TOWN MANAGER:

Over the next several weeks my office will be working diligently on the budget.  I will be presenting the Town Manager’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 to the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance on Thursday, March 2, 2023.  An email address [email protected] has been set up to receive public comments and input.  Emails received will be forwarded to the Boards of Selectmen, Finance and Education.

Interviews have been conducted for the Assistant Town Clerk's position; this vacancy was created by the appointment of Francesca Villani from Assistant Town Clerk to Acting Town Clerk.

Bids were received and opened on the Douglas Library Roof and Facilities Study projects.  These bids will be reviewed carefully and awards will be made accordingly.

SELECTMEN BOARD/COMMITTEE DATES:

Health and Safety Committee - Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. - GoToMeeting
Hebron Board of Education - Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - TBD
Historic Properties Commission - Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - Peters House
Conservation Commission - Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. - GoToMeeting

For more up-to-date information, refer to the Town's website at:  https://hebronct.com/agendas/ 

COMMISSION/COMMITTEES:

Hebron Health and Safety: 

We have worked 35 days without a work-related injury or accident.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

This week the Hebron Fire Department responded to 13 EMS, 1 fire alarm, 1 MVA, 1 outside fire, 1 lift assist

ASSESSOR'S OFFICE 

The October 1, 2022 Grand List was finalized and signed on January 19, 2023, representing a total increase of 1.75% over the previous Grand List. All owners of real estate and/or personal property wishing to appeal their assessment must file an appeal application by February 20, 2023. Applications are available online and in the Assessor’s Office. The Board of Assessment Appeals will meet in March to hear appeals.

The filing period for additional veteran’s exemptions and the elderly homeowner program begins February 1, 2023. If you are 65 years of age or older, or permanently disabled, or a veteran, and your income is below the following threshold, please contact the Assessor’s Office to apply. Your 2022 income must be at or below $40,300 if single or $49,100 if married in order to qualify.

There are several other exemptions the Assessor’s Office processes that may reduce your tax bill. If any of the following apply to you, please contact our office at 860-228-5971 ext. 147 for more information. Exemptions are offered for veterans, active-duty service members, legally blind, permanently disabled, handicap equipped vehicles, and veterans with a service-connected disability rating.

TOWN CLERK

This week we witnessed a changing of the guard marked by the retirement of Carla Pomprowicz. The Town Clerk’s office, all be it short staffed at the moment, continues to function as usual, ready and able to provide the services our town has come to know and expect.  We have interviewed several candidates for the now vacant position of Assistant Town Clerk.  Once the interview process is complete, we hope to move forward quickly to fill the position vacated by Francesca Villani who has been appointed acting Town Clerk for the remainder of Carla’s elected term of office. Please do not hesitate to call or visit the office should you need the services of the Town Clerk or simply are not sure as to whom to direct your question or concern. We are happy to assist you in any way possible.

WETLAND AGENT

Activity items for inclusion in the weekly report:

-Effected routine sediment and erosion control adherence checks relative to previously issued permit conditions of approval.

-Made 3 regulatory compliance jurisdictional determinations with corresponding site visits.

-Responded to a complaint and coordinated with DEEP toward the mitigation of a possible drainage issue.

-Inspected environmental protection measures at sewer system upgrade sites.

-Wrote and submitted two articles for publication in the Hebron Views.

-Consulted with a resident regarding intent to work within an easement area and provided guidance with permission protocols.

-Conducted periodic inspections and patrols relative to wetlands violations, ATV usage on Town lands and illegal dumping.

-Observed DEEP timber harvest operations in Hebron and communicated with the agency Forestry Division.

-Provided administrative and logistical support to the Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission.

DOUGLAS LIBRARY

PARKS AND RECREATION 

We are excited to share a variety of new upcoming programs and activities!

Hebron Parks and Rec is currently looking for instructors and leaders to conduct new programs and activities with us. Please reach out with ideas or interests. We are committed to providing a wide range of recreational activities for our community!
 
Yoga - Join instructor Karen Gomez for our winter session for yoga. Join us Mondays at 5:30-6:30pm at Gilead Hill School as we practice yoga and enhance our mental and physical well-being. Session runs January 9^th – February 27^th.

Valentine’s Day Crafternoon - Enjoy an afternoon of Valentine crafts. Join our instructors to create some fun and whimsical crafts for Valentine's Day. Each student will bring home 3 crafts. This is a fun way for your child to get creative and use their hands and imagination to make something they will be excited to share with loved ones.  February 7^th from 3:15-4:30 in the Gilead Hill Art Room. Cost is $30.

