FAIRFIELD, CT Fairfield's beaches have gone from "a complete and utter disaster" to "a much safer situation" after the town last weekend began limiting admission to residents only, according to the first selectwoman.

Large numbers of visitors caused excessive traffic, left garbage, and made it impossible for beachgoers to practice social distancing measures intended to prevent transmission of the coronavirus, First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick told the Board of Selectmen at a meeting held Monday via teleconference.

"Our beaches literally were like something you would see on television from Florida," she said.

Fairfield responded by restricting beach use to residents only on Saturday and Sunday, erecting temporary fencing, and posting extra signs explaining parking fines increased to $200 from $80, according to Kupchick. Police were also present.

Kupchick deemed the first weekend with the new rules a success.

"We received literally hundreds of positive comments from our residents for the changes that we made," she said.

Fairfield's beach season has been far from typical this summer. A total of 5,000 more residents bought beach passes this year compared to last year, according to a town news release an influx compounded by large numbers of visitors from out of state, Kupchick said. Selectwoman Nancy Lefkowitz confirmed with Kupchick that out-of-towners visiting friends and family who live in Fairfield will be granted access to the beach.

In response to a question from Lefkowitz about the legality of banning nonresidents, Kupchick said Fairfield's town attorney has assured her she can limit beach access to residents in a situation involving public safety. She also noted neighboring Westport has similar beach restrictions.

"I have to put public safety as the No. 1 priority for our community," Kupchick said.

The coronavirus pandemic has drastically affected life in Connecticut for months, although both new cases and virus-associated deaths have leveled off in the last several weeks.

As of Wednesday, Fairfield had 618 confirmed coronavirus cases and 51 probable cases, compared to 593 confirmed cases and 48 probable cases a month ago, according to state data. The most recent town numbers indicate Fairfield has had 145 deaths connected to the virus, compared to 137 deaths as of June 20.

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Utter Disaster At Fairfield Beaches Led To Residents-Only Rule - Fairfield, CT Patch