3/6/2026 A Message from First Selectman Lent

Greetings from Town Hall!

As always thematically, the main theme of my administration is environmental and land use issues. Let’s save Easton!

WILDLIFE IN EASTON
(Please send me pictures of your wildlife in town to treynolds@eastonct.gov.)

Raccoon courtesy of Bob Natt


Deer courtesy of Barbara Dulin

CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION ISSUES

HUGHES AND LENT SPEAK OUT AT PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING, OUR TOWN LEADERSHIP COMING TOGETHER AND LEADING AT THE STATE LEVEL TO SAVE OUR RESERVOIRS AND WATER SUPPLIES!
I continue to work relentlessly as a life-long Easton resident -- and life-long outspoken environmental advocate and lawyer -- to try to “Save Easton.” This week, I was out on the front lines as our Town’s leader and CEO with our State Representative Anne Hughes and an incredible bi-partisan coalition including the Attorney General Tong, other First Selectmen, and state legislators AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE STATE CAPITOL on Thursday, see video links of Dan Lent HERE. All speeches link HERE (Anne Hughes at the end.)

Anne and I have met and pledged to work together professionally on common issues for the best interests of Easton and to try to coordinate whenever possible to avoid miscommunications that are divisive and unprofessional. Thank you, Anne, for being professional and for putting Easton above yourself. See her press release quote below:

I spoke at a press conference today on the Aquarion Water sale to the Regional Water Authority, a deal that PURA rejected in November, but a Superior Court judge ordered to be reconsidered in January.

Attorney General William Tong, Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman, and a bipartisan group of legislators and municipal leaders, including First Selectman Dan Lent of Easton, joined me today in decrying the $2.4 billion sale, which will only serve to hurt Connecticut residents by increasing rates, reducing oversight, and lowering property tax revenue for municipalities.

We have a responsibility and obligation to steward this essential natural resource and its ecosystem, for future generations and inhabitants, and we are grateful for the raised legislation in our Energy and Technology Committee, that clarifies the legislative intent: PURA must exercise its authority and reject this deal that is not in the public interest, nor the interest of the reservoir towns of Easton, Weston, and Redding, who carefully steward this life-giving water that we all depend on.

ANNUAL CONNECTICUT LAND CONSERVATION CONFERENCE
I continue to work with the incredible Aspetuck Land Trust, and we will attend the Annual Connecticut Land Conservation Conference and encourage residents to also attend to learn about ways to fund conservation land acquisitions. https://ctconservation.org/conference/

The Annual Connecticut Land Conservation Conference is the state’s premier one-day gathering for land trust professionals, community stewards, agency leaders, volunteers, and advocates.

Expect a full schedule of workshops, panels, and peer-learning sessions focused on effective conservation, stewardship, climate resilience, community inclusion, and leadership. It’s the place to connect, learn, grow, and help shape how Connecticut conserves its natural legacy.

SUSTAINABLE CT VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Thanks to resident Jean Stetz-Puchalski, I’m pleased to share that I’ve been having very productive, results-oriented meetings with the nonpartisan organization Sustainable CT https://sustainablect.org/about. We are making great progress and expect to soon achieve certification in their program, joining many of our surrounding towns. Thanks, Jean!

Sustainable CT is a voluntary certification program to recognize thriving and resilient Connecticut municipalities. A grassroots, municipal effort, Sustainable CT provides a wide-ranging menu of best practices. Municipalities choose Sustainable CT actions, implement them, and earn points toward certification.

Sustainable CT also provides opportunities for grant funding to help communities promote economic well-being and enhance equity, all while respecting the finite capacity of the natural environment. The program is designed to support all Connecticut municipalities, regardless of size, geography, or resources. Sustainable CT empowers municipalities to create high collective impact for current and future residents.

RESIDENTS ASKED TO VOLUNTARILY CONSERVE WATER AMID DROUGHT. Aquarion Water Company is asking residents in Eastern Fairfield County — including Easton — to voluntarily conserve water as the region experiences ongoing drought conditions. With more than 13 inches of rainfall deficit over the past year, Aquarion’s system has reached its first drought trigger at 65% capacity. Although recent snowfall has provided slight relief, significantly more precipitation is needed to recover. (For perspective, 10 inches of snow equals just 1 inch of rain.) Residents are encouraged to reduce water use by fixing leaks promptly, installing water-efficient fixtures, taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing teeth or washing dishes, running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads, and postponing new landscaping projects until the fall. Aquarion emphasizes that voluntary conservation now will help ensure an adequate water supply heading into the spring and summer months.

PLUM TREE 8-30g HIGH DENSITY HOUSING PROJECT: Trumbull denied the Plum Tree Lane application without prejudice. The applicant is still pursuing their Easton permits.

