p.m. this evening for the following counties:
- FAIRFIELD, HARTFORD, LITCHFIELD, MIDDLESEX, NEW HAVEN, NEW LONDON, TOLLAND, WINDHAM.
Finally, an Excessive Heat Watch was also issued for Northern Fairfield, Southern Fairfield, Southern New Haven, Northern Westchester, Southern Westchester, and surrounding counties. The EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH is in effect from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening from 12 p.m. Saturday through 10 p.m.
According to the NWS:
“Extreme heat can cause illness and death among at- risk population who cannot stay cool. The heat and humidity may cause heat stress during outdoor exertion or extended exposure. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible, and drink plenty of water.
Seniors and those with chronic health problems or mental health conditions are at increased risk. Homes without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoors. Use air conditioning to stay cool at home or go to a place that has air conditioning. Check on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heatstroke is an emergency! In cases of heat stroke call 9 1 1.”
It’s also important to remember to keep your pets cool in excessive heat. Here are some tips from ABC 7 News:
- * Avoid dehydration: Pets can dehydrate quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water.
- * Exercise early and late: When the temperature is very high, don’t let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Your pet’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn.
- * Know when your pet is in danger: Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor, or even collapse. Animals with flat faces like Pugs and Persian cats are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. They should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
- * Never leave a pet inside of a parked car on a hot day. Even with the windows open, extreme temperatures inside a parked can could quickly lead to fatal heat stroke for your pet.
- * Keep cats safe by installing screens in your windows. Unscreened windows pose a real danger to cats, who fall out of them often during summer months.
- * Prepare with your pet: Pet food, water, medications and supplies should always be included in your emergency preparedness plans and “go bags.”
Some local towns are already announcing cancellations of events, and others have posted important information about cooling centers. Check your town’s website for more details.
Photo by DaPuglet via Flickr Creative Commons
Bethel Summerfest Reschedules Activities Due to Heat Advisory
BETHEL, CT— The Town of Bethel has postponed this Saturday’s Summerfest due to the heat advisories issued by the National Weather Service.
Brad Koltz, President & Executive Director of the Bethel Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday that the Bethel Summerfest scheduled for Saturday, July 20 will be rescheduled due to excessive heat forecasted for this weekend.
“After months of planning, we are reluctantly forced to reschedule this year’s SummerFest due to the unsafe heat advisory that has been issued for Saturday, with heat and high humidity creating unsafe conditions for outdoor activities. We will release the revised date and times soon, so please keep a lookout for that announcement.”
BeerFest is still on for Friday, July 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. with unlimited beer tastings and food samplings from local restaurants, live music, and games. Discounted tickets are available online at bethelbeerfest.com.
This Saturday, July 20, local merchants are hosting activities indoors for Summerfest due to the weather warning. The following businesses are hosting special events this Saturday:
PhotoWorks, who is celebrating their 10th anniversary, is hosting an artist reception on Saturday from 2 – 5:00 p.m. at 226 Greenwood Avenue. Click here for details.
Byrds Books, located at 178 Greenwood Avenue, is hosting an indoor summer “sidewalk” sale and visits by several authors throughout the day on Saturday:
- 11:00 a.m.: Lauren Baratz-Logsted will sign “I Love You Michael Collins”
- 12:00 p.m.: Donna Marie Merritt will sign her poetry and children’s books, including: “Her House and Other Poems” and Teensy Meensy Mice”
- 1:00 p.m.: National Book Award nominee Vesper Stamper will sign “What the Night Sings”
- 1:00 p.m.: Jack Sheedy will sign “Gandy Dancing”
- 2:00 p.m.: Bethel’s Poet Laureate Cortney Davis will sign her poetry and “Learning to Heal”
- 2:00 p.m.: Rob McWilliams will sign “The Kiss of Sweet Scottish Rain”
The Toy Room is an indoor sidewalk sale as well on Saturday with savings on merchandise of up to 75% off. From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. the Sandcastle Guy from Create a Castle will visit and showcase his product. The Toy Room is located at 180 Greenwood Avenue.
For more information on this or other events, visit the Bethel Summerfest website.
#CTTraffic Alert: Large Sinkhole Causes Traffic Problems in #DanburyCT
Photo by Farley Santos
DANBURY, CT — Drivers around Danbury and Bethel will want to use caution and take alternate routes as a large sinkhole has formed on Shelter Rock Road in Danbury.
“To all our neighbors: A sinkhole has formed on Shelter Rock Road near the intersection with Cross Street. Traffic is being diverted through Cross Street. Please try to avoid the area if possible. The City’s Public Works department is on it. I’ve spoken with the Foreman and repairs are underway. It will be a long night for our City’s Public Works crew. I will update as needed.”
While areas like Florida are more prone to sinkholes, Connecticut has seen a large amount of rain. According to USGS.giov, a sinkhole is formed when the ground below the land surface cannot support the land surface and eats away at the rock below.
“Cover-collapse sinkholes may develop abruptly (over a period of hours) and cause catastrophic damages. They occur where the covering sediments contain a significant amount of clay. Over time, surface drainage, erosion, and deposition of sinkhole into a shallower bowl-shaped depression. Over time, surface drainage, erosion, and deposition of sediment transform the steep-walled sinkhole into a shallower bowl-shaped depression.”
We will update this story as more information becomes available.