Paint Party!  Join Miss Amy from Studio 13 for a Valentine's Day themed Paint Party! She will take you step by step to paint an adorable 11x14 Valentine gnome while providing options on how to customize the gnome to let your own creativity shine through! Friday, February 10^th from 4:30 t0 5:30, in the Douglas Library Community Room.  Cost is $23 per participant with supplies included.

Adult Paint Night - Join us for a mini tropical vacation! Amy from Studio 13 will guide you step by step through this fanciful sunset. We will be working on an 11x14 canvas. Materials and instruction included! This class is for our friends 18+!  February 22, 4-5:15pm. Douglas Library, Community Room

Backyard Whiffle Ball - ATTENTION BASEBALL PLAYERS AND THOSE WHO LOVE A CLASSIC GAME OF WIFFLE BALL! Join us Sundays starting in February for 4 action packed sessions of backyard whiffle ball! We will create teams, play games and learn some baseball fundamentals along the way. You do not have to be a competitive baseball player to register and have fun with us. The program is for all skill and ability levels for boys and girls in grades 5-8. No equipment needed. Space is limited! Sundays, February 26, March 5, 12 and 26. Grades 5/6 5-6:30pm and Grades 7/8 6:40-8:10pm.

Futsal - In coordination with CAB Futsal and Soccer we are offering a Futsal Clinic this winter for girls and boys in the U9-U13 divisions. Futsal is a widely popular form of soccer in South America and Europe. It is played as a 5 v 5 game with on a basketball court with a smaller low bounce ball and goalies. Sessions will be on Saturdays at Hebron Elementary starting February 25^th. U11-U13 2:00pm-3:30pm and U9-U10  3:30-5:00pm.

Karate - Instructional karate focusing on building confidence, self-respect, and discipline following the style of Goju ru, made famous by the “Karate Kid” film series. Six-week sessions ongoing sessions, Mondays and Wednesdays in the Gilead Hill Activity Room.  Ages 5-11 5:00pm-5:50pm.  Ages 12+ 6:00pm-7:00pm.  Cost $85 per session. 

We are hiring!   The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking applicants for our PREP Before and After School program that runs throughout the school year.  For more information visit: https://hebronct.com/contact-us/employment/

The Parks and Recreation Department is also seeking applicants for Summer Camp Program Leaders and Program Specialists.  Applicants must be 16 years of age or older, and available for the duration of training and camp operations from June through August based on the needs of camp program.   For more information visit: https://hebronct.com/contact-us/employment/   Rate is $15.50 to $17.00 an hour.

All applicants must be able to pass a criminal records background check and pre-employment drug test.  Please send letter of interest, resume and application to the Town Managers Office, Town of Hebron, 15 Gilead Street, Hebron, CT 06248 or call 860-530-1281. Applications will be accepted until the position(s) are filled.  The Town of Hebron is an equal opportunity employer.

CHATHAM HEALTH DISTRICT

As of February 2, all 8 Connecticut counties (Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland, Windham) have a MEDIUM COVID-19 community level.  You can read more about prevention steps recommended by CDC at different community levels here:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/community-levels-county-map.html

-The average daily COVID-19 case rate in Chatham Health District this week decreased to 5.7 cases/100000 from 5.9 cases /100000 last week.   
-The number of individuals currently hospitalized is 414.  This is a decrease of 97 compared to last week.  
-Fatalities decreased compared to the last week (30 this week compared to 42 last week).  

As of 1/25/23, approximately 78% of Chatham Health District residents were fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and 52% had received an additional dose.  State-level data indicated that about 14% of children under 5 had at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine while 9% were fully vaccinated.  

For more detailed information, click the following button:

COVID-19 INFORMATION

Foodshare mobile produce van is every other Tuesday from 11:15-11:45 at the Church of Hope - red barn located at the Corner of Rt 85 & Rt 66.  All are welcome, no forms to fill out.  Please bring your own bags. 

Future scheduled dates:

February 14th - February 28th

The Town Office Building and Horton House are currently open to the public.  When possible, the public is encouraged to conduct business electronically, and to continue to use mail or drop boxes located in front of the Town Office Building and Horton House. 
Thank you for your cooperation.

Business hours:

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.