Tag Archives: Matthew Knickerbocker

News From the First Selectman: Jan. 5

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News From the First Selectman: Jan. 5

From First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker–

New Heath Van

I hope everyone had a happy holiday season and I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.

I am very pleased to announce a new service for all Bethel residents.  Beginning Wednesday, January 4th, a mobile health care van began visiting Bethel  The van will park by the back entrances to the Senior and Teen Centers beginning at 9:30am until noon. 

The van is fully equipped to handle all routine medical needs.  Advance appointments are not necessary, but follow-up appointments may be scheduled as needed.  The program will accept all patients as well as most health care insurance plans, without regard to employment status.  Those without insurance will be charged on a sliding scale according to income.

The health van is provided by the Greater Danbury Community Health Center and is funded by a grant from the Federal Government.

For more information, contact Mary Pina at CIFC Community Health Center of Greater Danbury.  She can be reached at 203-743-0100, ext. 342, or via email at PinaM@CT-Institute.Org.

Weed Road Bridge

Concerning the Weed/Walnut Hill Rd. bridge: ”It is supposed to open tomorrow afternoon, right after the contractor installs Jersey barriers along the sides to serve as temporary guard rails. Those were supposed to be installed over a week ago, and I do not know what caused the delay. It will not be 100% done until spring, when we can resume the road grading, repaving and permanent guard rail installations. I am following up with the contractor this afternoon, and if I find out the barriers will not be set up tomorrow I will let you know.”

STEAP Grant Money

From Governor Dannel P. Malloy–

Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced the last round of Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) awards on Tuesday, January 3. Towns across the state were awarded funds to make infrastructure upgrades, strengthen business corridors and local economies, and improve public spaces. Bethel received  $500,000 to reconstruct and repave major roads impacted by the Stony Hill sewer extension. This award goes toward a larger project that will cost an estimated $1.48 million to complete.

 “I am pleased Bethel has received this state grant approval for $500,000 for the Stony Hill Road resurfacing project. I have worked with town officials for several months to get state assistance for the project. The town put in sewer lines to benefit some property owners and a road resurfacing is needed to complete the project. This grant benefits all the residents who travel this road in Bethel,” said State Representative David Scribner.
First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker said: “This is a new grant that we applied for a few months ago.  These funds will used to the repave roads in Stony Hill that had only temporary patching done following the installation of sewer lines.  This will also reduce the overall cost of the four-year Road Recovery Project, as that plan included many of those roads in Stony Hill.”

Matthew Knickerbocker Wins Second Term: VIDEO of Acceptance Speech

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Matthew Knickerbocker Wins Second Term: VIDEO of Acceptance Speech

First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker was greeted with hoots and howls Tuesday night as he entered the Democratic Headquarters on Greenwood Ave.  after the winning re-election for a second term.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO

Knickerbocker said: “We have big slate of things to do. We still have to keep working on our roads, we still have to do something with our police station, with Eureka water station and we will be very busy over the next two years.”

He congratulated the new all-female Democratic Board of Finance members who won; Pat Smithwick, Claudia J. Stephan and Eileen Freebalm.

Knickerbocker received 2,428 of the 4,390 votes cast. Republican challenger Kevin Cleary was supported by 1,299 of Bethel’s voters and Robert Burke received 663 of the votes. Cleary said he was happy he ran a clean election and met a lot of great people and friends.

Cleary, a lifelong Bethel resident has deep roots in the Bethel community and said Tuesday: “I am excited to work on a new community arts center and I have found people with passion. This is my community and I’m not going away.”

Republican candidate Kevin Cleary thanked all that voted for him and was proud that he ran a clean campaign.

CT Tea Party candidate Robert Burke was not available for comment.

Below is the list of winners for Bethel’s 2011 elections.

