NEWS FROM SOUTHBURY FIRST SELECTMAN
TIM O'NEIL
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Parks Landscaping
I am very pleased that we have approved the park landscaping improvements for Settlers and Ballantine parks. I’m sure our residents and guests will be pleased to see new colorful and fragrant landscaping of our parks flower and shrub beds that will last for years and improve the appearance and enjoyment of our parks. These are practical investments that help protect the value of the public spaces our residents use and enjoy.
Our Public Works outside properties crew has been busy sprucing up existing beds, spreading mulch, planting flowers and cleaning our parks. It’s a daunting task and their efforts are appreciated. They planted fourteen pink and white dogwood trees at Jack Shortt’s Field across from Grace Meadows elderly housing, and flowering cherry trees between Town Hall and the Community building. They also ground the stumps of the trees that were removed. The Memorial benches along Main Street South have been power washed. Stained and dirty carpet at Parks and Recreation and the Senior Center has been replaced with vinyl wood plank flooring that is easier to clean and maintain and more welcoming and enjoyable for our residents and employees.
I want to let you know the backlog of incomplete and deferred maintenance is long and this has led to the need for more expensive fixes. It took years to get to this point and it cannot be corrected all at once. The approach will be to address them responsibly, a couple of projects at a time based on funding, need, safety, maintenance value and long-term benefit to Southbury. We have been assessing the current conditions, defining issues, and making practical improvements and plans. While it’s a long road ahead of us, as Board of Finance Chair John Michaels said, we will be addressing the task a bite at a time.
SOUTHBURY AMERICA 250
The Revolution. Southbury at War: Pork and Patriots
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Southbury history. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, this is a fitting time to learn more about Southbury’s role in the Revolutionary War. Southbury Town Historian John Dwyer has written a book The Revolution. Southbury at War: Pork and Patriots, which tells the story of how Southbury and its people helped support George Washington and the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Additionally, history shows our residents were not all patriots, many were Tories, loyalists to the crown.
Historic Buildings Open House
The Southbury Historical Society would like to invite everyone to visit Bullet Hill School, the Old Town Hall Museum and the South Britain Library on June 13, 2026 from 10am to 3pm, CT Open House Day 2026 state-wide event. Additionally, the Old Town Hall Museum is currently featuring a new 250th-themed exhibit about Southbury’s part in the Revolutionary War.
Flag Day Ceremony and “Origins of the American Flag”
Celebrate Flag Day on Sunday, June 14 at Veterans Memorial Green. Join members of the VFW and American Legion and learn about the American flag from John Dwyer, Southbury Historian.
More Southbury America 250th Commission events can be found on our website.
Pride Month
June is Pride month. I want to wish a happy Pride to Southbury’s LGBTQ+ residents, friends, families, neighbors and allies. Love is love.
June is Dog Licensing Month
June is dog licensing month in Connecticut. All dogs six months and older must be licensed. In Southbury, dog licenses may be obtained online, in person, or by mail through the Town Clerk’s Office.
Friends of the Southbury Public Library
The Friends Donation Center has returned to its library location! Their Southbury Plaza location has closed. As of June 2, the Friends are again accepting donations at the back of the library at the Lower Level Loading Dock (Basement Level) the following days and times: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:30am-11:30am and Tuesdays at 5-7pm. A Friends member will be available to help you remove donations from your car. For more information about the Friends of the Southbury Public Library, click here.
Think Outside the Bait Box
Southbury Animal Control will host Think Outside the Bait Box on Wednesday, June 17, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Town Hall. This free program will help residents understand the risks that rodenticide pesticides used in bait boxes can pose to wildlife, pets, and the broader environment. Guest speakers will include representatives from A Place Called Hope, Friends of Animals and CT Votes for Animals.
Farmers’ Market Opens June 18
The Southbury Farmers’ Market opens for the season on Thursday, June 18, at 3pm. The market will run every Thursday through November 19, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on the Town Hall Green. Southbury’s Farmers’ Market is producer-only—the farmers and specialty food makers selling at the market are directly involved in growing or making the products they sell.
There is a lot happening in Southbury this month. I hope residents will take advantage of these opportunities to learn, connect, support local organizations, care for their pets, and enjoy what our community has to offer.