Fairfield commissioners hear public‑health report and community programming updates

Commissioners received a Board of Health briefing and several departmental updates centered on public health preparedness and community programming.

Commissioner Nina Charnana summarized the Board of Health meeting of Jan. 12, reporting that the recent flu spike was highest in December and that state officials do not yet consider the outbreak to be over. On measles, Charnana told the commission the board reviewed case clustering and noted "one case in Connecticut, as we all know, that was, originated in Trumbull at Christian Heritage School," and that the report cited about 45 clusters in the U.S. and three individual deaths. Charnana referenced CDC tracking tools and said state public‑health recommendations generally align with CDC guidance.

Julie DeMarco reported on emergency preparedness: the town participated in a tabletop exercise simulating an Arctic ice storm and discussed shelter operations, including identification requirements for persons entering a shelter. She confirmed Ludlow High School is a pre‑established shelter site and that the library can serve as a warming center, but noted limitations because the library lacks showers and a cooking kitchen.

DeMarco also described a new, ongoing Community Resilience Model (CRM) training run by LifeBridge that the town helped fund. "It was funded by maybe 45 or 50 people. It'll be monthly," she said, and staff encouraged interested residents to sign up for the next session in February. DeMarco reported the Veterans Coffee House, held on the third Tuesday of the month at the Penfield Pavilion, saw its highest attendance to date.

Commissioners discussed condemnation work the board has pursued (11 properties) and community safety efforts such as ebike and scooter safety outreach and a planned CPR challenge during heart‑month activities.

What happens next
Staff will continue to monitor public‑health developments and maintain outreach and training schedules; the commission indicated interest in a future presentation by the youth services social worker on her needs‑assessment findings.