MAILBOX DAMAGE POLICY: Residents are reminded that mailboxes and supporting posts must be installed to withstand the rigors of snow removal, including the force of snow pushed from the street onto the roadside. The Town does not repair or replace mailboxes and/or posts that crack or break from the force of plowed snow or because they were improperly installed. Mailboxes should be 15 inches away from the edge of the road and 42 inches high to the bottom of the mailbox. The Town will only be responsible for repairing or replacing a mailbox if it is determined that the plow physically hit it, and the above conditions apply. Residents who feel they have a legitimate complaint should call the Public Works Dept. at 203-268-0714. https://www.eastonct.gov/highway/pages/snow-removal

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS! Don’t forget to “spring forward” and set your clocks ahead one hour. While we may lose a little sleep, we gain longer, brighter evenings — a sure sign that spring is on its way. Take a moment to enjoy the extra daylight and look forward to the warmer days ahead!

RECYCLING: PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOUR LITHIUM ION BATTERIES IN THE RECYCLE BINS. This can cause explosions and fires. Easton residents can bring their recycling, including electronics and batteries, to the Trumbull Transfer Station FOR FREE! PLEASE do not place ANY plastic garbage bags in recycling or any chemotherapy waste products in the garbage. The town is receiving many fines.

MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH: March is a great time to refocus on nourishing our bodies with whole, minimally processed foods. Choosing fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, dairy, fish, and lean meats helps support overall health and energy. It’s also a good reminder to practice ingredient awareness — read labels, look for simple, recognizable ingredients, and be mindful of added sugars and highly processed items. Preparing more meals at home and supporting local producers when possible can make a meaningful difference. Small, thoughtful changes today can lead to healthier habits all year long.

GOVERNOR LAMONT COMMEMORATES INTERNATIONAL OPEN DATA DAY AND OPEN DATA IN CONNECTICUT: Open Data Day is an annual celebration of open data – data that can be accessed and used by anyone for any purpose – all over the world. Groups from around the world create local events on the day where they will use open data in their communities. It is an opportunity to show the benefits of open data and encourage the adoption of open data policies in government, business, and civil society. Making data more accessible through the development of new data stories, including:

• Small Business Certification Program
• Workforce Pathways: Workforce and Education
• Medical Marijuana Program
• Environmental Justice Public Participation Plans and Reports
• Disconnected Youth in Connecticut
• GreenerGov CT Dashboard
• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Projects
• Connecticut School Construction Grants Program
• OPM CJPPD Correctional Population Forecast
• School Immunization Survey Data
• Prescription Monitoring Program Dashboard
• Annual Nursing Facility Census
• CT Income Tax Dashboard
• Municipal Fiscal Indicators Dashboard
• Connecticut Housing Data Hub

• Updated guidelines and resources, such as Geodata Portal Publishing Guidelines to complement the Open Data Handbook.
• Updated Imagery data, Connecticut’s Statewide Parcel Dataset and consolidated property data into a unified computer-aided mass appraisal (CAMA) ⁠Dataset published on the Open Data Portal.

GOINGS ON AT TOWN HALL

OPTIMUM CHANNEL 79 UPDATE: Thank you for your support, and kudos to our Easton Board of Selectmen, who all submitted their comments & support to the PURA hearings. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? PURA’s process now moves into its formal review phase. There will be interrogatories, legal briefs, and filings, followed by public hearings in the coming weeks (dates and times are still to be announced). We hope to provide coverage of those hearings. The Area Nine Cable Council — the volunteer body that oversees the Educational (Channel 78) and Government (Channel 79) stations serving ten towns in southwest Connecticut — has been granted Intervenor status. That means we have the legal right to participate directly in the proceedings and present arguments supporting the town-specific model that has served our community for decades.

2026 REVALUATION UNDERWAY (Reminder): Easton’s state-mandated 2026 revaluation will begin in February and run through October 31, 2026, with assistance from Municipal Valuations Services (Munival). Property owners will receive a Data Verification Letter to review and return, and Munival staff will conduct exterior inspections throughout town. For questions, call (203) 292-5500.

REMINDER - PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS

• The next Conservation Public Hearing meeting will be on Monday, March 9th, at 7:00 pm, at the SSES Cafetorium, to discuss the Saddle Ridge.
• The Planning & Zoning Public Hearing will continue on Tuesday, March 10th, at 6:00 pm, at Staples Elementary School to discuss the Saddle Ridge 26-lot subdivision. There is also a new public hearing on the application for alteration of a scenic road, for Cedar Hill Road from Bibbins to Silver Hill Roads.
• If you wish to receive updates regarding these meetings, please subscribe HERE!
• As always, thank you for your continued engagement and support as we work together for the future of Easton.

FLAG STATUS: Governor Lamont directs flags to half-staff on March 7th in honor of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson.

PARENT SUPPORT GROUP: If you are interested in volunteering for the Easton Parent Support Group focusing on college admissions, I would love to hear from you. Please contact Tina Reynolds at treynolds@eastonct.gov in the First Selectman's Office. In addition, the Library is hosting the following helpful events:

• Creating a Compelling College Application this Spring (Gr. 11 & Families) on Tuesday, April 21st, 7:30 pm via Zoom. Registration is required.