First Selectman

  • Democrat: Matthew S. Knickerbocker

Selectman

  • Democrat: Richard C. Stration
  • Republican: Paul R. Szatkowski

Town Treasurer

  • Democrat/Working Families: Thomas O’Leary

Board of Finance 

  • Democrat: Claudia J. Stephan
  • Democrat: Eileen Freebalm
  • Democrat: Patricia Smithwick

Board of Education 

  • Democrat/Working Families: Robin A. Renner
  • Republican/Independent: Kristen M. Lacey
  • Republican/Independent: Scott Anthony Clayton
  • Republican/Independent: S. Lawrence Craybas
  • Republican/Independent: William I. Duff

Board of Education 

  • Democrat/Working Families: Ted Stevenson
  • Republican/Independent: Elizabeth A. Frey

Board of Assessment Appeals

  • Democrat/Working Families: Robert F. Pitt, Jr.
  • Democrat: Steven DeMoura
  • Republican/Independent: Alfred J. Bernard

Planning & Zoning Commission

  • Democrat: Dick Shannon
  • Republican/Independent: Earle Finch
  • Republican/Independent: John Lennon
  • Republican/Independent: Robert J. Legnard

Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate 

  • Democrat: Louis F. Valenti
  • Democrat/Working Families: Sandi Richards Forman

Zoning Board of Appeals

  • Democrat: Justin E. Hurgin
  • Republican/Independent: Melanie Ryan

Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate 

  • Democrat/Working Families: Jennifer Davidson
  • Republican/Independent: Susan M. Dolan

Inland Wetlands Commission 

  • Democrat: Patrick Perrefort
  • Democrat/Working Families: Don Goodrich

Inland Wetlands Commission Alternate

  • Republican/Independent: Daniel W. O’Grady

Police Commission 

  • Democrat: Christopher McCollam
  • Republican/Independent: Michael Duff

First Selectman Discusses "Safe Routes to Schools" & More

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First Selectman Discusses “Safe Routes to Schools” & More

First Selectman’s Corner, By Matthew Knickerbocker

Oct. 19, 2011

 Keeping the momentum going

The opening season of our new downtown farmers market was so successful, we decided to hold monthly markets in the CJH Municipal Center gym throughout the off-season to keep people in touch with some of their favorite vendors.  The first market event comes up this Saturday, October 22nd and will again feature summer favorites Billie’s BBQ, Whistle Stop Bakery plus several new vendors.  Hours are noon to 4:00pm with a free magic show for kids (of all ages) at 2:00pm.

“Safe Routes to Schools” Project Begins

Construction began on Monday, October 17th on a new sidewalk that will provide a safe walking area along Maple Avenue beginning at the corner of Hickok and will run all the way up past the police station to the intersection with Whittlesey Drive.  This work is being paid for by a Safe Routes to Schools grant.  Construction is expected to last about six to eight weeks, depending on weather.

Road Update

Speaking of weather, this year’s Road Recovery construction will continue until as long as possible and will not end for the season until the area asphalt plants close for the winter.  But I ask residents to please understand that the weather has had quite an impact on the project, beginning first thing in the spring with leftover snow and heavy rains all the way through the summer storms and TS Irene.  On Linda Lane, for example, our crews installed all new storm drains and completed the prep work several weeks ago, but the rainstorms over the past two months have repeatedly pushed back the construction.  The problem we face is the rescheduling.  When we lose our “construction window” due to heavy rain, the contractors do not simply pick up where they left off when the rain stops.  They move on to the next town on their construction list, and our date gets pushed back to the next available opening, which may not be for several weeks.  This has happened to us several times this season.  We will continue to push ahead as fast as possible and I will publish regular updates.

Democratic Canvas Kicks Off Saturday With Door-to-Door Campaign

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Democratic Canvas Kicks Off Saturday With Door-to-Door Campaign

Arleen Pedone, Don Goodrich and Board of Finance Democratic candidate Patricia Smithwick stand in front of the large flag at Democratic headquarters Friday evening, after preparing handouts for the Democratic campaign kickoff on Saturday.

The Democratic Town Committee and candidates for office ready themselves for their official campaign kickoff Saturday morning.  Volunteers and candidates, armed with campaign literature, will meet at the Democratic headquarters Saturday morning for a pep talk and street assignments before they head out to canvas neighborhoods.

Volunteers came out Friday evening to prepare pamphlets and bags to hand out to Bethel residents. Saturday at 10:00 a.m. they will gather, along with Democratic candidates, for the first official walk to share their platform with voters. Volunteers are welcome to assist in the campaign.

