HISTORY OF THE BROOKFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Brookfield Chamber of Commerce serves as a united voice for the business people of our community. Our purpose is to link local businesses to each other, to town residents and to visitors thereby providing growth opportunities to all who participate.

The Brookfield Chamber of Commerce will:

• Build business alliances through networking
• Provide input into the direction of the economic growth of Brookfield
• Facilitate educational forums and workshops on topics of interest to the business community
• Promote trade events showcasing the talents of Chamber Members
• Establish cooperative cost benefits Identify opportunities for businesses to contribute time,
material and expertise to the community

BROOKFIELD CHAMBER ENTERS YEAR FIVE!

Past President 2009

Linda McCaffrey - McCaffrey Real Estate Agency
"What I have tried to accomplish in these first four years is to establish a self sustaining Brookfield organization that is ever striving to include its members in the planning and running so as to establish "ownership; to provide an environment of inclusion and welcome. We created many successful independently functioning committees. We also worked to provide members with networking, advertising and information to grow their businesses and to connect with each other and with the citizens of Brookfield. Driving membership has been successful and will continue to be MY focus as I step down as President to form and head a new membership committee.

I see the transition to the Jillian Alps presidency as perfectly well timed as Jillian will focus on the tracking and analysis of our programs and systems as I hope to continue, along with Susan Murphy, our Executive Director, to drive membership.

President 2008

Linda McCaffrey - McCaffrey Real Estate Agency
* New awards committee is established to put into place "Member of the Year "with committee members David Scribner, George Hope and Mick Consalvo.
* Newsletter ("The Inner Chamber")is expanded and writer and editor put in place to produce quarterly editions. Writers: Rich Starkins and Judith Pennington.
* Membership Directory Committee is established to review and edit annual directory. Committee members: Jacqueline Salame and Linda McCaffrey
* First band concert sponsorship through Parks and Recreation Dept.
* Greater involvement with the students of Brookfield High School
* Third Dinner Dance is planned and date moved from January to March

President 2007

Linda McCaffrey - McCaffrey Real Estate Agency
* Ambassador Committee is formed to focus on member retention, member mentoring and guest welcoming at meetings. Chairperson Valerie Maitland-Smith
* Nominating Committee is formed and process put in place. Members Charlie Harrison and Jacqueline Salame
* Outreach Committee is established to promote the goals of the Chamber and also to interact with Brookfield High School students. Chairperson Sue Gostanian
* "Inner Chamber" newsletter and annual membership directory begun. Rich Starkins as editor

President 2006

Linda McCaffrey - McCaffrey Real Estate Agency
2006 - Linda McCaffrey
* Kick-Off Selectman's Breakfast is held and first Chamber members are accepted
* First Dinner Dance is held with Erik Kukk as Chairperson
* First "Best of Brookfield Trade Show" is held with Linda DeLucia as Chairperson
* Website is developed  (www.brookfieldchamber.org)
* Chamber office is established at 246 Federal Road, Suite D-15, Brookfield

President 2005

Linda McCaffrey - McCaffrey Real Estate Agency
2005 - Linda McCaffrey
* Meets with Susan Murphy to discuss possibility of a Brookfield Chamber of Commerce
* A task force is formed to brainstorm purpose, vision and goals
* Transition of Board of Directors is put into place. Officers include Linda McCaffrey (President), Steven Silver (Vice-President), Erik Kukk (Secretary) and Rich Starkins (Treasurer)
* Bylaws are put into place

HISTORY OF BROOKFIELD

Originally established as the Parish of Newbury in 1754, following a petition by settlers from Danbury, New Milford and Newtown, the town of Brookfield came into being by resolution of the General Assembly in May 1788. The town was named in honor of Reverend Brooks, who was ordained and installed as permanent minister of the town in 1757, and who had guided its destiny for 30 years. The present Congregational Church, located at the intersection of Routes 25 and 133, was the site of Brookfield's first meetinghouse. Over the past century, the first Town Hall from 1796 has also served as a center for civic affairs. The Brookfield Historical Society and Museum leased the building in 1975, after which it was refurbished and officially dedicated and opened on July 4, 1976 as a highlight of the Nation's Bicentennial celebration. The Museum uses it as a center for the preservation of the town's historical past.

Brookfield is governed by a Board of Selectmen and conducts town meetings on a regular basis. The Board of Finance oversees the town's fiscal affairs.

The students in the community are well served with Center Elementary School (K-2), Huckleberry Hill Elementary School (3-5), Whisconier Middle School (6-8) and Brookfield High School (9-12). All are excellent public schools. The Town also offers several private/parochial schools including St. Joseph's Parochial School (Grades K-8).

Brookfield is a thriving community and is today one of Fairfield County's fastest growing towns. Notwithstanding its progressive development in recent years, the town has remarkably managed to maintain its small town friendliness and rural character. Much of Brookfield's quality of life is attributable to the varying styles of homes, convenience and abundance of shopping facilities, along with its wealth of natural resources, not the least of which is Candlewood Lake.

FACTS OF INTEREST:
 
Year Town Incorporated: May 1788
Geographic Area: 20.4 sq. miles
Current Population: Est. 17,254
Total Households: 7,420

PHONE NUMBERS:

Assessor:	203-775-7302
Board of Education:	203-775-7700
Community Center:	203-775-5308
Fire Marshal:	203-775-7306
Historical Society & Museum:	203-740-8140
Library:	203-775-6241
Parks & Recreation:	203-775-7310
Police Department:	203-775-2575
Post Office:	203-775-2717
Selectman's Office:	203-775-7300
Tax Collector:	203-775-7304
Town Clerk:	203-775-7313