SHELTER UPDATE: Bear and Poppy are 2-year-old Pom/Min Pin mixes who will be spayed/neutered later this month (appointment pending). They’re very skittish and need calm, quiet, adult-only homes. Not available until fully vetted. Parker and Applejack are still available, too! If interested, please reach out to the Easton Animal Control at 203-268-9172.

Have a great weekend!

Dan

AROUND TOWN

The Easton Arts Council is presenting The Shapes of Color – Photography & Painting Art Exhibition by Paula McDonagh on exhibit March 2 – April 11 in the Community Room Gallery, Easton Public Library. Join us for her artist reception on Saturday, March 7, 4:00 pm-6:00 pm. Artist talk at 5:00 pm

The Staples Academy and the Historical Society of Easton present a kick-off for the America 250 Celebration - History Talks: “The Fighting Irish: Ireland & the American Revolution” featuring Professor Richard Bell, award-winning author and historian from the University of Maryland, on Saturday, March 7^th at 7:00 pm at the Congregational Church Hall, 336 Westport Road. The Irish Americans played a decisive role in winning the American Revolution as generals, soldiers, spies, and fighters in every major battle. Historian Richard Bell reveals how Irish heritage shaped the Patriot cause and how the Revolution, in turn, transformed Ireland itself. A powerful look at the overlooked Irish influence on America’s fight for independence.

The Easton Garden Club is hosting Dragon's Lair: Creating Dragonfly Habitat on Wednesday, March 11^th, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the Easton Public Library Community Room. This program will explore the relationships between different native plant communities and dragonflies. Follow a succession of these winged jewels as they fly from spring into autumn. Presenter: Christine Cook

The Easton Public Library is hosting “AI 101” on Saturday, March 14th, at 2:00 pm, a beginner-friendly introduction to modern artificial intelligence. Learn the basics of generative and agentic AI, what large language models are, how tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini differ, and how to use them effectively and ethically. No prior experience required. Please bring a laptop if you have one. Registration is required.

Craft Crew St. Patrick’s Day Craft (Gr. K-5) on Tuesday, March 17th, 4:30-5:30 PM. Join us at the Library on St. Patrick's Day and make a paper plate Leprechaun! We have all the supplies you'll need to create this fun craft! These programs are designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child(ren).

Crochet with Donna! (Grades 6-8) Thursday, March 19th, 3:30 pm-4:30 pm. Come learn the basics of crochet with Donna, our youth services programming assistant at the Library! There will be 5 slots available, so register now! Registration Required

The Public Library will have a Blood Drive in Memory of Ellen Longbine Waugh, sponsored by the Siren Aide of Easton, on Thursday, March 19th, from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Easton Arts Council is hosting Readers Theater, “Stages”, a production inspired by International Women’s Day on Friday, March 20th at 8:00 pm, at the Easton Public Library, 671 Morehouse Road. Stories, Monologues, and Poems reflecting the many stages and events in a woman’s life.

Spring One Book/One Town Community Read Book Discussion w/Wally Lamb on Saturday, March 21st, 2:00 pm. Join us for a virtual visit from NY Times bestselling author Wally Lamb, as we discuss his book The River is Waiting, our spring One Book/One Town Community Read. Registration is required. Sponsored by Friends of the Easton Public Library.

Get Your Tickets Now for the BSA Scouting Troop 25/66 Gourmet Breakfast on Saturday, March 21st, 7:30 am - NOON! This is the largest fundraiser of the year and a wonderful community event! We’re serving up a delicious spread of gourmet breakfast favorites, including pancakes, custom omelets, and ebelskivers (a cross between a pancake and a donut hole). Buy Tickets HERE. If you’re unable to attend, you can use this link to select your favorite Scout to support or make a direct donation to the troop. All funds raised help support Scout programs, activities, and trips throughout the year. Enjoy a great meal, support local Scouts, and help fund our programs and adventures. We hope to see you there! PLEASE NOTE: Boy Scouts will be going door-to-door to sell tickets. The Easton Police Department has been advised. We appreciate your kindness and support!

Feeling Connected in a Disconnected World: How to Help Teens Manage Anxiety and Depression, Build Resilience, and Avoid Burnout on Sunday, March 22nd, 3:00 pm at the Library. Join licensed psychologist Dr. Emily Winter of Sasco River Center for an informative presentation focused on helping caregivers and parents support teens through anxiety, depression, and burnout. Register Here

This year's Annual Easter Egg Hunt EGG-Stravaganza will occur on Friday, March 27th (Rain Date TBD). Ages: 0-10. Enjoy searching for Easter eggs at our New Friends Playground at 360 Sport Hill Road. There will be SPECIAL EGGS, Easter Trivia, and a visit with the Easter Bunny! The Hunt starts at 6:15 PM - WE ASK THAT YOU DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 5:40 PM, THE EASTER BUNNY WILL BE HIDING EGGS! *Ages: 0-3 will hunt on the Tennis Courts, Ages: 4-10 will hunt on the Playground. Fee: FREE - Easton residents only. REGISTRATION REQUIRED www.eastonrec.com. Don't forget your basket! All children will line up, and we will set a "GO" time. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Check our website or Facebook for rain updates.