According to their handout, the Democratic party pledges the following to the citizens of Bethel:

~To let YOU vote on the full Road Recovery Project

~To support our seniors by restoring funding for Meals On Wheels, Regional Hospice and other essential services

~To work with the Board of Selectmen on Bethel’s 5-year Capital Plan to protect your investments in town buildings and schools, reduce debt and establish sound fiscal policies

~To work with and respect all Boards and Commissions

Democratic candidates for re-election First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker and Selectman Richard Straiton hope to clinch their re-election by reminding voters what they accomplished from 2008 up until now:

~Secured funding for Phase-1 of the Road Recovery Project

~Relocated Bethel Teen Center to a new temporary space at no cost to taxpayers

~Created a new Economic Outreach Commission to bring business and shoppers back to Bethel

~Opened Bethel’s first downtown farmer’s market

~Put the Bethel Public Library renovation back on schedule

~Restored civility and cooperation within Bethel’s town government

With their commitment of “Leadership and experience working for you,” Knickerbocker, Straiton and the rest of the slate of Democratic candidates set out to share how they plan to accomplish that goal.

Democratic candidates for Board of Finance, Eileen Freebairn, Patricia Smithwick and Claudia Stephan  are “Financial Professionals with decades of business experience,” according to their campaign flyer.

Their flyer also states: “If you’re tired of the politics, if you want a Board of Finance that will respect your wishes, there is a better alternative.”

The Democratic headquarters is located at 110 Greenwood Ave., in the plaza next to O’Neil’s Restaurant. All are welcome to come out for the campaign kick-off.

Bridge Replacement

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Bethel Buzz

Selectman’s Corner

By Matthew Knickerbocker

Week of Aug. 1st, 2011

 Dear Readers:

People have been asking recently about the status of a few long standing projects.  Some of these date back quite a few years, so I thought now would be a good time to give you an update.

Walnut Hill and Plumtrees/Whittlesey Bridge Replacements:

These two bridge projects date are almost a decade old.  The first thing I want our residents to understand is these are not “Town of Bethel” projects; rather, they both under the control of the State Department of Transportation.  This means that although the town continues to work closely with state officials, the timing of the construction is out of our hands.  The good news, however, is that both projects continue to move forward.

The D.O.T. contract for the Walnut Hill bridge was issued about two weeks ago and has been signed in my office.  Formal bid requests will follow this fall.  Construction to replace this bridge should be underway by this time next summer.

Regarding the Plumtrees/Whittlesey bridge, there are several studies that are required by state and federal authorities, some of which are still under way.  These include engineering, environmental, hydrological, archeological and biological assessments of the proposed bridge and its impact on the stream and surrounding lands.  D.O.T.’s projected start date for reconstruction is tentatively set for summer of 2013.

This project dates back to 1999-2000, but it will be worth the wait.  When it is finally completed, the roads will be shifted to make Walnut Hill align directly with Whittlesey, creating a standard four-way intersection that will relieve the morning traffic bottleneck and provide a safe pedestrian crossing up to the school complex.

As always, please feel free to call or email if you have questions.

Knickerbockerm@betheltownhall.org

(203) 794-8505

Knickerbocker Announces Plans To Run for Reelection

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First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker announced Tuesday at Town Hall that he will be running for reelection in the fall.

“I am very proud to announce my run for reelection for the town of Bethel and I’m proud to have Rich Straiton with me,” Knickerbocker said.

Standing alongside Knickerbocker and Straiton as they addressed the small crowd was Campaign Chair Alice Hutchinson, Bethel First Selectwoman 2003-2005 and former First Selectman David Deakin, 1959-1967, for whom the Education Park was named after.

Knickerbocker cited accomplishments he has completed since taking office such as bringing the first downtown farmers market and giving the teen center a temporary home.

“We’ve done a lot [of work], we have a lot left on front of us,” Knickerbocker said.

Another project mentioned was the 12-year-long project to replace the bridge at Plumtrees and Walnut Hill Roads.

“Someone once asked me the most frustrating part of the job and I said it is how long it takes to get things done when dealing with the government.”

Plans for the next term also include continuing on the road recovery, completing the library project and focusing on bringing more businesses into town.

Knickerbocker said he created an ad-hoc Economic Outreach Commission that is designed to bring jobs, and tax dollars, to Bethel. Residents can expect to see way-finding signs, he said, that would point visitors to the downtown shopping district. Working with the Bethel Chamber of Commerce, Knickerbocker said, will help to facilitate this plan.

Knickerbocker and Straiton were endorsed by Bethel’s Democratic Town Committee and will seek an official nomination at the party’s caucus on Thursday, July 21 at Town Hall.

For more information go to www.betheltoday.com