5 Things To Know In West Hartford: Flood Zone Rules Hearing, Yard Waste Pickup Ends And More

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The Town Council holds a public hearing Tuesday on updated flood hazard rules that adopt new FEMA maps, curbside yard waste pickup ends Friday before bagged leaf collection starts Nov. 2, and early voting for the Nov. 3 election ends Sunday at Town Hall.

Here are five things to know about life around West Hartford this week:

1. Council Hearing On Flood Zone Rules Tied To New FEMA Maps
When: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7:15 p.m. (hearing); 7:30 p.m. (council meeting)
Where: Legislative Chambers, Room 314, Town Hall, 50 S. Main St.
What to know: The Town Council holds a public hearing on an ordinance amending the town's special flood hazard area standards, then takes it up as unfinished business at its regular meeting, according to its agendas. The draft ordinance says the town must adopt the new standards to keep its rating in FEMA's Community Rating System, which discounts flood insurance premiums. It would adopt FEMA's flood insurance study and new rate maps for Hartford County dated Nov. 13, 2026, require base flood elevation data for all subdivision proposals and other development, and set a Zoning Board of Appeals process for flood-rule variances. The council will also consider a resolution appropriating Community Energy Boost grant funds.
More information here.

2. Yard Waste Pickup Ends, Leaf Bag Collection Starts
When: Curbside yard waste ends Friday, Oct. 30; leaf bag collection Monday, Nov. 2, through Friday, Dec. 18
Where: Curbside townwide; Town Hall, 50 S. Main St.
What to know: Curbside yard waste collection ends Oct. 30, and the town's bagged leaf collection runs Nov. 2 through Dec. 18 on your regular trash day, according to the town. Use 30-gallon biodegradable paper bags or the town's brown yard waste cart, which costs $90 and holds the equivalent of three bags. Bags must stay under 40 pounds and carts under 50, with no grass, twigs, rocks, trash, plastic bags or loose piles; there's no limit on the number of bags. Put them at the curb by 6 a.m., not in the street, where the town's compliance officer can issue warnings and daily fines.
More information here.

3. Early Voting Ends Sunday At Town Hall
When: Monday, Oct. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 1 (final week); 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, and Thursday, Oct. 29
Where: Town Hall Auditorium (main entrance), 50 S. Main St.
What to know: Early voting for the Nov. 3 election continues in the Town Hall Auditorium through Sunday, with same-day registration there during early voting hours, according to the town. On Election Day, polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and same-day registration moves to Room 400 of Town Hall.
More information here.

4. Memorial Garage Upper Escalators Out For Months
When: Began Tuesday, Oct. 20; about 27 weeks
Where: Memorial Garage
What to know: Modernization work began Oct. 20 on the remaining four escalators at Memorial Garage, the two between the first and second floors and the two between the second and third floors, and they'll be out of service for about 27 weeks, according to the town. The newly rebuilt escalators between the lower level and first floor, back in service since Sept. 21, stay open, and elevators and stairwells aren't affected.
More information here.

5. Sustainability Commission, Library Board Meet
When: Monday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m. (Sustainable West Hartford); 6:30 p.m. (Library Board)
Where: Room 407, Town Hall, 50 S. Main St.; Library Board Room, 20 S. Main St.
What to know: The Sustainable West Hartford Commission meets in Room 407 of Town Hall and the Library Board meets at the library, according to the town's meeting portal. Neither agenda had been posted as of Thursday, Oct. 22.
More information here.