Bloomfield brief: Monday, October 19, 2026

Archived edition, published Monday, October 19, 2026. See today's Bloomfield page.

Town Council votes to seek sale or lease proposals for former GEMS building.

From Bloomfield News

• Schools chief details $1.4 million facilities gap. Superintendent Dr. Youngberg told the Town Council the district needs about $1.4 million for facility repairs after two years without capital funding, as the council also weighed a contested microphone upgrade and a Board of Assessment Appeals reappointment amid questions about missing minutes.Bloomfield News
• Charter panel opens hearing on referendum rules. Bloomfield's Charter Revision Commission opened its first public hearing on charter changes, hearing nine residents push back on the budget referendum's 7.5 percent signature threshold and debate whether town employees should weigh in on revisions.Bloomfield News
• Design board reviews 210-unit apartment plan. Bloomfield's Design Review Board reviewed revised plans for a 210-unit apartment complex at Bloomfield Avenue and Gabb Road, as developer Paul Butler described more than $3 million in public improvements tied to a traffic-calming grant he valued differently at different points.Bloomfield News
• Subcommittee interviews three board candidates. Bloomfield's Committee on Committees subcommittee interviewed three candidates for town boards and heard a YWCA pitch to diversify volunteer boards, as Beautification Committee chair Sharon Mann said the council never responded to five years of requests for a town horticulturalist.Bloomfield News
• CEC presses for POCD farmland role clarity. Bloomfield's Conservation and Environment Commission learned a state grant for the town center was denied a second time, pushed back on its farmland-preservation role in the draft town plan, and flagged an unresolved bear-feeding complaint members called a public safety issue.Bloomfield News
• Schwab forms advisory panel for town budget. Town Manager Al Schwab launched a new advisory Blue Ribbon Committee on Budget Development, seating six members as Councilor Joe Merritt told the panel the town's revaluation shifted roughly $20 million a year in tax burden from business to residential property owners.Bloomfield News
• Council approves RFP for former GEMS building. The Town Council voted unanimously to seek proposals for the former GEMS school building, appraised at $1.9 million, while debating whether the town should lease or sell outright. Town Clerk Andrea DiStephan separately reported FOIA requests have jumped from 31 in 2024 to 202 so far in 2026.Bloomfield News

Today in Bloomfield

• Early voting begins ahead of Nov. 3 election. Early voting for Bloomfield's November 3 general election began October 19, the town said in a release that also detailed voter registration deadlines ahead of the election.Town of Bloomfield
• Limited voter registration session set for Nov. 2. Bloomfield will hold a limited voter registration session on November 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for residents who became eligible by age, citizenship or residence since October 16.Town of Bloomfield

Coming up

• Tue, Oct 20, 5:30 p.m.: Library book club discusses Stamped. Bloomfield Public Library's Social Justice Book Club discusses Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi on October 20 at 5:30 p.m., in person at Prosser or virtually.Bloomfield Public Library
• Tue, Oct 20, 6:00 p.m.: Economic development commission meeting cancelled. The Town Center Economic Development Commission's October 20 meeting at Town Hall, 800 Bloomfield Avenue, has been cancelled, according to the town's calendar.Town of Bloomfield
• Thu, Oct 22, 4:00 p.m.: Library hosts teen program on consent, boundaries. Bloomfield Public Library partners with Interval House for a teen program on domestic violence prevention, Consent and Boundaries for Teens, October 22 at 4 p.m. at Prosser.Bloomfield Public Library
• Thu, Oct 22, 7:00 p.m.: Town Plan and Zoning Commission meets. Bloomfield's Town Plan and Zoning Commission holds its regular meeting October 22 at 7 p.m.Town of Bloomfield
• Thu, Oct 22, 7:00 p.m.: Library offers virtual program on difficult managers. Bloomfield Public Library hosts a virtual program on dealing with a difficult boss, Breaking Free From a Malignant Manager, October 22 at 7 p.m.Bloomfield Public Library
• Fri, Oct 23, 2:00 p.m.: Library screens Get Out for Friday Flicks. Bloomfield Public Library screens Get Out in the Prosser Community Room October 23 at 2 p.m., with an optional discussion to follow.Bloomfield Public Library
• Fri, Oct 23: Pumpkin carving program set at the Rec. Bloomfield Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services hosts a pumpkin carving program for residents October 23.Town of Bloomfield
• Sat, Oct 24, 10:00 a.m.: Farmers market returns to Filley Park. The Bloomfield Farmers Market sets up at Filley Park on Tunxis Avenue October 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Town of Bloomfield
• Sat, Oct 24, 12:30 p.m.: Library hosts children's author Dana Rau. Bloomfield Public Library hosts children's author Dana Rau for a WHO IS an Author program at Prosser October 24 at 12:30 p.m.Bloomfield Public Library
• Sun, Oct 25, 1:00 p.m.: Old Farm School hosts family activities. Bloomfield hosts family activities at the Old Farm School, 151 School Street, October 25 from 1 to 4 p.m.Town of Bloomfield
• Sun, Oct 25, 3:00 p.m.: Old St. Andrew's hosts Oktoberfest celebration. Old St. Andrew's Church hosts an Oktoberfest celebration with music by The Swedish Meatballs October 25 at 3 p.m. at 59 Tariffville Road.Old St. Andrew's Church
• Mon, Oct 26, 7:00 p.m.: Town Council holds next regular meeting. The Bloomfield Town Council holds its next regular meeting October 26 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 800 Bloomfield Avenue.Town of Bloomfield

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