Senior Tax Relief & Additional Resources/Events

WAM
April 11, 2023
I hope all of you who celebrated Passover and Easter last week had a blessed time with family and friends. As we see the flowering trees in full bloom and hear the birds return, I wanted you to know about a few community opportunities. There are a number of upcoming events and programs that provide helpful resources, or the opportunity to get out and active with friends and family. Below you will find more information, shared from multiple other sources, on these events as well as tax assistance information for Fairfield seniors.

You can click on any of the links above to jump to that section of the email. I hope that you find these resources helpful.
 
Fairfield POCD Input
On Thursday, April 20 from 6:30PM - 8:30PM at Fairfield Museum the Town of Fairfield will present a draft of the Fairfield Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). The draft was created after input from multiple community stakeholders, including residents who joined forums just like this. This meeting on April 20 is another important opportunity to provide input into the plan that will guide the future development of our community, including housing, open space, resiliency, transportation access, and more.

Communication shared by the Town notes that:

The plan includes input from past public engagement efforts and recommendations for how to make Fairfield:

  • A Resilient Community
  • An Environmentally Rooted Community
  • A Community that is Home for All
  • A Sustainably Prosperous Community
  • An Interconnected Community
  • A Community Where People Come Together

This is your opportunity to provide input and feedback. Please RSVP by scanning the QR code below. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Wendt or Emmeline Harrigan.
 
Cristin In the News
On Sunday, I had the opportunity to join NBC Connecticut’s Mike Hydek for Face the Facts to talk about a bill that would allow Housing Authorities, within certain parameters, to construct housing in communities other than those where they are housed. With an over 80,000 unit shortage of housing, especially for those at 30% of area median income, Connecticut residents could benefit from the increased competition and opportunity this could provide.

You can listen to the conversation by clicking on the image below:
Last week, the bipartisan Women’s Caucus released a series of bills we are supporting, including two Public Health Committee bills. This week as we highlight Black Maternal Health week, it is even more important to emphasize SB 986, a bill introduced by the Governor to address the differences in maternal and child health for mothers and infants who are black. The bill will create a licensure category for birthing centers, establish an infant mortality review panel, help assure access to doulas and midwives, and create a universal home visiting program for families with newborns.

You can watch highlights from the press conference by clicking the image below:
The Public Health Committee, with bipartisan support, has advanced a series of bills that will assure safe, legal, and accessible access to reproductive care, including contraception and abortion. You can read more about some of those proposals in the CT Mirror article by clicking here, or my quote below.
You can also read more about the Attorney General’s press conference yesterday to address the CT response to the Texas ruling regarding access to mifepristone, a drug which has been safely used for medication abortions for over 20 years.

As Public Health Co-Chair, I was proud to stand alongside of the Attorney General, Governor, Lt. Governor, Comptroller, Public Health Commissioner, legislative colleagues and leaders from Pro Choice CT, and Planned Parenthood in support of the effort to allow the continued use of this FDA approved drug in our state. You can watch the press conference here and read more about the conversation by clicking here, or the image below.
 
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
Every Spring, I look forward to the Center for Family Justice Event, Walk a Mile in her shoes. The Center is a regional asset, serving those who are survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, and also offering community education and resources to young people, women, families, and community organizations.

This year, the Center is offering a special treat for those who register their dogs. A fun community event that raises funds and awareness, the Walk is a great opportunity to make an impact for the nearly 20,000 people who have been served by the Center this past year. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault impact families in Fairfield, Bridgeport and in every town in our region and state. I hope you’ll bring a friend, maybe your puppy, and join the event.

Click the image below for more information and resources available to you:
 
Senior Tax Assistance in Fairfield
This is a reminder that the First Selectwoman and the Fairfield Assessor's Office have shared that the town is accepting new applications for credits on real estate tax bills for qualifying elderly and/or disabled residents.

Qualifications:
  • Must be at least 65 years of age (75 years old for the Deferral) or totally disabled (receiving total disability payments from Social Security or from any other government disability program) as of December 31, 2022
  • See table below with income caps
  • The property for which the tax relief is claimed must be the legal residence of the applicant and occupied by them more than 183 days of each year
  • Been a taxpayer of the Town of Fairfield and have paid taxes for at least one year as of October 1 of the current Grand List year
  • Must have a qualifying total asset value (QTAV) not exceeding $650,000
  • Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2023

How to Submit:

Please call the Assessor's Office for application instructions at (203) 256-3110. Applicants must meet in person with a staff member from the Assessor's Office to file.

What to Bring:

  • Proof of income for the previous calendar year
    • Complete copy of your 2022 income tax form 1040 or 1040A
    • Copy of the 2022 social security form 1099
    • All other 1099 forms whether taxable or not
      • For those who do not file an income tax form - copies of all 1099 forms both taxable and non taxable are required.

*All income from all sources for the previous calendar year must be considered for any tax relief program.
 
Improve Oral Health
The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative is hosting a free community event on April 13 from 5:30PM - 7:30PM at the Boroughs Community Center. This is a great opportunity to learn from dentists how to keep your mouth healthy and clean.

Please RSVP in advance by clicking the button below:
RSVP for Event
 
WBDC's Women-Owned Business Day
On Wednesday, April 26, the Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) is hosting their Women-Owned Business Day in-person at the Legislative Office Building!

We would love to see you at the Capitol with WBDC and CT-based entrepreneurs for the once-a-year celebration of the real impact women-owned businesses have on Connecticut’s economy, our communities, and our families.

Learn more and RSVP by clicking the button below:
RSVP & Learn More
 
LifeBridge Creating from the HeART
On Thursday, April 27 from 4PM - 7PM at the Knowlton, Life Bridge Community Services will host Creating from the HeART, a community celebration of self-expression. The event will feature leading industry experts, Bridgeport-based artists and poets, and artwork produced by Urban Scholars students.

To learn more, and to register in advance, please click the button below:
RSVP for Event
 
Annual Student Art Show
The annual show will kick off on May 20 at the Pequot Library with a reception on May 31. Please join this celebration of Fairfield's talented young artists!
 
Green Team Tips
The Fairfield Public Schools' Green Team's 2023 New Year's Resolution is to waste less food. They have shared some helpful tips below on how you can help reduce waste.

The Green Team's Mission is to promote a consistent standard of sustainable practices across all sixteen Fairfield public schools. They aim to reduce environmental impact and cost, improve the health and wellness of students and staff, and provide educational opportunities that align with the curriculum.